PEPPIE'S 205gal DIY In-Wall/Fishroom
- Thread starter peppie
- Start date
Thanks Mark,
I am also building the DT. I have cut the acrylic to the rough sizes and started to prep the edges.
I will post up that part of the build in detail soon
Here is a small teaser of the tank build.
The front back and sides will be 3/4'' Plexi-GP, the bottom and top euro will be 1/2'' Plexi-GP
53'' long 45'' deep X 30'' tall = approx 310gal
I rough cut the panels with a skill saw
Then I re purposed a short bench that held my small bandsaw,to build this tank on. The main work bench is a bit to high and not wide enough
I used a 1/2'' flush cutting bit in the router to prep the edge.
The panels are a bit to large for me to use my router table. So I bought a sheet of MDF and cut it to the finished dimension to use as a guide for the router bit to ride against.
The front back and sides will be 3/4'' Plexi-GP, the bottom and top euro will be 1/2'' Plexi-GP
53'' long 45'' deep X 30'' tall = approx 310gal
I rough cut the panels with a skill saw
Then I re purposed a short bench that held my small bandsaw,to build this tank on. The main work bench is a bit to high and not wide enough
I used a 1/2'' flush cutting bit in the router to prep the edge.
The panels are a bit to large for me to use my router table. So I bought a sheet of MDF and cut it to the finished dimension to use as a guide for the router bit to ride against.
Shot you a PM with some info
I rough cut the panels 1/4'' larger than the finished dimension. Then I clamped the sheet to the MDF pattern, with 1/8'' overhanging the MDF. Once the panel was clamped and doubled checked to be sure the cut was parallel I stuck5 pieces of painters tape to the edge of the MDF. I made a pass with the router, pulled 3 layers of tape off the MDF, ran the router down the edge again, removed the finale 2 layers of tape and finished the routing on the edge.
I will be using the pin method (with twist ties from a bread bag) along with weldon #3
I will be using the pin method (with twist ties from a bread bag) along with weldon #3
Looks like I have time to put together this tank, thanks to the long holiday weekend.
I finished prepping all the edges, now its time to weld some pieces together.
Left side first
You can see the fillet on both sides of the joint. That means less chance for bubbles and the joint has not been starved for solvent
While that side has a chance to bite a bit, I will get the top euro-brace cut and inside edge preped.
Roughed out with the skill saw
I made a 1/2 templet out of MDF, I will cut one side , then flip the templet, then cut the other side.
Wife will Not be happy about the acrylic snow
I finished prepping all the edges, now its time to weld some pieces together.
Left side first
You can see the fillet on both sides of the joint. That means less chance for bubbles and the joint has not been starved for solvent
While that side has a chance to bite a bit, I will get the top euro-brace cut and inside edge preped.
Roughed out with the skill saw
I made a 1/2 templet out of MDF, I will cut one side , then flip the templet, then cut the other side.
Wife will Not be happy about the acrylic snow
muttley000
MTS Sufferer!
Nice work? I find template routing efficient and enjoyable. Glad to se someone making progress with a project!
muttley000
MTS Sufferer!
That sounds like a great trip! So you should be rested up and ready to get back to work! So, how did you deal with the plastic shavings? I can only imagine the result of me making a mess like that in my wife's yard, especially a non biodegradable mess
theReefKing
New member
This made me laugh. :0)
theReefKing
New member
Great looking build. Impressive DIY work. I am jealous!
The dimensions of the tank are going to be very appealing, as you will be able to create such depth to your reef.
Subscribed, you are ahead of my pace and I will be stealing ideas and giving credit for certain!
The dimensions of the tank are going to be very appealing, as you will be able to create such depth to your reef.
Subscribed, you are ahead of my pace and I will be stealing ideas and giving credit for certain!
Thanks Corey,
Been watching your thread hoping to see some pics of your DT, just for reference of a pro build as to a hobbist build.
Looks like you will see water before me.
That sounds like a great trip! So you should be rested up and ready to get back to work! So, how did you deal with the plastic shavings? I can only imagine the result of me making a mess like that in my wife's yard, especially a non biodegradable mess
She blew a fuse, (I was planing on it) She is so funny, her concern was it getting in the lawn mower. (OMG) I had to rake it up. Thought I may have to pull out the shop vac and sweep the yard. LOL (still might have to)
The snow is literally 1'' deep on the shop floor. I will post up a pic of it soon. I am almost done with the routing. No sense cleaning it up till all the routing is done.
Here are a couple pics of how the vertical seams turned out.
Small bubbles were the pin was pulled. No biggie
I am pleased with the results. Not to bad for a hobbist
Thanks RKING,
No need to be jealous, I am sure you have your expertise that many of us coudnt hold a candle to.
I have always been building something, for as long as I can remember, Many times it is a hindrance. It is unbelievable how many people expect you to make them something, just cause they think you can do anything.
I think you are right about the DT dim. it will show depth. The size was pretty much decided by the size of the sheets of acrylic I could afford, and the hole I had already cut in the wall. LOL
Very few of the ideas I have used here are truly mine. I have gotten most of vision from builds here on RC. I may put my own twist on some of them. But it if very seldom you will see an original idea.
Got a link to your thread?
biecacka
Active member
Yea slow process on my build. I have been super busy w work lately so I am unable to help and I want to because I want to learn so we have been waiting patiently. All that's left is putting on the bottom then it's assembled. Just buff/polish it after that. I do feel I have learned a lot from helping assemble the parts thus far. I don't think I would build a tank my size right away but maybe some sump or something.
It's been awhile since my friend has built a tank too. It's a lot of work and its been humid here and that has really slowed the cure time up
Corey
It's been awhile since my friend has built a tank too. It's a lot of work and its been humid here and that has really slowed the cure time up
Corey
I let the side panels cure to the front and back panels overnite. Ran the router over the front and back edges in prep to weld on the top euro-brace.
Had a few bubbles in this weld, but nothing to fret over
I let this weld cure overnite again, I will flip it and weld on the bottom.
Had a few bubbles in this weld, but nothing to fret over
I let this weld cure overnite again, I will flip it and weld on the bottom.
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