please advise : "the" situation PICS INSIDE!! OMG!!11

[latazyo]

well I have decided that if I am to address the bowing situation I have to choose 1 of two options


OPTION 1 : EUROBRACE

have someone make an acrylic eurobrace and glue it on

pros:
1. can maintain setup (except will have to find new way to mount seios)
2. no lighting upgrade temptation
3. guaranteed to fix bowing problem

cons:
1. cost?? will this be expensive?
2. as if I know how to be gluing acrylic together...***
3. I really dont want a eurobrace
4. will have to find new way to mount seios (currently in hang on mode)



OPTION 2: CANOPY

easy for me to make myself

pros:
1. cheap, probably wont cost more than 30 USD

cons:
1. will look ridiculous because my stand is wider than my tank

2. will tempt me to hook up a 250w MH
3. might not even fix the bowing problem

in case you aren't aware of my situation, I have a 24x18x18" tank and the front panel is bowing like crazy

pics here:
http://bitz.net/~latazyo/Pics/Aqua/37RR/222007/tankbow2.JPG


thanks for looking and PLEASE offer your .02 USD (even if its lonnie)

 

[mpcart]

I don't think option #2 will help with the bowing. I'd go with #1. Can you put a bar clamp on it to hold it in place until you get the Eurobrace in?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=46808


-Mike

 

[bigmayreefer]

I would brace it and then mount your seios with magnets.

 

[sirreal63]

Upgrade to a bigger tank. and don't risk it anymore. Use that one as a sump then it doesn't matter how ugly it is.

Maybe an option #3?

 

[stlouisguy]

I think the best part is you gave the quote for the canopy in USD (U. S. Dollars)

What the heck else you buying stuff with in Missouri???

 

[sirreal63]

Nice catch. LOL

 

[Chelsey]

Just sit back and relax...what LFS that has acrylic tanks doesn't have bowed tanks? I've seen them @ MS, CPE, and GWA...not necessarily majorly bowed, but bowed nonetheless.

 

[sirreal63]

I think the worry here is that is a lot of bow on such a short tank, a 1/2" bow on a 4', 6' or longer tank is normal, that much bow on a 2' tank is a lot of force on the seams than a longer tank. Kind of risky.

 

[Reggae Fish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9195429#post9195429 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stlouisguy
I think the best part is you gave the quote for the canopy in USD (U. S. Dollars)

What the heck else you buying stuff with in Missouri???

Depending what part of Missouri, unfortunately, I think some places still accept confederate money. :lol:

 

[JxMetal]

Definitly what Jack said.

Many acrylic unbraced tanks DO bow, but not that much on that short of a piece.

 

[Im Lon 2]

Re: please advise : "the" situation PICS INSIDE!! OMG!!11

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9193907#post9193907 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by latazyo
thanks for looking and PLEASE offer your .02 USD (even if its lonnie)

Okay now I have to add my .02 USD

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9193921#post9193921 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mpcart
I don't think option #2 will help with the bowing.
-Mike

I agree with this.. if its bowing it would probably pull the canopy apart too.

Theres a nickel keep the change..

 

[stlouisguy]

Well, I guess I DID get a Canadian quarter last week..............

 

[Im Lon 2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9195563#post9195563 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sirreal63
I think the worry here is that is a lot of bow on such a short tank, a 1/2" bow on a 4', 6' or longer tank is normal, that much bow on a 2' tank is a lot of force on the seams than a longer tank. Kind of risky.

Yeah, that to me is to big of a bow on that size tank. Smaller pieces should be stronger, and not as easy to bow.

when you first started talking about it I was like should be a big deal, most acrylics bow.. but then after I seen the pic's, there is no way I would trust that. I don't think my walmart rubber maid bows that bad.

 

[latazyo]

thanks guys,

Jack, unfortunately while I am in college in this apartment I wont be able to upgrade...Ive thought about it, but when IM done with school nd move into a house I'll hopefully be able to get started on an inwall/fishroom setup....so for the next 2 years IM gonna try to see what I can do with this little guy

I put a level on the tank, I didnt take a pic, but here is how the bubble was...indicating that the tank is ever so slightly leaning towards the front (panel that's bowing)...I have styro under the tank

thanks for noticing the USD guys

is there anyone in the club that has acrylic skills or would this be an ART project (to make a eurobrace)....can anyone guess a cost?

 

[geoxman]

$15 from JBC on Gravois

 

[latazyo]

do I need to give them a drawing or anything?

is 2" width all the way around enough?

how thick should it be? 1/2", 3/4"??

can I buy the weldon needed to hook it up?

sorry for all the questions

 

[levon15]

Actually I know that in some parts of missouri you can live for years off the crap in your yard and whatever you can get for cheap out of the area. My grandpa, God rest his soul, had quite the life trading lawnmowers and used trucks, selling wood/trees off a back lot or simply performing work for used junk/vehicles which were later traded for other stuff.

Its a crazy life style. I would rather have dollars in my pocket or some plastic attached to a bank account.

USD is not bad to mention. Isnt latazyo from up north I think its Canada.

Get the bracing and fix that tank. The setup is great and would hate for it to spill onto the floor.

Fix it.

 

[scbadiver]

It wouldn't be all that expensive to put a top or eurobrace on it. I'd recommend at least a 3/8 or 1/2 inch peice across the top. The down side is, to do it right, you'll need to empty the tank. I'd be glad to help you glue it up if you want but I don't think you'll get good results trying to do it with the tank full. I'd get a peice of acylic about 25x19 so you can flush cut it to the tank and it will fit perfectly that way.

Robbie

 

[DrBDC]

You def. would be best off draining the tank so that it will "stress" from a neutral position. You can come borrow that 70 acrylic if you need to hold the tank contents in something. Or if you think you can wait a week, I'll have a 55 you can bum.

 

[stlouisguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9197353#post9197353 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by levon15


USD is not bad to mention. Isnt latazyo from up north I think its Canada.

.

North Dakota. Close enough to be Canadian