redtop03's 360 gallon plywood adventure

[redtop03]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15186933#post15186933 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MattShack
Willie, I see what you mean now about going back to work to get a break. I feel like I'm building houses again.

if thats how you build houses,I'd like for you to build me 1 :lol:

I can get somewhat of a break at work,I don't know if you can though...people who work for themselves tend to work several times harder than the rest of us

 

[redtop03]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15179718#post15179718 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Iwishihadgills
This thread has inspired me.

thank you,I'm glad my tank can be an inspiration

 

[redtop03]

I did get a few things done today,I drilled my 20g and made an overflow for it,and got it siliconed in,I don't have my bulkhead yet but I ordered 2 this morning....here are a few pics of it

this tank is for my chaeto fuge

 

[Plankt0s]

I hope that you can get the bulkhead in that small space!

 

[mightyevil]

it will fit...use one like the ones glass-holes.com has.

 

[redtop03]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15193976#post15193976 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by biowerks
I hope that you can get the bulkhead in that small space!

it has to go in with the threaded end and nut on the inside of the tank,but it will work

 

[redtop03]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15194890#post15194890 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mightyevil
it will fit...use one like the ones glass-holes.com has.

I ordered the bulkheads from there,but I didn't specify long or short,so I may have to cut them to fit,but it will work,how ever I have to do it

 

[horkn]

Redtop, I hate to ask a question, especially if it might have been stated before, but garf recommends 1" of "lip" around the front galss to secure the glass with silicone.

Is that what you would recommend? or if not, what did you use for a "lip" on the front piece of wood?

I am trying to get my front and eurobrace cut outs done today, and i don't have any real answer, and fingerlakes forum have not responded yet...


I will have 3" or eurobracing on my top sheet of 3/4 ply, on a 62" x 24 tall x 30 deep 193 g plywood tank.


I have planned 1.75" all around for the front wood panel, 1" for the glass, and .75" for the trim that will be in 45 degree angles.

 

[redtop03]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15210243#post15210243 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by horkn
Redtop, I hate to ask a question, especially if it might have been stated before, but garf recommends 1" of "lip" around the front galss to secure the glass with silicone.

Is that what you would recommend? or if not, what did you use for a "lip" on the front piece of wood?

I am trying to get my front and eurobrace cut outs done today, and i don't have any real answer, and fingerlakes forum have not responded yet...


I will have 3" or eurobracing on my top sheet of 3/4 ply, on a 62" x 24 tall x 30 deep 193 g plywood tank.


I have planned 1.75" all around for the front wood panel, 1" for the glass, and .75" for the trim that will be in 45 degree angles.

I used 2" but I think the 1" lip is plenty,

I think the 3" euro will be good too,I used 4" but I used 3 cross braces,and I think the 1 in the center would've been enough

the 1.75" around the front sounds like a good plan to me,IMO the 45's will make it a stronger joint and make the fiberglass easier to apply,but it might be better to have something flat on the bottom,in the front,for the weight of the glass to rest on,so that the silicon isn't the only thing supporting the weight of the glass....instead of the 45,maybe use a .75" square strip from side to side....thats just a thought.....the silicon bonds well to the sweetwater paint and the glass,so you probably wont have any problems either way

 

[MattShack]

horkn, I agree with willie. I did find somewhere on the fingerlakes site about 1" lip on some of their builds.

Are you doing a build thread? If so, send me a link. I'd like to see it.

 

[horkn]

I have a thread on Fingerlakes, but nobody has replied.....

I have one on 3reef, and my local clubs WRS forum too.

Thanks for the moral support guys!

You know how it goes with these DIY things, sometimes a little confirmation from others is all that it takes to know it will work.

 

[redtop03]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15216552#post15216552 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by horkn
I have a thread on Fingerlakes, but nobody has replied.....

I have one on 3reef, and my local clubs WRS forum too.

Thanks for the moral support guys!

You know how it goes with these DIY things, sometimes a little confirmation from others is all that it takes to know it will work.

I replied to your thread at fingerlakes but its a little late now ,I would have tried to answer over there,I just hadn't been over there in a while....sorry.....I've been busy reading and posting on my thread,matts thread,acrosteves thread,and marinelifes thread.....

kent,over there,probably hasn't seen your thread yet,I think he'd reply and try to help you.....from what I gather,he's the plywood guru there......

are you gonna continue your build over there?

you could build it on RC too,reef sanctuary is another great site for info and help,they're great helpful people over there also...good luck to you

 

[chriscobb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15210407#post15210407 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by redtop03
I used 2" but I think the 1" lip is plenty,

I think the 3" euro will be good too,I used 4" but I used 3 cross braces,and I think the 1 in the center would've been enough

the 1.75" around the front sounds like a good plan to me,IMO the 45's will make it a stronger joint and make the fiberglass easier to apply,but it might be better to have something flat on the bottom,in the front,for the weight of the glass to rest on,so that the silicon isn't the only thing supporting the weight of the glass....instead of the 45,maybe use a .75" square strip from side to side....thats just a thought.....the silicon bonds well to the sweetwater paint and the glass,so you probably wont have any problems either way

I Thought the same idea on the piece for the glass to rest upon and was advised strongly by Kent and others on FingerLakes against that design....HTH

 

[redtop03]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15235486#post15235486 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chriscobb
I Thought the same idea on the piece for the glass to rest upon and was advised strongly by Kent and others on FingerLakes against that design....HTH

Chris,

did they say why?

I don't see how it would hurt anything,other than adding a 90 degree corner to the inside of the aquarium....I guess a rock could chip the epoxy on that corner,causing a leak.....in that case,it's probably not a good idea

I guess the weight of the glass will still be somewhat supported by the 45 too,I think after the silicon is fully cured and the water pressure is against it,it's not going anywhere

 

[redtop03]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15193976#post15193976 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by biowerks
I hope that you can get the bulkhead in that small space!

here's what you gotta do for bulkhead placement in tight spots,they sent me the long bulkhead,I had to cut it to fit,but it fits great

right now,my seahorse tank plumbing,is in my way of connecting the fuge,I'm gonna move the horses from the 72g bow front to a 30g x t tank,that the lfs gave to me....it was leaking,had to reseal it....and get the 72 out of my livingroom.......I don't know yet where to set up the 30g for the horses,or to connect to the 360 or run a separate system

 

[chriscobb]

I don't remember the exact wording, but Kent and others did state why the suggest against the "ledge" for the glass to sit on, and after you read the theory against it; it does make good sense....If you go over to FingerLakes and look for my thread over there the question was answered....

 

[redtop03]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15237604#post15237604 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chriscobb
I don't remember the exact wording, but Kent and others did state why the suggest against the "ledge" for the glass to sit on, and after you read the theory against it; it does make good sense....If you go over to FingerLakes and look for my thread over there the question was answered....

chris,
I read through your build thread over there again......you're not updating over there...they said to not put the glass in a channel,that would keep the glass from compressing with the water pressure,that I agree with,but just the strip for it to rest on shouldn't be any different than it just sitting on the bottom,like mine is...

have you made any more progress on your tank ?

 

[chriscobb]

From what I gather the glass shouldn't actually rest on anything

 

[STLmatt]

nice work!

 

[redtop03]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15248221#post15248221 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chriscobb
From what I gather the glass shouldn't actually rest on anything

I see what you're saying,you may be right.....mine is against the floor in my tank,it seem to be OK....I don't think thats enough to keep the silicon from compressing....but I've been wrong before

I was worried about the weight of the glass pulling on the silicon before the water went in,but once the water goes in,I don't think it could move,except for the silicon compressing