Rimless glass build help
- Thread starter jsjonesrdh
- Start date
Just saw this...
Here's the build thread. But you might prefer the after-the-fact writeup I did later. It's quite a bit more concise. That's here...
But if I'm going to put these links out here, I've got to also give some disclaimers...
First, that tank busted a seam eventually. When I built it, I had so many "fails" that I rebuilt the thing seven - yes seven - times before I had learned how to do it right. But the very last time was switching to RTV108 from cheap aquarium silicone. But so many rebuilds cause some bursitis in one arm, and I foolishly chose not to redo the silicone of one large panel. I just hurt too d*mn much lifting those glass panels. So I fixed what was leaking with RTV108, and left one side alone. And wouldn't you know it, that's that panel that let go. So there's a major "use the right silicone" lesson there.
Second, there have been a lot of suggested improvements to my build that make perfect sense. Ditching straps and going with all clamps. And putting reinforcing glass (false 2nd bottom) along the bottom for reinforcement.
Third, most people prefer a build where the four sides go around the bottom, vs. sitting on the bottom like I did. IMO the "go around" method looks a lot better. But the downside is that it requires pretty accurate glass cutting for everything to fit as well.
Hope that helps.
jsjonesrdh
New member
Rovster, I don't know if you can tell from my pics but I built my tank the way Scolly was describing. the first two pages of this thread was my attempt to iron out all the details.
Not a leak yet. No signs of stress or deflection. I'm happy with the way everything is looking.
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2
Not a leak yet. No signs of stress or deflection. I'm happy with the way everything is looking.
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2
jsjonesrdh
New member
I think it was around $230 +/- for the glass.
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2
Reef Developer
New member
Just saw this...
Here's the build thread. But you might prefer the after-the-fact writeup I did later. It's quite a bit more concise. That's here...
But if I'm going to put these links out here, I've got to also give some disclaimers...
First, that tank busted a seam eventually. When I built it, I had so many "fails" that I rebuilt the thing seven - yes seven - times before I had learned how to do it right. But the very last time was switching to RTV108 from cheap aquarium silicone. But so many rebuilds cause some bursitis in one arm, and I foolishly chose not to redo the silicone of one large panel. I just hurt too d*mn much lifting those glass panels. So I fixed what was leaking with RTV108, and left one side alone. And wouldn't you know it, that's that panel that let go. So there's a major "use the right silicone" lesson there.
Second, there have been a lot of suggested improvements to my build that make perfect sense. Ditching straps and going with all clamps. And putting reinforcing glass (false 2nd bottom) along the bottom for reinforcement.
Third, most people prefer a build where the four sides go around the bottom, vs. sitting on the bottom like I did. IMO the "go around" method looks a lot better. But the downside is that it requires pretty accurate glass cutting for everything to fit as well.
Hope that helps.
Scolly,
Is it safe to say a lot of time & effort & pain & suffering would have been saved if you would have used the RTV108 from day 1? Seems like using a quality silicone like that is the most crucial thing.
Kevin
Hard to say Kevin. And that's EASY to say too, 'cuz when I did that there was not the wealth of information on silicones and rimless building that is out there today. It took a lot of research to even find out about RTV108.
That said, IMO building the tank on a deck was pretty stupid too. Both from the fact that the deck really transmitted vibrations, and that the surface was not level. So I think three things would have shortened that pain: proper silicone, padding under the tank as it was made/cured/tested, and a sturdy vibration surface.
That said, IMO building the tank on a deck was pretty stupid too. Both from the fact that the deck really transmitted vibrations, and that the surface was not level. So I think three things would have shortened that pain: proper silicone, padding under the tank as it was made/cured/tested, and a sturdy vibration surface.
jsjonesrdh
New member
Momentive RTV 100 series was used.
Scolley I had read through yoy entire planted thread before I even considered this build. Your thread made me nervous but didn't deter me completely.
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2
Scolley I had read through yoy entire planted thread before I even considered this build. Your thread made me nervous but didn't deter me completely.
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2
Glad of that! You've built yourself a SWEET looking tank. Congrats. :thumbsup:
jsjonesrdh
New member
over a month now and no leaks
jsjonesrdh
New member
Yes the tank is still running well. No measurable changes in deflection or seam width.
ghbrewer
New member
I love your tank, and I am in the middle of research for my first build. Excuse me if it was posted elsewhere, but I cannot seem to find whether or not in your final attempt if you taped up the glass prior to assembly, or if you just clamped it up and cut off the squeeze out?
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