masharp1126
New member
Okay after finishing up the painting inside the tank, it was time to install the glass. Rented an engine hoist from a local rental company and a suction cup from a local fish store.
Sharp's 450g Plywood Build (finally getting closer)
- Thread starter masharp1126
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masharp1126
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I used the small rubber spacers to ensure that I didn't squeeze all the silicone out from the joint.
masharp1126
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After letting the silicone dry for a week, it was time to leak test it in the garage. Before moving it in.
masharp1126
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After filling to the overflow, the deflection on the front might have been 1/16th of an inch, if that. If was so small, I couldn't tell a lot of difference on the tape measure.
Let it sit, full, for a week in the garage. :dance: No leaks. Ready to be moved in.
Let it sit, full, for a week in the garage. :dance: No leaks. Ready to be moved in.
masharp1126
New member
Sorry, but I wasn't able to get any pics of the moving process. There were only three of us and it tooks all hands to lift it to the stand. Anyway, here's some pics from the fishroom and the den, with the tank in place.
masharp1126
New member
This past weekend I got the inside viewing panel finished out. My wife wanted the picture frame look, so here's what I came up with. Turned out a lot nicer than I actually thought it would. I'm very happy with it. Simple, but elegant. Sorry for the pic quality. Seemed to have a little trouble getting good, clear shots.
Tanner, says HI:rollface:
Tanner, says HI:rollface:
masharp1126
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And, finally, these will bring you up to date with where I am. Sunday, I started putting together the light rack. It will be holding (3) 400w metal halides, (4) 54w T5's, and (4) 2-bulb blue LEDs. Here's some of the progress so far.
masharp1126
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Inside dimensions are like 71" x 46.5" x 31"h.
BTW, Go Raiders! I was born and raised in Lubbock until I was about 14 years old. Then moved out to the Dallas metroplex. What do you think about the coaching situation?
AcroSteve, yeah, I probably should have thought a little more about that before doing it, but it worked out all right. No damage done. I was trying to get it up off the ground so I could go ahead and cut one of my CL holes in the bottom. Attached a ball valve to it, and used it to drain the tank after the week long leak test was done. Made it a lot easier draining.
masharp1126
New member
BTW, I didn't mention it above, but the ideas for the light fixture came from GlassReef's build thread. Man, that guy had some great ideas in his thread and I'm using several of them. :thumbsup:
dahenley
New member
yes he does!!!
dahenley
New member
on the coaching thing, there was fishy stuff going on (in both the coach side, but the school side as well) as for the new coach, we will wait and see. (it is a shame that ruffy didnt get the job or stay. but atleast he got a head coach job some where else.)
masharp1126
New member
Yeah, after the bowl game, I was hoping they'd give it to Ruffin. I usually get out there about once a year for a game. When I was a kid, my parents would take me and we'd sit on the grass in the endzone. Back when it was all grass, maybe 35 years ago or so. :lmao:
serpentman
part time superhero
Nice job. Always admire plywood tanks! Never had the confidence in my abilities to do one.
Love the tank!!!!! Might have missed something, but what thickness of glass did you use? I noticed you said deflection was all but unnoticeable....I'm building a woody myself and wondering about a center brace....My build is only 42" front to back....I incorporated 2" angle completely around the tank as AcroSteve did in his build.
masharp1126
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I used 1/2" starphire. I asked a lot of people about the thickness, both on this forum, and several others. I had a couple of people tell me to go thicker, but the vast majority said 1/2" would be okay. Guess we'll see.
I used the 2" angle iron on the front only, sandwiched between the layers of wood.
masharp1126
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serpentman, EBOLII, Lobb4920,
Thanks for the comments. It's been a lot of hard work. But, I think most of the hard, physical work came in finishing out the fish room. At least, most of that is finished....though I do still need to plumb and install a utility sink, and apply one more coat of paint to half the room.
Thanks for the comments. It's been a lot of hard work. But, I think most of the hard, physical work came in finishing out the fish room. At least, most of that is finished....though I do still need to plumb and install a utility sink, and apply one more coat of paint to half the room.
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