So it begins...DIY

[SirusX1721]

I just started on my DIY 24x24x12 (30gal...ish) project. I had the glass cut from a local company (Fox Glass), and ordered bulkheads and holesaws from www.glass-holes.com. I will be using a 1" for the drain and a 3/4" for the return. The tank will be put together using a food grade silicone from EMI (Black). Since the silicone isn't in yet I may re-order the front panel in Starphire. I will call about hat tomorrow.

To start things off I wanted to try a DIY Foam Rock Wall. I started by cutting a piece of eggcrate slightly smaller than the back panel. I zip tied some dried rock and PVC pipe to the eggcrate, and used Beckets Pond Foam to fill in the voids. I let the foam cure over night, and proceeded to carve out the foam as I seen fit. For the next step I was going to use Epoxy to coat the foam with before adding sand, but I decided to use silicone. The results were actually pretty nice. A few stops were left uncovered, but they will be covered with Epoxy Putty and smaller dried rock after curing (the silicone). As for the coating, I used a 1:1 ratio of crushed coral and aragonite sand.

Results thus far...

The PVP covered with CC/Sand...

 

[hybridazn]

lookin good. i'm sure after its all done the wife will want a nano tank. she wont admit it but she loves these things as much as us!

 

[SirusX1721]

I've created monsters with you two! For lighting I may do Aquatrader's Halides with PC's. Swap out the bulbs probably (definitly redo wiring). We'll see when I get there.

This wall is going for a dip tomorrow, and I'll see how things test out. I'm hoping my orders come in so I can drill.

Dr. FnS order shipped. Your overflow box should be in this week.

 

[the2ofus]

That wall looks really cool.... great idea.

Would like to see it with rock in front when you get it all set up..

Nice JOB

 

[SirusX1721]

Thank you.

I will be adding rock in front once I'm ready. I was looking to add a mixture of Tonga Branch and Shelf rock.

I've decided to go Rimless with this tank with a little thicker seal. Also choosing to go flat bottom instead of raised. Off to get some Styro-Board then!

 

[SirusX1721]

Sump started. I need to add another baffle yet.

 

[SirusX1721]

New wider glass center brace added as well to support lighting for the fuge.

 

[bigmatt1992]

looking good bro if u need anything else let me know great meeting you. and i think ima start a parahna tank so i might need your help on that.

 

[SirusX1721]

Hahah, not a problem. It's child's-play compared to SW.

 

[SirusX1721]

Well I got the silicon in this morning, and started to have some fun.

Food Grade RVT

 

[SirusX1721]

Water Test #1

 

[SirusX1721]

Final Water Test. All went well. Not a single leak!

After a 24hr Dry time I silicone the Foam Rock Wall in place.

 

[SirusX1721]

24hrs later I got bored waiting for the silicone to dry, so I messed around with some rock work ideas. The rock was from Matt. Thanks again, Matt.

 

[SirusX1721]

I just had my order from Dr. Foster and Smith come in not long ago. Ordered a ViaAqua 2300 for my return pump, Koralia 1, few test kits, Mag-Float and a few other odds and ends. Also I got the pup a new toy...

He's just freshly bathed, and now hyper as all @%#$. He loves that big ol' Gorilla, hahah.

 

[cloakerpoked]

Where'd you get the glass from, if you don't mind my asking...

 

[cloakerpoked]

oops...should've read a little more in detail. There it was, staring me in the face. I guess what I'm wondering is if it is a reasonable price, or if its pretty expensive to DIY this kind of stuff. Also how was the cutting (square?) and polishing on the glass, and what thickness is it?

 

[vr697getta]

tank is lookin good and how old is the pup i hope new toys last longer for your dog than mine.

 

[SirusX1721]

He just turned 2yrs in July. Worlds biggest baby!!! His toys actually last him a long time. Now the squeakers...that's another story!

 

[SirusX1721]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15707790#post15707790 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cloakerpoked
Where'd you get the glass from, if you don't mind my asking...

I got the glass locally from Fox's Glass in Mount Pleasant. He can also order Starphire, so I'm keeping that in mind for my next project.

These pieces I used for the tank itself were very square. I had no problems. All the glass is 1/4" thick. If and when I do this again I will be sure to get the bottom glass a little thicker. I should have gone 3/8" for this tank. I noticed one baffle I had cut was a little out of square, but I made it work : ) All the edges were seamed edges.

Figure for all the glass (tank and baffles), tape and silly-cone it cost me between $90-100. The tank alone from glass-cages would have been $115. Not drilled!

If I would have went bigger; then obviously I would have saved more, but I'll save that project for later down the road.

 

[cloakerpoked]

By seamed edges, you mean polished/finished?