Zoo Prop system in the works come along for the ride

[raskal311]

No worries that tank for its size was only 1/4", I knew the risk we I drilled it. I don't mind using four 2x2x1 tanks I already have but I was really looking forward to having a few small tangs swimming around in there Live and learn I guess, anyone with a bit more experience then me would have knew better then to use that much silicon in between the glass.

 

[CoralNutz]

That's a bummer... I was really looking forward to seeing this up and running. I like your style how you don't mess around and "get er' done". Most of the time you see these threads and it's weeks, if not months between updates :lol:

Hopefully this won't set you back to much.

 

[Spartan081]

Man, can't believe you cracked the tank. It was pretty sweet looking. Can't believe we drove 120 miles to pick it up.

I guess next time you will know better than putting silicone in between two pieces of glass. I think what happened is that the silicone in between the glass was spongy and compressed after you started to lighten the bulkhead. That puts a bending load (moment) on the bottom panel where the hole is. Bend it too much and it'll crack.

Go acrylic next time. Would be nice not to worry about cracks. Plus its easier to drill.

 

[raskal311]

No, it cracked while I was tightening it; the silicon was very thick so I had to tork it more to get it to tighten which put too much pressure on the bottom panel. So the fact that there is a layer of silicon in between the two pieces gave the bottom panel room to bend then crack. If I had tightened the bulkhead a bit slower to give the silicon more time to move and spread it wouldnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t have cracked. Using less silicone would have also do the trick.

Acrylic would be too easy D I'm going to go get a quote on glass after work I've never built a glass tank so I would love to give it a try.

Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m going to need:
1-48x48x3/8
2-48x12x3/8
2-47 1/4x12x3/8

Optional bracing
2-48x3x1/4
2-42x1/4

 

[Spartan081]

Yeah, I think you'll definitely need the optional bracing. It won't cost that much more but I'll be worth it.

Are you gonna have the overflow/return holes predrilled by the manufacturer?

Give me a call, I'll go with you to get the quote.

 

[Reef Junkie]

I feel your pain Raskal, but it seems that you're not too bothered by this tiny setback. That's a good attitude.
My 2cents, I would place styrofoam under the tank to help support and level the tank on the stand.

Good luck and go go go! You're on fire with this thread!

 

[raskal311]

I was mad at myself for a few seconds but no point in getting bent over it now.

I've already bought a 4'x8'x1/2" sheet of styrofoam for that. But if I am going to build my own I'm going to build it like a leemar tank with no plastic rim so that shouldn't be needed.

 

[raskal311]

Anything over 1/8 glass gets price.... The only reason why that 3/8 piece I got yesterday was only $10 was because it was crap glasses they didn't need. They also wanted like $25 per hole so Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ll be doing it myself again.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7251443#post7251443 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Spartan081
Yeah, I think you'll definitely need the optional bracing. It won't cost that much more but I'll be worth it.

Are you gonna have the overflow/return holes predrilled by the manufacturer?

Give me a call, I'll go with you to get the quote.

 

[raskal311]

ok I got the qoute and its $208 without the top brace I think I'll go ahead and just do 4-2x2x1 or maybe 3 and save an area on the stand for fraging and such. I'll get to work on painting the stand today. I'll have to clean out my garage this weekend before I can put the tank in and plumb it.

 

[raskal311]

New plan I'll be using 2 of my 24x24x12 and will either build or buy a 24x48x12. I'm waiting on a quote from a lfs. It should run me about $80 to build it out of 1/4 acrylic.

One of the 24x24x12 will be on a separate system for QTing purpose and the other will be plumbed with the 48x24x12 but will be used mainly to house main colonies. The 48x24x12 will be for holding frags.

 

[Azurel]

Sounds like a good plan.....Glad to see you not get discouraged.

 

[sunfishh]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7259351#post7259351 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Azurel
Sounds like a good plan.....Glad to see you not get discouraged.

I agree. Keep posting as the project continues to change.

 

[raskal311]

Ok, couldn't wait for the quote from the LFS so I went to Paragon Plastic and got enough acrylic for two 48x24x8" tank. I hear it would cost me about $200 for only one 48x24x12 anyway. Thats a bit more then I'm willing to spend at this point.

Since I had them pre cut to size it only took me like 5-6 min to get the sides together I'll have to give the weld on until to night to cure before I can put the bottome on. Since this is my first real tank I'm going to finish the first tank to make sure I don't make any mistake before I put the second together.

btw these two DIY tanks is costing me about $120 total. $60 each!!!!! sweeet But then again its only 1/4 acrylic, 3/8 would have cost me about $230.

 

[Spartan081]

Those corner clamps sure come in handy don't they? 1/4 inch acrylic should be fine, its only 8" high.

 

[raskal311]

At only $1.50 each they paid for themself before it left the store

 

[sunfishh]

Wow that tank is going to be awesome

 

[jeffrey_ropp]

Raskal...
Are the pieces laser-cut? I'd love to see a close-up of the edges.
Please keep the pics and updates coming. Great stuff!

 

[Reef Junkie]

raskal311, a man of action!

 

[raskal311]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7272984#post7272984 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jeffrey_ropp
Raskal...
Are the pieces laser-cut? I'd love to see a close-up of the edges.
Please keep the pics and updates coming. Great stuff!

no, if your looking to build show quality tank you will have to finish the edge better. There are places that you can have it cut with a water jet but its going to cost a lot more.

 

[raskal311]

Ok, this is what I got done today.

Corner brace

Here is a picture of one of the seem

Leak and presure test, as you can see there is no bow on the long panel at all.

Building the over flow box

I decided to go with clear black acrlic for the over flow box. No real reason, just kind of like the look better.

The second tank in progress

Plumbing mockup

Tomorrow I'm planning on getting all of the plumbing in and hopefully have water in by the end of the day.