And so it begins.

[that guy]

I have finally talked the wife into a decent sized tank. I have the tank and am going to show the build progress so everyone can help me to find my issues before they are issues. Maybe i can get it in this weekend. Tank is not drilled yet. I am thinking of a coast to coast setup. Anyone with suggestions please let me know.

 

[Tahoe61]

What size tank?

 

[that guy]

Stand top is 2x6 with 3/4 birch top. I am painting all internal areas with gloss white exterior enamel. I am taping off joint areas while painting so i have wood to wood contact where i am gluing and screwing the stand together.

On to the tank details.
The tank is an acrylic 96"x36"x29.5" that was such a good deal I couldnt pass it up. Acrylic is 1"
Tank was a 3 day use show tank for a convention.

I got it for around 10% of the purchase price. No scratches or anything. (I was looking to combine 2 tanks into 1 system previously until this.)

 

[that guy]

My rendering of the setup only it will be FOWLR mostly as wife wants angels. The 2 tank option i wanted to go for had a water bridge design that was fairly complex

Plan

Old plan was

Bridge plan

 

[that guy]

What size tank?

440 ish for display.

 

[that guy]

I got the structure done enough to place the tank. Will hit it with a laser to get levelled up but at the moment its flat so thats good. Going to build the bottom in place just to make sure it sits right at the end. The most important part to me is making sure its flat so i dont stress the tank seams. Thats good to go.

Now to skin out the stand. This will be done in the garage now that the tank is out of the way. Stay tuned.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Can't wait to see the finished product!

 

[get-salty]

I got the structure done enough to place the tank. Will hit it with a laser to get levelled up but at the moment its flat so thats good. Going to build the bottom in place just to make sure it sits right at the end. The most important part to me is making sure its flat so i dont stress the tank seams. Thats good to go.

Now to skin out the stand. This will be done in the garage now that the tank is out of the way. Stay tuned.

Are going to add more structural / frame on the bottom of them legs so it wouldnt collapse ?

 

[that guy]

I 4x4 at 33 in should be able to handle over 7k lbs. There are 6 so it should be good along with the jack studs I will be introducing as I skin the tank out. I wouldnt have normally put the tank in place but as i am building it myself and i dont have a live in male anymore i have to use the help as i can get it. Haha

Part of the skin will be 2x4s. I am painting them so the humidity doesnt affect the wood. They will be used to hold the frame while the 4x4 will be holding the majority of the weight. The 2x4s will hold some of the weight but they should also help prevent racking. All of the joints are glued and screwed as bare wood. The connections should be good as the painting was done on the most important part after glue dried. My rendering for final is above. It will white enamel on inside and grey satin on the outside.

 

[EricR]

I 4x4 at 33 in should be able to handle over 7k lbs...

I think many of us would lean towards tying them together to avoid lateral movement problems. Earthquake, someone bumps into the tank, whatever.

Not saying the skin won't help or that there are necessarily any problems but just thinking cautiously.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[that guy]

I 4x4 at 33 in should be able to handle over 7k lbs...

I think many of us would lean towards tying them together to avoid lateral movement problems. Earthquake, someone bumps into the tank, whatever.

Not saying the skin won't help or that there are necessarily any problems but just thinking cautiously.

Good luck and have fun!

I think i was misundersrand in what was being asked. There will be a full bottom for my sump here is the exploded view of the stand. Maybe it will help with my thoughts. I think i have a full view of it somewhere.

 

[get-salty]

I think i was misundersrand in what was being asked. There will be a full bottom for my sump here is the exploded view of the stand. Maybe it will help with my thoughts. I think i have a full view of it somewhere.

Ok there it is the "Bottom frame". Awesome.

 

[that guy]

Will be like this but full ½"birch ply on bottom with rubber liner.

 

[that guy]

Within 1/16 over 8' so thats less than .0078" per foot so that is pretty dang close. Also started the bottom frame so i can get the sump in and start plumbing. Plan will be able to remove the end to access pumps or in worst case removing the sump if needed.

 

[that guy]

I have a coast to coast overflow made. This will provide 4 2" returns total. 2 to each sump. Returns will be provided by 2 cor 20 pumps may add a 1½ x 3. Each will have return will go through check valves then come to 1½x2x1½ where 2" flow meter will be then to a cross where it goes back to 1½ and will enter at 3 points across the back to bar type slotted return pipe. Here are the returns thay will be in the tank. Each end is 4" but i woll reduce it down to 2"

 

[BryanM]

I like that corner design, but this will still be epic :)

 

[that guy]

I like that corner design, but this will still be epic :)

I know it. I was psyched. I mocked it up with 1/4" acrylic and verified it. But not full size. I should have taken pics and documented it. But i was just trying to figure it out. Would need a 4x8 sheet of ½ minimum to make it work and full support. I can get you the info and cut sheet if you want it.

 

[BryanM]

I know it. I was psyched. I mocked it up with 1/4" acrylic and verified it. But not full size. I should have taken pics and documented it. But i was just trying to figure it out. Would need a 4x8 sheet of ½ minimum to make it work and full support. I can get you the info and cut sheet if you want it.

No no... I'm not that ambitions, nor do I have a corner anywhere in the house that would be appropriate unless I removed a window or two - And the wife would kill me for that!

It was just a very cool design!

 

[that guy]

Well I have drilled the tank. I just want to say that even though it wasnt hard to do, I was nervous. Anxiety level about an 8. But i got it done. Have to do the plumbing and test before i move into space because its not accessible after the move so i will need to check it out thoroghly before hand. But here is where we are at this moment. Made a skimming overflow. Yesterday i got a 2nd cor20, 2" flow meter, 2 mp40, and a reef octopus 300 skimmer. Still have a long way to go but ill get there. Hopefully i wont have too rough of a week and can get testing done

 

[that guy]

So i have found an issue. Its a very small seeping spot. There is no flow and not even a drip as far as i know. Just this little spot. Can i just put some weld on 4 on there to get it to seal or what do you all suggest?