Anirban's Aquaforest journey

Anirban

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I started my reefing journey a year back. Its a great journey together with all you people here. I learned a lot over this one year. My reef will complete its anniversary this coming August and what can be a best anniversary gift? As a reefer we are never satisfied and always ask more (it may be corals or lighting or control). So, I decided to gift myself a bigger tank.....

While I was searching for tank dimensions and custom orders it was becoming more obvious to me that my custom size (30x24x16) with three side starphire glass will cost me a fortune. After a lot of research I decided I will build my own tank. I believed that from this forum I learned enough to build a tank for myself. So, last week I put my courage together and order the glasses from Glasscage and these are 3/8" thick. Today, I received my glasses and wow the difference between normal and starphire was enormous. Also these glasses are quite heavy due to their thickness. I think this will be fun to do and also it will be a good learning experience for me.

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Anirban

Anirban

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Thanks, I will post more pictures as the build progresses. I will try to do a lot customisation including overflow and stand.

@Mandrew I think the glass cost me $279 including shipping. It is 30x24x16" with 3/8" thickness and 3 side starphire. Also this includes my eurobrace glass cut strips and 3 x 10 oz of aquarium clear silicon.
 

TherealplexiG

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Hey waddup?
How are ya planning to build the tank. I mean what method? Just gonna lay a bead of caulk and fix everything up?
 
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Anirban

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@TherealplexiG I am going to do side to side fixation so there will be no additional pressure on the bottom panel. Also this will be a rimless.
 

TherealplexiG

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"Also this includes my eurobrace glass cut strips "
^^^^^
What eurobrace were you talking about for rimless? do you mean bottom bracing?
Generally smaller tanks are made by side by side fixation.
 
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Anirban

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I am talking about top bracing....I will put it possibly not just for strength but to protect from water spillage during cleaning.....:p
 

TherealplexiG

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When you have a bracing for whatever purpose, its not exactly a rimless aquarium then.
 

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You might wanna try the injection method, folks totally do it the wrong way. On the internet there is no single source which justifies the method in a correct manner. If you want more insights : do we have a pm thing here? or somehow could you drop me an email?
 
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Anirban

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You might wanna try the injection method, folks totally do it the wrong way. On the internet there is no single source which justifies the method in a correct manner. If you want more insights : do we have a pm thing here? or somehow could you drop me an email?
Yeah I have seen some pictures of that on internet and they all look equally bad. But I know there is a guy here in the forum whose tank was made by that same technique and it looks good to me. You can drop a text right here so some one else will also be able to get help or you can start a conversation by clicking on my profile picture. You can even start a thread in the DIY section section so a lot of people will get an idea how to do it.
 
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Anirban

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Acrylic came in yesterday. So started to work on the overflow a bit. Trying to build something little fancy than just a cover. Using 1/4 inch of black acrylic for the build.

Doing some measurements

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After 10 minutes and few strokes of acrylic scorer

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After 5 more minutes and few more strokes...;)

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Anirban

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Today, I will try to finish the bulkhead drilling and other cutting jobs. Then if there is time left I will start putting it together.
 
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Anirban

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Happy 4th of July and time for update. It was a really busy weekend. But was able to finish the overflow build and tank build. Also done with the drilling part.
 
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Anirban

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Got some new toy for the tank. Looking for one and finally got one here in the forum. Thanks to @d_adler for this.

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Anirban

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So now back to build . I cut those acrylic and build one overflow box for the tank. Look really cool and quite happy with the final products.

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I started drilling the tank with almost heart in my mouth. Never drilled any glass in my whole life. Practiced twice with some spare glass and broke the first one....:p

Then finally gathered some courage and started drilling the original back panel. Used the drill guide and glass bit from BRS. It took almost 30 min to drill the first hole. spraying water and drilling slow gave me a very nice smooth cut. But man never thought a 3/8 inch glass will be such hard to drill. The drill bit was done after the cut. Also I started with a low power driller and then changed it with a high power one. The second one took less and it was done within 15 min. I was really happy to see the end product.

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A worm with high fashion and practical utility: Have you ever kept feather dusters in your reef aquarium?

  • I currently have feather dusters in my tank.

    Votes: 63 36.6%
  • Not currently, but I have had feather dusters in my tank in the past.

    Votes: 59 34.3%
  • I have not had feather dusters, but I hope to in the future.

    Votes: 24 14.0%
  • I have no plans to have feather dusters in my tank.

    Votes: 26 15.1%
  • Other.

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