My first build... vertical!

[Lingwendil]

Do you have construction details on the tank itself? Thickness, bonding method, etc.

I've been considering a similar form factor of tank for a while. Thought it would be interesting for a cryptic build or even for a lightly stock invert focused setup.

 

[BestMomEver]

You can add a sump/refugium to the side and maintain it as a separate ecosystem. You’d be able to buy an in-line skimmer and place it under the cabinet. You could use the display sump/refugium as a place for auto top off and a place for pods, etc.

 

[Passedyouby]

Do you have construction details on the tank itself? Thickness, bonding method, etc.

I've been considering a similar form factor of tank for a while. Thought it would be interesting for a cryptic build or even for a lightly stock invert focused setup.

Sure! It was wildly easy compared to the rest if the project. I used GE silicone 1 and .5in non tempered glass.

The big fear was that you cant reach the bottom in order to properly seal it. In fact i asked 3 dif mfg to build it for me,all said no unless it was much larger to allow someone to crawl in with tools and seal the bottom.

I researched the hell out of pourable, self leveling, silicones that would allow me to pour an inch into the base from the top after completing and found a couple that havent been tested as fish safe, but called the company to confirm the chemicals are nontoxic once dry and they didnt containe anti mold agents.



In the end i simply decided to build a glass "tunnel" first to allow me to reach in from the top and bottom to apply a bead. After that cured 48 hours i put almost a half a tube of silicone on the base glass extremely liberally and allowed the weight of the glass to hold it in place. Honestly it was a little messy and is one of the reasons i put a thicker substrate down (other reason was i didnt bring the rock decor low enough on pvc).





I didnt worry about the mess as my cabinet design called for a 1in lip covering the bottom anyway so i disnt expect anyone to be able to see the silicone.

If you choose to do this please let me know! I would love to see it. Also rememeber that the glass is cut +-1/16in. So be sure to build the walls with the portion that will end up being the bottom flush. Let the varying height be at the top.

Did that make sense?

 

[Passedyouby]

You can add a sump/refugium to the side and maintain it as a separate ecosystem. You’d be able to buy an in-line skimmer and place it under the cabinet. You could use the display sump/refugium as a place for auto top off and a place for pods, etc.

Thanks for the reply. That has been an idea ive been thinking about. My biggest fear is that this is a high traffic flow area and im worried about noise, smell, and visual appeal. Ive never run a sump before... are those valid fears?

Also my hardwood floors are pretty upset with all of the water spill thus far... the less potential for splashing the better!

 

[Lingwendil]

Perfect sense :)

Cool build for sure! I love unusual sizes and dimensions of tanks, long and shallow or narrow and tall are both really rad.

 

[Passedyouby]

Perfect sense :)

Cool build for sure! I love unusual sizes and dimensions of tanks, long and shallow or narrow and tall are both really rad.

Since youve thought about a tank like this before, check out the other thread i opened looking for stocking advice.. didn't realize how polar people are about that aspect!

 

[Philip Chin]

I think i missed it, but what did you cover the pvc pipes and light grates with?

 

[Katrina71]

This thing is crazy cool! I love the look!

 

[Passedyouby]

I think i missed it, but what did you cover the pvc pipes and light grates with?

Smooth-On.
I used the smoothcast 322 which is a 2 part casting epoxy. Issue is its super thin, so i also bought ure-fil 7 whis is a powered 'filler' agent. Instructions say you can mix a max of 2-1 of filler to the main mix. I ran about 5-1 ratio so it was the consistency of mashed potatoes. Running that thick makes it brittle, but i will say that it was still insanely strong! I made a test piece to bring outside and abuse. It held up to the tests!
Sprayed a base coat with a rattle can first, then did the other 5 colors with cheap walmart paint. Clear coated with a satin top coat.
The below picture is my first attempt running 2-1 ratio. You can see how runny the material was when poured over a pvc fitting

 

[Orko]

looks amazing and interesting such a deep tank! I would for sure put in some tall Gorgonians that would be so interesting in a tall tank!

 

[Philip Chin]

thanks

 

[Passedyouby]

looks amazing and interesting such a deep tank! I would for sure put in some tall Gorgonians that would be so interesting in a tall tank!

What would you recommend? Seems like many have intense requirements!

 

[Passedyouby]

EVERYONE IS DEAD

What the heck... i came home after 3 nights away to everyones worst nightmare... a half empty tank and noone left alive.. even after having them only 2 months i am heartbroken. :( Poor fish all died in their homes, above the current water level. :(

Starting pretty much from scratch now. Plan to completly redesign plumbing and probably move to a true sump instead of the current filter design. This thread is back to a true build page.. urrgghh..

Anyone have suggestions for foolproof check valves? Looks like a failed check during a short power outage is the culprit here. Water dropped below the overflow and pump lost its prime. Without water flow they froze.

 

[count krunk]

the check valve failed and caused the water level to drop?

that is why myself and many do not use them. adds another fail point. they are not needed IMO.

 

[NY_Caveman]

Sorry to hear @Passedyouby. You knew this tank would be a challenge, but that big of a loss is a real bummer.

 

[Goodair]

This is one interesting as hell project, making me wish I knew you irl, lol. Sorry for the crash and hopefully we can help improve it.

From the pictures, is the pvc you use to hold the structure in use or is it purely structural? Also, I'm a lil confused on your plumbing,does the return bring you to the floor and the over flow ontop, because thats what it sounds like it failed?

I might have an idea to help failsafe it from draining out since checkvalves arent reliable, especially over time, they are more prone to fail. Having a tank this tall adds more pressure at the bottom of the water (relatively compared to other tanks) aswell which makes it kinda difficult to access, its interesting to figure out.

 

[rockskimmerflow]

Wow really sorry to hear everything died. It was an ambitious build to say the least. I just started reading from the beginning and upon seeing the first post I was like wow that thing is going to blow out within a year if the filtration system doesn't fail and drain it. Honestly I'd be thankful this was the failure mode rather than a blowout. Any tank builder will tell you they don't build 54" tall tanks with .5 inch glass so I'm very happy you didn't come home to find a pane blasted out. Time to regroup and perhaps try something less wild the first time out and get your sea legs so to speak on a conventional setup. Once you've gotten the hang of corals and fish livestock husbandry for a year, then it might be time to look at something really creative again. It's hard to be patient but very important to take baby steps in a hobby as complex as this one. Especially when we're playing with so much water, electricity, and of utmost importance - the lives of living creatures. Best of luck and hope this doesn't discourage you from soldiering on in this fascinating hobby!

 

[Passedyouby]

the check valve failed and caused the water level to drop?

that is why myself and many do not use them. adds another fail point. they are not needed IMO.

How do you keep water from backflowing in a power outage then or when your pump turns off? They seems critical. Lol

 

[count krunk]

If the pipes are such a way they are below water line and a decent amount of watch will back flow. Most people drill a tiny little hole into the pipe to act as a siphon break.

For the water in the pipe already, the sump needs to be able to hand that amount of water

 

[count krunk]

but at the same time, a 54" tall tank has unique challenges.

and the hole would go just below the water line.