I'm going to be building what I expect to be my last tank. It will be a 36' x 30" x 20" which is about 90 gallons. I've just ordered the tank glass and managed to find a local supplier who has access to low iron glass. So the front will be 3/8" low iron and the rest of the tank will be 3/8" regular glass. I also ordered a 1/2" thick sheet of white acrylic that will end up 1" bigger (37" x 31") to set under the bottom glass. I'm going to have a 3/8" or 7/16" groove routed 1/4" into the acrylic at the edge of the bottom glass. If I go 7/16" I want the extra 1/16" to be under the bottom glass. Most aquariums have the side glass sitting on the top side of the bottom glass. I intend to attach the side glass to the out side edge of the bottom glass so it will sit snugly into the groove in the acrylic. I'll probably use white RTV silicone for all the assembly, but I'm considering using 3M Co. 5200 marine adhesive (in white) to attach the side glass into the groove of the acrylic and RTV silicone between the side glass and the bottom glass.
My goal here is to have the glass held in place by the silicon just like most aquariums are. But the groove in the acrylic base will create a 'hold' that should strengthen the side glass ability but having a 1/4" of acrylic 'wall' that will also hold and seal the bottom of the tank. Also, the 1/2" thick acrylic should create a stable base for the tank to sit on. I'll still use a thin yoga pad under the acrylic and the stand it sits on will have a 3/4" marine plywood top with either white Formica or white FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic) as a top cover.
I'll be using white RTV silicone for all the vertical seams in the tank and for the glass box overflow that will go in the back. There are 2 reasons for using white silicone. First, the stand is made with 2 kitchen cabinets (reinforced by me) that are high gloss white enamel finish which is what all the other cabinets in the house are as well. Second, I've never seen an aquarium made with white silicone, so this should look a bit different than most other tanks. And anybody who knows me, knows I do like to be a bit different!
This tank will be bottom drilled with 2 large drains (1 to do the drainage and 1 to be an emergency drain) and one slightly smaller return like. Currently I'm thinking 1 1/2" drains and a 1" return that may split into 2 behind the overflow wall or maybe just use a 1" loc-line that ends up with a 'Y' at the end.
So at this point I'll open this up for any comments, criticisms, suggestions or whatever. Don't hold back if you have negative things to say. I learn from everybody and negative comments mean just as much to me as compliments. I intend to be very detailed in my commentary and will add lots of photos as I pick up supplies and start the build process. And I have a number of other semi-unique ideas and plans for other parts of this build.
For those of you who are not familiar with my current tank, it's a 2'x2'x20" cube that I made. This new tank will be a replacement/improved version that gives me a bit more room for aquascape, corals and Rock Flower Anemones. Here is a pic of that tank with my 16g independent 'holding tank beside it.
My goal here is to have the glass held in place by the silicon just like most aquariums are. But the groove in the acrylic base will create a 'hold' that should strengthen the side glass ability but having a 1/4" of acrylic 'wall' that will also hold and seal the bottom of the tank. Also, the 1/2" thick acrylic should create a stable base for the tank to sit on. I'll still use a thin yoga pad under the acrylic and the stand it sits on will have a 3/4" marine plywood top with either white Formica or white FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic) as a top cover.
I'll be using white RTV silicone for all the vertical seams in the tank and for the glass box overflow that will go in the back. There are 2 reasons for using white silicone. First, the stand is made with 2 kitchen cabinets (reinforced by me) that are high gloss white enamel finish which is what all the other cabinets in the house are as well. Second, I've never seen an aquarium made with white silicone, so this should look a bit different than most other tanks. And anybody who knows me, knows I do like to be a bit different!
This tank will be bottom drilled with 2 large drains (1 to do the drainage and 1 to be an emergency drain) and one slightly smaller return like. Currently I'm thinking 1 1/2" drains and a 1" return that may split into 2 behind the overflow wall or maybe just use a 1" loc-line that ends up with a 'Y' at the end.
So at this point I'll open this up for any comments, criticisms, suggestions or whatever. Don't hold back if you have negative things to say. I learn from everybody and negative comments mean just as much to me as compliments. I intend to be very detailed in my commentary and will add lots of photos as I pick up supplies and start the build process. And I have a number of other semi-unique ideas and plans for other parts of this build.
For those of you who are not familiar with my current tank, it's a 2'x2'x20" cube that I made. This new tank will be a replacement/improved version that gives me a bit more room for aquascape, corals and Rock Flower Anemones. Here is a pic of that tank with my 16g independent 'holding tank beside it.
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