I wish I had time for a road trip! I'd love to be a part of such a bad-*** project. Its cool to know you've kept some steady progress too. Can't wait for some pics...
375 gallon glass tank build
- Thread starter mdstark
- Start date
That an awesome set up you built I can only imagine how hectic it must be having so many things going on with the new baby( Congrats btw) and working alot.
Keep up the great work and keep us posted I am hoping to start a project soon
Keep up the great work and keep us posted I am hoping to start a project soon
Any reason you went with acetone instead of rubbing alcohol for cleaning your glass prior to siliconing?
Also, I saw you went with the bottom inside the sides. Any worries sitting on a foam mat might "push" the bottom up?
Also, I saw you went with the bottom inside the sides. Any worries sitting on a foam mat might "push" the bottom up?
MaddMaxx;3514298; said:
Hi Maddmaxx
My 372 gallon (100x30x30inch) has been running for 3 months and has the bottom inside the sides. Mine also has a 1/4 inch x 1 inch glass 'strip' running up the sides and around the bottom edges which is siliconed in with clear silicone.
So the area holding each face together is minimum 3/4 inch wide. I have umbies in it hence the reinforcing).
Congrats on the new child mdstark and well done on your project.
Hope to see more pics soon.
J
Just curious as how the floor reinforcement went? I'm looking to do the same at some point. My crawlspace has crushed stone in it, and I planned to pour a cement pad, and use floor jacks to reinforce the floor joists.
Scott
Scott
Bobby- I'll send you a PM.
Maddmaxx- I think either rubbing alcohol or acetone is fine for cleaning the glass. I believe that acetone cleans up uncured silicone a little better, but that hopefully wouldn't be necessary when siliconing a tank. As far as the bottom panel, I don't really think that is a concern. Any spring effect the foam might have will certainly be offset by the 3000 pounds of water pressing down on it. The side edges also sit on the foam as well, so it shouldn't be an issue.
Neogenesis- I still need to reinforce the floor. I don't plan on living in my current house much longer than three more years, so I would like the reinforcement to be removable. So I won't be pouring concrete footers, although that probably would be the best way. I think I am going to use the Dek-blocks that are designed for use in building floating decks. I will give further details and hopefully have pictures when I get to that stage.
Maddmaxx- I think either rubbing alcohol or acetone is fine for cleaning the glass. I believe that acetone cleans up uncured silicone a little better, but that hopefully wouldn't be necessary when siliconing a tank. As far as the bottom panel, I don't really think that is a concern. Any spring effect the foam might have will certainly be offset by the 3000 pounds of water pressing down on it. The side edges also sit on the foam as well, so it shouldn't be an issue.
Neogenesis- I still need to reinforce the floor. I don't plan on living in my current house much longer than three more years, so I would like the reinforcement to be removable. So I won't be pouring concrete footers, although that probably would be the best way. I think I am going to use the Dek-blocks that are designed for use in building floating decks. I will give further details and hopefully have pictures when I get to that stage.
mdstark;3515999; said:
Thanks, I think I'll go with the acetone since I'm resealing a tank and I don't know its age (unlikely any uncured silicone, but why not).
Good point about the water, it'll definitely out-weigh the weight of the 4 sides. Did you attach the base flush with the sides? It looks like it in the pics.
Your floor reinforcement sounds really interesting. Can't wait to see it
mdstark;3515999; said:
I thought about doing the same but was worried about the floating pads settling/sinking over time into the crushed stone that's under my house. Good Luck, can't wait to see it finished.
I guess I should clarify, by cement pad, All I was going to do was level the area under the tank, build a 2x4 or 2x6 former, throw in some quickrete and mix. Nothing too special, but would make me feel better about putting in a large tank.
MaddMaxx;3516849; said:Thanks, I think I'll go with the acetone since I'm resealing a tank and I don't know its age (unlikely any uncured silicone, but why not).
Good point about the water, it'll definitely out-weigh the weight of the 4 sides. Did you attach the base flush with the sides? It looks like it in the pics.
Your floor reinforcement sounds really interesting. Can't wait to see it
Acetone is a bit stronger that alcohol. It would be a bit better to ensure that you have the area clean. It also removes grease and oil better.
