400g build

[Backfromthedead]

Whats up MFKers. My latest build is a combination of the glass off two different tanks, these two:

New used tank!

Picked up a 150 tall (72x18x29) off craigslist today. 3/4" front and back and 1/2" sides. Looked to be in decent shape but there are a couple minor chips in one end. I dont think they amount to much but wanted to run them past you good mfkers. The chips do not appear to be more than...

www.monsterfishkeepers.com

New used tank!!! Vol. II

Scooped up another craigslist tank. A 220 this time. It needs some work so i figured I'd start a thread for the refurbishment and stand build. Maybe even a complete rebuild depending on how the silicone looks.

www.monsterfishkeepers.com

Im close to fill testing it, my beautiful better half helped me put the walls on last friday and set up all the plumbing today. Will probably fill test tomorrow.

This build is 72"Lx48"Wx27.5"H exterior dimensions, set up for two 75 gallon sumps. Two full siphon 1.5" drains, one 1.5" emergency drain. Each sump is returned by a jebao dcp-10000, one through two 3/4" lines, the other through a single 1".










I used dow corning 795 black silicone on the build. The bottom and front and back are 15mm, and the short sides are 12mm. The bottom panel is joined from two pieces. Next step is bracing, which will be two crossbraces 48"x8"x1/2".

This tank will house my growing mixed biotope community. The main fish that prompted this build are two large balas, which have outgrown my modest 150. I hope this new tank makes them happier.


Still have a long way to go before this thing is operational. Touch up on silicone, fine tune the plumbing, installing the braces. Will keep posting as i progress.

Thanks for reading!

 

[esoxlucius]

Good job.

Special shout out to your other half. Not many partners would agree to such a large tank in the house, let alone help you make it!!

Fingers crossed for filling time.

 

[TheWolfman]

Great job so far, looking forward to seeing more.

 

[TheWolfman]

Are you planning to add a center support on the stand? I would be Concerned about the Deflection of the stand with only 2x4s for the main support beam on the stand and all that weight.

 

[Backfromthedead]

Are you planning to add a center support on the stand? I would be Concerned about the Deflection of the stand with only 2x4s for the main support beam on the stand and all that weight.

Well the pics don't reflect the additional framing i put on the stand. But yeah the main support for the tank are those corner posts. Im not too concerned about deflection with 15mm glass over a 6'x4' area...if the tank was longer it might be a problem. But rest assured if i notice any sag during the fill test, reinforcing the center will be easy enough.

 

[Backfromthedead]

Good job.

Special shout out to your other half. Not many partners would agree to such a large tank in the house, let alone help you make it!!

Fingers crossed for filling time.

Shes the best. Said i could have the room for the tank under the condition that the cat box goes in there too.

 

[Backfromthedead]

Got the plumbing all hooked up last night.

Partial fill and pump test today.

I got it to 20" without incident, then after sitting for an hour or two, this happened:

A slight leak. Major bummer but not the end of the world. After its drained and dried completely im gonna attack the silicone and see what the issue is. Sorta perplexed because the seal looks and feels great in that area. I think i may have just fudged up the bead, left a gap between the panels.

Dont know exactly how i should go about repairing. A complete reseal will be costly and I'll need to order more silicone. I have more than enough for a simple patch job though that may not do the trick.

 

[Devaji108]

oh man glad you caught it!
how 's the bottom panel seem? to me, that seems like a week point? but i guess as along as it's fully supported 100% level it could work. I wonder if that is what happened a slight dip in the bottom pane caused a weak point in the silicone? IDK just a thought and something to look at.

I also would add the top braces before the next fill up!
anyway good luck! and do let us know how it goes!

 

[Backfromthedead]

oh man glad you caught it!
how 's the bottom panel seem? to me, that seems like a week point? but i guess as along as it's fully supported 100% level it could work. I wonder if that is what happened a slight dip in the bottom pane caused a weak point in the silicone? IDK just a thought and something to look at.

I also would add the top braces before the next fill up!
anyway good luck! and do let us know how it goes!

Appreciate the input. Tank is level. The leak was about 20" from the side, so its hard for me to say that bowing caused the leak. It seems that there was a small gap in the silicone right at ground zero. Must've been an air bubble in the caulking that gave way once i put some water weight on it.

I just got done resealing the back seam. I cut out about 18" on both sides of the leak, resealed it thicker than before and overlapped a few inches. If that doesnt work i will order more silicone and completely reseal.

It was never my intention to fill it all the way, only to 20" for the time being. At that height the tank should get by without bracing.

 

[Raka]

I thought silicone wouldn't adhere to cured silicone?

Or is this okay due to the "freshness" of it?