700 + Aquarium Build

[arl]

Hey arl

Thanks for the information, I am making some calls over the next few days to source abs sheets and plywood etc. Once I get started, I'll start a thread detailing my progress etc..

Pictures of my brick stand.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/41626/cat/501

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/41627/cat/501

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/41628/cat/501


I had a termite problem in the room hence the bad walls

That's awesome noiesmo!! It looks like you already have an expansion plan even when you were just building this first fish tank, your stand is already meant for a bigger fish tank!! Now that's what I call great planning!

 

[arl]

hmmm i like it. esp. thr background. im building a big tank soon enough also and i really dont like sanitrad pondarmor or dryloc. but i like the abs. i was going to use just a 1/16th sheet of abrylic but i think that the abs is more fogiveing how dose it react to mythalinechloride?

I was also originally planning to use acrylic sheets, then the store I got my abs sheet from told me about this one so I cancelled my acrylic order and did some research on abs. I guess the main factor for me going with abs sheet is the price, it is about 60% cheaper than acrylic. ABS is also a lot tougher but the toughnes is not really teh issue since you got the plywood and frame around it and acrylic would have done fine also.

 

[noiesmo]

I was also originally planning to use acrylic sheets, then the store I got my abs sheet from told me about this one so I cancelled my acrylic order and did some research on abs. I guess the main factor for me going with abs sheet is the price, it is about 60% cheaper than acrylic. ABS is also a lot tougher but the toughnes is not really teh issue since you got the plywood and frame around it and acrylic would have done fine also.

I was planning on 1/4 inch (6mm) acrylic its costing about 600 aussie dollars, they had plastics as well but didn't think I would get a good bond between the plastic and glass but reckon I should have no problems using a good silicon sealant. I hope this is the right way to go.

 

[noiesmo]

That's awesome noiesmo!! It looks like you already have an expansion plan even when you were just building this first fish tank, your stand is already meant for a bigger fish tank!! Now that's what I call great planning!

Thanks. I actually brought the 6x2x2 thats on the stand, I had the house built 10 years ago and the stand, room and reinforced concrete floor was part of my house building I should have got the tank put in then, probably would have saved a few bucks too.

 

[noiesmo]

This is my first post in this forum but I've been lurking around for quite a while now. I'm on my 10th week or so in my fishtank building and it's still far from getting done. Size is 8L 4W 3H. Here's some pic on the first 2 weekends of work.

Sorry should have also asked what thickness plywood did you use.

I can get 12mm or 18mm was going to use the 18mm or otherwise maybe double the 12mm and make it 24mm?

It has also been reckoned to get a steel angle iron frame made to fit plywood and glass into. any thoughts on this

 

[noiesmo]

Hmmm it appears silicone is not the way to go, ozreef.org say won't hold under pressure and to use Bostik Titan Bond Plus, which will bond acrylic to glass. Me thinks e6000 will be the go.

arl have you used the e6000 sealant on glass/acrylic tanks or just glass/abs?

 

[invisyblegypsey]

Haha, I can imagine the scare that gives all Discus lovers! But that aside, this is an AWESOME tank! One day... one day, I'll be brave enough to plead with my wife to allow me to make a tank!

HAHAAHAH i have already put my wife on notice!
we will have a monster tank!!!!!!!

 

[oscarluvr]

Thanks man! I wouldn't go as far as the "genius" part........... I'd say "Passionate"

yeah, and modest as well, on that hydroponics idea, try a cash crop, we had some people here doing that very successfully, till they got caught and went to jail.lol

 

[portabuddy]

yeah, and modest as well, on that hydroponics idea, try a cash crop, we had some people here doing that very successfully, till they got caught and went to jail.lol

haha thats all good and well but to grow properly you will need some mylar and a MH bulb, too much trouble. just stick with tomatos.


on a side note, e few months ago dose anyone remember that guy from belgum that removed his window and boom lifted his huge acrylic tank into his 5th level apt. he was growing exotic plants hydroponicly off of his tank... and not a cash crop either...

 

[arl]

I was planning on 1/4 inch (6mm) acrylic its costing about 600 aussie dollars, they had plastics as well but didn't think I would get a good bond between the plastic and glass but reckon I should have no problems using a good silicon sealant. I hope this is the right way to go.

You don't really have to go that thick (1/4"), you're only using it as a water seal, the weight/force of the water will still be held by your plywood and frame. I used 1/16". The only way (and the best way) you can seal the plastic sheets "joins" is by the "GOOP TILTING METHOD" acrylic adhesive(by melting) might not work well because of the small contact point, unless you tilt it and pour acrylic adhessive on it instead of goop, but that might be expensive, and not sure if that will work. Regarding silicone, DOW has many special kinds for different applications. You'll have to research on that as I didn't go the silicone route. GE will certainly not work.

Thanks. I actually brought the 6x2x2 thats on the stand, I had the house built 10 years ago and the stand, room and reinforced concrete floor was part of my house building I should have got the tank put in then, probably would have saved a few bucks too.

Yeah we always just make do with what is available and what we're comfortable with at the moment and expand later on.

Sorry should have also asked what thickness plywood did you use.

I can get 12mm or 18mm was going to use the 18mm or otherwise maybe double the 12mm and make it 24mm?

It has also been reckoned to get a steel angle iron frame made to fit plywood and glass into. any thoughts on this

I just used 3/4 plywood. I don't see any harm in making it more thicker just a little harder to build and more expensive. I can't picture out on where you will put the angle bar but if I were to use iron angle bars it will be around the bottom of the tank and around on top of tank. Iron bars will hold the tank from bursting open.

Hmmm it appears silicone is not the way to go, ozreef.org say won't hold under pressure and to use Bostik Titan Bond Plus, which will bond acrylic to glass. Me thinks e6000 will be the go.

arl have you used the e6000 sealant on glass/acrylic tanks or just glass/abs?

Yeah I used E6000 GOOP it is the same as teh Amazing goop that we can get at hardware