glass 78x24x18 Building next week!! heres a replica

[Mystix212]

A tarp?

 

[portabuddy]

i dont get the long ones tho that go across the tank how do those work

i dont get how to apply the long ones and the side ones

those will work the same way as an I-Beam works, the glass when perpendicular to your tank will prevent bowing and flexing more then the braces that go from the front to the backever could, they also are a ledge for a canopy to sit on if you want one, not like turtls jump anyway but still good, it is to be silliconed in along the whole seam, the full length of the tank. this will be the hardest port of the whole projuct but i have faith in you, and thet you will figure out a way to do it. If it where me i would use anything on hand like cut down some 2X4 to hold the glass up while the silicon dries, its a good idea to put the bracing in after the tank is set, this way the important seams wont get disterbed.

if you take a long thin piece of anything and pick up the ende the center will bow down, but if you stand it up perpendicular to the floor and pick up the ends it wont flex at all, its stronger this way, the botom wants to expand and the top compress but neither will alow movement, adding a 2"wide sopprt along the parimiter of the tank will make it incredibly strong

Zach,
I build tanks quite often and method 2 to glue as already recommended is the way to go. With regard to silicon on the inside, you can either run your finger down the seam when the silicon is wet (to get a smooth looking seal) or just leave it be. You will be able to see any air bubbles in the glue line so the inside is purely cosmetic anyway. If you do see air bubbles in the glue line, just press extra silicon in firmly to push them out.

With regard to your cross braces I use a whiteboard marker and the corner plastic piece as a ruler to run a parrallel line down the outside of my front and back side panels. Using the drawn line as a guide, glue your side rails on (edgeways) when your side panels are flat. Leave at least 6 hours -longer is better - before constructing your tank. So when you make your tank, the cross braces will simply sit ON the side rails. The side rails are already glued in place firmly remember. I strongly recommend you also fill any spaces between rails and braces since algae and dirt will collect between the glass which is hard to remove.

You dont need clamps but I do use some masking tape to sides together. When pushing the sides on, dont push too hard as you will squeeze too much silicon out and it will create air bubbles when you let go. A nice gentle push is all you need. Lay a bead approx same thickness as your glass and cut the silicon nozzle 45 degrees so you can control thickness of bead (by rotating tube). I usually clean up with methelated spirits before glue dries but it is easy to scrape off when dry too. Make sure all glue surfaces are clean and dry by wiping down with meth spirits.

Good luck, remember to have fun!

I agree with everything you said. I always use clamps, and tape... just me i guess, but i agree that clamps arnt nesasary, BTW DONT take the tape off untill the one ot two weeks is up..., and dont use the light blue light greent tape, they are crap fpor theis, the dark blue bright lime green tape or the normal beage masking tapes are the only mones to be used, the light green and blue masking tapes use a weaker glue that is ment not to peal your paint off the wall. the brighter lime green one is desinged your smooth surfaces and was desinged your the bodyshop industry, it had the strongest glue and wont seperate when wet. the dark blue tape is also ment for smooth surfaces, it was desinged for use on glass, for painting trim.

Useless lesson i know...

 

[zach c.]

so your suggesting that i put the long braces on 1st before i start putting the tank together?? let it dry for 6 hours then build the tank with the long braces already attatched?? also the long braces go accros the length of the tank but not touching the side planels? correct leave like a 1" space between the long brace and the side panel then just full that cap with a v shape silicone bead? heres a pic with the long brace spaced from the side panael as an idea

 

[zach c.]

well not one inch but enough so it isnt touching the sides then fill the tiny gap with silicone?

 

[portabuddy]

i would either do the long braces first before you put the tank together and leave 2" gap on bolth sides, then assemble it. once its all dry add the left and right braces and silicon it together, then add the two center ones., but it might be a good idea to do the left and right at the same time that you do the front and back as it might be hard to aquize them in later, ensure that when put to gether there is a 1/8" - 1/16" gap between them. this might save you a lot of time...

 

[zach c.]

i think i get it so add the braces let it try then assemble the tanK? also would i assemble the tank doing the back panel 1st then a side 2nd then the other side 3rd then the front peice of glass last?

 

[zach c.]

seems like the peices would go together easier that way without any silicone smearing

 

[zach c.]

or do the sides attatch to the outside of the front and back or do they go inside this pic shows the side peices on the outside

 

[portabuddy]

or do the sides attatch to the outside of the front and back or do they go inside this pic shows the side peices on the outside

bingo... for some reasson every tank i ever had was like this and ever tank i made was like this too...

 

[zach c.]

talking bout the glass here not the braces