Metal Tank Decorations: Advice Please!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
that would have been the easier option, yes!

I have conections in engineering and offshore industries, they're bound to know someone. Thanks for the advise, if i ever get round to doing it i'll post it.
 
crazyryceman;2762844; said:
This is a very unique idea. How big of a tank are planning to put it in? I like your table but seeing an engine block inside an aquarium would be a first. Keep us updated

Theres a 350ltr corner tank with a curved front i've always had my eye on, the 2 straight sides are 3ft long. It might be a good 12 month yet before i get the chance to even start trying this idea but i do want to do it. I don't even know what fish i'd consider with it yet either!
 
Aluminum is pretty stable in fresh water, especially if there are no other metal objects in the water, or in contact with the aluminum. I'd make double sure the engine block doesn't have steel helicoils or steel cylinder sleeves in it before doing anything. Anodizing makes aluminum stable even in salt water, but anodizing down inside deep holes, blind holes, or intricate structures is difficult, so you may not get 100% coverage.

You could epoxy dip your aluminum block or something like that for extra protection. Only real pig I see is once it's in there, it's gonna be a real PITA to clean in and around, and a real PITA to get back out.
 
how heavy is that thing? will the aquarium/stand be able to hold it??
 
i was thinking of putting wwII metail dicast airplanes in the water, making it look like the bottom of the ocean.

David
 
cvermeulen;2762902; said:
Aluminum is pretty stable in fresh water, especially if there are no other metal objects in the water, or in contact with the aluminum. I'd make double sure the engine block doesn't have steel helicoils or steel cylinder sleeves in it before doing anything. Anodizing makes aluminum stable even in salt water, but anodizing down inside deep holes, blind holes, or intricate structures is difficult, so you may not get 100% coverage.

You could epoxy dip your aluminum block or something like that for extra protection. Only real pig I see is once it's in there, it's gonna be a real PITA to clean in and around, and a real PITA to get back out.

I'll have to get a complete break down of what it's made up from. A friend of mine has rebuilt a couple so he shoud know of any helicoils, what material the cylinder liners are etc.

Cleaning around it might take some creativity........ I'll have to think on that.
 
cnoel08;2762916; said:
how heavy is that thing? will the aquarium/stand be able to hold it??

I should hope so, if the stand can take the weight of all the water in the tank then the displacement of the block in the wter won't add too much more to the overall tank weight. Not sure on total weight but I can lift it with one hand.
 
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