My new tank (first real MONSTER)
- Thread starter koop171
- Start date
Ok so this last weekend I went out and bought some stuff for the tank. I got some insulation for the walls and celieing (sp) some paneling, and some caulk. I had my stepdad come over to help hang the panels. As you can see the basement was not done properly by the original owners. So we had to move all the fasteners from the wires and ducting. just so we didn't run into them. the panels are a metal look pressboard. They were bought from lowes for $22 each. Once they were all hung i put up the sheets of pink foam board. I wanted to add any and all insulation I could to help keep the tank warm in the winter. I used liquid nails to attach the foam to the walls. When the foam was up I let it dry for a night then the next day I ran paintable caulk down the seems of each board to help keep them in place better. After the caulk had a day to dry I painted the boards with a semi-gloss black. I figured if I can't paint the tank b/c I want to viewed from all sides I might as well paint to room So the fish stand out better. The painted pics where right after the first coat of paint So it looks more like high gloss then semi. (tonight I paint the second coat.) Also there is a small window behind the foam I am unsure If I want to keep it covered or to just just it back out. I know there will be lots of cold air comming in from there. So I am still on the fence but as of now it will stay covered.
Also I know the foam walls are not going to hold up very well but I am going to see how long they last before someone puts a finger or elbow into the foam and messes it up. then I will more then likly get panel to cover the foam. but for now I want to see how long they last.
This weekends list of wants it to get that damn overflow box clean!!!! And to get some krylon and paint the overflow and the bottom of the tank black. also I am going to pic up some stain and refinish the wood fram on the tank. It will stay more of less the same color. Maybe a little more on the honey side. I don't want to go to far from the original color b/c I am not planning on doing the stand b/c it does not need it.
I have decied to get a couple of 4' shop lights to light this tank. I am so far looking at getting these black metal dual 4' T12 shop lights from lowes. They were about the only light that I liked and Had a nice reflector. they were about $30. There were other nice lights to but they either didn't have a reflector at all or were very small. If I could find another set that was cheeper and had a good reflector I would buy them. I know walmart has cheep lights but I dought they would last very long. I may look into harbor frieght.
After the inside of the tank is done and the frame is redone. I might be awhile before I get any more big progress done. I am going to be on the hunt for cheep 55gal tanks to make my filters out of. I need at least two but I think I am going to have to drill them and that means i'll need at least 4 just in case. lol Also I need to get some acylic sheet to make the top. I found out that menards has 4'x8'x.220" sheets for $132 and my sisters friend works there and can get me 10% off that. That is by far the best price that I have found. So that should be the last high priced thing I need to buy b/c I need two sheets b/c the tank is so long and wide.
Ok there's the update. I should have more pics nxet week if I can get the tank painted and stained.
Also I know the foam walls are not going to hold up very well but I am going to see how long they last before someone puts a finger or elbow into the foam and messes it up. then I will more then likly get panel to cover the foam. but for now I want to see how long they last.
This weekends list of wants it to get that damn overflow box clean!!!! And to get some krylon and paint the overflow and the bottom of the tank black. also I am going to pic up some stain and refinish the wood fram on the tank. It will stay more of less the same color. Maybe a little more on the honey side. I don't want to go to far from the original color b/c I am not planning on doing the stand b/c it does not need it.
I have decied to get a couple of 4' shop lights to light this tank. I am so far looking at getting these black metal dual 4' T12 shop lights from lowes. They were about the only light that I liked and Had a nice reflector. they were about $30. There were other nice lights to but they either didn't have a reflector at all or were very small. If I could find another set that was cheeper and had a good reflector I would buy them. I know walmart has cheep lights but I dought they would last very long. I may look into harbor frieght.
After the inside of the tank is done and the frame is redone. I might be awhile before I get any more big progress done. I am going to be on the hunt for cheep 55gal tanks to make my filters out of. I need at least two but I think I am going to have to drill them and that means i'll need at least 4 just in case. lol Also I need to get some acylic sheet to make the top. I found out that menards has 4'x8'x.220" sheets for $132 and my sisters friend works there and can get me 10% off that. That is by far the best price that I have found. So that should be the last high priced thing I need to buy b/c I need two sheets b/c the tank is so long and wide.
Ok there's the update. I should have more pics nxet week if I can get the tank painted and stained.
.220" is way too thin...it will droop and sag...koop171 said:
I believe a better option would be 3/8" glass. It should be less than $200.
Get a piece of cardboard and work out the angles, then take it to the local glass shop and have them cut it. You can save some more bucks, by doing the edges yourself.
On drilling your glass, I have bought a few diamond hole saws off "e-bay" for cheap. They work great, just go slow with plenty of water...
Looks like you have got alot done, keep up the grind, Looking foward to a full tank of Monsters...
zennzzo;2076299; said:.220" is way too thin...it will droop and sag...
I believe a better option would be 3/8" glass. It should be less than $200.
Get a piece of cardboard and work out the angles, then take it to the local glass shop and have them cut it. You can save some more bucks, by doing the edges yourself.
On drilling your glass, I have bought a few diamond hole saws off "e-bay" for cheap. They work great, just go slow with plenty of water...
Looks like you have got alot done, keep up the grind, Looking foward to a full tank of Monsters...
I found a place that can get 3/8" but they wanted like $170 for it I figured if I made the top in 3-4' sections 1/4" should be fine. I have thought about getting it cut to a rough shape before I got it but I want the extra unless they will give it to me when they are done cutting. I have only found one place that has sheets but I have not looked that hard yet. I do know that if I get any bigger then 1/4" that I will be doing a special order.
If you are talking plexi .25" will sag from front to back...I have tried bracing it with 4 - 2" x .25" braces but it still sagged, and that was on a 150...your front to back dimention is much greater...I'm just trying to save you some time and money.
Any reason you are not diggin' glass tops?
Any reason you are not diggin' glass tops?
yes i do not live far from aquarium adventure and i seen it housed a shark if it is the one that i am thinking about you got a nice tank congrates on the pick and i hope to see some pics in the futrue that will be a hell of a fresh water tank and that is not a very old tank CONGRATES
If i remember correctly the shark that used to be in your tank was a leopard shark. At least thats what it looked like to me.
zennzzo;2077119; said:
The shape f the tank would be way to hard to make glass tops for. I would like glass tops very much but I don' feel it's possible. There is a glass shop not to far from me but I think it would end up beig to heavy and get beat up and chip or break. I think What I am going to do is go with the cardboard idea and have them make it for me on the condition that I pay for two sheets and they give me all the extra b/c i will need that later.
