it would be a great learning experience making a DIY wood stand. there are plenty of threads to look at.
Picked up new (to me) 144 gallon half circle tank... need some help.
- Thread starter johnnytaboo
- Start date
I would have your brother weld a steel stand and you can have a cabinet-maker/carpenter skin it however you'd like. If your brother hooks you up with the welding portion, the skinning shouldn't be too expensive. I would have him use 2" tubular steel...if he's going to make it, he might as well make it beefy. You can have the carpenter incorporate magnets into the skin so that you can easily pull it off to access the sump. Or, you can have you bro make the skin out of steel to match the canopy.
Tank looks awesome BTW. Oh yeah, plus one on the use of vinegar...let it really soak in there to help loosen that junk up.
Tank looks awesome BTW. Oh yeah, plus one on the use of vinegar...let it really soak in there to help loosen that junk up.
Thanks for the input everyone. The vinegar made it much easier, though still not really 'easy.' After about 2.5 hours of diligent scraping, I've cleared 60% of the back of the tank. The only things left are the 2 overflows, which are plastic, not glass, so I'm being more careful when cleaning them.
As much as I would love the experience of building my own stand, I'm afraid my 70+ hour work week won't permit me to follow through with it's completion. I've talked to a carpenter buddy of mine, and I'm going to get him some dimensions so he can price me a build for exactly what I want.
So assuming the overflows clean up well, and my carpenter comes through for me, I now have to address the issue of filtration. As I mentioned at the start of the thread, this is the first drilled tank I've ever owned, and honestly I have no idea what to do. The tank has dual overflows with 2 holes drilled in the bottom of the tank behind each overflow (total of 4 holes).
In a dream world, I would love to somehow use those overflows to hide the plumbing for dual FX5's and twin heaters, but I'm not sure that's possible.
Now I know the tank is at least a month from being set-up, but I was hoping you all could help me start thinking about my filtration options: Can I plumb up some FX5's, or do I need to learn about sumps? I know I could just plug the holes and do what I always do, but it would be nice to utilize them so I can get the tank pushed all the way against the wall.
Again, any and all advice is appreciated.
- John
As much as I would love the experience of building my own stand, I'm afraid my 70+ hour work week won't permit me to follow through with it's completion. I've talked to a carpenter buddy of mine, and I'm going to get him some dimensions so he can price me a build for exactly what I want.
So assuming the overflows clean up well, and my carpenter comes through for me, I now have to address the issue of filtration. As I mentioned at the start of the thread, this is the first drilled tank I've ever owned, and honestly I have no idea what to do. The tank has dual overflows with 2 holes drilled in the bottom of the tank behind each overflow (total of 4 holes).
In a dream world, I would love to somehow use those overflows to hide the plumbing for dual FX5's and twin heaters, but I'm not sure that's possible.
Now I know the tank is at least a month from being set-up, but I was hoping you all could help me start thinking about my filtration options: Can I plumb up some FX5's, or do I need to learn about sumps? I know I could just plug the holes and do what I always do, but it would be nice to utilize them so I can get the tank pushed all the way against the wall.
Again, any and all advice is appreciated.
- John
Shameless bump:
Sorry, but does anyone have ideas on plumbing dual FX5's through the 4 holes I have drilled in the bottom of this tank? I'm hoping there would be some sort of attachment, similar to the one used with the python water changing system, which would allow me to attach hosing beneath the tank.
Am I making any sense?
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Sorry, but does anyone have ideas on plumbing dual FX5's through the 4 holes I have drilled in the bottom of this tank? I'm hoping there would be some sort of attachment, similar to the one used with the python water changing system, which would allow me to attach hosing beneath the tank.
Am I making any sense?
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
For reference the holes that are drilled are 1 3/4" in diameter, and the plastic tubing that comes with the FX5 appears to be only 1" in diameter.
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
you can get fittings to reduce to whatever size you need
eg.
http://www.advanced-piping.com/inde...4ab475cba1289c90171f7&level=1&offset=&items=1
eg.
http://www.advanced-piping.com/inde...4ab475cba1289c90171f7&level=1&offset=&items=1
Thanks malawi. I did some searching and I found these:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+10090+7629+4009&pcatid=4009
It seems the 1" bulk heads will cover a 1-3/4" hole diameter. Would these work for me? I'm sorry about all the questions, but I know little to nothing about plumbing. Is there an advantage to double-threaded over standard threaded bulkheads?
From what I read, I can use these bulkheads and them cap them with the appropriate plumbing if I don't want to use it?... Or I can try to hook up something like the picture I found below (which is what I really want to do).
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+10090+7629+4009&pcatid=4009
It seems the 1" bulk heads will cover a 1-3/4" hole diameter. Would these work for me? I'm sorry about all the questions, but I know little to nothing about plumbing. Is there an advantage to double-threaded over standard threaded bulkheads?
From what I read, I can use these bulkheads and them cap them with the appropriate plumbing if I don't want to use it?... Or I can try to hook up something like the picture I found below (which is what I really want to do).
Ok, so I spent some time messing with Windows paint program to try and diagram what I'd like to do with this tank. It involves 2 FX5's, with one using the traditional FX5 intake with strainer drawing water from outside the overflow; and the other drawing water from inside the overflow. Both would have 1" PVC tubing running to the top of each overflow for the return outputs. Please let me know if this is plan is feasible, or what I can do to make it so.
Thanks again,
John
Thanks again,
John
Ok, I think I've got the plumbing figured out. (Input would be greatly appreciated). All of this will be 1" tubing/adapters:
I plan on using double threaded bulkheads (like THESE)
Beneath the tank, attached to each "intake" bulkhead" I will attach a ball valve (like THESE)
Attached to each ball valve, will be a straight adapter with hose barbs (like THESE - only I would like to find Section 80, but no luck thus far)
Attached to each barb will be 1" flexible PVC tubing, which will be clamped to the intake opening of the FX5
From the output of the FX5 I will have flexible PVC leading to a straight adapter which will be threaded onto the "output bulkhead" ( one of THESE adapters - again, I would prefer section 80)
If that works, all I have to do is figure out exactly how I want to configure the intakes for each side, but the outputs will return water to opposite sides of the tank, in an attempt to create a flow towards the center for easy waste collection.
PLEASE let me know if this sounds like I'm on the right track. My goal is to use quality equipment that can be threaded on, as opposed to cemented together. I think it would make for easier maintenance on the system should it ever be required.
Thanks,
John
I plan on using double threaded bulkheads (like THESE)
Beneath the tank, attached to each "intake" bulkhead" I will attach a ball valve (like THESE)
Attached to each ball valve, will be a straight adapter with hose barbs (like THESE - only I would like to find Section 80, but no luck thus far)
Attached to each barb will be 1" flexible PVC tubing, which will be clamped to the intake opening of the FX5
From the output of the FX5 I will have flexible PVC leading to a straight adapter which will be threaded onto the "output bulkhead" ( one of THESE adapters - again, I would prefer section 80)
If that works, all I have to do is figure out exactly how I want to configure the intakes for each side, but the outputs will return water to opposite sides of the tank, in an attempt to create a flow towards the center for easy waste collection.
PLEASE let me know if this sounds like I'm on the right track. My goal is to use quality equipment that can be threaded on, as opposed to cemented together. I think it would make for easier maintenance on the system should it ever be required.
Thanks,
John
