Starting a 500 gallon build

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Maybe this quick sketch will explain better.

The eggcrate pattern is cut into the bottom of a styrofoam panel. The depth of the cut is the same as the eggcrate thickness so it flush mounts to the bottom. GE Silicone 1 is put in the cut pattern and the eggcrate is pushed in. Additional silicone is applied to the eggcrate to make sure it does not separate from the styrofoam.

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Finally, I am nearing completion of the stand and canopy. I will post some pictures of the progress tomorrow, should have everything finished within this week, but have a question.

Has anyone used adhesive magnetic tape instead of hinges for doors? I used 1/4" ply, and trim for the doors, so they are not too heavy, planning to try this idea, just curious if anyone has done this already. I have seen a thread with the entire panel being attached with magnets, but am just curious about doors.
 
very interested in the styrofoam background do you have any more links to share that talk more about the glues and paints used
tank is awesome by the way!
 
For the styrofoam background, I have found cichlid-forum.com to be a good reference. I will be using GE Silicone I to join the styrofoam together, and coating with Drylok instead of concrete or epoxy.

Below is a picture of the progress. I'm liking the way its turning out, but lots of little trim work and doors to do yet. I am trimming the stand the same as the canopy. Right now the stand panels are just leaning until I trim them and attach to the metal.

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just amazing!!!!! love it, your a lucky man
 
Thanks for your comments, I am very glad my wife is into the hobby as well.

This weekend I was able to finish the trim work on the stand and attached the panels. I'll post some pictures tonight once the glare on the tank in gone. I need to get some thicker curtains to block out more light.

Also found a fellow hobbyist in the area who is getting ready to move and trying to unload some adult Africans. Got several haps from him yesterday (for free once we started talking about the hobby) and hoping to get some more soon. Only problem is some of them are too large for my juvis (~1 foot haps).
 
I have a metal stand also, similar to yours. I want to "skin" it with plywood panels and doors. How do you attach the wood panels to it?
I was thinking about mounting magnets to the plywood? Door hardware magnets or something to keep kitchen cabinet doors closed? Then just stick the plywood panels to the metal stand, all this would be held on with the magnets. The plywood would have doors to quickly access under the stand but if needed I could just remove the whole plywood piece, doors and all, for major maintenance.
What was your solution?
 
I have seen what you are talking about, but I didn't want to do that with such a large piece of plywood. I just used some self tapping metal screws that had a flat head so I can cover them up.

I am using magnets for the doors however. I found that the adhesive on the magnetic tape I bought did not hold well to the painted wood, so I used Gorilla glue to put them on and tested it with no problems. I took the tape and cut it in half width wise, one piece at the top of the opening and one piece at the bottom is the plan.
 
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