400 gallon glass tank build - Page 2

nyvp · 02/28/2011, 06:19 AM

TY for the kind words.
If everything goes well today, I hope to have a 920 in my house by tonight.

wakesurfdan · 02/28/2011, 08:41 AM

Nyvp
Thanks for the confidence builder, your tank is what me make the decision on 1/2" glass!! Your tank loos amazing. If you don't mind I have a couple questions. Do you know what kind of silicon your builder used? And did he use spacers between the panels and what thickness were they if he did. I found your thread on your tank after I designed mine and was amazed that it was almost identical to mine. It made me feel like all my research and drawings were worth while. Can't wait to see your 900 gallon!!!

Thanks Dan

wakesurfdan · 03/02/2011, 10:57 PM

Ok I've decided on my spacer size and silicone type. Spacers will be 1/8" wide by 1/16" thick clear lexan cut from an old rc car body I had, and silicone will be GE RTV108 or 103. I need suggestions on silicone color? My tank will have a 1-1/2" black abs plastic rim at top and bottom very similar to oceanic tanks and will be black back. So do I go with black or clear seams? my glass arrived today and I will be assembling tank next Saturday.

Thanks Dan

wakesurfdan · 03/04/2011, 10:32 AM

IMG_9599.jpg

IMG_9600.jpg

IMG_9601.jpg

wakesurfdan · 03/04/2011, 10:34 AM

Couple Pics of stand and build platform

srud · 03/04/2011, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wakesurfdan

Ok I've decided on my spacer size and silicone type. Spacers will be 1/8" wide by 1/16" thick clear lexan cut from an old rc car body I had, and silicone will be GE RTV108 or 103. I need suggestions on silicone color? My tank will have a 1-1/2" black abs plastic rim at top and bottom very similar to oceanic tanks and will be black back. So do I go with black or clear seams? my glass arrived today and I will be assembling tank next Saturday.

Thanks Dan

I think black looks nice. Where did you come up with the abs rim?

btw. The stand looks great!

wakesurfdan · 03/04/2011, 12:43 PM

photo.jpgI really like the look of my oceanic so I wanted to keep the same style

wakesurfdan · 03/04/2011, 05:05 PM

Glass is HERE!!!! To bad I have to wait till next weekend to startphoto 1.jpg

photo 3.jpg

photo 2.jpg

Isayso · 03/11/2011, 09:21 PM

any updates?
we want to see lots of pics

wakesurfdan · 03/11/2011, 11:20 PM

Getting ready for the big build tomorrow I've got all my build jigs ready to go here's some pics. I will post all the build photos tomorrow night. Im a little nervous only for lifting the 180 lb.photo 3-1.jpg

photo 2-1.jpg

photo 1-1.jpg panels into place. I borrowed my glass guys suction cups,just have a hard time trusting those things.

wakesurfdan · 03/11/2011, 11:31 PM

finally found use for the hundreds of my extra business cards, If you look close at the build stand you can see them under the glass being used as shims to create a perfectly flat build stand.

wakesurfdan · 03/11/2011, 11:34 PM

Also one note Im not sure why I called this my 400 gallon build since it calcs out at 489 gallons

A Reef Scene · 03/12/2011, 07:44 AM

Can you post pics of where you lay the silicone? THanks

widmer · 03/12/2011, 09:34 AM

After all this careful consideration and $$, could I recommend that you have a couple friends come over to help navigate those heavy panels?

Looking forward to seeing it come together. Not sure if you've already made the decision but RTV108 (clear) gets my vote.

rkaragozler · 03/12/2011, 10:37 AM

Dan looking real good, keep up with positive thinking.

teacherthomas · 03/12/2011, 10:47 AM

I have heard that for DIY clear silicon is better as it is easier to see any bubbles in the seams and the conncetion of the seams. Though black looks a lot cooler and will blend with your background better.

Oildalemonkey · 03/12/2011, 10:50 AM

Nice job so far, Dan. It looks like you really did your homework and I'm sure everything will turn out fine. Looking forward to seeing the progress.

mcoomer · 03/12/2011, 11:27 AM

I'd probably go with black RTV103 for the look. Black seams really seem to add a lot to a tank.

BTW...are you putting your equipment under the tank or in a separate room?

Mike

wakesurfdan · 03/12/2011, 01:36 PM

I went with rtv 103 for the seams and will be using rtv 108 for all the euro bracing up top.this one is a family project so my wife and two sons will be helping today. My 21 year old son can bench 320 lbs so he will be on the other side of the panels with me.I'm finishing taping everything off right now and will start assembling in a couple hours.

widmer · 03/12/2011, 01:37 PM

Exciting, keep taking those pics

wakesurfdan · 03/12/2011, 08:07 PM

photo 2-9.jpg

photo 1-9.jpg

photo 3-10.jpg

photo 5-8.jpg

photo 2-10.jpgWell The build pressure is over!! Everything went better than I could have imagined. here's some pics of the build. I will be starting all the bracing monday.

wakesurfdan · 03/12/2011, 08:11 PM

photo 3-7.jpg

photo 4-7.jpg

photo 2-8.jpg

photo 1-7.jpg

wakesurfdan · 03/12/2011, 08:15 PM

photo 4-5.jpg

photo 1-7.jpg

photo 1-6.jpg

photo 3-6.jpg

photo 5-4.jpg

wakesurfdan · 03/12/2011, 08:19 PM

photo 4-3.jpg

photo 2-5.jpg

photo 5-3.jpg

photo 3-5.jpg

photo 2-4.jpg

coralnut99 · 03/12/2011, 08:20 PM

Looks awesome! I like the upright support jigs. Great thinking! Lazy old me would've used a pneumatic or electric gun. You must've squeezed three miles of RTV!

Don't know if you planned for this, but the finished product is gonna weigh many, many pounds. Think about inviting your son's friends. Serioulsy, the only thing that would worry me beyond this point is moving it. How are you planning on attacking it?

03/11/2011, 09:21 PM	#34
Isayso Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hamilton,ON.Canada Posts: 527	any updates? we want to see lots of pics __________________ lets save the reef Current Tank Info: Hardware: 125g Reef,Mak4 for return,DIY 20G sump,DIY Beckett Skimmer(AF30) driven by a Mak4,DIY S.Denitrator,DIY Calcium reactor(PM), wavemaker .MJ mods on Swirlestein,Jebao WP 20,Lighting: 60 LEDs, moon lights

03/12/2011, 10:37 AM	#40
rkaragozler Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Staten Island,NY Posts: 296	Dan looking real good, keep up with positive thinking. __________________ A couple of years ago, I had an idea that it would be nice to one day have a reef aquarium. Looking at the last six months of my credit card statements, I should have just left it the way it was.

03/12/2011, 10:50 AM	#42
Oildalemonkey Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Shafter, CA Posts: 110	Nice job so far, Dan. It looks like you really did your homework and I'm sure everything will turn out fine. Looking forward to seeing the progress. __________________ "All you need is one good coral."

03/12/2011, 11:27 AM	#43
mcoomer Rat Bastard! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sammamish, WA Posts: 1,487	I'd probably go with black RTV103 for the look. Black seams really seem to add a lot to a tank. BTW...are you putting your equipment under the tank or in a separate room? Mike __________________ Spending exorbitant amounts of money on this hobby since 1998! My wife thought the tank would be cheaper and easier to keep than a dog...no seriously! Current Tank Info: 180 gallon mixed reef; Reeflo Barracuda, Tunze 6105 (X3), 250W Radiums with dual HQI Blue Wave 7, Reefkeeper Elite controller, custom sump with ASM G4, carbon and GFO reactors

03/12/2011, 08:20 PM	#50
coralnut99 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bushkill, PA Posts: 3,632	Looks awesome! I like the upright support jigs. Great thinking! Lazy old me would've used a pneumatic or electric gun. You must've squeezed three miles of RTV! Don't know if you planned for this, but the finished product is gonna weigh many, many pounds. Think about inviting your son's friends. Serioulsy, the only thing that would worry me beyond this point is moving it. How are you planning on attacking it? __________________ Why can't my wife see this stuff as an investment? Current Tank Info: way too much to list, and still adding more!

02/28/2011, 06:19 AM	#26
nyvp Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Hollywood Florida Posts: 3,633	TY for the kind words. If everything goes well today, I hope to have a 920 in my house by tonight.

02/28/2011, 08:41 AM	#27
wakesurfdan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sacramento Ca. Posts: 462	Nyvp Thanks for the confidence builder, your tank is what me make the decision on 1/2" glass!! Your tank loos amazing. If you don't mind I have a couple questions. Do you know what kind of silicon your builder used? And did he use spacers between the panels and what thickness were they if he did. I found your thread on your tank after I designed mine and was amazed that it was almost identical to mine. It made me feel like all my research and drawings were worth while. Can't wait to see your 900 gallon!!! Thanks Dan

03/02/2011, 10:57 PM	#28
wakesurfdan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sacramento Ca. Posts: 462	Ok I've decided on my spacer size and silicone type. Spacers will be 1/8" wide by 1/16" thick clear lexan cut from an old rc car body I had, and silicone will be GE RTV108 or 103. I need suggestions on silicone color? My tank will have a 1-1/2" black abs plastic rim at top and bottom very similar to oceanic tanks and will be black back. So do I go with black or clear seams? my glass arrived today and I will be assembling tank next Saturday. Thanks Dan

03/04/2011, 10:32 AM	#29
wakesurfdan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sacramento Ca. Posts: 462	IMG_9599.jpg IMG_9600.jpg IMG_9601.jpg

03/04/2011, 10:34 AM	#30
wakesurfdan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sacramento Ca. Posts: 462	Couple Pics of stand and build platform

03/04/2011, 12:43 PM	#32
wakesurfdan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sacramento Ca. Posts: 462	photo.jpgI really like the look of my oceanic so I wanted to keep the same style

03/04/2011, 05:05 PM	#33
wakesurfdan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sacramento Ca. Posts: 462	Glass is HERE!!!! To bad I have to wait till next weekend to startphoto 1.jpg photo 3.jpg photo 2.jpg

03/11/2011, 11:20 PM	#35
wakesurfdan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sacramento Ca. Posts: 462	Getting ready for the big build tomorrow I've got all my build jigs ready to go here's some pics. I will post all the build photos tomorrow night. Im a little nervous only for lifting the 180 lb.photo 3-1.jpg photo 2-1.jpg photo 1-1.jpg panels into place. I borrowed my glass guys suction cups,just have a hard time trusting those things.

03/11/2011, 11:31 PM	#36
wakesurfdan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sacramento Ca. Posts: 462	finally found use for the hundreds of my extra business cards, If you look close at the build stand you can see them under the glass being used as shims to create a perfectly flat build stand.

03/11/2011, 11:34 PM	#37
wakesurfdan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sacramento Ca. Posts: 462	Also one note Im not sure why I called this my 400 gallon build since it calcs out at 489 gallons

03/12/2011, 07:44 AM	#38
A Reef Scene Registered Member. Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Montgomery, Illinois Posts: 1,465	Can you post pics of where you lay the silicone? THanks

03/12/2011, 09:34 AM	#39
widmer Drug Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rochester, MN Posts: 2,958	After all this careful consideration and $$, could I recommend that you have a couple friends come over to help navigate those heavy panels? Looking forward to seeing it come together. Not sure if you've already made the decision but RTV108 (clear) gets my vote.

03/12/2011, 10:47 AM	#41
teacherthomas Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Taiwan Posts: 92	I have heard that for DIY clear silicon is better as it is easier to see any bubbles in the seams and the conncetion of the seams. Though black looks a lot cooler and will blend with your background better.

03/12/2011, 01:36 PM	#44
wakesurfdan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sacramento Ca. Posts: 462	I went with rtv 103 for the seams and will be using rtv 108 for all the euro bracing up top.this one is a family project so my wife and two sons will be helping today. My 21 year old son can bench 320 lbs so he will be on the other side of the panels with me.I'm finishing taping everything off right now and will start assembling in a couple hours.

03/12/2011, 01:37 PM	#45
widmer Drug Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rochester, MN Posts: 2,958	Exciting, keep taking those pics

03/12/2011, 08:07 PM	#46
wakesurfdan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sacramento Ca. Posts: 462	photo 2-9.jpg photo 1-9.jpg photo 3-10.jpg photo 5-8.jpg photo 2-10.jpgWell The build pressure is over!! Everything went better than I could have imagined. here's some pics of the build. I will be starting all the bracing monday.

03/12/2011, 08:11 PM	#47
wakesurfdan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sacramento Ca. Posts: 462	photo 3-7.jpg photo 4-7.jpg photo 2-8.jpg photo 1-7.jpg

03/12/2011, 08:15 PM	#48
wakesurfdan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sacramento Ca. Posts: 462	photo 4-5.jpg photo 1-7.jpg photo 1-6.jpg photo 3-6.jpg photo 5-4.jpg

03/12/2011, 08:19 PM	#49
wakesurfdan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sacramento Ca. Posts: 462	photo 4-3.jpg photo 2-5.jpg photo 5-3.jpg photo 3-5.jpg photo 2-4.jpg

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