wanareef Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Finally got my Acrylic, one sheet of 3/8" clear cast. Just enough to get 6 pieces out of it. Dimensions are: 22" h x 36" l x 23" w This will use a 3" Euro brace and have an external overflow which is about 25" w x 10" h x 5" d. Been busy trimming on the router so some pix's As always saftey first, gotta have hearing protectors Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanareef Posted January 6, 2009 Author Share Posted January 6, 2009 Rough routing of the overflow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanareef Posted January 6, 2009 Author Share Posted January 6, 2009 Using a templet to clean up one of the corners for the overflow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanareef Posted January 6, 2009 Author Share Posted January 6, 2009 Matching up the corners - cleaning up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R-3 Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Looks good so far. What weld-on you using #4?? I like those dimensions. What are you planning for lighting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanareef Posted January 6, 2009 Author Share Posted January 6, 2009 Over finished Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanareef Posted January 6, 2009 Author Share Posted January 6, 2009 Started to route out the opening for the Euro brace, cleaning up one of the four corners Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanareef Posted January 6, 2009 Author Share Posted January 6, 2009 Cleaning up one long side - matching up the corners Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanareef Posted January 6, 2009 Author Share Posted January 6, 2009 This is a bad pix, but I had the acrylic cut to order, it's too heavy for me to move by myself on the table saw. There are saw marks that have to be cleaned up to get a good bubble free seam, so I routed all the connecting edges (that will see solvent) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanareef Posted January 6, 2009 Author Share Posted January 6, 2009 This is where it started Ryan I will be using these http://www.customaquatic.com/estore/control/product/~product=LT-PX-250-DE-14 with these http://www.customaquatic.com/estore/control/product/~product=LT-CVCV-LBPEN-DE and with PFO HQI ballasts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanareef Posted January 6, 2009 Author Share Posted January 6, 2009 Have some more bits coming in and will chamfrer the top. Mean while, I can start assembling the tank, the bottom end any way more to come Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R-3 Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Yeah that light setup should be nice. That makes it nice when you can get away with using one halide with the new lumenarc style reflectors that have came out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanareef Posted January 6, 2009 Author Share Posted January 6, 2009 This is where some of that $$ acrylic went to. Not snow DOH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Well....looks very good so far. Keep it up...if you need help just holler at me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanareef Posted January 7, 2009 Author Share Posted January 7, 2009 Finished cutting the pieces of the overflow today on the table saw - man was it windy - outside. DOH! Started assembling the overflow today after the triming. Some pix's. The over hang is built in for trimming later on. It helps with appling the solvent with that little extra piece on the other side Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanareef Posted January 7, 2009 Author Share Posted January 7, 2009 Here's the display tank and one end being assembled. I am using the "pins" method where you inset a "spacer" usually some wire,(for easy pull out) between the pieces to join, for longer contact time for the solvent to soften the acrylic. The pieces are lined up, ruller, square, some support is placed, the "pins" inserted, the pieces double checked again, then you apply the solvent. There is a trick to applying the solvent, these applicator bottles come in handy. When you apply the solvent, squeeze the air out till almost the solvent comes out of the end of the needle, holding the bottle like this, you apply the solvent to the seams by squeezing the bottle and moving along the seam and when you want to stop, just let go of the pressure and lift the end up to stop the flow. Also the best "nozzel to get are these flexible ones" they don't bend like the metal ones do. After you apply the solvent all along the seam, you wait several seconds then pull the pins or spacers out, making sure you don't pull the pieces out of alignment. I used razor blades for wedges case sometimes the work surface is a little uneven and "wedge" the bottom up to meet the other piece. This will ensure bubble free seams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanareef Posted January 10, 2009 Author Share Posted January 10, 2009 The tank is almost finished, just have to trim the top and on to the next project, the Stand The 3rd pix is of the external overflow from the front to back with the egg crate above to keep living things in the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadReefer Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 Looking good. I like the external overflow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 Looking very nice there Wanareef. You have very good craftsman skills. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanareef Posted January 11, 2009 Author Share Posted January 11, 2009 Thanks guys. Still more work to be done before I can add water DOH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanareef Posted January 19, 2009 Author Share Posted January 19, 2009 Finished the stand, well just the framing 1. from the front 2. right side 3. part of the back and the trough for the plumbing 4. leg detail 5. the top,under the tank It'll have oak paneling with stile and rail doors, oak of course. Will have a ply for the top and the bottom shelf and it'll be painted to help keep the water out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertareef Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Looking sharp! I like the design of the external overflow and the oversized stand to allow for the internal routing of the plumping... nice job. Thanks for the "as you go pics" - always nice to see a project come together like that.(rock2) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Good clean job! Looking forward to seeing the progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanareef Posted January 31, 2009 Author Share Posted January 31, 2009 Thanks guy's. This is from learning from the first tank, a long skinny AGA 100gal that only cost $50 from Cali - bought sigh unseen. Had little chips in the plastic trim some small scratches but held water. Too hard to aquascape in 16" of area. Did some drilling for the closed loop. got these 2' BH's from with 6" strainers. Kind a big but it's on the back side and it'll be hidden with LR and should soften the "suction" from the pump. It'll be a Sequence 3800 for the CL - talk about water movement DOH! The water will exit via the big BH's and return at each corner of the tank. Not sure how to split the corners up yet, but will be using this, last pix found on the same place as the BH's. Maybe put this on top of a rotating ball valve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 That is simply awesome. Can't wait to do some work with you Wanareef. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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