Anyone else think I should go back to dual overflows?

Sounds good to me!

Let me know if you need some weekend help, I never do anything useful anyway!

I appreciate the offer but I think I have it under control, just need to take the time to do it. That is once I know what I'm doing.

Need some more input... 1 overflow or 2?

I would just do the 1 overflow. With the 2, you aren't really going to gain anything, but you will ba wishing you had that side to look through every time you look through the tank. For the C/L, look into a 4 way from Ocean Motions. Even with the dart, you might be disapointed with the flow out of 6 outlets at once. I think the pond liner will be fine.

Have you thought about a single overflow in the center? You could make it about 3"x6" and build some rockwork around it to cover it up. That way, it wouldn't even look like you have an overflow... might need to enlarge the dimensions, but at least with water flowing over 4 sides, the chances of overflowing the tank would be minimized

I've had ocean motions before and they work great, but I don't think it's going to be a big deal for an LPS tank. If it was SPS, definately would need the random flow, but it's just to keep things from settling... Even with 50% head loss thats like having a maxijet 1200 every 2 ft.

Want to try to hide as much as I can so center overflow is out. Guess I'm now torn, hopefully I can get some more votes to help the decision.

You know you will end up putting some SPS in there. Just do it.

No, that's what the 225 is for.



Well, the flooring got here today (60 boxes of it) 42 of them are in the basement (12 can be seen the other 30 are in the bottom corner). Boy did that suck moving it down there. Anyway, the primer is still wet so please mind the uneven look.

What the heck, here's some more pics I just took, hopefully the primer is mostly dry...

This is going to be a really nice room. Can't wait to see the final product.

Thanks mskurdah! I don't want to extend the column width, as I may need to remove everything down the road and that would be a lot of work to remove (and build now that it's all done). If I go with 2 overflows the ends will be black acrylic for a clean look, but just torn on which way to go. I may just take the advise and do a water test with one and then see if I need a second. Thanks for the comments.

Acrylic for the side panels has been ordered. Delivery is either late today or tomorrow. Once the perimeter is built, I'll order the acrylic for the top and bottom.

Calvin,
Nice work on the basement. I love the rounded corners. Bullnose, correct?

Thanks, I'm not sure if Bullnose is the right term or not, I know it is the term for tiles but out here we call rounded corners "rounded corners", pretty original huh?

any updates?

Acrylic for the two viewing panels is in the garage waiting for me to perfect a perfect butt joint so I can have my two 12' pieces needed. Once I have those I will create the perimeter and I hope to have some additional funds by next week to order the acrylic for the top and bottom (also will have to be butt jointed to create the 12' sections). As for the basement, I just need to paint the ceiling so I can install the flooring, shouldn't take more more than a day or two. I will be taking time off from work this week, Wednesday thru Monday so I hope to get some progress made.

Once the tank is built, the next step will be coming up with the funds for all the equipment, doors, trim, furniture and another HD Flat Screen. Got the BMW sold and money is in the bank, but another car will be needed down the road. Man, the waiting game sucks.

So you sold the BMW to buy the fish tank? NICE!

No, sold the BMW so we could buy something with more room, but don't need another vehicle for about another 10 mo or so...

update?

The level of creativity and talent for woodworking and carpentry of the people on this forum continues to amaze me. I'm anxious to see the finished project, inhabited by all manner of reef denizens. I'm a total noob at setting up and maintaing a "large" tank but I've had a 29g bio cube running for about a year now. I'm sure I'll be relying on the prodigious amount of knowledge around here to help me provide a good home for my aquatic friends.

This is an awesome idea. I love long tanks, and this takes it to the extreme. Good lookin' wood-work so far.

I think 1 overflow with the return at the other end + CL will be plenty of flow for LPS. You'd regret not having the 3rd viewing panel if you went with 2 overflows. You'll also be happy with the 40" height. My 40b stand that I built is at 40". That's a 16" tall tank and I think it's about perfect. A 15" tall tank should be great too. I don't check in here at N-R much lately, work has been busy and the last thing I need is the inspiration to spend more money on fish tanks right now, but I'll be checking in to see the progress of this monster frequently.

Good work, as always, calvin415!

Thanks for the feedback guys, I really appreciate the kind words... Here's an update, the floors are installed... Next will be trim, but not sure on an ETA as I want to start building the tank sometime soon. The acrylic (2 8' pieces and 2 4' pieces to become 2 12' pieces) is stacked on the stand.

Wow, excellent work, Calvin! The curved corners give it a very finished look... I like.

Thanks lalani, the rounded corners were a must have when we built the house, so naturally we continued it into the basement. I think it really adds the finishing touch, now if only installing trim around the rounded corners was a easy. LOL

I'm getting itchy waiting for this.

looking good so far!

is the seam going to be right in the middle of the tank?

Well since one piece is 8' and the other is 4' I don't think the seam can be in the middle huh? LOL! Since I will also have a seam on the bottom and on the top, I will have to stagger the seams to keep them from aligning... That means the two viewing panels will match and the top and bottom will match to ensure the seams don't line up on a weld.

oops. i guess i missed that part

LOL! Don't worry about it. If I can find the guts, I might try to weld up the first butt joint tonight. If not, I'll just spend the time fixing the crack in the front of the stand.

First butt joint is curing... I'll unclamp it tomorrow night, and start sanding. 3 more welds to go (have to do 1 at a time), and then we'll see how they look.

gotta love drywall

nice laminate btw

Yeah, drywall...

Thanks, hopefully it will hold up with the kids... Then we can get something better when they are older.

Just ordered all the bulkheads, valves and true union valves for the CL pump... Ouch!

While we're on the topic of planning, I do want a single center piece fish for this tank, anyone care to make some suggestions? I think I've narrowed it down to either an Angel or a Tang, but still want something very unique, or at least an attention getter. Angel choices are Emperor, Regal, Magestic, Tangs choices are Powder Blue, or Lieutenant aka Tennenti but not sure how well they will fit... I have plenty of swimming room, but turn around room might be a little tight. Another concern is reef safe with the Angels, I know it's risk no matter what, but it's a fish I've always wanted and never gotten one. The Emperor is what got me into the hobby 17 years ago and I still have never had one. Thoughts? Suggestions?

Really, it's up to you. Don't listen to what other people say (as far as the 'tang police' and other such comments), just get what you want and I know you have enough experience that you will know if the fish is thriving or not. I say go with the Emperor Angel

^^^ His tank is gonna be around 140 gallons, so he's pretty clear on what he can safely put in the tank. Plus with it being sooooooooooooooo long the 'tang police' can keep their mouths shut.

it will hold up like nails. i have the same thing in my basement and it holds up good with my kid and the dogs.

i vote purple tang.

The laminate will hold up great, my mom has it in her house (4 kids plus their friends, and 2 dogs). My best friend manages a flooring store and I've done some part time work there, laminate is exactly what you want for your situation.

About the fish, get the emperor angel. You'll regret it if you don't.

As he mentioned, some may take issue with the width, and not necessarily the length or volume... not I!

LOL! You guys are too funny. Thanks for the feed back on the laminate that's just want a wanted to hear.

I love purple tangs reefone, but feel they are pretty common. Either way, I'm considering it, my Dad loves them!

Here's some updated pics and description of what I've done, if you're following my thread on that other site you'll see the same stuff so don't kill yourself re-reading it.



First was the prep work not pictured where I routered the end of each piece to clean it up and ensure it was perfectly square with the adjacent edge.

Next was the setup, this step involved taping off the pieces to keep the WeldOn 42 from getting on the surface of the acrylic (not crucial but less sanding in the end) and then clamping everything in place.

Once everything was ready, I unclamped one side (shorter side for ease) seperating them approx 1/8-1/4" and ran a piece of tape along the joint on the bottom to keep the 42 in the joint. Once the 42 was applied, I squeeze the pieces back together (not too tight, you don't want a dry joint) and reapplied the clamps to ensure the pieces were in perfect alignment. Then remove the tape on the bottom holding the solvent in, and then the tape protecting the surface. This will allow you to see into the joint to ensure it's bubble free.

To get maximum strength with 42, it's recommended to cure the joint at 158*F for 4 hours within 24 hours of gluing. I don't have an easy bake oven yet, and I believe the strength of a standard temp cure to be enough but I hope allowing it to cure for 48 hours in a spring time garage (very warm) will help. In my practice welds with 1/2" material, the standard temp cure was strong enough to keep me from being able to break it by hand. Using 1/2" materials for all 6 sides, plus full euro and cross bracing I feel this tank is already being over built and additional curing should not be needed.

Okay, enough words huh? Here's the pics...

Here's my setup.


A little closer.


From the side.


You can see the solvent drips, this is actually already cured for almost 48 hours, you can see how clear the solvent sets up.


And the joint before sanding or polishing. All imperfections are on the surface and should sand clear with a little work.

Great work! It's cool to see pictures of the actual tank building process. Please continue!

theres that Gem Tang I saw a few days ago on Divers Den.....

YAY!!!! The tank is being built been following your progress I love the idea. My only worry is the joints will give in the future but it seems you are a risk taker. Also that is some thick plexi glass

Thats definately a centerpiece lol!............A $3500 one!

??? Why would it give away? I was already able to pick up the sheet to turn it over, even at 1/2" thick when it's 12' long it bends like it's 1/8" and the joint held up just fine. I bet if I tried to break it, it would actually break in the acrylic, not on the joint. WeldOn 42 is a 2 part epoxy that is even stronger than solvents (WeldOn 3 or 4).

As for the Gem tang... sorry.

Here's some pics of the initial sanding, I'll continue to sand down the joint until it's clear as original and attempt to take pics of each step.



As for the strength of the joint, maybe this will provide you with a little piece of mind. Remember 1/2" material is used for tanks up to 24" tall without any bowing (will bow a lot before it breaks) and this will only have approx 14-15 inches of water in it.





This is more bowing than this tank will see in a lifetime.

Awesome build thread. Loved your other long tank, and I'm sure this one will blow that one out of the water.

Following along eagerly. Good luck

Wow, wow, wow. That is all!

Thanks for the compliments guys!

Unfortunately, I'm out of 400 grit W/D so I wasn't able to do too much polishing tonight. Here's where I'm at:

Just so you can compare, here's 120 grit dry...


Here's 200 grit dry...


220 wet...


and flipped taking the other side from 200 dry sanded to 220 wet...


Next will be 400 wet and so on... Just need to get more 400.

Well you asked for a center piece...

Heres a more realistic center piece and a super cool fish as well, one that I've not seen much on Divers Den.

Amazing. I am a fan of DIY. I see what looks like 1/8th - or a bit larger overhang on one of the pieces. What are you going to do about it. (Just curious)