tperkins Posted May 20, 2007 Share Posted May 20, 2007 Hey guys I don't post a lot here but I just wanted to to show you my 1st attempt at building my own tank especially because someone from here provided me with the glass. I 1st want to say that nano Paul is great to deal with. communication was great shipping was fabulous the entire transaction couldn't have gone better IMO. I am afraid a coomputer crash made me lose the original pictures of the packaging the glass originally arrived in so we took some more. SO without further ado here are the pics Unpacking and inspecting the glass. Gathering the stuff cleaning off the work bench Dowls to keep the bottom raised up 1/4 inch. Cleaning the sides with acetone. Labels so we dont mess up and put a side where it's not supposed to go. Ready ot put the fornt piece of glass on Checking to make sure it's still squared up Clamps in place for a tight fit This glass is so clear it's awesome. Putting on some silicone Smoothing out the edges The plastic spoon made the corners nice and smooth. So now it's curing up and well clean up all the excess silicone in a few days. The edges of the glass are all nicely beveled and we will be putting some nice silicone in the bevels on the outside for a nice clean look. I'll post some more pics when we start working on it some more Link to comment
nano-paul Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 Looking Good!!! Glad everything worked out ok Link to comment
supernip Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 as a fyi, the first run (for support doesn't need to be perfect). The second run will blend in perfectly. Im about to post my second nanopaul tank as well. I wish I had the fancy (reads expensive) clamps you did. I ghettoed my tank =( Link to comment
nano-paul Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 as a fyi, the first run (for support doesn't need to be perfect). The second run will blend in perfectly. Im about to post my second nanopaul tank as well. I wish I had the fancy (reads expensive) clamps you did. I ghettoed my tank =( I kinda liked the ghetto fabulous way you built yours Link to comment
Oceanic 30g Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 You guys are killing me! I went from wanting an all in one to thinking the only way to go is total DIY. This looks good so far. I may have missed it...What kind of glass is that? Link to comment
tperkins Posted May 21, 2007 Author Share Posted May 21, 2007 You guys are killing me! I went from wanting an all in one to thinking the only way to go is total DIY. This looks good so far. I may have missed it...What kind of glass is that? Thanks for the kind words, the glass is Nano Paul special glass. 3 sides low iron. The tank wont really be totally braceless because I am having a custom calfo overflow made for it. once that is siliconed in nice and tight it should provide even more support. and even so I am not worried, people make much bigger rimless braceless tanks than this and have no problems. as a fyi, the first run (for support doesn't need to be perfect). The second run will blend in perfectly. Im about to post my second nanopaul tank as well. I wish I had the fancy (reads expensive) clamps you did. I ghettoed my tank =( Those clamps belong to my friend who helped me build the tank. I certainly couldn't afford them. He does alot of carpentry work. We still used some tape! Looking forward to seeing your second tank as well. Link to comment
nano-paul Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 Just so you know, that dow 999 silicone is extremely strong. I watched a video where they glued the bumpers together on 2 Ford F-150's and they couldnt drive them apart. It will hold. Just out of curiousity, where did you get it? Link to comment
tperkins Posted May 21, 2007 Author Share Posted May 21, 2007 Just so you know, that dow 999 silicone is extremely strong. I watched a video where they glued the bumpers together on 2 Ford F-150's and they couldnt drive them apart. It will hold. Just out of curiousity, where did you get it? I ordered it from http://www.technologylk.com/product_view.a...product_ID=7823 got it really fast. I read about it on RC and decided I would order it. I would love to show that video to my GF to make her feel better about the tank. shes worried about flooding lol. Link to comment
nano-paul Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 I ordered it from http://www.technologylk.com/product_view.a...product_ID=7823 got it really fast. I read about it on RC and decided I would order it. I would love to show that video to my GF to make her feel better about the tank. shes worried about flooding lol. I will see if I can find that video in my email and forward you the link. Link to comment
Withers Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 Nice work and excellent dimensions! You're killing me, I want to make this tank so bad I can taste it! Would you mind giving us a running total on the costs? Link to comment
tperkins Posted May 21, 2007 Author Share Posted May 21, 2007 Nice work and excellent dimensions! You're killing me, I want to make this tank so bad I can taste it! Would you mind giving us a running total on the costs? Vic are you looking a total cost for my entire project? or just whats posted so far? I have just about everything for the tank except some of the plumbing supplies, and I am waiting for a local acrylic shop to let me know my acrylic is cut and waiting to be picked up for my sump. Coralife 24' Aqua light pro ASM G2 skimmer Quietone 3000 return pump Tunze 6100 with controller phosban reactor with mini 404 pump 25 watt UV steralizer Tunze Osmolator Will be purchasing a used Calcium reactor this weekend. I was showing the pictures to my coworker and he pointed out something I had not even noticed myself In this picture I am standing in front of the front piece of glass. you can't even tell it's there. Tim Link to comment
nano-paul Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 LOL! You really cant see it! Gotta love that low-iron!! Link to comment
Nyxis Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 To save you some time and a lot of razorblades you might want to tape out the side seams. It only takes 5 mins, take it off right after you smooth the silicone bead and voila prefect straight silicone lines. Link to comment
cparka23 Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 man, first I saw supernip's build and thought about it. Now this one is edging me closer to taking the plunge. Beautiful tank so far. I'd love to see how the Calfo overflow works in this application. I think I've seen one that had the back wall an inch shorter than the others, and the overflow box was built onto the back side. Is yours going to be HOB? btw, I subscribed to this topic, so you better keep pictures coming. Link to comment
tperkins Posted May 22, 2007 Author Share Posted May 22, 2007 man, first I saw supernip's build and thought about it. Now this one is edging me closer to taking the plunge. Beautiful tank so far. I'd love to see how the Calfo overflow works in this application. I think I've seen one that had the back wall an inch shorter than the others, and the overflow box was built onto the back side. Is yours going to be HOB? btw, I subscribed to this topic, so you better keep pictures coming. I promise to keep the pics coming as I work on the tank. I hope to have water in it in a couple weeks. Link to comment
tperkins Posted May 30, 2007 Author Share Posted May 30, 2007 I promise to keep the pics coming as I work on the tank. I hope to have water in it in a couple weeks. Okay after a slight delay, my overflow glass just came in. Plan is to drill the tank and silicone in the overflow tonight. I'll post more pics later tonight. Link to comment
nano-paul Posted May 30, 2007 Share Posted May 30, 2007 Okay after a slight delay, my overflow glass just came in. Plan is to drill the tank and silicone in the overflow tonight. I'll post more pics later tonight. Awesome...Cant wait to see pics!!! Link to comment
The Propagator Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 NICE WORK !!! Loving it ! Link to comment
Casey J Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 I'm planning on building an aquarium and have been researching silicone. I did a google search on Dow Corning 999 and according to Colorado Steel Sash Company, 999 is not to be used in applications involving "prolonged submersion in water (i.e., marine or aquarium applications)." It doesn't say why, but since it said explicitly don't use it for aquariums, I thought I'd share before you got too far along in the project. Link to comment
Reefaholic Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 I'm planning on building an aquarium and have been researching silicone. I did a google search on Dow Corning 999 and according to Colorado Steel Sash Company, 999 is not to be used in applications involving "prolonged submersion in water (i.e., marine or aquarium applications)." It doesn't say why, but since it said explicitly don't use it for aquariums, I thought I'd share before you got too far along in the project. I came across the same thing while researching it. I ordered some starphire from nano-paul for a 75 gallon I'm building. For peace of mind, I'll be using the AGA silicone aquarium sealant since I KNOW that it will work in aquarium applications long term. And BTW, nice looking tank. Can't wait to get started on mine. Link to comment
Maeda Posted June 1, 2007 Share Posted June 1, 2007 becareful, the AGA silicon does not stick that well, especially for large tanks. GE makes a industrial strength silicon a'ok for aquarium use. Link to comment
tperkins Posted June 1, 2007 Author Share Posted June 1, 2007 I came across the same thing while researching it. I ordered some starphire from nano-paul for a 75 gallon I'm building. For peace of mind, I'll be using the AGA silicone aquarium sealant since I KNOW that it will work in aquarium applications long term. And BTW, nice looking tank. Can't wait to get started on mine. I have not been able to find any dow silicone that the data sheet did not say not recommended for prolonged Immersion. Maeda, Do you have more information on that particular silicone? I have E-mailed Dow Corning to see what they say. Link to comment
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