I posted this on RC but want more of the local community input on this one. To start, here is the back story:
I have a glass shop and about 2 years ago decided to make my own aquarium after having a JBJ 24g NanoCube. I wanted starphire, sump, etc. So off we went and built a nice aquarium. All was well in my world until a month or so ago when I came into my office on a Monday morning to find that the tank had been leaking all weekend. I had fortunately been building another tank anyway due to some severe scratching that occurred when someone (won't point fingers) cleaned the glass. So all was not lost (just a lot). However, after doing some research and talking to a few folks, it was determined that the tank had a few tragic flaws and would most likely leak again...
That brings me to my 3rd attempt at this tank (the 2nd attempt is up and running, but I am trying to get this one 100% ASAP).
Tank specs:
24 5/8" x 18" x 18" starphire 4 sides (just easier)
3/8" glass on sides, 1/2" glass on bottom
Sump:
24" x 18" x 16" H
Equipment:
2x EcoTech Vortech MP10's for circulation
1x MaxiJet 1200 return pump
24" Coralife Aqualight Pro 150w w/2x 65w PC Actinic (upgrading to the AquaIlluminations 24" LED system as soon as it is out)
Coralife CSS65 Skimmer (POS that I need to get rid of and was about to until this money draining experience of restocking the tank came into play)
Neptune ReefKeeper Lite controller (on the way)
Now, since I have a glass shop I thought it would be interesting (maybe not) to show the process from the ground up. Pardon the quality of the pics, but they are all from my phone.
Sending the glass through the polisher
My shop guys dry fitting the tank
They were kind enough to start stocking my tank too
All siliconed up
This is when plans changed a bit. I was originally planning on putting the overflow in the center of the back wall and the MP10s to either side. However, this would have created a dead spot in the center of the tank which I did not want. We decided to create a false wall along the back of the tank with 2 dry boxes to house the MP10s and the overflow in the center section.
Plan view
Elevation of false wall
False wall masked and ready for paint
False wall installed and in current state...
We finished siliconing the false wall on yesterday and we are going to give it another water test today to make sure that the dry boxes are, well, dry... Then just some touch up painting to do where the silicone didn't fill in but that's a quick job.
That's it for the moment. Hoping to get this 100% setup this weekend. If the water test goes as planned then all we have left is drilling the bulkheads and holes for the MP10 wires in the back.
Any thoughts / comments / harsh criticisms are always welcome!
I have a glass shop and about 2 years ago decided to make my own aquarium after having a JBJ 24g NanoCube. I wanted starphire, sump, etc. So off we went and built a nice aquarium. All was well in my world until a month or so ago when I came into my office on a Monday morning to find that the tank had been leaking all weekend. I had fortunately been building another tank anyway due to some severe scratching that occurred when someone (won't point fingers) cleaned the glass. So all was not lost (just a lot). However, after doing some research and talking to a few folks, it was determined that the tank had a few tragic flaws and would most likely leak again...
That brings me to my 3rd attempt at this tank (the 2nd attempt is up and running, but I am trying to get this one 100% ASAP).
Tank specs:
24 5/8" x 18" x 18" starphire 4 sides (just easier)
3/8" glass on sides, 1/2" glass on bottom
Sump:
24" x 18" x 16" H
Equipment:
2x EcoTech Vortech MP10's for circulation
1x MaxiJet 1200 return pump
24" Coralife Aqualight Pro 150w w/2x 65w PC Actinic (upgrading to the AquaIlluminations 24" LED system as soon as it is out)
Coralife CSS65 Skimmer (POS that I need to get rid of and was about to until this money draining experience of restocking the tank came into play)
Neptune ReefKeeper Lite controller (on the way)
Now, since I have a glass shop I thought it would be interesting (maybe not) to show the process from the ground up. Pardon the quality of the pics, but they are all from my phone.
Sending the glass through the polisher
My shop guys dry fitting the tank
They were kind enough to start stocking my tank too
All siliconed up
This is when plans changed a bit. I was originally planning on putting the overflow in the center of the back wall and the MP10s to either side. However, this would have created a dead spot in the center of the tank which I did not want. We decided to create a false wall along the back of the tank with 2 dry boxes to house the MP10s and the overflow in the center section.
Plan view
Elevation of false wall
False wall masked and ready for paint
False wall installed and in current state...
We finished siliconing the false wall on yesterday and we are going to give it another water test today to make sure that the dry boxes are, well, dry... Then just some touch up painting to do where the silicone didn't fill in but that's a quick job.
That's it for the moment. Hoping to get this 100% setup this weekend. If the water test goes as planned then all we have left is drilling the bulkheads and holes for the MP10 wires in the back.
Any thoughts / comments / harsh criticisms are always welcome!
