Ya, I have my little giant sump return running right now, I SOO want to get some OM flow happening

PS, how did you get such bubble free joints? The ones on my tank are ugly....

Eurobraced or not, I like yours.

Bubble Free Joints I think cause of practice. I used to build tanks here and there as I got free glass (Just small ones though). And I've also helped quite a few friends build bigger tanks. Also, I'm in construction by trade so I use a silicone gun lots cause clients can be pretty picky with the way caulking is put on. I think the key is running the bead of silicone in a STRAIGHT line and then setting the glass on perfectly the first time. I think if you move it around to adjust the joints don't seem as nice. I hope this helps. I am by no means great, but I just take my time (as you can tell by the time frame of this tank build)

Tonight was one of the happiest evenings this year. My family and I were out at Ikea cause it's about time we get a new couch cause our 2 love seats are 9 years old now and we're not going to have a couch on the wall the fish tank is on once it's running. So this is probably the couch we're going to get:

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...g?t=1244264549

Anyway, that's not why I'm happy. I could really care less about the couch, although it'll me much more comfy than a $250 love seat that's 9 years old. This couch is 10 ft long and it'll be facing the tank :)

The reason that I'm super happy is cause first of all Ikea here in Edmonton is redoing all of their displays so they're clearing display stuff out for 40% off. I looked at this mirror which was beautiful....paused for a sec and thought, I should measure this.....it might by chance fit my tank for the picture frame side. The measurements were EXACT! 59" X 21 1/4". CRAZY. We loaded this mirror on the top of our jeep with string and cardboard and home we went. I couldn't wait to put my kids to bed.

Taking the mirror apart wasn't too bad, undid a few bolts and took the top part of the frame and slid the mirror out.

I proceeded to cut out the back to hollow it out a bit where the fireplace switch (see page 9 of this thread to see where the fireplace/fan switch is on the left of the tank) is and hung the frame. Look at this......BEAUTIFUL! My wife and I just sat and admired it for a while. What are the chances that this fit? The best part is all I have to do later is dowel the top piece and it'll just slide off for access to the top. All I have to do to switch the fireplace on is pull the bottom out a bit and turn the switch on. Nice!

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...g?t=1244264229

Heh .. neat.

Question though. Why not consider moving the switch?

Simple answer - I'm lazy.

Also, we don't use our fireplace much at all. It is REALLY EASY to switch it on and off now. If we moved it, it would involve fishing wire......probably down to the basement and back up another wall.....not my cup of tea. Also switches are not that esthetically pleasing to look at , so this is a perfect solution I think - cover it :).

All I can say Dez is......
AWESOME!!!

I am loving this build!!!

Also, the kids won't turn the fireplace on and off now :)

Subman:

Thanks for the props :o).

I found some time this morning to modify the frame that I got from Ikea so that I could have simple access to the top. Here is a picture of it without the top. Basically to take it off I have to lift up one side of the top and the other side will slide off easily, fairly simple. It just "snaps" back into place. I did this with the placements of the dowels at an angle and glued the dowels into one side.

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...g?t=1244409527

Here is a picture of the dowels glued in:

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...g?t=1244409569

And a close up of the quality of the mitre when it's back on:

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...g?t=1244409669

After it's all back together with "livestock" in the tank...

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...g?t=1244409692

And finally, full view of the room. That little 5 gallon nano on the left will be taken down after this tank is set up.

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/t...g?t=1244409761

Thanks for looking!

coming along nicely

Looks great Dez, I like the mirror idea!