Tylers ~300Gal System Build. *The epic failure*

[zum14]

Well update. So I was able to pick up a tank while in edmonton. It was close though. Long story. It was advertised as a 120gal-4'X2'X2' but when I got down there it was actually a 90Gal-48"X18"X24". I got some money off and well lets just say if fit the weekend. So I wont be able to run T5's unless I get different pendant holders. Although it seems a lot of people dont run actinics with halides anyways so we will see how it goes.



The helper in the backround there.

This is what I did today for the coast to coast overflow. Going to get a diamond coated burr and clean up the corners and edges.



I think im just going to cut grooves in the trim as it runs down to the bottom of the cuts. I dont really see much different then getting some acrylic fingers and glueing them in. Both will be a pain to clean and will need it often. That or Im going to just cut out where the overflow is and maybe use something else. Still thinking about it.




Soo. The other thing I have come up with is another possibility for the closed loop plumbing since I found that controlling shutoffs will be very expensive and rigging some manual shutoffs with actuators would also be pricey. My only issue with the setup im thinking now is that I need to know if there will be less restriction going through the spray bars then the pump and filterbox. Otherwise it will just loop below the tank. Im still working on it as well. Other issue is varying the flow. Not such a huge deal id rather try to figure out flow switching first. Anyways heres the pic of that.




So what im working on now is figuring out what size bulkheads I should be getting. Flow rate and all that. Also anyone think I should be adding a glass brace across the top as there is a plastic one on the trim and I realize they dont always do much but with me cutting the tank for the overflows im kinda on the fence. I probably will for the cost of it. Also does anyone think there is a problem with drilling two holes in the back of the tank near the bottom and two holes in the bottom front corners of the tank? I was kind of thinking of drilling 4 in the back (one in all corners) but was thinking it may be a little excessive. Still thinking. Or maybe four holes in the bottom? One in each corner? That sounds better. I probably wont do the two in the back at the top still as it would probably be too close to the overflows and being at the top its not a huge deal to plumb and I wont have to pay for a couple of extra overflows. Already going to be like 7 in there with the overflow box.

[whatcaneyedo]

Center braces are a real pain to keep clean and work around. Maybe add some euro bracing for piece of mind though.

What tool did you use to cut the coast to coast overflows? Got a picture? Great job by the way. I wish I had more experience with glass so that I could contribute but so far I've mostly only played with acrylic and wood.

[zum14]

Originally Posted by whatcaneyedo

Center braces are a real pain to keep clean and work around. Maybe add some euro bracing for piece of mind though.

What tool did you use to cut the coast to coast overflows? Got a picture? Great job by the way. I wish I had more experience with glass so that I could contribute but so far I've mostly only played with acrylic and wood.

Thanks. I just went to princess auto and in the carbide burr/diamond hole saw/diamond burr bits isle in the back near the air fittings there are diamond blades for your dremel. They were a whopping $8.99 for 4. I used the pencil attatchment as I had the wife holding the hose for constant water flushing and cooling and well a dremel wont handle the water. Didnt take long. I need to get the diamond burr set too for $10 to round the corners and clean up the edges. If i do anymore Id suggest going almost the whole way through and then meeting on the other side as I had a little bit of chipping happening when I went all the way through one side. Ill snap a few pics of the tools and such here tonight.

[whatcaneyedo]

Cool. I already have that set of four 1" diamond wheels. I used to use them for fragging before I got my other saws.

[zum14]

Brick wall! No plumbing shops in town have slip fit bulkhead fittings. All threaded. Looks like an online order to delay me. Damn. Going to try for the glass for the overflow. That shouldnt be too bad. Haha.....shouldnt.

[whatcaneyedo]

Karen has two extra 1-1/2" bulkheads from J&L http://www.jlaquatics.com/product/pl...1+2%22%29.html that she doesnt need and will probably sell. If you want her contact information I can find it for you. While you're ordering bulkheads you might want to grab some gate valves if you're going to need any of those... as no one in town sells them either. I think you can at least get true union ball valves at Andrew Sherrit. If you think I might have any plumbing bits leftover that you could use you're welcome to come scavenge through my extras. Actually I'm probably going to bring most of those up to Allans if he will take them for his store.

[whatcaneyedo]

I was just visiting Allan to see how his new project is coming along and he has a small selection of bulkheads including 1".