lockrookie's 180g (build #3)

lockrookie · #1 03-13-2012, 03:05 AM

glass has arrived but not unwrapped as of yet i have to finish preping the replacement area as well as remove all the old silicone to reseal the whole tank. but over the weekend my skimmer on my 90 puked and ive been fighting with that to get it all sorted out. i forsee a new skimmer in my future..... or a controller to shut it down before it pukes.

lockrookie · #2 03-14-2012, 08:42 AM

so new glass is in place tank re sealed. i may have to tear it apart and re seal it again due tom y stupidity. previous to doing this i had purchased 6 tubes of silicone.. but failed to check if it was clear and brought home white.. so while i was sealing it i had to run and get more. i did get back beforee it set but didnt have time to take the tape off and had to cut it off half wet half dry. it seems ok messy in areas but ill know in 24 hours if i have to have a do over weekend. anyways i took pics of the process i may as well post them.

euro brace isnt attached yet untili know all is good as well the back brace cannot be installed until i decide on the overflow size/drill bits arrive from hong kong. and my order from brs

gregzz4 · #3 03-14-2012, 09:56 AM

So, starting over?
Sounds like me with my sump. I've run it through my mind for the last month and a half, and I think I finally like it.
I had to smash my baffles/bubble trap and re-do what I thought was a beautiful sillycone job. I had taped everything and it looked pro.
Now, after re-doing it with the layout I decided on, it looks like someone's Kindergarten class did it for me. I couldn't get the gun in there, and did not have any 300ml tubes on hand. I had to run all the inside seams by applying small beads with my finger tip.
How do these builders make these custom tanks look so nice ?
I even tried to tape things off, but you can't remove the tape from those little places.
AAACCCKKKKK

lockrookie · #4 03-14-2012, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregzz4

So, starting over?
Sounds like me with my sump. I've run it through my mind for the last month and a half, and I think I finally like it.
I had to smash my baffles/bubble trap and re-do what I thought was a beautiful sillycone job. I had taped everything and it looked pro.
Now, after re-doing it with the layout I decided on, it looks like someone's Kindergarten class did it for me. I couldn't get the gun in there, and did not have any 300ml tubes on hand. I had to run all the inside seams by applying small beads with my finger tip.
How do these builders make these custom tanks look so nice ?
I even tried to tape things off, but you can't remove the tape from those little places.
AAACCCKKKKK

i checked the tank this morning and it seems to actually have sealed quite nicely the questionable areas are just messy and not as tidy as i hoped to be but i can live with that since they will be under the sand bed

but i did recieve my glass hole saws today so i know what ill be doing this weekend...building my overflow drilling holes finishing eurobrace install. ill have it all water tested by next week just in time to set it aside and get ready for the inlaws to come visit for a month. dont get me wrong i will be doing stuff durring that month once the overflow is built i can then begin my rockwalls and flow hiders

most of that can built without the tank laying flat.

lockrookie · #5 03-16-2012, 07:12 AM

the part of this project that scares the #$%& outta me but it has to be done for this to work.. notching the eurobrace for access to the overflow. i am only notching out 2" of the 4" brace.by 20" long .the overflow is going tobe 18" x 5". 1/2" of that will be sitting on the glass to leave me with a total opening area of 3 1/2" not alot of room but enough if the need arises.

*disclaimer*

i am not a glass expert nor do i claim to know what im doing this is more of an experiment due to need, i do not have the tools to polish and make it look pretty and sparkly when finished (if it works and doesn't break). so if your expecting something sparkly from this diy'r im sorry im not worthy. if i have the time and can rent the tools later i may try to spit polish the glass later all in all it will be under a hood in the end and i dont care how purdy it is. now pray for me that it works. i really dont want to buy another piece of glass

fishytime · #6 03-16-2012, 01:17 PM

May the force be with you

lockrookie · #7 03-16-2012, 04:25 PM

thanks fishytime iwill need the force and a stiffdrink to calm my nerves. lol like i say if it breaks ill just go to plan b and make the overflow out of heavier glass to support the back wall. always have a plan b