Howie's 82g Tank Journal

[Howie]

Originally Posted by riceboy

hmmm these dimensions and tank build look very similar to someones tank lol. nice rock work and stand

Lol well I had some inspiration from a certain tank I always enjoy seeing updates on your tank! I originally wasn't going to do a one piece euro but after seeing the price wasn't so bad and my wife absolutely loving one piece euros the decision wasn't to hard.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Howie

Lol well I had some inspiration from a certain tank I always enjoy seeing updates on your tank! I originally wasn't going to do a one piece euro but after seeing the price wasn't so bad and my wife absolutely loving one piece euros the decision wasn't to hard.

I have the same tank too with one piece euro. Is your eurobrace Starphire? I have a false back wall instead of an overflow though, so my display dimensions are 36 x 21 x 21".

[Howie]

Yes it's starfire as well lol Your tank is another that I follow and inspires me lol I want your space invader pectina. Oh and your guy for the corners emailed me, I finally found it hidden away in my email. I have an idea in my head for a screen top and I picked up the materials to do it. Now I just have to make some time to build it. I am going to try and Make a a template of my eurobrace and try bending some 3/8 clear arcylic rod up. Then on the backside tac the mesh on with some weldon 16. I made a sample piece the other day with scraps and it seems to hold. If it turns out not so good I'll be ordering some corners lol. And a picture of the sample, excuse the beat up piece of acrylic rod and cat fur.

[Howie]

So after work today (but while my wife was still working) I decided to do a little baking in the oven. I baked this nice frame for my screen top, the glue is drying so I'll wait to attach the mesh to the backside tomorrow night. The tabs that will be sitting on my brace are just propped on those 4 small pieces until the glue dries. I did each end seperatey because that's all I could fit in the oven, all off the joints are hidden under the mounting tabs lol I hope it fits....I did test the bent ends and they fit nicely.

[Howie]

So the screen top fits, the one corner does not sit 100% tight with the brace but it definitely will keep the fish where they belong. I think friday I will add my fish to the tank

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[Fishy!]

Looking good! Tagging along on this one.
Did you paint/build the panels yourself?
What type of magnets did you use?

[Howie]

Originally Posted by Fishy!

Looking good! Tagging along on this one.
Did you paint/build the panels yourself?
What type of magnets did you use?

Thanks. Yes I did build the panels myself., the magnets are rare earth magnets I purchased at The Bolt Supply House here in Calgary. Few blocks from concept. They are about an inch in diameter with a hole counter sunk in the middle meant for a screw. I screwed them on plus pl glue as well as I was worried they may pull out of the wood eventually. I think 4 bucks a piece, and I used 4 for my big panel and 3 for my smaller panels.