Sunshine Coast - 10ft 500G build

[eli@fijireefrock.com]

I would go with SCS1200 as its a product that has been used and tested.Be safe than sorry. Silicone when dry always has an air bubble or 2 not as much as seen in your photo.I you want SCS1200 and cannot find it let me know and I will see what I could do for you.
Never heard of using a dremel for removing silicone especially off glass, be careful on what tip you use.

[rynoe]

RTV 100 series is reef safe and provides a very strong bond.

[thebrinc]

Thanks for the input guys.

I love the RTV silicone, even though it's a little hard to get a hold of. I did some digging and found out about it online some years ago... mostly from DIY rimless builds. I used it for my previous build, this 100Gal seahorse Cube:





It dries really quick, skins in 5 minutes, which makes the process a little stressful though.

Thanks for the offer Eli, but I'm sticking to my (silicone) guns Besides, UPS is already en route with another 7 tubes & should get here by late next week. Gives me some time to catch up on the stand cladding and canopy design.

[rynoe]

Where did you source the glass?

[shiftline]

So I was debating getting a tank made. However it doesn't look too hard to do your self. Any tips?!

[SanguinesDream]

Definitely watching and subscribing to this epic build. I am so jealous.

[thebrinc]

Rynoe, we have some contacts and could source the glass directly from a supplier through my fiance's work. Still cost just north of 2 grand though for the starfire. ouch

It's not too hard to build smaller tanks, as long as you do your research & buy a ton of clamps. That being said, after buying 14 clamps, good silicone and making wooden jigs you're probably not going to save much money compared to a off-the-shelf tank. Unless you're trying to build something custom or rimless... or 10 foot long

Looks like my silicone cleared customs this morning in Washington, should be here by Friday / Monday.

Still have 3 panels left to scrape... running out of fingers here. lol

Any ideas on where to buy schedule 80 plumbing supplies online this side of the border? My new small town surroundings seem to have left me Home Depot-less...

[mihaivapler]

Originally Posted by thebrinc

Rynoe, we have some contacts and could source the glass directly from a supplier through my fiance's work. Still cost just north of 2 grand though for the starfire. ouch.

That's still a very good price ,I have a quote for a 4x4x10 tank 2 sapphire panels4x10 for 7000$

[mihaivapler]

Originally Posted by thebrinc

Rynoe, we have some contacts and could source the glass directly from a supplier through my fiance's work. Still cost just north of 2 grand though for the starfire. ouch.

That's still a very good price ,I have a quote for a 4x4x10 tank 2 sapphire panels4x10 for 7000$

[thebrinc]

mihaivapler, what thickness of glass did they quote?

For 4ft tall they're probably going with 1", maybe even 1" laminated?

30" tall is really the very upper limit for doing a tank in 1/2" glass if you brace the hell out of it. With my waterline 2" below I'm only supporting 28" of water pressure plus the bottom is euro-braced in 6" wide strips so there's 1" for the silicone to attach to the sides. With the bottom 1" and 2" waterline there's only 27" of unsupported glass.

Although I'm aware that I'm on the limit with 1/2" glass the cost would double for 3/4" glass and with a proper 2" steel frame I'm confident it'll work. I'm also basing my build off two other reefers with the same dimensions and glass thickness that have had long term (5yrs +) success with their tanks.