Rimless Braceless Optiwhite™ 24X18X18 Build

[bae1994]

looking good

on my 9ft (however it is freshwater) i used the black rubber washer on the inside with silicone on both sides of the washer and no washer on the outside (of the tank) with silicone on all three 2 inch bulkheads

 

[woody88]

Nice tank mate! I like!

Looks like your making good progress with the plumbing too so keep us updated.

Shame about that crack. Just keep an eye on it. Or better yet there is a transparent compound you can buy which is so good you can use it under water and once it hardens you'll need a hammer and chisel to break it off. Much better than silicone IMO.

If you like I'll get the name of it for ya. I think it was something like CT-1 but can't be too sure.
There is a vid floating around somewhere of a guy using this stuff. He sticks a tiny piece to a lump hammer under water and then lifts it out the water by the compound straight after applying it andhe can't pull it apart.

I can vouch for it also as I have used it in the past with amazing results.

Anyway Ive rambled on enough. Anyone would think I'm rep'ing for them! Lol

 

[Stampos]

Looking good mate

re: the bulkheads, I siliconed mine on my old tank and they never missed a beat! I would advise using a relatively thin bead and then tightening the fixing to ensure a good spread

How has the BM settled in? I'm thinking of getting a NAC6 for my upgrade so would be interested to hear your thoughts.

Simon

 

[jameshughes1989]

looking good

on my 9ft (however it is freshwater) i used the black rubber washer on the inside with silicone on both sides of the washer and no washer on the outside (of the tank) with silicone on all three 2 inch bulkheads

Cheers, maybe I will use silicone then, there is just so many conflicting opinions. I need facts/experiences of what is best

Nice tank mate! I like!

Looks like your making good progress with the plumbing too so keep us updated.

Shame about that crack. Just keep an eye on it. Or better yet there is a transparent compound you can buy which is so good you can use it under water and once it hardens you'll need a hammer and chisel to break it off. Much better than silicone IMO.

If you like I'll get the name of it for ya. I think it was something like CT-1 but can't be too sure.
There is a vid floating around somewhere of a guy using this stuff. He sticks a tiny piece to a lump hammer under water and then lifts it out the water by the compound straight after applying it andhe can't pull it apart.

I can vouch for it also as I have used it in the past with amazing results.

Anyway Ive rambled on enough. Anyone would think I'm rep'ing for them! Lol

Cheers bud, I am really happy about how my plan is coming along. Now I just need to get it wet!

Is this product reef safe? I would be skeptical of this if it has them characteristics.

Looking good mate

re: the bulkheads, I siliconed mine on my old tank and they never missed a beat! I would advise using a relatively thin bead and then tightening the fixing to ensure a good spread

How has the BM settled in? I'm thinking of getting a NAC6 for my upgrade so would be interested to hear your thoughts.

Simon

Well it looks like silicone it is then, thanks for the input. The BM has settled in great already. Only plugged the beast (although its tiny) in late yesterday afternoon and it has already pulled loads out already, really impressed with it. I have heard great stuff about all the models and from my current but short experience with mine I would definetely recommend one

I appreciate the help/input, cheers.

 

[jameshughes1989]

A little update on how the system will run. Initially I was planning on running bio-pearls to help with the No3 (+cheato) and rowaphos to aid in Po4 reduction but I wont be anymore. I have not really got on with the pearls and feel that my LPS look like they have suffered. I have read that the pearls can strip the water too much and cause issues for LPS. I dont know for sure whether this has been the case but there is only one way to find out, stop running them.

I will now be using the red sea product No3o4-X. This will aid in the removal of nitrates and phosphates. Here is a link:

No3Po4-X

Ill slowly be removing the stuff I have been using over the coming weeks while starting a dose of this daily. Ill let you know how it all goes.


Cheers

 

[jameshughes1989]

Tank Connectors are all in and silcioned up nicely. Not much of an update but hey every little counts.

Also, the crack I thought was a crack wasnt a crack if that makes sense. It was just a streak of silicone. I realised this as I scratched it off with my nail, what a dumbass.



:stupid:

How long would you guys wait for the silicone to set? Its been suggested by another reefer to wait a week! Now, that is gonna be a long wait. On a plus side it will give me the chance to paint the side of the tank. I should have asked to have it done when I ordered it but I forgot so will have to do it myself, its the right hand side I will paint.

Not much more than that other than my own personal dilemma on choosing whether to stick with the LEDs or go for a t5 unit


Thats all

 

[woody88]

Silicone usually sets within minutes but takes roughly 24 -48 hours to harden so anytime after that should be ok to submerse in water.

NOTE: I'm only going by the guidelines of normal bog standard sealant. Not sure what silicone sealent you using but it should say on the tube.

Sounds like your making good progress tho so keep it up and don't forget................PICS!lol

 

[seffieuk]

Oh this is going to be fun to watch

Seffie x

 

[jameshughes1989]

Thanks guys, will try to take pics the whole way along my build but putting more pics of pipework you have already seen seems pointless

The silicone was a marine safe one but it didnt say on it how long until it hardens, guess its just a waiting game.


Cheers

 

[bae1994]

you might be able to find the curing time on google

 

[jameshughes1989]

Okay so update time, although I feel rough and think I may have a chest infection I have been able to get on with some work on the tank.

ITS FILLING RIGHT NOW!





Will throw some snaps up later, im off to see the doc, cheers

 

[seffieuk]

Seffie x

 

[sorgan]

WOOT!!! hows the fill going?

 

[jameshughes1989]

Not too good, bloody 50GPD Ro uit. Its about 1/3 up the tank and that was with help from me addding some I had left over in a jerry can. Ill let you know how it keeps going.


Cheers

 

[jameshughes1989]

Right, well I did have some snaps to upoload from my phone but that decided to mess around so I lost them all. I have taken a couple of snpas now, nothing exciting, just enough to keep you lot entertained Tank is approx %40 full.

See how I painted the right side to match the back. Colour doesnt quite come up the same but it isnt very noticable.

Filling up

Pipework

Extension on the wall behind but with easy access through cabinet (told you it wasnt exciting!)

That it, Cheers