So It Begins

[mr.dark-saint]

Day one Oct. 22. 2006. I managed to get this monstrocity to my place with after bribes and a case of beers. 270 gallons of acrylic water holding spectical and she weighs every bit of it, too . First it was found to be too large to fit through the front door (by just this much) about an inch with the removal of the door. So, around the back and over the fence. I managed to find one of the better neighbors to give me a hand .

So it will sit there while I have a stand made for it. As you can see I used a 12 inch ruler and a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon for scale :thumb: . All the seams look "wet" but did have some pits and salt crystal looking thing in the seam, also, a little bit of surface "Crazing".

I must say I really like the odd shape

Not too much to say other than I can't reach the bottom of the tank (it's 36" Deep, two main viewing glass is 48" and the minor panes are 24" by no means small ) so I'll have to rig a way to place rocks and such. Speaking of bottom this tank has two holes drilled in to it. I was toying with an idea of plumbing two bulk heads and a Ball Valve or quick water changes. I'll place Under Gravel Filter Plates over the bulk heads so the crushed aragonite will remain in the tank. I think it'll be cool just hooking up couple of hoses and evacuate all the collected poop in one shot :thumb: . I think UGF Plates user could benifit through this addition to their tank :thumb: .

Soreness is setting in, medication is getting warm. But before I go. Things to come, a step by step with a modded up Water Jet from the sump (maybe two water pumps on timers ). A custom built stand and canopy (since this isn't exactly off the shelf ), lighhting rig full LED (like my 125? ) Power Compacts with LED accents (we'll discuss this, eh?)?

 

[mr.dark-saint]

Day Two. Sore . At least my back doesn't hurt too bad (I though it would be much worse). Not much will be done other than mapping out some PVC for the "Return/Water Jets". Gots to take it easy since I ain't young as I was once before . Need to measure out the holes for the bulk heads, too. Well, I better see if the tank trapped any "wild" animals who was too curious for their own good (I hope there isn't a skunk in there ).

 

[MoondustBob]

Great tank, can't wait to see what you have planned for it

 

[mr.dark-saint]

Day 3. Just got some PVC fittings and been toying with the design of the water jets. I have to take in to consideration I'll have a very deep layer of substraight 5 to 6 inches. So, I'll have to extend the jet tubes to stick above the layer of crushed aragonite. I also decided to put a end cap on the jets instead of heating then pinching the end. I'll either cut a slot or slots or drill holes on to the sides or have the holes angled so I can aim them. This way I won't get too much aragonite getting sucked in when the power is cut for feedings and maintanance.

I'm using 1" fittings so multiples of the hole(s) or slot(s) would fit on one end cap. I think on some of the end cap I'll drill lots of holes so the water will flow out in more gentle like and not something that will cut rock. I think by drilling and cutting slots I'll have greater over all control.

I'll have some pics when I get closer to the final thoughts of the design.

If I stack the rocks a certain way and the fish claims territory some fish may not ever see the other side of the tank in their life time.

 

[mr.dark-saint]

Day seven Oct. 29, 2006 I managed to get most of the fittings (still waiting for a 90 degree tripod looking fitting) picked up 10 feet of PVC pipe (little more than I need but it was less than 4 bucks ). Most of the mental and paper mock up has been done for the lay out of the pipes. Even have a small change to incorporate a second water pump to run the jets (300/500 GPH pump) this one on timer . The main one will be in the 1200 GPH range since the PVC are 1" not that makes much difference since I'll adjust the jet holes or slots accordingly. Looks like I'll be doing this Tomorrow since I ain't got no place to be and no cash to get there with .

*Mental flash I may need to get a few 45 degree elbows for the water jets so I can angle it and aim it better .

I know they have "Black" PVC pipes and fittings but I haven't been able to locate them (Not ABS) since it's a little "eye" catching to see a white pipe going down the front of a black back ground. I may paint it but I'm not 100% on this one I may just camouflage it by gluing plastic plants to it (or I'll look for black epoxy and coat it ).

I did managed to win a sump on ebay and the funny part is it's going to cost me about a third of the cost of the 270 and it's barely 30 gallons . At least now I know the stand will be 24" tall so the opening will be at least 16 inches so I won't have the same issue trying to get my tank in through the front door . And I may be able to get away with one side with a door to keep the integrity of the stand stronger unless it makes no difference then two sides with doors :thumb: .

Well, tomorrow comes early and the pics will follow .

 

[mr.dark-saint]

Okay, the rough out on the Jets are done. It began today after work I forgot to take a exit and soon as I did I remembered I forgot. It was going to be one of those days . So, a few miles to another exit so I can flip a "U" and went to OSH. Got there and the part I went in there specifically was not there. It's the corner thripple slip fitting (MODDED OUT PIC HERE OF FITTING) so I just grabbed a few 45 degree elbo and that was that since there was no one to help a brotha out . So got back to my town of residence and stopped over at Ace and see if they had any since they had some odd fitting that OSH didn't carry before. Nope, but they did have couple of fittings I could "Mod" out to do my bidding .

Got home about 9:30-ish A.M. and it was on like Donkey Kong. Broke out the Craftman knock off of the Roto Zip and took out the threads to widen up the fitting for more water flow. Then took out a bit about 10mm off the slip fitting so the tapering would be less and widen out the fitting to make the elbow fit.

Got it to the right size and PVC glued it .

With that done rest of the fitting went smoothly . Had to recalculate on the fly

since I didn't feel that when the holes and the slots are made it may not be powerful enough on the other side of the tank (I was going for the big "W" but ended up with a big "Z"

). I also made it so that the nozzle are able to rotate 360 degrees even though it'll be fine doing 180. (All of the nozzles will be articultating to an extent).

Haven't made the holes or the slots since I don't have the water pump to test the flow and the jet stream. Since I used 1" PVC pipes I think the flow will be softer than if it were in smaller pipe. Besides I got hungry (figuring I was at it 'till 3:00 P.M.) cutting all those 2" PVC so all the fittings would fit nice and tight. I went through nearly 10 feet of the PVC just on that and I'm glad I got 20 feet now even though I'll have left overs. Besides it's Beer 'O Clock .

 

[MoondustBob]

Looking good so far, that is one seriously fine tank


How thick is that perspex? And is the front corner mitre cut, or lap mounted?

 

[mr.dark-saint]

How thick is that perspex? And is the front corner mitre cut, or lap mounted?

Okay I'll show off my ignorence . I have no idea what this whole bit is supposed to mean. I know what mitre cut means (I took wood shop ) but the rest I'll have to ask yous to break it down in simpleness.

perspex Oh Acrylic that's what it means . well all gthe sides are 5/8" thick, top is 1/2" (cost cutting?) Black back pieces most of it seems 5/8" except one which seems like two pieces glued to get 5/8" (again cost cutting?).