500 gallon build !! (1 Viewer)

[Lord Spice]

So I figure I should start this properly I'm going to do this step by step and I am going to try to fix problems before they happen I hope to get a lot of input from seasoned reef pros on MARSH . I am hoping to seriously start moving forward with this at the end of the month and I'm going to try to photograph the whole thing so stay tuned.

 

[Lord Spice]

So first bump I can't find anyone to change the front pane to low iron glass and do a reseal and a euro brace !

 

[Wbattles]

Id be curious who you find to replace that large of a panel. Good luck amigo.

 

[RR-MAN]

Please make sure it's a reputable person/company. You don't want 500/g of water on the floor? GL with it man!!!

 

[Tangs]

Ya bad enough having a 125 gallon with a snapped center post. Imagine the mess with a 500 gallon and a snapped center post could possibly be. They snap when they get old. MIne did but caught it in time for it not to burst. Thanks to Marsh members for bringing to me attention to get er done.

 

[Reefahholic]

I can help you bro. I'm assuming the glass is 3/4" - 1"?

I have some "Woods" power grips (suction cups).

We gonna need some RTV 108, Quality painters tape with edge lock, Acetone, Bar Clamps, and Alcohol. Spacers are not needed. I can explain all about that later.

When we clean and lay that bead, that glass cannot move. If it moves, we will have to scrape that whole panel and start over. It needs to cure "properly" for minimum of 3 days or up to a week depending on tempature and realitive humidity. Actually, this time of year is good.

I can promise you the tank will hold water. We will have to do it right though. No cutting corners on a tank of this size. Can kill somebody.

Can you list the tank dimensions and what you currently have. Also, list what you are lacking if you would.

Ill be be around if you want help.

 

[Reefahholic]

Just heard from uncle Jim. He had a lot to say in regards to a 500/G build.

If we're gonna do it, it's best to do it indoors for temp/humidity control. He says put it on a dead flat (torsion box top) table that's free from any vibration.

Cure time really needs to be 2 weeks minimum on a tank of this size and weight. If not 3+ weeks. Better to be safe.

We need to lay Large round beads of silicone and it's gonna squeeze out. The thicker a seam is the less stable it will be. Too thin and the tank will fail later down the road. With the weight of a 500/G this will be a challenge. I think we'll be ok though. Spaces can make things easier, but need to be left in. This will make weaker seams. If you pull them, you destroy the seam completely.

Bar clamps only need to be tight enough to hold the panels together. No tighter.

BTW, the silicone that I just built my tank with (momentive 100 series) is still sitting on top along with SCS1200.

We need to be fast before the silicone starts to skin. Under 15 minutes.

This needs to be well planned and thought out.

 

[dark8nge1]

This is great info. I have a 180 I have to breakdown and reseal so this will be helpful


Building An Obsession
Acrylic fabrication
BuildingAnObsession.com

 

[Lord Spice]

I'm in man !

 

[RR-MAN]

I would like to just sit there and observe.

 

[steveb]

I would like to just sit there and observe.

ditto

 

[Lord Spice]

Well now I have to go glass shopping !

 

[Reefahholic]

This is great info. I have a 180 I have to breakdown and reseal so this will be helpful


Building An Obsession
Acrylic fabrication
BuildingAnObsession.com

Reseal all the seams? Like between panels?

Or outside seam reseal?

If outside reseal, it's no sweat.

 

[dark8nge1]

Front and left panel need to come completely off. The peeled away entirely.


Building An Obsession
Acrylic fabrication
BuildingAnObsession.com

 

[Lord Spice]

Might as well make it a reseal party!

 

[Reefahholic]

I'm in man !

Ok, we need to know your tank dimensions. A 90/G takes roughly 1 tube of silicone per panel.

500/g will take 2-3 per panel I'm guessing.

We're gonna need all the things mentioned above. Just let me know when you get things ready.

Ohh, I'm not a professional tank builder and can't be responsible if the tank fails later on.

I highly doubt it would completely break. If anything, it would give at a seam and start leaking.

None of the panels can sit on top of each other. They are all built around the bottom.

With the correct bracing & silicone, I'm confident we can do it and it will last long term.

Most tanks that fail are due to applications using the wrong/weak silicone, improper building (glass on glass), inadequate cure time or cleaning, or panels that have been moved.

I wouldn't build anything that large without using Momentive 100 series, or SCS1200.

 

[Reefahholic]

I would like to just sit there and observe.

We gonna need help fitting that 300lb panel. Yes, all the help we can get would be nice.

 

[Lord Spice]

If a metal bracing is added all around would it make it safer ?

 

[Reefahholic]

Front and left panel need to come completely off. The peeled away entirely.


Building An Obsession
Acrylic fabrication
BuildingAnObsession.com

Get a long flexible razor blade and some piano wire.

Then get a good quality scraper with plenty of new blades.

You'll need a couple cans of acetone and bottles of alcohol.

Literally, if the glass ain't squeakin' ur tank will be leakin'! Or worse!!

 

[Reefahholic]

If a metal bracing is added all around would it make it safer ?

I would use eurobracing.