415 Gallon Plywood Tank Build

[lubeck]

Excited to see se pics

 

[acrylic51]

Not any pics in the next couple days.....Have to focus my attention on my granddaughters American doll dresser.....Christmas presents before playing.....

 

[srt8]

Wow acrylic51,I must say you are very talented,how many years have you been doing this? I also saw where you said you race motocross,that is something I grew up doing,although at 47 I have slowed down,just a little! Lol. Anyway, I'm new to the reef hobby but the bug has bit.I did do the freshwater cichlids years back.I purchased a 75 gallon reef tank from a guy who had it about 10 years but had let it go downhill the last year,I have it back in shape and just put 2 ecoexotic 48 inch panorama marines on it,took the old Hamilton Ho fluorescents off, much cleaner look. The tank had a few leathers surviving along with hermits,snails,bristle star,urchin,live rock and sand.i have added a clown and a coral shrimp and trying to get the coralline growing again before I start adding more corals and fish.So far I'm satisfied with my pace of learning and I am learning a lot by this forum too. I live in outskirts of Detroit in Shelby Twp. Mi. I do robotics for Chrysler. I found a great lfs three miles from my home. Anyway I'm sure I will be needing advice from time to time and if any of you are from Detroit area any info in shows and good retailers would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[acrylic51]

Hey Welcome SRT8.......I think my old buddy Corey (2Quills) is from up your way.......Yeah raced motocross for years.....Was never suppose to get back on a bike after titanium rods and 6 screws in my back, but I did.....Ride for fun now, no racing and really no time.......Good place here and trust me we all learn from each other......Can't wait to see some pics of the tank, and any question you might have don't be afraid to ask away.......

 

[acrylic51]

Been working on a little rock work layout and thought I'd share a couple quick pics.....They aren't very good and taken with my phone.....Haven't spent tons of time trying to finish up my granddaughters Christmas gift......

 

[al&burke]

Cool Shawn, you have some cool pieces there, keep the pictures coming. I just did some rocks for my lion tank and I used some plastic ties then epoxied small pieces on to hide the plastic strips, maybe I should have used white ties. Good luck buddy.

 

[acrylic51]

Hey old buddy......Glad to see you around.....Hope all is well.....Yeah using JB Weld Watertight epoxy, but drilling the rock and using 3/8" clear acrylic rod.......Takes a bit of time, but hopefully it'll be worth it in the end......

 

[al&burke]

Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/1780#post_3504071
Hey old buddy......Glad to see you around.....Hope all is well.....Yeah using JB Weld Watertight epoxy, but drilling the rock and using 3/8" clear acrylic rod.......Takes a bit of time, but hopefully it'll be worth it in the end......
Everything is looking up these days SHawn. I use the same method as well, works great - I use pvc rods I get from work. Keep it going my friend.

 

[2quills]

I see a little bit of bonsai happenin here.

 

[acrylic51]

Just a little.......where you been hiding.....I know the house has you super busy.....

 

[2quills]

Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/1780#post_3504194
Just a little.......where you been hiding.....I know the house has you super busy.....
Not really hiding too much. I'm always keeping an eye on things here and there. Aside from work and life I've been doing a lot of reading and floating around on some swimming pool forums trying to get ideas for what I'm going to do with the swamp that I have sitting in the back yard. .

 

[acrylic51]

Hmmmmm planning some vacation time in July.....hoping the pool is ready by then......

 

[marvelfan]

Rock work is looking good. I like the look! I'm thinking of doing some columns. Going to be starting mine soon. I laid 100lbs of reef saver rock out on some plastic sheets today. Then I picked up some fiberglass rods (the orange ones that you use as driveway markers). Planning on cutting them down and then drilling the rock, then inserting them into the holes to create a frame. I also have some JB Waterweld.
Keep it up. Can't wait to see where your tank ends up!!!!

 

[acrylic51]

Funny you mention that....I have the white fiberglass rods I bought ages ago to use for the tank, but my buddies hooked me up with some 3/8" acrylic rod, so thought I start using that, since when it's submerged in water it will be all but invisible.....I have some nice thick square acrylic stock I've been toying with the idea of making a frame and somehow making a ledge or cliff that appears to float or extend out in an open area.....Still haven't figured it all out......
A tip with the JB Waterweld.....When you start applying the putty after you get it to your shape and contour take some of your rock dust or chippings and sprinkle and mush it into the putty.....When it's cured you will have a hard time picking out where you actually used the putty.....Blends pretty nicely IMO.....
Actually have a good bit of rock work done. I had done a "bleach bath" prior to this stage, but had a mishap while I was out of town and since I have things to the point where I'm starting to like the layout and have it pinned or epoxied together I'm going to do another quick "bleach bath" and then a week in a fresh water bath, and then I'm gonna start actually putting everything into the tank.....

 

[snakeblitz33]

Sweet! So close to saltwater!
How long has it been now since the first of your build???
'bout time.

 

[marvelfan]

Acrylic, what type of bit are you using to drill your rock. I tried a standard 3/8th bit and a 3/8 wood hold saw (All i had available tonight). Neither really worked. Are you using a cement bit? I may have to run out tomorrow to get a special bit so I can get some more sculpting done. I finished one pillar piece tonight.
Good idea with mixing in the rock dust. I'll do that when I finalize my rock work.

 

[spanko]

Gotta ask, wifey is okay with making rockwork on her carpet??????????????????????????

 

[acrylic51]

Quote:
Originally Posted by spanko http:///t/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/1780#post_3504322
Gotta ask, wifey is okay with making rockwork on her carpet??????????????????????????

Honestly Henry we only talk about the kids......She doesn't ask me squat about the tank and the downstairs is basically mine.....I do have plastic underneath the cardboard, so not directly on the floor, but it does make a mess.......
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/1780#post_3504306
Sweet! So close to saltwater!
How long has it been now since the first of your build???
'bout time.
Seth do we really want to think about the first build.......

Actually after I cut the tank apart I'm almost certain the tank would have been 100% perfect and water tight.....I think I was being a "Debbie Downer" as I'm called.......

 

[acrylic51]

Quote:
Originally Posted by MarvelFan http:///t/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/1780#post_3504315
Acrylic, what type of bit are you using to drill your rock. I tried a standard 3/8th bit and a 3/8 wood hold saw (All i had available tonight). Neither really worked. Are you using a cement bit? I may have to run out tomorrow to get a special bit so I can get some more sculpting done. I finished one pillar piece tonight.
Good idea with mixing in the rock dust. I'll do that when I finalize my rock work.
MarvelFan I'm using a cheapo Skil 3/8" concrete bit......I read about it over on RC and works pretty good.....I think a lot depends on the type of rock your drilling actually.....I found the stuff from MarcoRocks drills super easy, but super easy to crack and split.....I have some other stuff that is more solid and seems to take a bit more effort to drill it......
I've been thinking about using my Rotozip and a diamond tipped bit to actually start the hole in some of the harder to drill pieces, and then open the hole up to the correct size with the concrete bit....Not sure if it would work or totally destroy the diamond bit with 1 piece, but the bits are cheap and easy to get for me so not a big deal......
If you have access to a flush cut saw (not really sure what the real name is), but Rockwell is selling them, but I got a cheapo knockoff at Harbor Freight way back before they became popular when I was working on the plywood tank, but if you put the 1/2 moon blade on the thing it makes squaring off the bottom of pieces really nice and flat.....I will have to get a pic and post it so you know exactly what I'm talking about........
I'm not using a ton of rock as well in the design.....So far I might have roughly 100lbs.....I might order another 50-75lbs here shortly.......I know I need a bit more, but I want a really open setup and hopefully will achieve something I like.....The bad thing is I have it laid out pretty much like I like so far, but have to pull it apart and resoak the pieces for my piece of mind......

 

[acrylic51]

MarvelFan here's a pic of the tool I was referring to that actually is handy for trimming things flush.....

Some pics of the rock work layout so far......Which do you prefer 1 or 2......