Project 300 is underway!!!
- Thread starter robchuck
- Start date
ssweet1
Member
My acrylic tank is being made right now. My corners will be all machine bent so there wont be any seams visible. Your tank appeared to be done this way also?? I cant wait to show my husband your setup so far cause he just cant picture what it will look like. You have really done a fantastic job so far you must be really stoked about it!! That sailfin is absolutely beautiful- I WANT HIM!!! I definately predict future tank of the month to ya!! Carrie
robchuck
Active Member
Originally posted by acrylic51
Looks good Rob!!!!
Thanks! Now get to work on your project!
Originally posted by SSweet1
I am in the process of doing almost the same thing almost the same size!!! Since your almost finished why dont you just come down here to Florida and make mine My acrylic tank is being made right now. My corners will be all machine bent so there wont be any seams visible. Your tank appeared to be done this way also?? I cant wait to show my husband your setup so far cause he just cant picture what it will look like. You have really done a fantastic job so far you must be really stoked about it!! That sailfin is absolutely beautiful- I WANT HIM!!! I definately predict future tank of the month to ya!! Carrie
Carrie, thanks for the kind words, but I almost feel like I'm cheating with this tank by aquiring such beautiful livestock; but I'm still stoked about it!
Congrats on your tank and I look forward to seeing pics of your project.
My tank has square corners; it has solvent welded square joints, but there is a gusset inside of each corner which makes the tank appear to be rounded in the photos.
Originally posted by golfish
Why you Cheap SOB, your going to spend all this time and money on a new system and your using a used acylic tank
JK buddy (well, kind a) good luck with it, I'm sure it will be a sweet system.
Hey, only my wife's allowed to call me that!
I know, I know...I hope I don't regret the choice to go with acrylic, but the deal was too good to pass up. Plus, the tank is in great shape and I'll accept some scratches for the other benefits of acrylic.
And thanks for the wishes of good luck. If this tank turns out to be a sweet system, it's only because tanks like yours have been my inspiration.
Originally posted by 57chev
Rob, your new systems gonna rock! I'm curious, what kind of board or material is your tank sitting on?
Thanks! There is a sheet of 3/4" plywood on top of the 2x4 skeleton and some 1/2" styrofoam on top of that. Though I may change out the styrofoam to a thinner material, possibly neoprene. The stand up through the plywood is level, but the styrofoam isn't compressing evenly (it's even cracked in places), and that scares me.
puffer32
Active Member
Rob, love what you are doing! Wow, very large tank. We are doing much the same but on a much smaller scale, got a hole in my new drywalled rec room for a 75 gal. My fiance is building the stand this weekend. I read you put plywood down, then styrafoam. Ours is going to be framed out of wood like yours, but we planned on putting the tank right on the frame, leveled of course, is this not a good idea? Or does it need something completely solid under it?
robchuck
Active Member
Originally posted by puffer32
Rob, love what you are doing! Wow, very large tank. We are doing much the same but on a much smaller scale, got a hole in my new drywalled rec room for a 75 gal. My fiance is building the stand this weekend. I read you put plywood down, then styrafoam. Ours is going to be framed out of wood like yours, but we planned on putting the tank right on the frame, leveled of course, is this not a good idea? Or does it need something completely solid under it?
I need to support the bottom of the tank that way because acrylic tanks need support under the entire tank. Glass tanks on the otherhand, exert all of their weight at the edges of the tank. So as long as you are using a glass tank, your design is fine.
Best of luck on your project, and be sure to post some pics!
Originally posted by Leona
very nice Rob can't wait to see it up and running.
Leona
Thanks! And as you're probably experiencing right now with the progress of your setup (it's looking great I might add!), there's nothing like the anticipation of getting ready to put life into the tank!
bjgwilliam
Member
I jealous!!! Seriously though, I hope to be there some day.
Seriously though, I hope to be there some day.
robchuck
Active Member
Originally posted by Thejdshow
I hope my future career makes me enough money to do something of that magnitude. as for now i will tend to my 55 gal (poor college student with no money) Good Luck! I hope it turns out better than you imagined!
Originally posted by bjgwilliam
I jealous!!! Seriously though, I hope to be there some day.
Thanks to the both of you for the kind words!
A system like this is not out of reach to anyone who is dedicated to the hobby. I'm only a few years out of college making a paltry income (my wife is an elementary school teacher and is the breadwinner of our family), but have managed to collect, trade, and swap livestock and equipment with fellow hobbyists over the years to get to where I am now.
I just happened to stumble across a great used system at a great price, and had enough extra equipment laying around to make it a possibility. The Wavebox was the only splurge on this system. And for what it's worth, I'll only be out $3,500 after the project is complete (I lucked out by getting a fantastic deal on the system, I took advantage of some connections on the construction side, and I had a lot of equipment I have aquired over the years that's suitable for this tank).
cowfishrule
Active Member
rob, i applaud you for your work. you are turning something large into something that anybody can do. you bought your equipment a little at a time, as this really reduces the financial strain on you. once you have all your equip, then put it together.
i think too many people buy all the things at once, hence $$$$
edit: instead of sitting on your computer posting threads, finish the freekin tank already. sheesh..... j/k
i think too many people buy all the things at once, hence $$$$
edit: instead of sitting on your computer posting threads, finish the freekin tank already. sheesh..... j/k
robchuck
Active Member
Originally posted by COWFISHRULE
edit: instead of sitting on your computer posting threads, finish the freekin tank already. sheesh..... j/k
I'm sitting at work waiting for some videos to render, then I can go home and get back to work!
My bulkheads and ballvalves all came in today, so it looks like I'll be able to get alot done with the tank itself in the next few days.
puffer32
Active Member
Thanks for the encouragement with my 75 recessed tank. One more question, my fiance plans to ancor the homemade stand into the cement floor, I don't think that is really neccesary, that stand will not go anyplace, looks exactly like yours, but much smaller. Do you plan on doing this?
widowmaker
Member
dadgumit robchuck......looks good enough to eat. i like the 2 view sides idea as well......i just re-drew my living room plan to allow that, thanks for the idea, oh....and hurry up....we're all waiting.
fishcrazy2
Member
That tank is gonna be awsome when its done keep given us updates on it
robchuck
Active Member
Originally posted by puffer32
Thanks for the encouragement with my 75 recessed tank. One more question, my fiance plans to ancor the homemade stand into the cement floor, I don't think that is really neccesary, that stand will not go anyplace, looks exactly like yours, but much smaller. Do you plan on doing this?
I don't think anchoring a stand is necessary either; the weight of the water is enough to keep the stand in place.
Originally posted by widowmaker
dadgumit robchuck......looks good enough to eat. i like the 2 view sides idea as well......i just re-drew my living room plan to allow that, thanks for the idea, oh....and hurry up....we're all waiting.
I've always enjoyed looking down the length of my tanks, so I had to have at least 2-sided viewing.
I'm working, I'm working!!! Give me a break!
Just kidding, but I'm having a blast working on this project and should be able to get a lot done in the next few days.
Originally posted by Fishcrazy2
That tank is gonna be awsome when its done keep given us updates on it
Thanks! Keep checking back on this thread; I've been trying to keep it updated daily.
robchuck
Active Member
- UPDATE -
This afternoon, I went to Lowes to pick up all the PVC that I didn't get through Savko. I was able to start plumbing the tank after dinner, and got all of the in-tank plumbing completed and some of the drain and return lines dry-fitted. Tomorrow's goal is to finish the plumbing and frame out the short side wall.
Here is the "obligatory internet message board tank progress thread, pre-plumbing project" photo.
This afternoon, I went to Lowes to pick up all the PVC that I didn't get through Savko. I was able to start plumbing the tank after dinner, and got all of the in-tank plumbing completed and some of the drain and return lines dry-fitted. Tomorrow's goal is to finish the plumbing and frame out the short side wall.
Here is the "obligatory internet message board tank progress thread, pre-plumbing project" photo.