Sherita Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 I've been working on a little project recently. After much thought, Icame to the conclusion that I wanted a bigger, nicer display tank forthe frag swaps. So I set about making it so. Here are the tank specs:30"w x 24"d x 6"t. Made out of 3/8" clear acrylic and 1/4" blackacrylic, with an AIO design and rimless. I wanted it top down viewable,with minimal surface water disturbance.Here's the tank: If you look carefully you will notice two things. First is the returnbar in the back bottom of the tank, this is to facilitate top downviewing while still allowing for good water movement. I should mention, Ihave custom built some racks to fit this tank that will elevate thecorals to just above the level of that return bar, so they won't begetting blown around. Also please take a look in the back left corner,at that overflow. I built two drop in gates that fit behind it, so thatas the water level drops in the tank (due to bagging corals), I canremove the top gate to maintain surface skimming and won't have to worryabout my return pump sucking air.Here's the tank with the light stand: I apologize. I couldn't back up far enough to get the entire tank in thephoto. I've got too much crap in my workshop, or too little room. Notsure which. The tank is lit with a 120w full spectrum dimmable led.The stand is built from 3/4" tubing, and is designed to come apart foreasy transport. If you look directly on either side of the light, youwill see small chain restraints with pins on the end of them. Thisallows the stand to be dismantled into three pieces. Here's a detailshot: The overflow and return section in the back of the tank is large enoughfor me to hide a heater back there. There is also a fan that will besuspended above the return area, to provide cooling. Tank temp will becontrolled with a homebrew temp controller made from a computer casetemperature control (digital). Directly before the water gets to thereturn pump, there is a built in slot for a carbon insert. The carbonwill remove any toxins released by angry corals, and the flosssurrounding it will trap any debris or detritus. This way the displaywater will stay crystal clear. Here's the return pump section: The carbon slot is to the right in this photo. The custom 90 degreefitting was made using 3/8" ID acrylic. I inserted a piece of rope intothe tubing before heating and bending it. The rope kept the lumen of thepipe open during bending, and was easily removed after the piececooled.After I completed the build on the tank, I used my laminate router with aroundover bit to smooth the corners. The top edge was simply smoothedoff using my palm sander, and I rolled the edges over as well using thepalm sander. I then used wet emery cloth and smoothed all edges offbefore flame polishing with the torch for nice clear edges. I did manageto get some scratches on the display part of the tank, so I used amicromesh kit (which I already had) to buff them out, followed bypolishing with a buffing compound and buffing wheel on my orbitalsander.I hope you have enjoyed this little mini tour. This tank replaces myoriginal display tank that many of you have seen at the swaps. I tookwhat I learned from the first tank (which I built) and incorporated itinto this tank. Who knows what I might do with the next one that Ibuild........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoly Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherita Posted August 6, 2013 Author Share Posted August 6, 2013 Victoly, I don't know where you find those, but I crack up every time you respond to a post. Love it! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoly Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 If i told you, i wouldn't have the gif market like you have the zoa market Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherita Posted August 6, 2013 Author Share Posted August 6, 2013 BAHAHAHAHA! That made my day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KKAAY Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Nice looking frag tank... hope I get to see it in person Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo662 Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 why can't i see the pics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherita Posted August 6, 2013 Author Share Posted August 6, 2013 why can't i see the pics? Not sure. What browser are you using? Is anyone else having trouble seeing them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mFrame Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 I see them, awesome job! Can't wait to see it in person at the October swap... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo662 Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 tried current version of IE and firefox. I just see the name of the file and when I click on it a window opens like the pic is going to pop up but nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesL Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 See them just fine here in FireFox. And that is one great looking tank! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherita Posted August 6, 2013 Author Share Posted August 6, 2013 tried current version of IE and firefox. I just see the name of the file and when I click on it a window opens like the pic is going to pop up but nothing. Do you have a smartphone? If so, try accessing the thread from there. I have no idea why you can't see them. Weird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoly Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 hahah, i love that this thread has gone from Sherita: Look at this badass tank i made! to Sherita: I'm not sure why you can't see the gifs....Sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo662 Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Very odd...tried IE and firefox here at home and still no pics. :-( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherita Posted August 6, 2013 Author Share Posted August 6, 2013 Lets see if you can see them as attachments.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo662 Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 woohoo...success! that looks great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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