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orionrs
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235 Posts
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 Posted - February 08 2010 : 15:22:33
Hi All, I had in mind to build a DIY L shape tank that will host approx 800 liters. The tank will be 4 feed by 4 feet height yet to decide and width approx 40-50cm. However after discussing with a couple of tank experts they stated that an L shape tank is bit of a problematic as the bottom tank might crack if the tank is not truly leveled. Not that I cant level the surface but the problem is that it will be at least 900kilos of weight on the tiles so it s quite common that some tiles might move. Apart from that I live on the second floor so the slightest earth quake is felt really intense. You can imagine that when they fix the road and they come with the ROMBLU it will feel as if it s a small earthquake.Anyway as always I m open for discussion so I m here asking if any one has an L shape! If so what the size, material used, size of glass if made of glass? In addition I would really appreciate comments on this matter and what about Perspex of fiber glass or any other material that might do the job? I don’t have much of an option, or I build a normal 5 feet tank or an 8 foot long L shape tank… as you can understand I opt for an 8 foot tank
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Quentin
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Posted - February 08 2010 : 15:28:56
Maybe some kind of "cushion" could help you with your earthquakes. Instead of lying the tank on tiles you could use foam or try spray expandable foam to create a bed for your tank.- Plenty of fish on the sea.. so why not put them in a tank? -
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orionrs
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Posted - February 08 2010 : 16:06:47
i m not planning the place the tank on the tiles directly but at the end of the day the stand will be on standing on the floor, inother words it one side of the tank will move by at least 2 MM the tank will risk breaking from the weekest point, but what about using other materials or using tick glass?
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orionrs
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Posted - February 08 2010 : 16:08:42
http://www.thepetstop.com/fish_shop/Aquariums/Tenecor/i/custom1.jpg .... just the idea and shape
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efesu
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Posted - February 08 2010 : 16:22:58
well orionrs:
as you already said... it will be a problem with movements. as for weight you can distribute the wheight on many legs an so if you do like 10 legs then it is just 90KG per leg. an other thing that might help is to actually remove the tiles and rest directly on the concrete and then re-tile around the legs to make it neat.
2. the picture you showed is of an acrylic aquarium and as far as i understand once fused acrylic becomes one piece so less to worry about, whereas glass is held by silicone and in sich an acward shape you have the base made up of 2 pieces which might as well tear open (the silicone joint) in case of floor movement. well it is possible to build BUT!!! there is a BUT to the story. amny have done it... I once saw even one with 13ft long sides but still he was worrying about the corner...
why don't you try a fiberglass tank and then just have the fronts of glass?? still you MIGHT need a pillar in the middle (outside corner) (the one which is curved in the picture) - might be you can do without it depending on how you work the fiberglass tank. LINK
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orionrs
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Posted - February 08 2010 : 17:15:18
i will have to check on that, i belive that the best option that i can consider is building a tank made out of wood and cover it with fiber glass, else i can go directly to fiber glass company and let them know what i have in mind, however the bottom i will still have to cover it with a glass as fiber is soft and might be that by pressing a piece of wood or with the weight of a stone it might crack. it s quite a headace however using acrylic is quite a problem as it gets esily scratched. to good thing about it is that only two front sides will be showing the rest i dont mind so can be made of any other material.
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efesu
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Posted - February 08 2010 : 19:31:05
what you have to make sure is to use "potable grade" epoxy on top of the fiberglass so that it does not leak out any solvents. this epoxy is in fact watre based instead of solvent based. also you can place a thin sheet of perspex on the pottom on top of the eposy (not gluing or anything - just place it on top of the bottom) and you are set for a wonderful display tankLINK
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orionrs
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Posted - February 09 2010 : 11:32:42
Ian so are you saying that if i go to a fiber glass constructur and give me the dimensions of what i need that wound be good as i have to cover it with epoxy? if so where do you but it localy and still if i damage the epox i will risk the tank. What about if i bult the tank of cement? same as we buid the well?
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efesu
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Posted - February 09 2010 : 14:35:05
well the cement is not water proof and in fact you have to cover it with a layer of "something"that makes it waterproof while in the same time ensuring that this layer does not leak back any substance/solvent into the tank. Then second part, if you damage the epoxy (which is very possible since the epoxy has no strength in it) you still have the fiberglass retaining the water but the problem should be seen to asap to ensure that no toxins are released from fiberglass. but at the same time... in an 800 litres tank, a small chip in the epoxy will not uncover so much of fiber to be of any serious worries. as I told you, to protect the epoxy all you need is a thin sheet of 2mm acrylic on the bottom and back wall (if you are going to go high with rockwork only). as to if you can find it locally? I have not searched for it yet here but for sure there should be since fiberglass water tanks SHOULD be covered in this epoxy. if not then you can get it online for as little as 60$ for such a big tank. you have to ensure that it is water based and not solvent based... i had found only 2 manufacturers who had it in production receently... but sure there might be more...LINK
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admin
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Posted - February 09 2010 : 17:05:21
this is the nicest L shaped tank I have ever seen although it must be a huge headache to maintain.
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efesu
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Posted - February 09 2010 : 18:26:12
yep it is... still i need to figure how is the glass holding between the deep and shallow part without bowing... maybe there is also a brace on top to help
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orionrs
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Posted - March 17 2010 : 11:15:14
Hi all, so here is the tank with the dimensions. Please let me know what you think. The tank was sized down to arround 550 liter but any comments on the dimensions hight tickness that i must use etc would be greatly appricate. In addition any siggestions from where to buy glass or if i should ask someone to build the tank to be safer? what about frame shall i build a metal fram all arround the tank? insoma assistance guys! 
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efesu
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Posted - March 17 2010 : 14:39:34
what will this house? (as in fish) since it is a bit narrow 35cm glass has to be 12mm with this setup you would need this shopping list: 1=120x35
1=155x35
1=120x60
1=153.8x60
1=155x60
1=121.2x60
2=32.5x60 plus braces: 2=152x4
1=124x4
6=32.5x4 I can help with the build if you want... a metal frame under it is more than enough... Edited by - efesu on March 17 2010 14:41:13 LINK
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orionrs
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Posted - March 17 2010 : 17:26:29
Hi, Fesu... i was hoping that you would ask that! I will need help as i want to be 100% safe when building it. currently i have a tank that is 40cm and the center part is 45. The tank will host discus and it is only ment for them. it will be planted but will not be heavy planted. Where shall i buy glass i would like to take a quote! and i need to find a good carpenter! as i want to do a full cambinet from the floor to the cealing. I will build as well two sumps that will go there but any way for the time being it s just a matter of cost for the glass. Fesu you sure i wount need support from the center joint? i was thinking to build an all round steel frame but if there is no need i prefere without it.
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orionrs
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Posted - March 17 2010 : 17:26:54
else i ll have to check if i can bow the glass, i mean order it curved that would be better.
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efesu
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Posted - March 18 2010 : 12:18:20
look i saw yesteraday a 2.5metre long tank by 60cm high and it was supported just on the edges with 6 legs (4 in the corners and 1 on each side in the middle... so there was a span of 1.25metres without legs... you can do a leg in the middle as it will help... btw... pm just sentLINK
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Building 800Liters L shape tank
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