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BB 40B Build

33K views 372 replies 24 participants last post by  Japonicus 
#1 ·
Could it B? Believe it or not it B.

My 46 bow front over the last year developed salt creep up the front
glass from the bottom frame that only needed wiping every 2 weeks or so.
Still, with the advice of Fat Tony, I decided to shut it down, as I am not
going to reseal any aquarium.

My 20g QT has been Old Faithful, but it's time to retire it.
It's older than I can remember, and the silicone is missing in
many spots save for the joint itself, from repeated scraping.
Neither tank do I trust as far as I could throw them, so I'm
retiring both tanks.

It's Winter, and the next month will be very busy at work
even this weekend, so this will be sort of slow mid point.
Should start and finish pretty quick.
 
#2 ·
What I'm replacing with this 40B


So here's the 20g QT in all its glory. It's been a really nice tank.
This is what I'm replacing, and the clamped on ATO L side
and GFO reactor R side will go in the sump. What you see is what you get with this 20. Pretty bare, pretty unruly too with the wires.

It's sitting on 3 2x4's on a night stand. Otherwise it would hang over the edge



I like this stand. It's framed up with 1x rough cut oak.
I also like the brass anchor corners I bought at clockkit.com years ago
used on the doors, and cannot find anymore. I need to polish the patina off them.

The top of the stand and sides will be modified to fit the new
larger foot print the 40B has over the taller 46 Bow front.
It will not be a perfect match, but should blend ok.
 
#3 ·
I should add, that that black looking thing on the back L of the tank
is no filtre. It is a bracket for the HVS2-24 skimmer I'll be using.
Right now it's a catch all, holding a couple things.

Like either of the 2 on the left here ^

Lighting will start out as 2 PAR38s as I already have them.
Will probably add another, and I think I have one more of
those 3 lamp household fixtures I used on the canopy build
in my signature.
 
#4 ·
Yes, I will be using a skimmer rated at 250g on a 40B. It's the smallest one I have.
Something has to have quality to it. The tank already needs all the help it can get.

So here it is. The back is facing forward.



as you can see it does not fit the stand.
I also like Oak trim instead of black. We'll work on that too.

The 40B is lighter and made to quite a lower standard than either of my All Glass aquariums. You'd think they'd put beginners on 5g tanks :rolleyes:

This is the F R corner taken from the back side of the tank based on sticker locations.
The silicone tapers like an hour glass inside all corners and is squished out
onto the outer side glass untrimmed. (my wife was right, I am picky)

A bit easier to see, the silicone tapers multiple times, and one corner is
obviously smudged. Both back corners have a wider strip of silicone than the front.

I'll have to get a better pic once I move the tank, but this gives you an idea
of craftsmanship. The front and back panels are different lengths based on
the overhanging of the side panels.

I really do not understand this compromising of the frame. Both back corners
are like this. So if the tank holds up for 30 years, that's all the complaints I have with it.

I really like the no brace, aesthetically, but the joints have to be good
fingers crossed :biga:
 
#6 ·
Modifying my stand

Fortunately, I did not make my stand curved to mirror the bow front :thumbup:
The back is off and I can scope how to add depth to the entire stand.

Back OFF! :)

I overlapped the side enough to cover the back, now I have to take the router
and flush it to add depth.

With the front positioned here



and the sides here ^

This is how much the back would overhang, and a 2x4 on edge, the most
strength one can achieve, I get a most perfect fit.
Add verticals 2 x 4's from underneath the top piece, top to floor,
add a slab of plywood on top, and touch up a bit, should be good to go on the mod job.
 
#12 ·
Subb'ed! Tagging along!!!
Welcome aboard guys. Not going to the inth degree with this one.
In fact, I've lowered my standards using this tank with the issues
it comes with. Fair price on the tank, would have been stellar for the LFS to
have warned me there was inconsistent silicone application, but hopefully
it's just a visual thing, and the seal itself is good to go.

I like Oak trimmed aquariums, even though it's plastic, it goes with my stand.
So I'm fixin to order some real red oak veneer to trim the tanks frame with.
Cheaper than the rimless for sure. Lowes had some 2" veneer 8' long
but was pre-glued for iron on. I'll be using contact cement, no heat.

Earl, I'll be using the same HOB Lifereef overflow that was on the 46…Herbie
all the way for me :) On my 46 it rarely ever needed adjusting.
I've been using it ~20 yrs now, and it looks a little rough, but so do I.
On my 100 as big as the overflow is, the gate has to be adjusted weekly
sometimes daily, but I'm good with it. It's silent, and that's what matters here.
 
#13 ·
Got the over lap flushed down with the router and the top piece
gluing on now. Will let it set over night, and put the screws to it tomorrow
and get the verticals on. The front corners sit a tad low, will have to shim
and the plywood top will go on tomorrow. With the bow front, the front corners were not an issue.
 
#15 ·
Thanks. Don't think I've posted any pics yet that would help for ideas though
stay tuned…

Called one LFS today and the notches in the frame is repeated on the Marineland 75's in stock. He suggested that the outer band and top
of the frame is the strength of the frame. I see it as a direction pointer
for a crack, where to go. This seam tapers down, but decent width. F L corner.

This is the F R corner. Huge difference. Just mulling it over again before
I decide for sure whether or not to ask them to order another one in full cost.
I think I'll send the owner an email with these 2 pics and see what he says about returning it or not.
You can even see ghost lines, where the silicone should be.
 
#16 ·
Paint the bottom ?


Considering painting the bottom white, though a lot of that won't be seen.
What do you guys think? Just sent an email to the LFS with a few pics.
Once I paint the back black and the bottom white, there's no turning back.
 
#21 ·
True, but I hadn't even figured in lighting into the idea.
I'm thinking for covering up any of the plywood showing through.
Maybe paint the plywood white and run a piece of something under the frame.
Maybe even construction paper across the whole bottom.

BB only bothered me when I didn't have it
Foam board helps cover the stands top but is not my choice
for a tank with a frame. My 100g has it but it's flat, frameless.
Ok this brings up a stupid question...
If the top is braceless, why, please tell me why the bottom needs one?
It's already stronger than the top with the bottom panel.
 
#19 ·
the bottom is tempered, the sides are not. I just busted one of my 40B's this morning so I know for a fact the sides are not tempered =) had to go buy another 40B so I have 3 of them sitting here now... think I will hang on to the one I busted and eventually try to replace the piece of glass that broke... some day when I have a bigger house maybe I'll set the other 40B up in my fish room (where my wife won't go so she won't know that I'm running the extra tank lol)
 
#20 ·
the bottom is tempered, the sides are not. I just busted one of my 40B's this morning so I know for a fact the sides are not tempered...
Oh no :crap: what did you do?
 
#22 ·
modification taking shape




This is all the backing I'll be using. Plan on leaving it open
save for enough to tub the bottom in.



Front flush, the rest hangs over ~1/32" or less. Need to get some adhesive today

This is how much I need to shim the front corners. The Bow front never touched
this area, so I wasn't concerned with it before.
 
#23 ·
corners shimmed

I basically did some DIY oak veneer ripping a strip off in the radial arm saw.
Cut a couple pieces with the hack saw to length glued, and sanded down to fill in.





roughed up the side a little bit accidentally, but I feel more confident with the corners now
 
#25 ·
Yes, minor leaks are worth avoiding :thumbup:

Got the tank sizing up on the plywood, which really doesn't need any adhesive
but I'm going with it just to fill and take up slack in any low spots the top may have. This was the 1st stand I ever made,
and the top needed some attention to details.






What do you think about the oak veneer idea for trimming the tank?
I really don't dig a black frame on an oak stand.
 
#28 ·
topping the stand

I removed the tape a bit early this time and had to put some
back on after I added water some squished out, duh :funny:



troweled on for evenness and squirmed around a little, it took an entire
tube after this shot was taken.

There, that should hold it down tonight.
 
#30 ·
LFS emailed me back last night:rolleyes: schmuck!!
Gave me the info for me to contact Marineland
to inquire about a warranty claim. He's obviously
happy to be rid of a picked over tank. It makes sense now.
He was going to return the tank and stand tomorrow
since it came in late for a Christmas gift. It's the only 40
in the store, why would you return it :evillaugh3:
 
#33 ·
Hiya James glad to have ya along :)
Better late then never!

My fave tanks from petco are the Aqueon tanks, those other ones they carry now seem to be on the cheap/thinner side...

that stand top looks like a tank now!
Nateman :beer:
What do you guys think about the silicone job?
If I had the LFS order another, is this typical shoddy craftsmanship?
On the front, from the outside edge of the glass to the inside of the silicone
L corner at widest point is 3/4" wide and 1/2" at the top
R corner, 5/32" at the bottom 3/16" at the top. Quite a visual difference.
Safety though is my biggest concern. I've found one bubble on the outside
of the tank in the silicone. Another seam has and interior finish to it like
a flat ribbon, rather than a squished out bead. I just worry about safety.
If I didn't have anything to worry about, I wouldn't have a good day :nuts:
 
#35 ·
You're not throwing a hitch in the giddy up, or delaying my build :evillaugh3:
I did it. I contacted Marineland and began a claim this afternoon.
You're right, I'm just not comfortable with it. The final decision comes from the
bubble I found in the bead on the outside yesterday.



and this is just an oops. Doesn't affect the structural capabilities, but is
indicative of the shoddy workmanship on all 4 seams. Why should I trust
the seams to be bubble free, if the cover of the book looks sloppy?
I really think it's a 1 in 1000 oops, and hope the replacement tank
is one that I am comfortable with.

In the meantime, I'll get a few more gallons of vinegar to soak the old overflow in and clean it up, and begin gathering my plumbing and see
if I need to order any more black pvc parts.
 
#36 ·
After I received this email I found yet 4 more substantial flaws
including a possible broken back bottom panel corner filled with silicone.

Good afternoon Mr. "xxxx-LFS",

I have been in contact with Mr. "xxxx-user" about the condition of his new tank. I know it has not failed and he wishes to replace it, he has sent me pictures. Please, if you can give me the name of your distributor, I can send you a return merchandise authorization so you can replace the tank for him.

Thanks in advance,

Consumer Relations Representative
United Pet Group
3001 Commerce St.
Blacksburg, VA 24060-6671
1-800-526-0650

This next picture displays how there is no silicone for a length
on the bottom panel just L of the pics centre.

Then LOW and BEHOLD!!! I think the back L corner was BROKEN!!! and filled in.
When I place my thumb into this crater, it sinks below the bottom glass level.
Check this out…you can feel the edge of the glass in the void.

…as well as 3 other new flaws I've found when I grabbed the flashlight.
Black hides a lot of stuff in the shadows in the house.

So I'm positive about this email above. It appears from the pics I've already sent and our conversation, that the tank will be replaced. I did mention that
I was originally pricing a 50-60g rimless tank, but could not afford $350
to replace a 46g that had a trivial leak. Hoping he takes this ordeal to heart
and makes me an offer since I missed the Aqueon 40% off sale.
 
#37 ·
^ That one just infuriates me.
There's a difference in grinding out a rough tank for a beginner
and selling the public damaged goods. Speaking of rough…:rolleyes:
the entire frames inner edge on top is very rough and a bit jagged
not to mention scratched up and the glass is scratched on the back panel.
I got swindled on this tank, well my wife did. She wouldn't know what to
look for, and some of this is not obvious with a once over. It took me 5 days
to find the broken corner while I was sopping up the last gallon of water
after draining the weight out.

Contacted Lifereef today ( I needed to talk to someone who knows craftsmanship :D ) and left a message to get pricing on a new
skimmer box for my overflow. Their pricing is $115 for the entire HOB
I'm wanting to replace the rough looking inner skimmer box that's
going to be 20 years old here soon, with a black acrylic one :thumbup:
 
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