The Rebuild Begins!!! - Page 18

Geoff · 02-07-2006, 01:03 PM

yea, i finally gave up on finding a table saw through my friends, and with my tank build schedule it would be tough to line up times with others. it does a great job on 1/4" acrylic. i think if it was any thicker i would run into problems, bu this will be its main purpose.

you all have my number so she can call if there is a problem. sorry to hear that you going back to Cozumel for diving.

what Mark just does not have enough for you to do. i thought you were suppose to be building a new kiln.

G~

Geoff · 02-10-2006, 04:18 PM

i am finally on the downward turn towards getting the tank done. enough planning has been done, i am now installing the equipment.

this is looking down 6' of overflow. the overflow is made out of acrylic. i painted the front and the eggcrate weirs black to match the background. i left the bottom clear (Zac's idea) so that light would get through it. did not like the idea of a dark shadowy area in the back of the tank. i used spacer blocks to keep the overflow in position while it dried in place.

this is the glue up of the overflow. i used a couple of 4X4's as jigs to keep the acrylic in position while it cured. i staggered the 4' pieces so that i would not have a seam running straight through the overflow at the 3' mark. did not want to spend the money on a 4X8 sheet of acrylic.

this a shot of the pieces of LR that will be imbedded into the FSB. there is wax paper under the rocks. this way i can remove the FSB. make it easier to transport up into its final position. if you would like to know more about the FSB, look here. this is a buid thread with the steps and more pics.

how is this for open aquascaping.

as you can see there is very little LR holding everything up. this will make cleanup very easy during water changes. with all of the flow coming from the Ampmaster i am hoping that doing water changes with siphoning in the display will nearly be eliminated.

i hope to pour the FSB this weekend. along with running another circuit to the sump are.

G~

three90s&125sump · 02-10-2006, 04:28 PM

Aren't you afraid of having that much flow through the egg crate and having it below the trim line on the tank that the water level will be below the trim line.

Geoff · 02-10-2006, 05:00 PM

the overflow is actually not going to control the water level in the tank. the drain for the sump will. the 1" drain the second hole from the left is the only open drain. the other holes are for CLS. i plan on using an elbow attached to the 1" drain to control the water level in the tank. i plan on having the water level at or just slightly above the plastic frame.

G~

gitsumpottery · 02-11-2006, 09:31 AM

pics, pics, pics! of the epoxy sandbed!

just kidding...

Zac

tdwyatt · 02-11-2006, 01:06 PM

Looks like it is coming together!

more pix please!~

three90s&125sump · 02-11-2006, 01:17 PM

Ditto on the pix.

CAUTION: GUINNESS AT WORK!!!!

Geoff · 02-12-2006, 09:55 AM

there coming, there coming. i am waiting for a good solid 36hrs of cure before trying to remove it. i am hoping to get a good pic of it finished. whether or not it is in the correct number of pieces has yet to be determined.

as long as it is not in only one piece i will be happy.

G~

Geoff · 02-12-2006, 05:38 PM

here are some pics of the FSB pour and removal.

the pour went very well. for more info, check my DIY thread about the epoxy SB. this is a pic of the FSB after it was sprinkled with Southdown. the initial pour left a shiny glass like look, not very attractive. i think the mix needed to have more Southdown in it. i think that you need more Southdown per unit of Epoxy as the total volume of the FSB increases. this pour was a 3g pour. 1g of epoxy and 2g of Southdown. it was not super thick. it did pour easily enough, but it needed to be spread out.

this is the shot i am sure most of you were waiting for. this is a closeup of the FSB. all of those pieces of sand that look loose are actually fused to the FSB. it is completely solid.

here is another closeup. this is of the LR and the FSB. once again all of that loose looking sand is solidly attached.

at this point 36hrs after the pour the FSB is still quite flexible. it took 4 days for the experimental trials to really harden. even after a couple of weeks they are not rock hard. it is still slightly flexible. i am very happy with the way it turned out. i would have liked to have found a better way to make dividers. what i tried make the gaps to big. i will try some fresh silly cone and cover it with Southdown. i hope that this will help hide the seams. i will try this later today or tomorrow on a test piece.

G~

tims · 02-12-2006, 05:51 PM

SWeet looking Geoff, looks pretty good to me.

three90s&125sump · 02-12-2006, 05:55 PM

Thats looks great, Geoff. Very realistic.

Geoff · 02-12-2006, 08:06 PM

Thanks!!!

now if i can only figure out a way to hide the seams i will be a happy camper. i will try the silly cone tonight.

G~

Geoff · 02-12-2006, 08:41 PM

i am going to be putting my old OSB painted black background back on the tank before putting it up. what size should i drill the holes for the bulkhead in the OSB. do i make it so the entire bulkhead fits through the OSB or just the threaded end and use the backing nut to hole the OSB to the tank.

i would prefer the later, just on the looks aspect. i know i could just paint it, but i like the textured look of the OSB.

G~

gitsumpottery · 02-12-2006, 08:43 PM

i'd do it with the holes big enough for the bulkhead to secure to the tank. that board i'm guessing isn't completely flat and you dont want a leak from one of those bulkheads not sealing completely.

I'd seriously just paint it. or add texture with painting the black with a brush on the back glass.

Zac

tims · 02-12-2006, 08:50 PM

i agree Geoff, i woudl not want to mess the bulkheads up .. drill bigger.

Another update time!!

FSB Nearly complete!!!

Background question