Sietch's DIY Rimless 122g - Light fixture test

Sietch31 · 08-01-2006, 03:37 PM

Hello,

As I said some time ago in Scolley's sticky post, I built a rimless/braceless open top tank.

Dimensions are 136x59x57 cms (53x23x22 inches), 460 litres (122g).
I glued the tank on July 05 just before I went on leave.

I went back last saturday, and started the filling process but with no magic stone, yellow duck or offering to the God of Sand so you can easily imagine how nervous I was....

My first plan was to fill it gradually (10cm per 10cm) to avoid any mistake and check carrefully every thing, but you know was it is when you have a new toy eh ???

Well after 3 days everything is still OK ! (appart from 0.5 cm evaporation per day, which was to be expected)

Yahoooo ! I did it !

Special thanks to Scolley for all his documentation and "planting" this mad idea in my mind

And other thanks to Wendle for additionnal advices posted in the above mentionned post !

Now the most difficult part of the process is starting....

I will keep you posted and be prepared for answering lots of questions...

Sietch

banderbe · 08-01-2006, 04:00 PM

pretty ballsy filling it for the first time in your house!

how much did you spend on the materials for the tank itself?

**AaronT** · 08-01-2006, 04:15 PM

Looking awesome! Can I ask the reason for the odd sizing?

RobChuck · 08-01-2006, 04:22 PM

The tank looks very nice! How thick of glass did you need to use for the walls to avoid crossbraces or Eurobraces?

Sietch31 · 08-01-2006, 04:38 PM

banderbe:
Not much risk, as you can see the living room is 30cm below the rest of the house, it is all tiled with large glass doors openning on the garden...
So in case of leak all I have to do is to push water outside

Under special instruction from Home Prime Minister

I removed the carpets before the test

In the worst case only the couch's feet would have been wet !

On the other hand, and based on Scolley's experience, I also choose to test it on it definitive stand to be 100% of the rigidity and levelling of the support.

Also you can see that the filling hose is in the water and (still) connected to tap : it could be use as a reverse siphon in seconds to start emptying tank in case...

Cost: roughly 300 US$ for glass (12mm thickness) plus 18 US$ for silicone that I brought from France (no high tensile strengh silicone available here).

AaronT:
Thanks but I still have to clean a LOT of silicone

The odd dimensions are because I am using some Ikea kitchen doors, as hinged doors in the front of cabinet (you can see the hinges), but also to cover sides and back !
I will post some pictures of these.

Sietch

Sietch31 · 08-01-2006, 04:53 PM

Here is an image of the 'almost) completed tank before I removed doors and sides to be able to use the stand as support for gluing the glass:

You can see that doors and sides are rising above support level : this will allow them to hide the bottom glass an seam.

My first intention was to have the stand directly on the floor, but the floor is not levelled at all at this location so I had to fit some adjustable feet (from Ikea again, primirally sold for bathroom furniture) under the stand.
I fitted 8 of these to minimize weight on each of them.
I also had to cut them to 5cm as they are sold at 15cm height and I wanted to minimize overall height.

Sietch

Brilliant · 08-01-2006, 05:06 PM

Isnt that where Garfield always sent Odie?

Just looking at that tank makes me nervous I couldnt imagine owning it.

Nice job, everthing looks great! I wish I had tile like that.

**AaronT** · 08-01-2006, 05:13 PM

Don't forget Nermal too. He gets shipped to Abu Dhabi several times.

That's a nice looking stand as well. Is the tank going to be there permanently or did you set it up there for testing purposes? I like the idea of being able to walk around the whole thing, though it makes for a challenging aquascape.

Anti-Pjerrot · 08-01-2006, 09:59 PM

I see a lot of IKEA ... the chairs and the low black table... And the children chair is Trip-Trap (Danish)... Scandinavian furniture is widely spread...

By the way the tank is looking awsome. I like the size and dimentions.

What are your plans for light?

TheOtherGeoff · 08-01-2006, 10:49 PM

i also see a big eheim canister chillin off tot he side. this is gonna be a neat tank.

jay1st · 08-01-2006, 11:19 PM

Nice job !

Are you planning to put some foam or what ever between the stand and the tank (just in case)?

Super boulot..........

quilting chick · 08-02-2006, 03:36 AM

You are so brave. I don't think I could talk my DH into letting me test it in my LR. (It's not tile, but it is vinyl.) It's beautiful. Simple, classic, beautiful. Congratulations! I can't wait to see it filled.

Terri

Sietch31 · 08-03-2006, 12:24 PM

Thank you all for your comments !

AaronT: Yes the intent is to have the tank permanently at its present location !
I have two childrens, 5 and 2 yrs old : they will both have one side to look at directly at their height as you may have notice that there is a 30cm height difference in the room

But I know for sure that the scape will be challenging, especially for a beginner like me...and due to the limited choice of plants available here

Anti-Pjerrot: Are you working for Ikea or (like me...) do you know their catalogue by detail ???
This thing is a treasure for DIYers.....

TheOtherGeoff: Good view ! It's a 2028, and there is a 2026 from my other tank that will join this one...

jay1st: There is already foam under the tank: a thin sheet of extruded polystyrene called Depron (can be found at DIY stores for insulation, also used by R/C hobbyists for building very light indoor planes, one of my other hobbies....)
Mode French on : Merci pour le commentaire, je vais essayer de poster en parallele sur Aquasquale !
Mais c'est ici que j'ai eu l'inspiration et les conseils, a eux la primeur !
Mode Francais off !

quilting chick: Thanks for the comment !
BTW, I don't know if I am brave of crazy, please ask my wife for confirmation

This WE is for plumbing and lightning...
I will post pics of progress I any...

Sietch

**pineapple** · 08-03-2006, 02:02 PM

Floor tiles are cool in more ways than one - and especially when it comes to minor drips. Here in NYC, with antique oak floors it's a different matter - especially with downstairs neighbors!

I imagine you have plenty of sand substrate available. But not much peat. ;-) I wonder what you will use for substrate when it comes to doing that? T5 lighting might work well on this setup.

I look forward to following your steps. Nice photos, by the way!

chickenball z · 08-03-2006, 04:04 PM

what's right behind the stand...
from the picture, on the left of the stand are 2 steps... on the right it's just one big step (or dropoff)

08-01-2006, 03:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
Sietch31 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. Posts: 87	Sietch's DIY Rimless 122g - Light fixture test Hello, As I said some time ago in Scolley's sticky post, I built a rimless/braceless open top tank. Dimensions are 136x59x57 cms (53x23x22 inches), 460 litres (122g). I glued the tank on July 05 just before I went on leave. I went back last saturday, and started the filling process but with no magic stone, yellow duck or offering to the God of Sand so you can easily imagine how nervous I was.... My first plan was to fill it gradually (10cm per 10cm) to avoid any mistake and check carrefully every thing, but you know was it is when you have a new toy eh ??? Well after 3 days everything is still OK ! (appart from 0.5 cm evaporation per day, which was to be expected) Yahoooo ! I did it ! Special thanks to Scolley for all his documentation and "planting" this mad idea in my mind And other thanks to Wendle for additionnal advices posted in the above mentionned post ! Now the most difficult part of the process is starting.... I will keep you posted and be prepared for answering lots of questions... Sietch Last edited by Sietch31; 08-12-2006 at 06:22 PM.

08-01-2006, 04:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
banderbe Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5/100%) Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Maple Grove, MN Posts: 502	pretty ballsy filling it for the first time in your house! how much did you spend on the materials for the tank itself? __________________ Regards, Barry FILSTAR Advocate #39 Member, Minnesota Aquarium Society 29 Gal. - 100% Eco-Complete/2x65W CF/CO2/Filstar XP2/RedSea500/KH:3/GH:5/pH:< 5.5/EI Dosing/WWC 50%

08-01-2006, 04:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
AaronT Collectoritis Patient (View User Tanks) PTrader: (123/100%) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: MD, USA Posts: 1,590	Looking awesome! Can I ask the reason for the odd sizing? __________________ In the D.C., Maryland, or NOVA area? Come check out The Greater Washington Aquatic Plants Association! www.gwapa.org

08-01-2006, 04:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
RobChuck Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Homewood, IL Posts: 63	The tank looks very nice! How thick of glass did you need to use for the walls to avoid crossbraces or Eurobraces? __________________ Rob 300g Planted Tank Journal 65g Reef

08-01-2006, 04:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
Sietch31 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. Posts: 87	Stand picture Here is an image of the 'almost) completed tank before I removed doors and sides to be able to use the stand as support for gluing the glass: You can see that doors and sides are rising above support level : this will allow them to hide the bottom glass an seam. My first intention was to have the stand directly on the floor, but the floor is not levelled at all at this location so I had to fit some adjustable feet (from Ikea again, primirally sold for bathroom furniture) under the stand. I fitted 8 of these to minimize weight on each of them. I also had to cut them to 5cm as they are sold at 15cm height and I wanted to minimize overall height. Sietch

08-01-2006, 04:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
Sietch31 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. Posts: 87	banderbe: Not much risk, as you can see the living room is 30cm below the rest of the house, it is all tiled with large glass doors openning on the garden... So in case of leak all I have to do is to push water outside Under special instruction from Home Prime Minister I removed the carpets before the test In the worst case only the couch's feet would have been wet ! On the other hand, and based on Scolley's experience, I also choose to test it on it definitive stand to be 100% of the rigidity and levelling of the support. Also you can see that the filling hose is in the water and (still) connected to tap : it could be use as a reverse siphon in seconds to start emptying tank in case... Cost: roughly 300 US$ for glass (12mm thickness) plus 18 US$ for silicone that I brought from France (no high tensile strengh silicone available here). AaronT: Thanks but I still have to clean a LOT of silicone The odd dimensions are because I am using some Ikea kitchen doors, as hinged doors in the front of cabinet (you can see the hinges), but also to cover sides and back ! I will post some pictures of these. Sietch

08-01-2006, 05:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
Brilliant Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (20/100%) Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: On a Vista Posts: 878	Isnt that where Garfield always sent Odie? Just looking at that tank makes me nervous I couldnt imagine owning it. Nice job, everthing looks great! I wish I had tile like that. __________________ Want to see more...check out my website UpperOrchard.net

08-01-2006, 05:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
AaronT Collectoritis Patient (View User Tanks) PTrader: (123/100%) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: MD, USA Posts: 1,590	Don't forget Nermal too. He gets shipped to Abu Dhabi several times. That's a nice looking stand as well. Is the tank going to be there permanently or did you set it up there for testing purposes? I like the idea of being able to walk around the whole thing, though it makes for a challenging aquascape. __________________ In the D.C., Maryland, or NOVA area? Come check out The Greater Washington Aquatic Plants Association! www.gwapa.org

08-01-2006, 09:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
Anti-Pjerrot Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Denmark, Copenhagen Posts: 246	I see a lot of IKEA ... the chairs and the low black table... And the children chair is Trip-Trap (Danish)... Scandinavian furniture is widely spread... By the way the tank is looking awsome. I like the size and dimentions. What are your plans for light? __________________ From 2.1gal Nano to 14gal: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/pl...-gal-nano.html

08-01-2006, 10:49 PM	#10 (permalink)
TheOtherGeoff Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 1,353	i also see a big eheim canister chillin off tot he side. this is gonna be a neat tank. __________________ The Fish Tank, Tranquility in Motion 20 Long T5's, flourite, no CO2, moon lit 75 Gallon T5 & PC, flourite, "The Sesse Pool"

08-01-2006, 11:19 PM	#11 (permalink)
jay1st Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The big pond's other side Posts: 45	Nice job ! Are you planning to put some foam or what ever between the stand and the tank (just in case)? Super boulot..........

08-02-2006, 03:36 AM	#12 (permalink)
quilting chick Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5/100%) Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Texarkana, TX Posts: 86	You are so brave. I don't think I could talk my DH into letting me test it in my LR. (It's not tile, but it is vinyl.) It's beautiful. Simple, classic, beautiful. Congratulations! I can't wait to see it filled. Terri

08-03-2006, 12:24 PM	#13 (permalink)
Sietch31 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. Posts: 87	Thank you all for your comments ! AaronT: Yes the intent is to have the tank permanently at its present location ! I have two childrens, 5 and 2 yrs old : they will both have one side to look at directly at their height as you may have notice that there is a 30cm height difference in the room But I know for sure that the scape will be challenging, especially for a beginner like me...and due to the limited choice of plants available here Anti-Pjerrot: Are you working for Ikea or (like me...) do you know their catalogue by detail ??? This thing is a treasure for DIYers..... TheOtherGeoff: Good view ! It's a 2028, and there is a 2026 from my other tank that will join this one... jay1st: There is already foam under the tank: a thin sheet of extruded polystyrene called Depron (can be found at DIY stores for insulation, also used by R/C hobbyists for building very light indoor planes, one of my other hobbies....) Mode French on : Merci pour le commentaire, je vais essayer de poster en parallele sur Aquasquale ! Mais c'est ici que j'ai eu l'inspiration et les conseils, a eux la primeur ! Mode Francais off ! quilting chick: Thanks for the comment ! BTW, I don't know if I am brave of crazy, please ask my wife for confirmation This WE is for plumbing and lightning... I will post pics of progress I any... Sietch

08-03-2006, 02:02 PM	#14 (permalink)
pineapple Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (38/100%) Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 318	Floor tiles are cool in more ways than one - and especially when it comes to minor drips. Here in NYC, with antique oak floors it's a different matter - especially with downstairs neighbors! I imagine you have plenty of sand substrate available. But not much peat. ;-) I wonder what you will use for substrate when it comes to doing that? T5 lighting might work well on this setup. I look forward to following your steps. Nice photos, by the way!

08-03-2006, 04:04 PM	#15 (permalink)
chickenball z Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Methuen, MA and Toronto, ON Posts: 69	what's right behind the stand... from the picture, on the left of the stand are 2 steps... on the right it's just one big step (or dropoff)

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