48 x 18 x 18 High Tech Rimless Build (photo heavy)

[GDominy]

I just got word that my tank has been finished! I should be able to pick it up this weekend.

I haven't much time to work on the tank build over teh last couple of days as I have been wiring this:




By comparison the tank will be easy. I've ordered a Marineland Montery stand in black for the tank that should arrive in a week. I went with this stand as it has nice removable side panels which will make access to the equipment a breeze.

I believe this stand has a flat top, which is important as the tank requires a fully supported bottom

[Frank Abagnale]

I'm getting pumped to see your tank up and running. Love the tank dimensions.

[GDominy]

One more thing talking to the system, got the expansion box figured out (I still have one spare). All PAB devices are now communicating and firmware's are all up to date.

Next wave will be the repairs to the lighting. I hope to tackle some of that this weekend

[GDominy]

Originally Posted by Frank Abagnale

I'm getting pumped to see your tank up and running. Love the tank dimensions.

You and me both! I have a lot of work ahead of me still, but I"m plugging away at something every day to get things figured out. I'm still trying to source some nice driftwood, and I am debating about ordering some ADA rockwork, but haven't decided quite yet what I want to do with the aquascape. Getting a few ideas, its just going to come down to what hardscape materials I can dig up

[tippeecanoe]

Very interesting build. I am looking forward to seeing this up and running! Thanks for posting this journal.

[GDominy]

Originally Posted by tippeecanoe

Very interesting build. I am looking forward to seeing this up and running! Thanks for posting this journal.

Its all part of the fun. I tend to post often as I like the idea that people can follow my train of thought for the build. Posts will slow down once the tank is running and stuff is growing in, but its gonna be a busy few weeks as the build happens :-)

[GDominy]

The tank has arrived!



There was a goof in the ordering and the company didn't receive notice that I wanted the edge polished, but it actually turned out really well regardless. It saved me a few hundred off the cost by not having it polished so I can't really complain for a $410 rimless tank made from 1/2" glass (its heavy as hell, but really strong)

The front left corner isn't perfect, but isn't really noticeable from the front, only the end (which I wont be able to look at easily anyway)



The rear right corner along the back panel has a couple of rough spots, but I will hide these with my tubing bracket and they won't be seen.

[GDominy]

Originally Posted by mrkookm

Why not soak the wet end in undiluted White Vinegar, or is it worn as well?

Decided to do this tonight after all. I have a new one on order but I wanted to test the pump on the half inch glass so I gave it a couple of hours in pure white vinegar. Cleaned up WAY better then I had hoped and once with coralline was off the wetside turned out to be in better shape then I thought.

I'm going to use this one as a spare.

[mrkookm]

Originally Posted by GDominy

The tank has arrived!



There was a goof in the ordering and the company didn't receive notice that I wanted the edge polished, but it actually turned out really well regardless. It saved me a few hundred off the cost by not having it polished so I can't really complain for a $410 rimless tank made from 1/2" glass (its heavy as hell, but really strong)

The front left corner isn't perfect, but isn't really noticeable from the front, only the end (which I wont be able to look at easily anyway)



The rear right corner along the back panel has a couple of rough spots, but I will hide these with my tubing bracket and they won't be seen.

Polishing does increase the cost, but it looks good and it protects the edges.

All in all it looks good for the money and once everything is setup that's the last thing the masses will notice anyway.

How heavy would you say it is and how many help did you need to move it?



from my iP 5 via Tapa.

[GDominy]

Originally Posted by mrkookm

Polishing does increase the cost, but it looks good and it protects the edges.

All in all it looks good for the money and once everything is setup that's the last thing the masses will notice anyway.

How heavy would you say it is and how many help did you need to move it?



from my iP 5 via Tapa.

Tank is probably around 220 pounds. Easy lift for two people.

I was bummed it wasnt polished like I had asked for but Im ok with it as is. I tend to baby my glass anyway ill just have to be extra careful.

Im going to start on my lighting next. I have to replace a couple leds, remove some optics, build the suspended hood, then paint and hang it from the ceiling or wall. Havent quite decided yet

[mrkookm]

Originally Posted by GDominy

Tank is probably around 220 pounds. Easy lift for two people.

I thought it would be a bit heavier, but yeah thats a relatively easy move. Got something a bit less volume but same glass thickness being made and why I was curios. I'm happy it's not heavier!

I was bummed it wasnt polished like I had asked for but Im ok with it as is. I tend to baby my glass anyway ill just have to be extra careful.

Im going to start on my lighting next. I have to replace a couple leds, remove some optics, build the suspended hood, then paint and hang it from the ceiling or wall. Havent quite decided yet

That's it, just be careful and you'll be okay.





from my iP5 via Tapa 2

[GDominy]

Lighting repair day.

I borrowed a really nice soldering iron from work today to tackle my lighting repairs. My 30w iron wasn't hot enough to really get the solder to bond well to the solder pads on one of my LED batches. This baby made the entire process take minutes, considerably less then then I had anticipated.



Here are some shots of the lights in various stages of repair:

Just the whites on the pendants for the ends:


Blue and White working:


Center Strips up and running:


The mess I created during the repairs:

[mrkookm]

Originally Posted by GDominy

Lighting repair day.

I borrowed a really nice soldering iron from work today to tackle my lighting repairs. My 30w iron wasn't hot enough to really get the solder to bond well to the solder pads on one of my LED batches. This baby made the entire process take minutes, considerably less then then I had anticipated.



Here are some shots of the lights in various stages of repair:

Just the whites on the pendants for the ends:


Blue and White working:


Center Strips up and running:


The mess I created during the repairs:

How many channels are you planning on 'creating' for the light setup?

[mrkookm]

Originally Posted by GDominy

Decided to do this tonight after all. I have a new one on order but I wanted to test the pump on the half inch glass so I gave it a couple of hours in pure white vinegar. Cleaned up WAY better then I had hoped and once with coralline was off the wetside turned out to be in better shape then I thought.

I'm going to use this one as a spare.

I didn't see the before condition, but I'm gonna assume it cleaned up nicely since I've seen what Coralline can do.

When in use the the MP10 stays on the glass with no issues?

[GDominy]

Originally Posted by mrkookm

How many channels are you planning on 'creating' for the light setup?

1 - left and right blue
2 - center strips blue
3 - left and right white
4 - center strips white
5 - qt/grow out tank leds
6 - moonlights blue/white
7 - red leds for sunrise sunset

There are an extra four channels set up that are the same as 1-4 but are for an alternate schedule for weekend viewing.

I was originally going to have an extra pendant in the centre but I dont think there will be room so ive skipped it for now. It totally works but I dont think I have room with only 18". Ill experiment once I have the frame built to house it all.