Tex Gal's New Rimless Tank

[Tex Gal]

This is what's replacing my 125g. It with a rimless 48"x22"x20" made by Deep Sea Aquatics in Dallas. Got this light and put Geisseman Midday T5HO in it. Still have original MH bulbs.
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...size=48%20Inch

I want to hang the light with a pulley system from some sort of support over the tank. That way I will be able to hoist it up for maintenance. A friend is thinking about that for me as I am NOT a DIYer.

I have new ADA AS Amazonia for it. Plants are in a bin. Fish are in a rubber maid holding area with filter and pump.

Hopefully I'll get the plumbing up and running and plants and water in tonight. It's been a long time coming!

[Diegosaenz]

Well that is sure a nice light you are getting, im looking forward to see your tank!

[xmas_one]

Wow, that's a beautiful setup. Can't wait to see the updates!

[CL]

Yay! We finally get to see the tank!
Is that very nice piece of DW I see going to be in the tank?

[VadimShevchuk]

Are you gonna use aquasoil in your tank? I have been waiting for this

[RipariumGuy]

Originally Posted by xmas_one

wow, that's a beautiful setup. Can't wait to see the updates!

+1!

[Tex Gal]

Yep. Gonna use AquaSoil. Probably gonna try the DW. It will take a while to sink. I've used it in a tank before but it's all dried out now. At least the tannins are gone.

Nobody remarked about my beautiful temporary aquarium... Don't you like it? ;D

[macclellan]

Sweet tank - pics of the plumbing?

I like the temporary tank - especially the ghettoized shelving-cum-bracing - you stay classy, san diego!

[SearunSimpson]

Holy Schneikey's, that light is worth more than some of my friends cars, haha.
I'm stoked to see this come along!

[Emerica88]

This tank is going to be epic. I can't wait for updates

[Tex Gal]

Trouble on the home front. 3 of the 4 bulk heads that Frank's Tanks sold me do not have threads on the inside. SO, Bill had glued PVC and tried to use compression fittings. No matter how tight he gets them they leak. I have to try to find three 1" bulk head fittings with threads on the inside tomorrow. (Just drained out all my good aged water into the shower) In the meantime my plants remain in the bin and my filter remains filled with water and bacteria that I'm afraid is dying. Not sure where to go tomorrow but I'll get on the phone in the am and take one of the fittings with me. What a pain!

[Dan the Man]

Definitely excited about you tank...those custom dimensions are perfect. That's about the size I would like to move to down the road. Forgive me if this has been answered before but how many gallons is your rimless tank? I know there's a calculator but I just though you might know it off the top of your head.

[Hoppy]

The dimensions come to a 90 gallon tank, roughly, which is all they ever are. This is a great size and shape tank, and the corners look pretty good too. I'm sorry you are having trouble with the bulkhead fittings, but once you get them corrected I'll bet you never regret using them.

Oh, and those are really beautiful temporary tanks too. Ouch - my nose just grew an inch!

[Tex Gal]

Ended up ordering online with overnight shipping. Bulkheads where $8.99 and nipple fittings where $.99. Called locally and people wanted $26 for Bulkheads! What a rip off!!! Even with overnight shipping I have saved over $50! I should get them tomorrow. Hope my plants hold out.

@ Dan - yes, it's 91.43 gallons filled to the brim. The height is perfect for plants and the depth is perfect for my arms to reach to the back. Looks better in the room too.

@ Hoppy - Yeah, so excited about the tank. It's really a nice one. Thanks for the vote of confidence. With the plumbing problems and seeing it leak I was worried that I made a BIG mistake. Here's the plan...

1. Double threaded bulkheads.
2. nipple fittings - double threads of course
3. Double threaded ball valves
5. threaded to barb fitting for attaching flexible tubing
6. flexible tubing
7. inputs and outputs to various equipment

Spoke with Deep Sea Aquatics and they said that plumbers putty was the way to go for a tight seal with the threaded pipe stuff. Said the silicone tape wasn't a sure thing. Said I could use silicone glue if I wanted to wait for it to dry and it would be permanent.

I just happened to have plumbers here and asked them about the sealing. They said I need pipe dope. I'll get a tight seal, will be able to take it off if I want so I can replace things in the future and it will hold up under pressure. I think this is the plan I will take.

Now if I can just figure out how to suspend the heavy new light I'm set!

OH - and about the temporary tank - I thought the blue really added to the whole water theme! lol

[jargonchipmunk]

with screw on bulkheads, it's generally advised to not use any compound/tape. The seal is on the inside of the tank where the gasket is, the threads merely serve to tighten those two surfaces together. (the glass and rubber gasket)

Using compounds, etc only makes it harder to get apart later if you need to repair, and the harder it is to get apart, the more likely you are to break something. Just clean the glass and gasket REALLY well and wipe them down with alcohol or similar and you'll be just fine.

by the way, super jealous.

*edit* I think I misunderstood. Were you talking about using pipe dope on the threaded fittings for your loc-line and drain pipes? If so, then that makes more sense. I thought you were talking about for tightening up the bulkhead.