First timer to the Hobby (Stand/Acrylic Tank ?'s)

loganbone · 08/26/2014, 06:52 PM

Hey RC been stalking the site last few months and am very excited to get my fist Aquarium going. BEYOND EXCITED!!It will be a species tank dedicated to a Peacock Mantis Shrimp. The setup i am going with is a 55 Gallon 1/4" Acrylic. I plan on doing the herbie method. 2- 1" drains 2- 3/4'" returns. The tank will be bottom drilled for a 22-25 gallon sump. Return pump is a Eheim 1262 to get 8-15x turn over rate depending on how i set the valves.

So my question is what kind of support/cushion would be ideal between the stand and the tank? Should it be a 1/8-1/4" acrylic sheet? Or some type of foam? I am worried because how much of an open top the stand is. I planned on installing some support beams across after I hard plumbed the system Please any help or advice would be much appreciated!

thegrun · 08/26/2014, 08:49 PM

For an acrylic tank you really should have a solid bottom, 3/4" plywood would work.

loganbone · 08/26/2014, 09:03 PM

Thanks for the quick reply!

I bought a stand online and it was worry some on the build of it so I just went to a local fs and bought an open top for the sump/tank against the wall. So 3/4" plywood it is. I will just drill holes a little bigger to allow the bulkheads to pass through the board.

thegrun · 08/27/2014, 06:46 AM

I would cut out the hole at least an extra 1" all the way around the outside dimention of the bulkhead so you can get a wrench on it if it ever leaks or needs to be replaced. Before you fill the tank check it and be sure you can remove the bulkhead. The first cabinet I made I didn't allow enough room and it was very difficult to work with.

Pife · 08/27/2014, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegrun

I would cut out the hole at least an extra 1" all the way around the outside dimention of the bulkhead so you can get a wrench on it if it ever leaks or needs to be replaced. Before you fill the tank check it and be sure you can remove the bulkhead. The first cabinet I made I didn't allow enough room and it was very difficult to work with.

Great advice.

loganbone · 08/28/2014, 10:57 PM

Thanks for the great words of wisdom! I also plan on doing 2- 1" drains and 2-3/4" returns. I am just not sure if i should have them all near each other in one overflow box or if I should put the drains on the left and returns to the right. Or even all 4 bulkheads in one box in the center. Ideally i want to avoid dead spots and keep size for tank space. Just trying to get some ideas before I drill the tank.

loganbone · 08/28/2014, 11:38 PM

Got these beauty's in the mail today. Went with the schedule 80 for the quality gasket and for peace of mind since I'm on the 3rd floor of a apartment complex.

JoelA7 · 08/29/2014, 12:06 AM

I also have sch 80 in a condo building. No leaks for so many reasons. Herbie too but just one return.

08/29/2014, 12:06 AM	#8
JoelA7 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Brookline, MA Posts: 1,056	I also have sch 80 in a condo building. No leaks for so many reasons. Herbie too but just one return. __________________ New 48x24x26.25 w Precision Marine R30 sump, Vertex Omega 150 skimmer, 2@Vertex 1.5L reactors for carbon & phosban, GEO Ca reactor w Aquarium Plants regulator. 2 MP40's 2@Radions. #120 live rock & #12

08/26/2014, 08:49 PM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	For an acrylic tank you really should have a solid bottom, 3/4" plywood would work.

08/26/2014, 09:03 PM	#3
loganbone Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 4	Thanks for the quick reply! I bought a stand online and it was worry some on the build of it so I just went to a local fs and bought an open top for the sump/tank against the wall. So 3/4" plywood it is. I will just drill holes a little bigger to allow the bulkheads to pass through the board.

08/27/2014, 06:46 AM	#4
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I would cut out the hole at least an extra 1" all the way around the outside dimention of the bulkhead so you can get a wrench on it if it ever leaks or needs to be replaced. Before you fill the tank check it and be sure you can remove the bulkhead. The first cabinet I made I didn't allow enough room and it was very difficult to work with.

08/28/2014, 10:57 PM	#6
loganbone Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 4	Thanks for the great words of wisdom! I also plan on doing 2- 1" drains and 2-3/4" returns. I am just not sure if i should have them all near each other in one overflow box or if I should put the drains on the left and returns to the right. Or even all 4 bulkheads in one box in the center. Ideally i want to avoid dead spots and keep size for tank space. Just trying to get some ideas before I drill the tank.