My build

ocean17 · 12/25/2009, 09:01 AM

Sorry I didn't take more pictures. I'm uploading one photo to see how it works then will load the rest. This is a 50 gallon cube for my house with a 30 gallon fuge. 3/8th acrylic with euro brace, center rear plenum, mag 9 main, mag 7 closed loop, Viper 150w, 24 x 24 x 20. Making another fuge because my drain bubble trap isn't big enough for that amount of flow so I have some back pressure and in the long run will cause trouble. This is my 6th acrylic tank and the largest yet. Working with this stuff is easy and fun.

ocean17 · 12/25/2009, 09:15 AM

First pic is the raw mock up before bench testing. Second pic is the stand alone showing the construction technique acquired from this site, thanks. Third is a close up of the sump/fuge during a bench test. If you look just above the blue clamp you'll see that I've got too much flow out of my drain bubble trap, lesson learned. Fourth pic is during bench testing and shows the backside of the plenum. Fifth pic is after wrapping the base with some antique wood and antique window sashes. I just used face hinges to keep things simple. A few more pics after this, I'm maxed out

ocean17 · 12/25/2009, 09:24 AM

First pick is with lights but just a temp over the fuge. Kind of has the Halloween look doesn't it? Second pic is of the raw material, lumber came from a set of cattle pens we tore down years ago on a ranch we had for a while. I knew that lumber would come in handy some time. Third pic is the finished tank in place. And last but not least, the fourth pic is of my drain bubble trap problem. Needless to say I'm back in the acrylic shop today building a new sump. That concludes my build so let me know if there are questions, comments, etc.

jd

kcress · 12/25/2009, 04:28 PM

Very nice! I love that raised grain, the windows, the light below. Really first class man. Outstanding really.

jefferino · 12/25/2009, 06:01 PM

One day I will build an acrylic tank!

dcdicello · 12/26/2009, 01:02 AM

The little windows in the sump/fuge is a good idea.
I find myself staring at my fuge almost as much as the display.

nitro4kthompson · 12/26/2009, 01:07 AM

How about a FTS from the front? I'd like to see everything more clearly. I love the idea of using windows for the sump area. Very nice.

ocean17 · 12/28/2009, 09:01 AM

I'm going to test my first photo bucket IMG upload, then if successful, will post the rest. Here it goes

Hope this works

ocean17 · 12/28/2009, 09:11 AM

Sorry guys/gals but this is from an iphone camera, handy and always available. What I want folks to learn from this thread is not to underestimate the size of your drain plenum. I went small trying to have more fuge room and caused a great deal of back pressure and splash back. I build this sump in two days and tested it and installed it on the second night. I now have great flow and have a Tunze 9010 ordered for the insump skimmer.

One thing I also want to note on this acrylic build is a tip the guy at the acrylic shop gave me. When jigging up your two pieces he suggested using some thick card stock to (see green file folder) to give you some separation so you get the good capillary action with your Weldon #4. After applying same you use bigger clamps, see vertical ones, and squeeze the two pieces together. I've been working with acrylic all of two months and it's a dream.

ocean17 · 12/28/2009, 09:14 AM

Sorry these are low resolution shots,

12/26/2009, 01:02 AM	#6
dcdicello Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Maricopa, AZ Posts: 237	The little windows in the sump/fuge is a good idea. I find myself staring at my fuge almost as much as the display. __________________ // -* *- \\

12/28/2009, 09:01 AM	#8
ocean17 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas Posts: 37	My new sump I'm going to test my first photo bucket IMG upload, then if successful, will post the rest. Here it goes Hope this works __________________ ocean17 Current Tank Info: 339 tall, 5 nano, 2- 270 raceways, dozens misc breeders

12/28/2009, 09:11 AM	#9
ocean17 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas Posts: 37	Great, now for the rest Sorry guys/gals but this is from an iphone camera, handy and always available. What I want folks to learn from this thread is not to underestimate the size of your drain plenum. I went small trying to have more fuge room and caused a great deal of back pressure and splash back. I build this sump in two days and tested it and installed it on the second night. I now have great flow and have a Tunze 9010 ordered for the insump skimmer. One thing I also want to note on this acrylic build is a tip the guy at the acrylic shop gave me. When jigging up your two pieces he suggested using some thick card stock to (see green file folder) to give you some separation so you get the good capillary action with your Weldon #4. After applying same you use bigger clamps, see vertical ones, and squeeze the two pieces together. I've been working with acrylic all of two months and it's a dream. __________________ ocean17 Current Tank Info: 339 tall, 5 nano, 2- 270 raceways, dozens misc breeders

12/28/2009, 09:14 AM	#10
ocean17 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas Posts: 37	Shots of the tank finished and in my house Sorry these are low resolution shots, __________________ ocean17 Current Tank Info: 339 tall, 5 nano, 2- 270 raceways, dozens misc breeders

12/25/2009, 04:28 PM	#4
kcress Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Central California Coast. Posts: 5,383	Very nice! I love that raised grain, the windows, the light below. Really first class man. Outstanding really.

12/25/2009, 06:01 PM	#5
jefferino Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 50	One day I will build an acrylic tank!

12/26/2009, 01:07 AM	#7
nitro4kthompson Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: mccalla,alabama Posts: 273	How about a FTS from the front? I'd like to see everything more clearly. I love the idea of using windows for the sump area. Very nice.