Ohhh the excitement must be killing you now that you know you can get going! Hope you don't have too much time to over think, sometimes that can be just as bad!!

it is killing me. but there is alot of work to be done too over thinking gives me all possible senarios lol. in the end it will get done one step at a time. and since ive done some of it before it will go easier this time.

well nothing new at this time other than i have purchased a refuge light. drill bits and powerheads are on route. still usure of the dry rock needed for rock walls but i still have time for that. glass should be here on the 12th. so hopefuly tomorrow or thursday i will get the tank in the house, one way or another, to take it apart and have it cleaned and ready for the glass to install right away. less chance ill break it this way maybe.... there is always issues with drilling lol. this weekend once i have the room inthe garage i will also pick up some lumber so when it warms up i can build the stand as well.

for now that is all

What are going to use for powerheads? I've got 1 mp 40 and I think I need another. If I don't keep the 55 going, will use the koralias as well.

right now im running a koralia 3 and 2 on my 90 and will be using those as well as 2new koralia evolution 1050's and later will purchase 2 more 1050's in the future plus the flow of the return line i hope to be enough. my pump hiding spots (if it works out as i envision) will be made to house bigger koralia's as well just in case.

now i know alot of ppl like mp 40's and tunze powerheads. i kinda like my koralias i havent had one issue with them and they have been running non stop for 3 years. i do like the control ability of these high end pumps but they break too and cost 10 times more. what can i say im a cheap basterd, id rather save the money for something purdy rather than an underwater fan. but most of all these will work better for placement in my application. each pump will be offset a bit to push the water in different directions. but essentially once in place will not be moved ever wich is a bit of a downside. im willing to takethe risk if i dont have to see them

Ya, your set up will be a lot different, but it's worked for you before. The 40 is great but i need more flow on the other side of the tank. I don't think it's about being cheap, if it works, it works!

if your not using them in your other tank throw them in until you get the powerhead you want.. no need to get one right away but i think 2 mp40 would do well in your tank. you can always have your koralia's hang off your overflow boxes lower in the tank pointing up in behind the rock as well as to not have them as noticeable even point one at the rock it will keep soot off the rocks.

I will throw them on, but need extension cords...the cords won't reach to the other side of tank where power bars are. Need one on each side of tank, was trying to keep everything together, not going to work. Always modifying...lol

that is what makes it a fun hobby. i think everyone tinkers andchanges its all good my issue is i cant really change afte ive done this it willbe what it will be and ill have to get over it lol

my father is a brave man and helped me move the tank in the house today..yeah! i rented an appliance mover which prolly made things worse in hindsight but it gt the job done. i may or may not have pulled a muscle in my back but as they say no pain no gain. it wont be the last time this tank draws blood and cripples me. that is a guarontee :)

i will post pics later with it beside my 90 just for memory sake and comparisons.

ok just a couple comparison shots of the old tank and future tank :) trim removed off the top already. back in great pain at the moment. last picture is of the immence crack that got me the tank dirt cheap. and the cause for this fun build to come. please dont mind the getto light stands. my 60" hood wont fit with my 72" fixture.

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/103_6600.jpg
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/103_6601.jpg
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/103_6602.jpg

so i made a really bad assumption on ordering my glass that will be here monday.... i assume'd that like most tanks i have taken apart that the front pane sat all the way down with the bottom glass butted up against.. well after taking the trim off tonight guess what i was wrong. the glass sits on top of the bottom pane.. which means the glass i ordered will be 1/2 too tall for the tank..lol oops.. better too log than too short right.... its all good tho i will just butt up the eurobracing to the oversized pane it will work the same and attach the bracing as normal everywhere else. like i said better longer than shorter hehe...

moral of the store... never assume it makes an arse of um me and be sure to measure not just once but properly. that is all for today. will let youknwo what mishap tomorro brings

Doesn't that just chap your arse when you make a mistake like that :frusty:

yeah at first i was like crap now what but since the eurbrace is also 1/2 glass it should work out really well. its not like it will be noticeable once the hood is on anyways...ill just pretend it was planned that way to give the front a rimless look like i've seen others do on other builds via google. when i say custom 180 build thats due to the screw ups imake that make it unique lol

Dont worry Jeff I will keep bringing it up all the time to keep remindering you of the mistake that you have made..........:wink:

I think I see your clownfish flipping you the middle fin in that second picture for teasing him by putting that big tank right there in plain view:mrgreen:

thanks mike i knew i could count on you lol

those clowns are evil thus i dont doubt it they are flippin the fin. the little buggers dont deserve a new home maybe ill just leave them in the sump. lol

tank was only there for an hour to waarm up from bieng in the garage.. i almost have it apart already for the new glass on monday i just have to go pick up a couple packages of silicone tomorrow. as well as a cut off blade to trim a couple glass pieces for the overflow and euro brace. you thing 1/2 inch glss is toomuch for oerflow box lol. i have 6 mill i may use i my turn the broken pane into a couple glass shelves on each side of the tank for aclimating and stuff

glass has arrived but not unwrapped as of yet i have to finish preping the replacement area as well as remove all the old silicone to reseal the whole tank. but over the weekend my skimmer on my 90 puked and ive been fighting with that to get it all sorted out. i forsee a new skimmer in my future..... or a controller to shut it down before it pukes.

so new glass is in place tank re sealed. i may have to tear it apart and re seal it again due tom y stupidity. previous to doing this i had purchased 6 tubes of silicone.. but failed to check if it was clear and brought home white.. so while i was sealing it i had to run and get more. i did get back beforee it set but didnt have time to take the tape off and had to cut it off half wet half dry. it seems ok messy in areas but ill know in 24 hours if i have to have a do over weekend. anyways i took pics of the process i may as well post them.

euro brace isnt attached yet untili know all is good as well the back brace cannot be installed until i decide on the overflow size/drill bits arrive from hong kong. and my order from brs

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/103_6603.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/103_6604.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/103_6605.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/103_6606.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/103_6607.jpg

So, starting over?
Sounds like me with my sump. I've run it through my mind for the last month and a half, and I think I finally like it.
I had to smash my baffles/bubble trap and re-do what I thought was a beautiful sillycone job. I had taped everything and it looked pro.
Now, after re-doing it with the layout I decided on, it looks like someone's Kindergarten class did it for me. I couldn't get the gun in there, and did not have any 300ml tubes on hand. I had to run all the inside seams by applying small beads with my finger tip.
How do these builders make these custom tanks look so nice ?
I even tried to tape things off, but you can't remove the tape from those little places.
AAACCCKKKKK

i checked the tank this morning and it seems to actually have sealed quite nicely the questionable areas are just messy and not as tidy as i hoped to be but i can live with that since they will be under the sand bed

but i did recieve my glass hole saws today so i know what ill be doing this weekend...building my overflow drilling holes finishing eurobrace install. ill have it all water tested by next week just in time to set it aside and get ready for the inlaws to come visit for a month. dont get me wrong i will be doing stuff durring that month once the overflow is built i can then begin my rockwalls and flow hiders :) most of that can built without the tank laying flat.

the part of this project that scares the #$%& outta me but it has to be done for this to work.. notching the eurobrace for access to the overflow. i am only notching out 2" of the 4" brace.by 20" long .the overflow is going tobe 18" x 5". 1/2" of that will be sitting on the glass to leave me with a total opening area of 3 1/2" not alot of room but enough if the need arises.

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/103_6609.jpg

*disclaimer*

i am not a glass expert nor do i claim to know what im doing this is more of an experiment due to need, i do not have the tools to polish and make it look pretty and sparkly when finished (if it works and doesn't break). so if your expecting something sparkly from this diy'r im sorry im not worthy. if i have the time and can rent the tools later i may try to spit polish the glass later all in all it will be under a hood in the end and i dont care how purdy it is. now pray for me that it works. i really dont want to buy another piece of glass

May the force be with you:mrgreen:

thanks fishytime iwill need the force and a stiffdrink to calm my nerves. lol like i say if it breaks ill just go to plan b and make the overflow out of heavier glass to support the back wall. always have a plan b

Sending good vibes your way that all will go as planned!!!

we will see if i get time this afternon i may give it a try... or ill chicken out and wait until tomorrow... my bulkheads should arrive today as well as my 2 koralia powerheads. i hope to clean an area in the garage as well so i can start on the stand.

no one like a quitter go for a Jeff

not gonna quit just needs some liquid encouragment. cant do that til dayare kids leave

soooooooooooo i braved it. and this is my result

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/104_0001.jpg
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/104_0002.jpg
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...k/104_0004.jpg

Not to shabby!!!!!!!! Nice work!!!

Did you cut or score from hole to hole?

cut with an angle grinder with a diamond blade the whole process took 15 min to do it all was actually really easy. a little chiping from the diamond blade but all in all im happy

here we go again another boring set of pictures of my progress.. i drilled the bottom of the tank minimal chipping (impressed with myself) and attached the rest of the eurobracing the two small end pieces are from the tank just trimmed to size thus why they are smaller than the new bracing..

im undecided if im going to use my 5 mil glass for the overflow or if i should cut up the old 1/2 glass for extra stability. i think 5 mil is too thin and im getting good at cutting the glass so why not build this thing like a tank (pun intended).

anywho here is where the tank is at this time. just movin along

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/105_6616.jpg
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/105_6617.jpg
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/105_6618.jpg
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/105_6619.jpg

Nicely done

thanks im quite happy with it thus far. but i need to buy a new diamond blade regretfully for my angle grinder tried to cut the overflow pieces and failed. chipped.. bady but if i have to i can still use them overflow will be coverd with black acrilic anyways. but today i feel like crap so im holding off

i was just hopeing to do a water test before i had to set it aside for a month... but my colld is kickin my butt atm

Pam ... PAM ... can you call my Mom? :mrgreen:

I know how you feel about getting some testing done.
I'm moving onto my 3rd sump design. The silicone curing time is killing me. Plus I have to re-fill the DT and sump everytime.

Great work, happy that the cutting has worked out for you! Hope you feel better soon!!

ironicly thats my wifes name but id never ask her to call my mom...ever..

why keep refilling dt just empty sump do changes refill infact you can empty into a pail and reuse water.

all the water i am using to water test ill be setting into buckets after the fact for reuse... whether it be for top ups water changes or just watering plants i refuse to just dump all of it.

thanks it definately a start.. no matter what happens tomorrow i will have the over flow sealed so i can make the acrilic comb around it. i must have this done before friday. to get the room ready for the inlaws.

well im happy to say my career in glass mfg is at an end and i am now into acrylic mfg of the overflow comb. i had a bit of a mishap with cutting the overflow box which delayed me a bit the side pieces chipped up to crap the first time i cut them with my cut off blade. it seemed to have gotten dull. so i bought a new one and had success the second time around. all n all im happy with the turn out. even though i added more wieght to the tank than it i had originally. i will never have to fear the overflow breaking or cracking any time soon lol. but the broken front pane came in handy.

here are a couple pictures for now. hopefully on friday i can do a water test and sleep easy knowing i wont have to reseal anything before i put on the overflow comb

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/105_6621.jpg
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/105_6622.jpg

That's my reminder for all of us MEN when we are sick.
SUCK IT UP

Anyway, I always found that add very funny.