Do it yourself

I think you're doing it wrong. It should be
higher and thinner. You want to see all
the fish, that's the point. Most big tanks
I've seen are like 18" wide and 4' high.
You can see what's going on with all
the fish all the time.

Quote: Evenbob

I think you're doing it wrong. It should be
higher and thinner. You want to see all
the fish, that's the point. Most big tanks
I've seen are like 18" wide and 4' high.
You can see what's going on with all
the fish all the time.

For reasons I don't completely understand, the height is what really jacks up the required glass thickness. Using the same 48" width and 24" height standard, the difference between a 12" long tank and a 96" long tank only changes the required thickness of glass by 0.05". The height is worlds apart. Using the 48" width and 96" length, the two foot difference between a 24" tall tank and a 48" tall tank almost triples the required glass thickness. It goes from 0.507" to something like 1.33X". Can't afford it, couldn't lift it if I could.

And I'm not getting fish that stand straight up and down like a trumpet fish. They need room to swim horizontally. I do suspect it to be a little warpy once completed. I can't imagine that pane isn't going to go a little convex under all that pressure, but what can you do? I don't have $4k to spend on perfect glass.

Quote: Face

For reasons I don't completely understand, the height is what really jacks up the required glass thickness. Using the same 48" width and 24" height standard, the difference between a 12" long tank and a 96" long tank only changes the required thickness of glass by 0.05". The height is worlds apart. Using the 48" width and 96" length, the two foot difference between a 24" tall tank and a 48" tall tank almost triples the required glass thickness. It goes from 0.507" to something like 1.33X". Can't afford it, couldn't lift it if I could.

Gotta be about pressure per square inch and where the inches are.

I told you to buy the transparent aluminum........

Quote: Face

I don't have $4k to spend on perfect glass.

How much do you have to spend on a water damage remediation project involving a soaking wet floor and damage to other wood in the room?

Quote: Fleastiff

How much do you have to spend on a water damage remediation project involving a soaking wet floor and damage to other wood in the room?

The same amount I always have. "TBD" =p

You know, a high volume vacuum pump nearby might be a good investment, especially if you could work out an auto turn on in the presence of water.

Just kidding -- (I think)

Have you considered using 4x4's for the legs instead of 2x4's? The solid blocks seem better equipped to handle the concentrated weight without snapping.

Quote: Evenbob

You need a hobby.. Oh, wait.

I'll never understand those who don't get your humor. Genuine lol =)

Quote: AZDuffman

I told you to buy the transparent aluminum........

Ugh. I dare not price it out.

Quote: rxwine

You know, a high volume vacuum pump nearby might be a good investment, especially if you could work out an auto turn on in the presence of water.

Just kidding -- (I think)

I really think I'll be alright. I'm doing it right against a load bearing wall, and perpendicular to all the joists. I also discovered that said joists are indeed 2" x 10"s. I haven't inspected this section to ensure none have been drilled or cut for wiring or plumbing, but I've seen none so far that lead me to worry about it. If it really gets to me, which it just might, I'll run a 2" x whatever" the length of the tank under the joists, and then jam in some 4"x 4" between it and the concrete basement floor.

My primary worry right now is building a suitable stand. I'm pretty confident in doing one that can withstand the weight, not so confident about lateral forces like leaning on it. I'm sure those fears will be assuaged once it's actually built and I can see how sturdy it is or is not.

Quote: Ayecarumba

Have you considered using 4x4's for the legs instead of 2x4's? The solid blocks seem better equipped to handle the concentrated weight without snapping.

Not really. I hate working with 4" x 4". Plus, the tank needs not only bracing so it holds up, but bracing so it doesn't flex. Flex will pop all my seals and crack all my fibreglass and epoxy. Using just 4x4 on the corners would hold the weight, but I'd still need to use a bunch more in between the corners to make it rigid. The amount of brace I need to prevent flex makes the use of 4x4 overkill (In my totally ignorant opinion =p). I'll save those for holding the floor up, if need be ;)

Pretty thirsty, time to get to work...

Concerning sag.

Perhaps as you fill it up for the first time, put a level on your table 1/3 from either end and see if the bubble moves at all during the process.

Just my own idea. Seems like there would likely be some noticeable bubble movement before it went critical.

Heck, you might want to put some on your floor too, and note any drift left or right. Grease mark the starting point if you need too.

EDIT -- might even be good to leave them in place for a couple days. (I had few things decide to fail in the middle of the night.)

Damn. Got the wrong screws, forgot bracing, and now too drink to make the mid day drove to the parts store =/

Anyways, cooking right along. Being able to flip it over and have the frame hold the studs so I could really lean on them and drive em home made it easy as pie. I just can't box it all in with the 2x4 standing on end without the bracing that I forgot.

Ah well. I got something done. And being made to stop affords me nap time. With the weekend I'm facing, I'm gonna go ahead and take it.

Stay tuned =)