165 Marine Restoration

[RyanP]

Hey Ryan,

Nice pick-up. 50 is a steal!

Did the frame come apart on each side or did you break it? I can't tell from the pictures.

Now that you have the tank stripped down, you could pick up a thick piece of glass and center brace the top.

Thanks, I ran a blade between the frame and the glass to break the silicone. It came off in separate pieces, front and back and two sides. The glass is so thick, the frame is really just for looks. One of the bottom pieces was chipped at the end, but it wont really matter when its setup. You cant really see it. I was thinking about bracing the top, but dont know how to just yet.... suggestions?

 

[RyanP]

If i could get the top extremely clean where the trim was, it would look nice trimless. But then id have to find someway to support the light system im putting on it and somehow have glass tops for evaporation.

 

[RyanP]

Just got this design software and was playin around with it. Someone please tell me how i would build this sketch up. I want two lids and a center brace. Im modeling the new tank after my 100G since its almost just a bigger version, just a foot longer and half foot taller. It has two lids and center brace. How would i go about installing that center brace? I know i would just get a glass co to cut to fit, but how would i go about installing it.

I realize that the center brace has to be level with the tops so they can rest on it. I just lowered it to be able to see it.

 

[RyanP]

Bump, i need some help with bracing this thing

 

[VOYTEK]

Bump, i need some help with bracing this thing

If I were you I would ONLY use glass braces - it will make the tank look sooooo much neater ! You could go two long strips for the front and the back, then sides and maybe one in the middle, but place it underneath the long pieces


good luck and make sure to keep us updated ( best if with pictures :] )

 

[MaddMaxx]

Hey, thanks for checking out mythread. Looks like you've got a great project going here.

Yeah, those trim pieces were doing nothing for the tank, I'd ditch them completely. As for how to install a glass brace, check out Muni's 50 gal riparium build, he just did a fairly detailed description on the glass brace he put in (just flip it 90 degrees for your purpose).

G'luck, its good to see someone willing to work in the cold!

 

[RyanP]

If I were you I would ONLY use glass braces - it will make the tank look sooooo much neater ! You could go two long strips for the front and the back, then sides and maybe one in the middle, but place it underneath the long pieces



good luck and make sure to keep us updated ( best if with pictures :] )

Think that will be the plan, thanks for looking. Ill post some pics with updates. Im worried its too cold outside for silicone to cure right. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Hey, thanks for checking out mythread. Looks like you've got a great project going here.

Yeah, those trim pieces were doing nothing for the tank, I'd ditch them completely. As for how to install a glass brace, check out Muni's 50 gal riparium build, he just did a fairly detailed description on the glass brace he put in (just flip it 90 degrees for your purpose).

G'luck, its good to see someone willing to work in the cold!

The glass underneath the trim is coated in silicone and crap. I thought about leaving it trimless, it would look awesome, but i cant get it clean enough to look good. I have a 48' 4 bulb T-5 Fixture that has to mount or sit on something so that would also be a problem with it trimless. THanks for checking out my thread. And as far as the cold, im in it all day at work so im use to it.

 

[RyanP]

Small update, since ive run out of things to do. Taped up the tank and put a coat of flat black on for the background. I want to seal this puppy up, but i have to find out on the curing process with temperatures being below freezing at night.

 

[Kurt-Inge]

 

[RyanP]

So it warmed up enough today to reseal this thing up. Man this was a little more hectic than i thought it was gonna be. Had my 3 yr son out there with me helping out. Every time I looked around, he had silicone from hand to hand. I put it on thick just for insurance. Im goin to let it cure for a week and then go back and clean it up with a razor. I taped up the sides, but didnt really worry about the bottom since you wont see it with the sand covering it.