18' x 9' x 3.5' catfish tank build in progress.....

[nolapete]

I think I have a solution for the bulkhead. You could fabricate a smaller version before you go with the 3" or 4" version and test it on a bucket.

2 acrylic/plexiglas discs with snug fitting hole for whatever size pipe you're using
1/4" rubber sheet to make gaskets with. Cut out to match discs
length of pvc pipe to be determined later
two male to slip pvc couplings
two female to slip couplings

Using the two male to slip fittings, connect them with a length of pvc pipe that allows the thread to recess at least 1 thread on either side inside the wall dimension.

This will be inside the hole in the wall of the tank.

Put one of the rubber gaskets over the threaded end on each side of the wall.

Put one of the acrylic discs on either side of the wall on top of the gaskets.

Screw one of the female/slip fittings on either side of the wall on the male threads.

Very important. Do not glue the male/male assembly until you are sure it fits. You don't need the hole cut out to do this. Just sit it on top of the wall and make sure you only see threads on either side.

You may have to modify the slip part of the males to allow it to fit in between the wall. Just take a dremel to them to cut them down if needed.

I'll do a paint drawing to show you an idea of what I'm describing.

It'll take some fine tuning, but with a bit of silicone grease, you should get a good seal.

 

[TheFishGuy]

I like the top stain, and yes. A closet flange wpould have to be screwed in. Use stainless steel screws.

 

[necrocanis]

Some good ideas going out there guys. Looks like the panel is split here on what color stain to go with. I think that the bottom one would contrast better, but I like how the top one brought out the grain. My wife voted for the darker one, so to keep her happy that's what I'm going with. I think it's english chestnut. Doesn't take much to get a large area covered so I might come out really cheap on the staining part. The other one was supposed to be gunstock, but it came out kinda orangish. The more I think about it the more I'd rather have it a little darker against the blue. Don't want this to look like something out of a circus lol. I'm gonna go and get some materials to see if I can't make some sort of bulkhead. Nola that looks great, but looks like a lot of work too. I might make a small version to see what I think. I have an idea to try that was inspired by your idea though!

A pic of two buddies playing after a water change!

 

[mkman]

Here are some hanging out waiting for a new home when the pond is done hehe

 

[necrocanis]

You offering them? hehe.

Here are some hanging out waiting for a new home when the pond is done hehe

Forgot to mention that the wood putty is just elmers in a half gallon size. They were like $6 for a half gallon size, I bought three and it only took two to skim coat the entire front of the tank.

No pic sorry!

 

[nolapete]

Nice cats!

It's really simpler than I described. The hardest part is the acrylic pieces. If you know someone who could machine them for you, that would save you some money. Go to a plastics place and ask them if you can grab a few pieces out of their scrap bin. They may let you have them for free or very little.

The assembly will take no more than 5 mins tops once you have it fitted.

The females screw on to the males. This allows you to snug up the acrylic and rubber against the tank wall.

Somewhere in the world there's an acrylic disc perfect for this that is ready-made. It'll just take some looking to find it.

 

[necrocanis]

Only problem is that there's no plastics shop in Montana. The closest one is in Idaho, about 7 hrs from here. None of the glass shops in town deal with acrylic. Trust me I've tried many times. The acrylic that I have for this was ordered online. They do sell acrylic discs on ebay at the place I bought my panes from if I remember right. He'd cut out the hole for free as he always does a max of 3 cuts for free! I'll have to go and price it out. Probably need about a 5" piece?

Nice cats!

It's really simpler than I described. The hardest part is the acrylic pieces. If you know someone who could machine them for you, that would save you some money. Go to a plastics place and ask them if you can grab a few pieces out of their scrap bin. They may let you have them for free or very little.

The assembly will take no more than 5 mins tops once you have it fitted.

The females screw on to the males. This allows you to snug up the acrylic and rubber against the tank wall.

Somewhere in the world there's an acrylic disc perfect for this that is ready-made. It'll just take some looking to find it.

 

[cvermeulen]

Only problem is that there's no plastics shop in Montana.

I find that so weird. No sign shops? Who make store displays and advertizing? Who builds sneeze quards for subway and coffee shops and stuff? I wonder if there IS a plastic shop but it's hiding under another name, or it's not advertized to general public.

 

[nolapete]

I'd go 2" bigger than whatever size pipe you're using for the outside radius.

 

[necrocanis]

I find that so weird. No sign shops? Who make store displays and advertizing? Who builds sneeze quards for subway and coffee shops and stuff? I wonder if there IS a plastic shop but it's hiding under another name, or it's not advertized to general public.

I've asked around quite a bit and no one seems to know of one. Everyone that I've seen that has some sort of acrylic I ask and either they don't know or it's been shipped in from idaho. I've even asked one of the largest contractors here and they told me that acrylic gets shipped in from other states. Almost makes me want to open an acrylic shop myself! If I only knew how to make acrylic! lol.

I'd go 2" bigger than whatever size pipe you're using for the outside radius.

I looked on ebay and no cigar! I do have a plan though. Thanks for all your help. What size pipes will you be using? Since my sump is gravity fed it will need 4" pipes to carry the amount of water I'll be pushing through it. I'm gonna raise the sump off the ground slightly and try to get it where if the power goes out the sump will not overflow. If I can get the garage plumbed I'm gonna put some kind of drip system on this tank, and will put an overflow on the tank going directly to the sewage system, and I'll connect one to the sump also so that if a power failure does happen I won't have to worry about it overflowing.

In other news my wife used money we didn't really have to buy me two presents that will be swimming in my tanks tomorrow! I'll try to have some pics up for everyone to look at! Also just wanted to mention to everyone that if you are thinking about keeping catfish, and would like some help in getting started feel free to pm me. I won't tell anyone that you have contacted me. Also the skeleton thing is still a go. If anyone wants a skeleton cleaned and mounted just drop me a pm. I have several that I'm still working on. Don't expect it back quick as it's a very long intensive process that takes months, and if it's large enough could take a year or more. So be serious if you're contacting me about it. Again all money will go towards my fish, and this tank build. If there's enough left over I plan on making a donation to MFR.