First Setup plan

[pppp]

gettin a good start this morning. Break time= pic time

dont forget to see all my pics on photobucket reddogracing

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Don't you want to apply silicone in addition to the seals?

If the seal drips, it will be so hard to do anything with it as it is all behind your background. And your setup makes it more or less permanent.

PS I've been lurking around your tank for a while, great stuff here.

 

[Redoog]

Zen, that is what i am tryin now. see how it works in a minute

 

[Redoog]

i did something else too. I ralized i had a box of bulkheads that i could not use. Just a reminder, they where threaded, but just from one end, and pipe threads are tapered, so you can only thread into them from one side.

Anyhow, they have very thick gaskets. the new ones have one thick on outside, and a thin one on the inside.

I took the thin one out, and used a thick one from the old ones. It is a little bigger. the nut has a ridage to seal against the gasket on the inside. This other gasket, when tightened goes outside that ridage and seals against the flat of the nut.

Looks like this will fix the prob, so far.

As for this being permanent, I am going to secure some suction cups to the background and leave it in three pieces so i can remove it later if needed.

The only thing i can not remove, is the RUGF plate.

And even then, i think the top of this tank is thick enough, and it is only 18x18, that i could enlarge one of the holes to get it out, without compromising the eurobracing at all. But i would only do that if i really needed to.

 

[Redoog]

Didnt work. trimmed gasket just a little tapered one inside edge really. let the ridge on the nut center the gasket. I also put some silicone on the threads.

That worked, but then anouther started leaking, so i drained again, and redid the other three the same way

 

[Redoog]

while i wait for silicone in bulkhead gaps to set up good, i coated the background some more

this is sunnydry waterproofer and some powdered tint, i have only black and a tan something. I gave everything a coat wihtout tint. then a coat of dark chocolate, then just the back and rock seams with black, then i started with the tan, and since i didnt use it all, i would add some black, and hit it here and there, let it dry, add some black, and touch around again.

I might give the back anouther coat of black, then touch up the sides with some color again. I noticed that if you go thin, you get some cracking along the edges with you mess with it, hence the need for some additional coats. even though i like the colors i have achieve at this point.

 

[Redoog]

Got most of the plumbing done, i have the drain left to do. ready to fill if no leaks after church.

Worst part??????

Cleaning the garage once i am done,, its getting cold, and i need to get the monster inside.

 

[Redoog]

still no leaks, but i forgot i have to get the background in before i put more water in. so i added some suction cups, 6 per piece. Got some made to hold xmas lights, they have a notch in them to hold the wire. I got some #6 bolts and nuts, the nut fits right in the notch. I trimed a little piece out for the bolt. Drill a small hole all the way through. Enlarged it on the back side, silicone and pushed the bolt into the hole from the backside. letting it set up good now. I also added 2 airstones and some airline. Once that stuff is firm, i have to add the pipes for the waterfall sandfall, and its airline.

 

[Redoog]

got everything plumbing wise done. All thats left is a pipe to the drain. Almost ready to test fit the background, and see if the suction cups will hold it in place. I kinda messed up, in a hurry, i should have coated it at least once more, debating if I should go ahead and do it. The color is perfect though now.

http://s137.photobucket.com/albums/q231/reddogracing/Fish/?albumview=grid

one shot is sandfall waterfall feature, from the back side, waiting for silicone to dry as we speak, then a tst fit

 

[bomber]

No more plumbing photos please . I can't wait to see you add fish. Your the first person I have seen building a background with s.foam. Looks incredible.

 

[poly-nomial]

No more plumbing photos please . I can't wait to see you add fish. Your the first person I have seen building a background with s.foam. Looks incredible.

Plumbing pics help me plan my future monster tank!!!!!!!!!!