[dave14]

Got myself a second hand tank 4'6" x 2 x 2 it was previously drilled through the back and the plan was to remove pipework and plate over the holes with pieces of glass, as the tank needs to be tight back against the wall, so pipes will need to go through bottom of tank.

Tank prior to cleaning


After giving the tank a good clean it was found to have scratches on the front glass which would annoy me, so i decided i would remove the back glass with the holes in and replace with new, this will then become the front. Easier said than done I started by removing all the exposed silicone inside the tank, then from the centre of the brace bar cut through the silicone and pushed some small wedges in between which bowed the glass slightly, this allowed me to get some thinish wire in and using a sawing action gradually worked along and down the sides, then used a thin blade along the bottom edge.



About 3 hours later



After a further 2 hours to clean off all the old silicone the new glass was ready to go on.
All edges cleaned with meths to make sure fully clean.

[ben]

nice work m8. i think youve done the right thing changing the glass. when you drill the holes in the base make sure they are about 3" in from the back, so they dont foul the tank stand underneath, and so the weir isnt under the back brace too much.

[SLAPPY]

Well done Dave, me, I don't have the patience to do that.

I would of just bit the bullet and got a new tank.

[dave14]

New glass fitted



Frame clamps fitted to keep everything tight and square, also removed centre brace bar, this will be refitted once centre weir has been constructed.




This was done 2 weeks ago, hopefully will get the weir done this weekend and the following week water test it

After speaking to Jason have decided not to have a centre weir and will now have a mini weir on right hand side,with 2 x 32mm outlets.

So today I have drilled my first holes in glass

First fixed a small plywood template to the tank as a guide, which was removed once the cutter marked the glass


15 mins later


Also made progress on the stand

Surround for base of tank


Stand, mainly 3x2 except legs wich are 4x2

[Social D]

Good progress Dave bet you can't wait to fill it up, Often the most exciting time

[dave14]

SPS Nut, on Apr 12 2008, 10:52 PM, said:

Good progress Dave bet you can't wait to fill it up, Often the most exciting time

Thanks Tim, I think it'll be about end of May by the time everythings ready

[ben]

ive got a patent pending on that stand design dave, you can put the cheque in the post m8

drilling the side was he best way. i wouldnt have mine through the base unless i had too. and with yours only a single base it would have been a lot weaker.

[dave14]

ben, on Apr 13 2008, 08:46 AM, said:

ive got a patent pending on that stand design dave, you can put the cheque in the post m8

All my own work I used to be a chippy before getting a proper job

ben, on Apr 13 2008, 08:46 AM, said:

drilling the side was he best way. i wouldnt have mine through the base unless i had too. and with yours only a single base it would have been a lot weaker.

Yeah like you say having three holes fairly close together through a single base is a bit risky

[dave14]

Managed to get home from work early today and finished off the cabinet

[SLAPPY]

The finish looks very nice, are they B&Q doors?

[dave14]

slappy, on Apr 30 2008, 03:53 PM, said:

The finish looks very nice, are they B&Q doors?

Yes Tony,
"Maple modern style" I used tall appliance doors for the 2 end panels and standard doors on the front, then used the pelmet for the tank surround and the bottom plinth.
Total cost £58

[Tony B]

So far so good the stand looks very nice

[SLAPPY]

dave14, on Apr 30 2008, 04:35 PM, said:

Yes Tony,
"Maple modern style" I used tall appliance doors for the 2 end panels and standard doors on the front, then used the pelmet for the tank surround and the bottom plinth.
Total cost £58

I thought I recognise them as that's the doors I have in my kitchen. I like the new gloss black range and was thinking of using them on my new tank.

[dave14]

Finished off the inside of the cabinet now, lined it out in white pvc board so it will be easy to mop up any spills.
Fitted plug sockets to both ends giving me a total of 14, hoping thats enough.

Should be ready to swap tanks over by the end of this month

[ben]

nice work dave. the stand looks great. and yeh that should be enough plugs,lol

[dave14]

Have now made the Acrylic pendant for the lumenarcs




Build thread Here
http://www.internati...?showtopic=2880

[dave14]

Finally got the new tank up and running

Big thanks to Lyndsay and Jason for letting me have some water from their system

[ben]

looking very nice dave. good open water swimming space

[SLAPPY]

Agree with Ben, looking very good Dave.

[dave14]

Thanks I just need to get used to these 10k's bit of a shock from 14's