“Ina’s Reef” Acrylic 150gal(60”x24”x24”) Work in Progress, Guidance Needed. !!!

[CarlaW]

I only have enough Charlie in fact it looks like I have encroached a lot of space from our dining area that the wife is beginning to notice being cramp up while eating.I just told her she ate to much! :lol: :lol: :lol:
This is one of a few challenges!!

So then are you saying that checkvalve arent really necessary and they are more of a liability in the long run.?I have a 55 gal AGA tank for my sump and this will be full of equipment I'm sure. I need to avoid flooding in the house considering the size of our flat and the volume of water in that tank

Joey

I think that with a 55 gallon sump, you should have more than enuf room for the excess water during a power outtage. I just don't like check valves!!! I would take Ken's advice tho and go with the unions and ball valves. They are a necessity!!!

 

[Scooterman]

Hey skip, I have some buckshot, we can make all the holes in one shot I figure, save you some time LOL!

 

[CarlaW]

Hey skip, I have some buckshot, we can make all the holes in one shot I figure, save you some time LOL!

I'm not sure, but, I don't think that's the kind of feedback he's lookin for. Plus you'd have to get awful close to the tank because of the pattern, wouldn't you??

 

[Krish]

Joey, it's really looking good. I wish I could start over and go Acrylic so I can do the same thing, but it's too much of a risk to ship it to the Bahamas and the price would kill you time as it got here. I thought about having one built, but I don't trust very many people (even the glass, plastic and acrylic companies here) building something with that magnitude. So, i'll stick to my glass tank and enjoy yours and others on RF. Good luck and don't slip with those power tools!!

 

[Skipper J]

Hey skip, I have some buckshot, we can make all the holes in one shot I figure, save you some time LOL!

Hey Scoot!That's a good idea its one way to accelerate the progress of this tank

I think that with a 55 gallon sump, you should have more than enuf room for the excess water during a power outtage. I just don't like check valves!!! I would take Ken's advice tho and go with the unions and ball valves. They are a necessity!!!!

Ok! Charlie I'm a bit slow but I think I'm getting the idea of that extra space in the sump for dumping the water volume above that drain pipe.I just thought there is more to it.I'm buying the ball valves and union locally so it was not include in the test layout.

Joey, it's really looking good. I wish I could start over and go Acrylic so I can do the same thing, but it's too much of a risk to ship it to the Bahamas and the price would kill you time as it got here. I thought about having one built, but I don't trust very many people (even the glass, plastic and acrylic companies here) building something with that magnitude. So, i'll stick to my glass tank and enjoy yours and others on RF. Good luck and don't slip with those power tools!!!!!!

Understand what you mean Krish.I had a bit of struggle myself on deciding to get AGA and Acrylic.And when I found a maker who could make me one at 60% off the price I just have to try!The things you can do with acrylic tank is way too exciting to pass up.See you around!

Joey

 

[Skipper J]

Here a bit of an update on the drilling status.Yesterday I bought some circular saw and tested it with a plastic sheet. Fitted the BH's and guess what the saw for 3/4 BH was way to loose for comfort so I'll be going back again in the afternoon to buy another one that's tighter.I charged this thing to experience. What went wrong was when I fitted the CS with the outer thread of the BH it should have the center diameter.This way you give allowance for the saw bites. If available I'll also try fitting it with the ID I might get a tighter fit. For the bigger BH the excess hole size was acceptable, though I prefer it to be tighter.

For first time users:
1. Lessons learn when drilling is that you need to try the CS to an extra acrylic sheet you have at home. This way you get the fill of the saw cutting that acrylic and you'll know what to expect when drilling your tank.
2. After drilling a hole you get to fit your bulkhead and assess the size created if it is acceptable. Remember you will only be doing this once and will be using your tank for a long time.A good fit will let you sleep sound at night.
3. Again always remind yourself to be patient what makes the hobby challenging is the hitches and glitches of DIY work.
Here are a few pic notice that the 3/4 BH had a way too big CS.

 

[Skipper J]

Here's the practice hole I made.Remember to fit your BH on this hole this will give you confidence mounting the BH to you tank. I can't imagine if I haven't done this and drilled a hole directly in my tank.

They look like hidden Mikey to me! :lol: :lol: :lol:

This is pretty basic stuff but for beginners like me this helps.

 

[Kensn]

Joey it may be difficult to find the exact size hole saw for those. If you are concerned about the loose fit, drill smaller and use a dremel type tool to enlarge, but that size looks like it would work to me.

 

[Wayupnorth]

Joey good for you doing this. I am considering going with just Tunzes for the flow in my tank as I am so nervous of drilling it. I like your idea of getting a piece of acrylic to practice on though - maybe I will see if I can get my hands on a piece tomorrow and give it a try.

Ruth

 

[Skipper J]

Hi Ruth!Yeah I have read the thread I was about to send my comment when the server went down. For me the reason of going for an acrylic tank is to be able to used Scotts shotgun and bore a lot of holes on it! :lol: :lol: :lol: If I remember right you have all the fittings with you and just finding someone to drill it. All the pumps are also ready.You know I even envy your design coz there was so much plumbing looking like an Octopus ! Buy the circular saw and do it yourself.Just watch out for a little kick when the CS reaches the acrylic but after that smooth.At least when I did the try with the sample sheet. I got different set of CS today and I just check out the thread for any comments before the actual tank drilling.Where did you get your plumbing? If got it from Marine Depot then it would be the same as mine and I could somehow help find the CS size.

Ken that is a good advice!This afternoon I got CS which are a little tight luckily I have dremel tools so I'll use it to fit the hole with the BH's per your advice.Thanks!

Got to go drill tank now.I'll let you know when I mess it up.

Joey

 

[Wayupnorth]

It's the idea of having to drill 10 holes that really has me spooked Joey. That's 10 chances to mess up and I can usually do it in 3 tops!

Ruth

 

[Scooterman]

If you take your time drilling 10 holes isn't that difficult at all, the idea is getting good circulation throughout the entire tank. I used the Stream pumps they work nice but I also had a CL, The flow they make complements a CL by making the flow patterns more Random, but CL adds that extra oomph needed in the first place to get the water moving, two completely different water movements are occurring when using both together. This CL could be used with a motorized ball valve to get more motion also, even so I still like the incorporation of the Tunze, just not as many is needed now. JMO

 

[Skipper J]

Ruth!There nothing to it!Have you ever use a drill before?I have already drilled 8 for now and I have mess up 8.That's 8 for 8 how do you like the odds 100% :lol: :lol: :lol: I'll post the pics tomorrow and share the experience. I still need to drill the drain for my CL so more drills to mess up excluding the mess I'm creating in the house!

Give it a try Ruth just be safe.

Joey

 

[Kensn]

Drill slow speed, and not a lot of pressure.Drilling too fast will cause the acrylic to melt, and you don't want that. Let the bit do the work, and clean the teeth often from any acrylic during each hole. A spray bottle of water can be used to "lubricate" the hole saw teeth as you drill also.

 

[Skipper J]

Hi Ken!Very good tip!The Dremel works like a charm in exacting the hole.I'm done with the 8 inputs I hesitated to drill the 2 outputs for a while coz I was trying some other position as high as possible.I'm taking lots of pics for other novice to learn from.I'll keep you posted.Thanks!
Joey

 

[Wayupnorth]

Oh man I am still going back and forth. Joey you make it sound easy and Scooty thanks for that. Yes I already have the sequence barracuda and the Ocean Motions 4 way for the closed loop as well as the bulkheads - still need the PVC pipe and ball valves but I can pick them up from a local plumbing supply store. I might try it this weekend on a piece of scrap acrylic and see how it goes. It's going to be a very sad weekend for me as I have to have one of my horses put down as he has navicular disease that is just too far advanced to fix anymore. If I crack my tank boy that will just add to it so maybe I better just see how I make out on the test piece.

 

[Kensn]

Just take your time, set drill speed slow, let the bit do its work, don't press hard, lift bit out of hole often and make sure it is clean and blow off shavings often. Don't be scared, gat a scrap piece and see what a piece of cake it is. Drill a few for practice, you'll say, "What the heck was I so scared of".

 

[Skipper J]

Oh! Ruth Sorry to hear about your horse Truly a sad day that will be.
I doubt if you can crack your tank by drilling you would worry more on scratching it. Just don't forget to do a circular motion with the drill to loosen up the hole. Watch out for that jerk when the saw hits the acrylic and don't forget to wait for the drill to stop before you pull it out from the hole.This sometimes hits the edges and mess it up.Like Ken said if your can get hold of a Dremel use the drum sander to smoothen the edges.

Joey

 

[Skipper J]

Here are the new CS that I got.They are a few mm smaller thanthe first ones so I needed to use the dremel to widen the hole.I do this by constantly fitting the BH every few minutes of sanding.This way I get the desired fitting,IMO it doesn't have to be that tight to easily adjust the Tee's later on but not too loose that it might cause sagging in your plumbing.Included also is drilling my first tank hole.

 

[Skipper J]

Ok!The first pic is an acrylic inside the CS after drilling.Be cautious with this coz this will be hot.And to remove it you have to disassemble the whole CS assembly and push it with a screwdriver or whatever is available.The rest of the pics are testing the bulkhead looking for anything your can improve when you do the other side. And of course don't forget to take photos so you can share your progress with us With all the right tools this can be done in just a few minutes.

Joey