07FocusST
Well-known member
Here is the latest.
180G Tank Hydro Static Test
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07FocusST
Well-known member
Noted Problems:
1. Tank is made of 3/8" Acrylic and is about 10 years old
2. Front Panel Bowed about 1/4" outwards
3. Top of tank Bowed inwards 1/2" due to front panel bowing outwards.
4. Couple fittings have small drips.
5. Pumps are really loud
6. Overflows are too damn high causing me to regulate Return Pump Outlet.
1. Tank is made of 3/8" Acrylic and is about 10 years old
2. Front Panel Bowed about 1/4" outwards
3. Top of tank Bowed inwards 1/2" due to front panel bowing outwards.
4. Couple fittings have small drips.
5. Pumps are really loud
6. Overflows are too damn high causing me to regulate Return Pump Outlet.
Clean looking install. If you are draining the tank I would say that the closed loop needs more shutoff valves. You have disconnects but what happens when the pump is pulled? I think I see a shutoff on the back side but you are going to spill some water. Someone with experience should answer, but can you double the top or add braces to limit deflection?
Krish
RF STAFF
So what's the next plan of action?? I had a quote done up on a nano tank and the guy who was going to build it who's company builds all of my sumps etc said he would use 1/2 acrylic on a tank only 24x15x12 which made me think of your tank. Are you worried about the bowing??
07FocusST
Well-known member
Yea the bowing has got me pretty worried. Mojo suggested that I build a frame for the top and bottom seams made of angle iron to place on top and bottom to hold the seamsn together just in case. I was reading around on other sites and I have seen people use foam insulation under a tank to allow some bowing of the bottom panel which would result in less bowing of other panels. Worth a shot. I have put too much money into this to back out. Also I dont have $1500 for a new tank either.
Krish
RF STAFF
Yea, I can imagine. Well, give it a shot. At this point I'd say you have to try something just to be on the safe side. Wouldn't hurt.
07FocusST
Well-known member
Well.... actually I am talking to the wife about using some of our tax returns to buy a **NEW** R/R TruVu 180G. I am trying to convince her that I have already spent a ton of money already and it would be stupid to back out and sell everythingl
Krish
RF STAFF
07FocusST
Well-known member
Well all I can say is that she isn't too happy about it.
Krish
RF STAFF
LOL!! They usually never are unless they have the same interests as you. Everything I'm interested in as a hobby, my wife could care less about so I get the same crap. Let me talk about remodeling the house which she likes and which costs thousands more to do then all of a sudden there is no problem.
07FocusST
Well-known member
I got another 180 if interested.
thatguy559
Well-known member
man that sucks!!! im having jason build me my new project for an awesome price
Jason is doing some really neat things with his tanks. Where the truvu is dual overflow you can ask for the full external coast to coast from Jason. Better flow and less in the tank! I think he has a few tricks for a closed loop too.
I figure my current tanks are just learning experiences to figure out the whole salt thing. In a few years I hope to be knocking on Jason's door myself.
07FocusST
Well-known member
wish i had some $$$$ to spend for a custom tank. On the bright side my Reef Optix II's & Lumatek Ballasts arrived today, Finally!
Airphotog
Love my Nikon
I just called Truvu and the new 180Ls are 1/2" front and back 3/8" top and sides and 1/4" bottom and they have them on sale for (clear back) $1,099.99.
07FocusST
Well-known member
I assume you mean Gallons not Liters. I have seen their prices but I dont have that kind of money to spend.
So today I called TruVu and explained the situation to them. According to TruVu my tank is fine with the amount of bowing that it has.
I also noticed that while the tank is empty there is a slight bow to it. About 1/4" of the top bowing inwards and about 1/4" of the front lower panel bowing outwards 1/4". So this baiscally means that the tank is expanding 1/4" outwards from the front and a 1/4" inwards from the top. Not to bad for being 10+ years old and holding water for that long.
I read that as long as there is no crazing then it should be ok. All my joints/seams are crystal clear.
So after all of this I grew a pair of boys placed a piece of PVC as a pillar inside the tank holding the center bridge of the top panel level as can be. It seems to be working pretty good and has less front panel bowing. I re-filled the tank to about 75% capacity (only 75% because I am re siliconing one on the bulkheads from the inside) and running the closed loop pump for an optest for the night. If all is well then I will fill it to normal capacity and add the return pump along with the closed loop pump.
A quick thought.... Does the water temperature affect the way the acrylic is sitting? I know the water temp in the tank is around 40F or so. I wonder if that is having a negative impact on the tank causing more or less bowing? Anyone have a clue.
I will try to attach a YouTube video I took today of the tank running w/o a return pump.
Sorry for the crappy quality and dont mind my ugly mug!
So today I called TruVu and explained the situation to them. According to TruVu my tank is fine with the amount of bowing that it has.
I also noticed that while the tank is empty there is a slight bow to it. About 1/4" of the top bowing inwards and about 1/4" of the front lower panel bowing outwards 1/4". So this baiscally means that the tank is expanding 1/4" outwards from the front and a 1/4" inwards from the top. Not to bad for being 10+ years old and holding water for that long.
I read that as long as there is no crazing then it should be ok. All my joints/seams are crystal clear.
So after all of this I grew a pair of boys placed a piece of PVC as a pillar inside the tank holding the center bridge of the top panel level as can be. It seems to be working pretty good and has less front panel bowing. I re-filled the tank to about 75% capacity (only 75% because I am re siliconing one on the bulkheads from the inside) and running the closed loop pump for an optest for the night. If all is well then I will fill it to normal capacity and add the return pump along with the closed loop pump.
A quick thought.... Does the water temperature affect the way the acrylic is sitting? I know the water temp in the tank is around 40F or so. I wonder if that is having a negative impact on the tank causing more or less bowing? Anyone have a clue.
I will try to attach a YouTube video I took today of the tank running w/o a return pump.
Sorry for the crappy quality and dont mind my ugly mug!
If you can get the external coast to coast or a box that Jason mods go for it. You have all the good things about the coast to coast (flowrate!) and none on the furniture in the tank.
What is worrying is that 10 years ago this was the minimium specifications for a tank of this size. Basically done this way to beat any compitition for lower end tanks. With it being that thin (3/8ths) is pushing the boundries and will bow alot no matter what. What compounds this is that it has been sitting with water in it and halides avoer it for tens year. So the tank has definately settled into a shape/form. Now it get emptied, moved and reset on a different stand that I am sure is not exactly the same as it was for the first 10years of its life. So the stress angles have now all changed. Not such a big deal for a custom tank, but for a minimium spec tank made of 3/8ths would have me worried, then add to that the vibrations from a large pump and then alot more water movement (excerting pressure on the joints) and it looks a little scary.
Its your choice of course but I would think it a roll of the dice
Mojo
Its your choice of course but I would think it a roll of the dice
Mojo
07FocusST
Well-known member
I'm willing to play ball... keep me informed of the other thing mojo
