70 Gal. AIO Build (come see)

[Peppie]

I have not seen many semi-large AIO tanks since I have been doing research in the past year. Since I have built 2 20 gal AIO I thought I should do it again.
I got started by cutting some teeth for the filter area. I used the table saw with a laminate blade. I stacked all the dividers together and taped them between two pieces of wood, this will prevent any blow outs. The bad part of this cutting method id the blade will burn thru the wood and it fills the shop with smoke.
With the cutting done I started glueing, I used Weld-On #3. I found that I could clamp one of the edge piece to the face of a divider and run a bead of glue down the inside edge and it would dry enough in about 2 min to remove the clamps and then move on to glue the other divider to the edge strips.

My pics got out of order. The first one shows the media chamber stacking up. Notice the 6lbs clamp.
I got the complete skimmer/media/fuge compartment done today the glue is drying I'll post more pics tomorrow along with the tank it will be going in.

 

[ReefLogic]

Looking forward to seeing this build. I have always like the AIO concept.

 

[Peppie]

I am sure you will enjoy this build. I like to think outside of the box. If I am going to take the time I'm going to make it mine. LOL stay tuned.

 

[ReefLogic]

love the philosophy

 

[Peppie]

A little more background on the tank as the title says it actually be 73 gal with about 15 gal of filter area. The back 4 3/4'' of the the tank will house the filter. I first divided it into your typical skimmer/media/fuge/return. Once I drew it out to full scale I found out that alot of the 22'' height of the filter area was wasted. I also didnt want to run one of my return lines from one end of the tank to the other by passing thru all the other chambers. I had seen an AIO (Red Sea) that had 2 returns, one on the left side and one on the right. Since I am going to run 2 pumps for my return I knew this was the way to go. Now I will be able to get a better flow pattern out of the two pumps.

 

[ReefLogic]

very interesting. Please do post a lot of pic's along the way.

 

[Peppie]

I'll have more tomorrow. I will get the tank out of the garage and into the shop were I can mock up the inside so you will have a better understanding.

 

[ReefLogic]

can't wait....then you can head over to my house to help me get an idea of what to do for my next tank. I really am going to need to build it myself.

 

[Peppie]

i would really enjoy that. Are you going to go acrylic or glass? I've had really good luck with acrylic. I have all the tools to work the acrylic. No experience at all in glass. I would need to do some research.

 

[ReefLogic]

I would like to go acrylic. I have had a mix of both glass and acrylic and what seems to make the most difference to me is how hard it is to move. I do like the ability to use a razor or scrapper on glass but it isn't that important to me. They have plastic one's for acrylic that work just fine. My current tank is acrylic and I love it. Previous tank was glass as was the one before that. But the one before that one....which was my wife's favorite tank was acrylic. Now I think she really likes this one we are in.

Just an FYI I would like my new tank to be either 6x4x30in tall or 8x5x30....can you do that?

 

[Peppie]

I have never built a tank that big. But there is a first time for every thing. I am willing to give it a shot. The most important thing in gluing acrylic is to make sure your edges are smooth and dead square to the face. Ive got the tools to make that happen. With a tank that size you may want to consider a plywood bow with veiwing panles. Just a tought. I couldnt guess what the cost differance would be.
I'm headed to the shop. I'll post some pic around game time. GOOOOO HAWKS!!!!!

 

[Krish]

Don't you mean go Bears???. Looks like it will be a nice build! Looking forward to seeing an all in one this size

 

[Peppie]

GOOOOO HAWKS
Ok Ive got pics of the tank I built about a year ago. I know some of you will just roll your eyes and say why did he do that. Mostly cause I only had so much acrylic to work with, and as much as I try to plan things out, sometimes you have to improvise.
The tank is 36" x 24" x 22'' tall. I used 1/2'' acrylic on all sides and 3/8'' on the bottom.
<a href="http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac86/peppie53/New%20Tank/?action=view&current=110_2146.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac86/peppie53/New%20Tank/110_2146.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
As you can see I still have to trim the bottom flush with the sides.
<a href="http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac86/peppie53/New%20Tank/?action=view&current=110_2140.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac86/peppie53/New%20Tank/110_2140.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
When I did my leak test I found one near the bottom back corner. So I cut a bunch of 1/2'' square strips of black acrylic and glued them to all corners except the two front corners. That did the trick. I think it will help the structure also.
<a href="http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac86/peppie53/New%20Tank/?action=view&current=110_2141.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac86/peppie53/New%20Tank/110_2141.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
This is how I had to brace the top. (eyes rolling) I glued a 2'' strip around the top edge and then glued in the corners. Also glued in a center brace. Anybody have any doubts about this hold together?
<a href="http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac86/peppie53/New%20Tank/?action=view&current=110_2132.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac86/peppie53/New%20Tank/110_2132.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
This is the filter chamber all glued up.
After I got the tank in the shop and unpacked I seen a huge mistake already. Anybody else see were I'm headed?

 

[Peppie]

I placed the filter bow in place and brought it up to the aprox. height with the 4x4s so you could see were I am going with this. There will be a Sheet of black acrylic glued to the face of the filter chamber. The returns on the far left and far right will be conected in the space under the filter chamber. Anybody see my poor planning yet?
<a href="http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac86/peppie53/New%20Tank/?action=view&current=110_2149.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac86/peppie53/New%20Tank/110_2149.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Maybe this pic will help
<a href="http://s888.photobucket.com/albums/ac86/peppie53/New%20Tank/?action=view&current=110_2147.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac86/peppie53/New%20Tank/110_2147.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
So now I have to drop back and punt. The skimmer wont fit in there with that brace in the way. So do ya think with the brace cut out at that portion of the back will cause the tank to fail? Should I risk it? Remember the back wall will have the filter box glued to it and I have a 2'' strip glued around the top. I do have a plan B. But two heads are better than one. Anybody?

 

[ReefLogic]

this looks to be an awesome build....I just can't say it enough. Were you serious about helping me with my next tank? If so that would be awesome as well....

PS....Da Bears.

 

[Peppie]

The amount of work I am able to help you with will depend on were you live. If you are close to Bonney Lake I will be able to help quite alot. I love to build things from the ground and see them look good and work as planned.
Were are you located?

 

[ReefLogic]

probably quite far away....97008

 

[Peppie]

Yea, sorry that is waaaayyyyy to far to put in a couple hours a day. I hope you can get the build up and building. There must be someone near you that is willing to give you a hand. There WILL BE some heavy lifting involved.
Any thoughts on my brace problem?

 

[ReefLogic]

unfortunately I can't see the images from my work computer.....I have to use my phone to check the threads when images are posted. Give me a few and I will check it out.

 

[ReefLogic]

Hey....so the tank might be a bit much....but you could do a sump couldn't you? I need a different sump...and could use a better skimmer....ever built one of those?