My 185gal build in progress (lots of pics)

mellowvision said:
if you won't be able to access the return after setup, maybe you should consider installing a return bypass that is accessable, so you can use a hose in an emergency, if it leaks
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That's a good idea. I'm still chewing on what to do. I will be able to reach into the tank and plug the returns from the inside, which is nice, and then run a hose up the front.... My plumbing is pretty solid, it's just the threaded joints that worry me - I work with hydraulics a lot, and I'm used to 1500-5000psi, so when I can thread/unthread my fittings by hand it frightens me, even though the only see like 1psi max.
 
cvermeulen said:
Good news! glass is coming on tuesday. (I hope that means tomorrow... I never did verify with the guy that he wasn't referring to NEXT tuesday... but anyway... I did more mucking around with the sump tonight, but since it's all black, my pumps are black, and my bioballs are black... none of my pictures show anything but a big black blob :p
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OK so anyways you guys probably already figured out he meant NEXT tuesday... so my glass will get here on tuesday, and I'll do my first test fill next weekend if all goes well. :headbang2:

Anyways... another slow progress update... things always seem to grind to a halt when you get near the finishing stages... doesn't matter what project it is. I've had a few beersss in the interest of getting a good sleep, and I managed to inhale a whole lot of polyester fumes when gelcoating the top of the stand, so forgive me if my explanations are brief and/or don't make sense.

Urethaned light fixture (starting to hate both stain and urethane... I think I just hate finishing work...)
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My sump is almost ready... I think I'm going to do another coat of epoxy with all the dividers tacked in place, and then silicone them around the edges to fill the gaps... my epoxy has deomstrated a marked aversion to silicone for some reason, so I'd rather do epoxy THEN silicone:

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Masked around the top of the stand:

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Chiseled out a bit of 2x4 to make sure my return hose would fit through my cutout:

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Gelcoated the top of the stand:

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I also did a bit of work on my Fiberglass background tonight, so I should probably update that thread... here's one of the caves with a bit of paint, under the tank lighting:

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Oh and I installed one of my work-in-progress diy fiberglass door panels in my car, if you're wondering why I didn't get more done :p

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but that's a seperate discussion thread... on a seperate forum :p
 
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Great!
 
how much do you think ths projest hasa costed you so far? But it looks great by the way. I looked at your fg bg thread and it is amazing!!!
 
Cost? Dare you ask cost! LOL. You know very well that extreme DIY'ers dont calculate cost beyond the initial estimate. If we added it up as we went, we'd all be in therapy. Nope, once the project begins....the blindfold must go on in the best interest of completion.
 
hatcheridiot said:
Cost? Dare you ask cost! LOL. You know very well that extreme DIY'ers dont calculate cost beyond the initial estimate. If we added it up as we went, we'd all be in therapy. Nope, once the project begins....the blindfold must go on in the best interest of completion.
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LOL. This man knows what he's talking about. They know my name at Home Depot by now man...

For lumber, about $200. Glass will be $200, with a reaaallly good hookup. You might be able to get much cheaper if you found a bargain on used building supplies or something... mine is 15mm x 12.5 square feet at 15 bucks a square foot.

Epoxy: Free - if I bought it, probly $100 at least.

Screws and glue - at least another $50.

If you start considering things like... brushes, rags, stain, urethane, sandpaper, body filler, resin, glass fiber, FITTINGS, pipe, pumps, heaters, filter media, lights, wires, connectors, silicone... the list goes on and on. It will probably be $1500 by the time it's running... which is still a pretty decent deal for a fully furnished, custom 200 gallon tank... but of course my initial estimate included wood and glass. :p nothing else.

On the update side of things, I'm going to pick up my glass today :headbang2:.
 
Right on!!! Can't wait to see it. Hope it's flawless! Good luck
 
Same here I , think that it's going to be beautful, can't wait to see the fish in it!!!! GOOD LUCK
 
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