an idea for a grow out tank

mogulski · #1 05/14/2006, 07:49 PM

i have an idea for a 20 gal grow out/frag tank in my fish room/office. i was thinking of putting a spare 20 gal that i have on a dresser that i'm using and supplying it with a mak 4. i would draw water from the sump up to the grow out/frag tank then back to the sump. the only thing i'm thinking is perhaps the return side would have to be drilled without getting involved with an HOB overflow. or thinking further, if i drill it once might as well drill it twice and make two internal overflows on opposite sides of the tank, so the water supplies and returns via bulkheads for better circulation
I would prolly light it with a 20 or 15K PC

what do you guys think?

fishfarmer · #2 05/15/2006, 06:34 AM

It sounds like it would be a nice little setup. I would definately try and drill at least a return hole.

mogulski · #3 05/15/2006, 09:07 AM

you had said that that guy in shelberne ( green mountain aquariums or something like that) could drill a tank. how much does he get?
anyone else have a bit that can drill through the botton plate of tempered glass of a tank?

poppin_fresh · #4 05/15/2006, 12:20 PM

you cant drill tempered glass. It has to be drilled before tempering.

mogulski · #5 05/15/2006, 12:52 PM

really. i didn't know that. one can however drill through the lower side of a tank, correct?

NYBen · #6 05/15/2006, 01:03 PM

I may be wrong, but i'm about 90% sure I read somewhere that 10 and 20 gal tanks wern't tempered on the bottom. You could probably shoot an email off to the manufactuer and they could verify that though. If that's the case you could drill it yourself with either a diamond tip hole saw or if you have a dremmel, you can buy the diamond tip dremmel set at Wallmart for like $5.47 (2 piece set). I actually have some you could borrow if need be. I drilled my 10 just for practice and it went really well. The key is to go slow.

tsalter · #7 05/15/2006, 05:16 PM

You could make a cheap 1/4" plexi tank. instead of messing with drilling glass. you could also make it to your dimensions so it could be 6" tall or whatever.

TOm

mogulski · #8 05/15/2006, 05:51 PM

1/4" plexi glass and silicone the sides together?
i've never seen that.
it would be nice to search around here but it's always busy. ARGH!

tsalter · #9 05/15/2006, 06:01 PM

no silicone,

you glue it together with solvent cement it bonds the plexi to plexi.

tom

mogulski · #10 05/15/2006, 06:10 PM

so it works like pvc glue?
i see that home depot carries a "silicone like" product available in 10 oz caulking gun style tubes that is for adhering plexi to plexi.
thanks Tom. i'll do some research about tanks made of plexi.
i honestly dont know anything about it.

-Jonathan

tsalter · #11 05/15/2006, 06:15 PM

its no biggie. I have the glue it is called weld on. it is nasty stuff. clear thin works by capillary action. you use a syringe type glue bottle to apply it. it soaks into the joint.

It would be pretty easy to do. If you wanted to do it right you could buy cast acrylic. or just use the acrylite ff. which is extruded but works okay. would cost a little more than a 20 gal glass but would give you unlimited option on size.

MAK 4? u crazy

fishfarmer · #12 05/15/2006, 07:12 PM

I think I had Gerry at Green Mt Aquariums drill the holes for $25, but that was a few years ago.

I think you should try the acrylic route or drill yourself. If you goof I could come up with a spare 38 gal or 20 gal if the frags are right.

mogulski · #13 05/15/2006, 07:17 PM

mak 4 is just what i have laying around. i would have to throttle it down somewhat.
i'll look into the plexi design

poppin_fresh · #14 05/15/2006, 08:01 PM

Hehe... I was thinking the same about the Mak! That would be some serious turnover in a 20.

poppin_fresh · #15 05/15/2006, 08:17 PM

Hey Tom, whats with you guys from Milton and Chuck Norris? Heres a thread with a guy from Milton, WI and his signature has a Chuck saying as well. http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=844346

P.S. Sorry for the hijack, I found it quite funny and needing mentioning.