17x20 AIO frag tank input

[Ambrosio Aquatics]

hey MASC im building a few frag tanks and getting input on how to do the AIO filter portion. do you guys prefer this style with the open corner? http://www.ebay.com/itm/All-In-One-Frag-Acrylic-Frag-Tank-Aquarium-/281553328005

or this style with a full wall http://www.ocreef.com/images/big/Acrylic-Coral-Frag-Tank-20-Inch.jpg

 

[amonchak]

I like the full wall. less dead spots in the main tank and more room for the filter portion for reactors or other accessories.

 

[Ambrosio Aquatics]

Only 1 person has an opinion on this :numbness::numbness::numbness: come on people. . Help me out here!

 

[CRW Reef]

I would agree with Adam I like the full wall as well. Hides the heater and other equipment.

 

[Rigo07]

I agree to to full wall

 

[asn-naso]

I see benefits to both. If you don't do a full wall, you can tuck a power-head in the corner, and utilize additional real estate.

 

[deboy69]

Full wall is what I would buy over the corner

 

[Miah2bzy]

Full wall or drilled for a sump

 

[rplank]

full wall.

 

[Ambrosio Aquatics]

now we are getting somewhere sounds like full wall is the front runner

 

[Dr.DiSilicate]

Full wall for sure! Or just drilled to add into existing system or use a sump. But defensively full wall for the AOI

 

[Ambrosio Aquatics]

 

[Ambrosio Aquatics]

 

[cpt13]

so for a cleaner bond area I would recommend aluminum duck tape, when your using a solvent acrylic weld product it can react with the electrical tapes adhesive side and leave nasty melt/scorch marks where your tape is placed, also a spacer gap would be desirable when bonding to allow both surfaces of the acrylic to have a consistent reaction to the solvent. just enough solvent to vent into and fill the gap and after about 30 seconds pull the spacers(staples work well or smaller paperclips) and allow the joint faces to compress. this technique will usually provide a desirable void free extremely strong bond joint. bond all walls first then bottoms and tops, you may find it difficult align and adequately bond sections that require multiple bond faces. dry fit it all first then approach one bond at a time and allow time for bond to 50% harden before working next bond joint. good luck with your build.

 

[Ambrosio Aquatics]

thanks, ive built several tanks,never tried staples or aluminum tape. good ideas thanks.

so for a cleaner bond area I would recommend aluminum duck tape, when your using a solvent acrylic weld product it can react with the electrical tapes adhesive side and leave nasty melt/scorch marks where your tape is placed, also a spacer gap would be desirable when bonding to allow both surfaces of the acrylic to have a consistent reaction to the solvent. just enough solvent to vent into and fill the gap and after about 30 seconds pull the spacers(staples work well or smaller paperclips) and allow the joint faces to compress. this technique will usually provide a desirable void free extremely strong bond joint. bond all walls first then bottoms and tops, you may find it difficult align and adequately bond sections that require multiple bond faces. dry fit it all first then approach one bond at a time and allow time for bond to 50% harden before working next bond joint. good luck with your build.

 

[Oceanbear1]

So while I think the partial wall looks cool, I feel like it would just be waisted space, so I have to also say the full wall

 

[Munch]

Do some with external overflow boxes

 

[Ambrosio Aquatics]

 

[Ambrosio Aquatics]

just need to decide on the AIO portion, than sand and polish the edges

 

[cpt13]

Nice, water tested yet?