Frag tank frenzy!

[Haulin Oates]

So I got a nice 2'x2 frag tank (thanks Boogie!) and got the ok from the pants wearer to put it up (in the basement...) so I got it home and started to clean it, then I decided I really dont like the wood grain look, so...

Now I gotta euro brace it, then it's getting a nice rattle can overhaul!!

 

[Haulin Oates]

Oh yeah, my question; can I use acrylic to euro brace on a glass tank, or do I need to use glass?

 

[tlsrcs]

i would use glass. as Acrylic to glass with sillycone is not a great bond....not nearly as strong is glass on glass

 

[Haulin Oates]

Then do I just use silicone to adhere, or superglue?

 

[Walter White]

The tank looks like glass so you would use a reef safe silicone with glass braces. Toledo glass in boulder has good prices for cutting the strips but im sure there are many other glass suppliers who can cut what you need.

 

[Haulin Oates]

So glass is getting cut (I knew knowing an owner of a glass shop would come in handy sooner or later!) meanwhile... Should I paint all 4 sides (do its a top down view only) or just 3?

 

[Walter White]

Just curious but why paint any of them? Also I wouldn't paint the side I would use black vinyl or what ever color you like because it looks the same as painted if done correctly and comes off much easier than scraping pain should you ever decide to change it.

 

[SAZAMA]

paint back wall and let coraline cover the sides

 

[Haulin Oates]

Well, I agree that the paint is more permanent, but I really don't like the vinyl look, or dealing with it. But I've just got another idea where I build the stand around the tank so that it's not permanent and can paint the stand inside and out and that way changing the color or view of the tank would only involve modifications to the stand.

 

[tlsrcs]

I like that idea!

 

[Haulin Oates]

Also, I built a chalk board into our kitchen wall using chalkboard paint, I was thinking of using that. Then I could write on the outside what's in there and a price ect... If I ever started selling/trading frags!

 

[Bajamike]

I think you should top it off with torches. Then a dragon with fire! Then a valcano in the back ground. Ya ya but that might not happen. I guess just go about what you are doing.

 

[Walter White]

Keep in mind that if you do paint it (I am assuming spray paint) you may have issues with the paint adhering to any surfaces that so much as has a hint of silicone on the surface. I could be wrong but I am fairly certain that reef safe silicone is not of the paintable sort and the spray paint will likely fish eye in spots. Im sure others here can confirm this though.

 

[Haulin Oates]

I spray painted the back of my DT without issue:

 

[Boogie]

I use the special krylon fusion paint for plastic on back glass all the time. Stuff works great!

 

[Dumnorix]

I doubt you would need to brace it - its only 12" tall and water - all fluids - build pressure on the glass from wanting to expand from the bottom. I tore off the center brace and wood-grain plastic crap form my 120 and have a rimless with no bracing 24" deep. Silicone is much stronger than many believe...

 

[CRW Reef]

Damn a rimless 125 I would like to see that, sounds AWESOME!!!!!!!

 

[Zoalander]

What return pump are you using? I put a MJ1200 and had to scale it back to 75% because the 1/2 inch drain wasn't draining fast enough.

 

[Haulin Oates]

Haven't gotten that far yet, but I have the same pump in the basement, just needs a new impeller kit on it. But the latest plans thus far are to build a 4' long stand and put the frag tank next to my 29 biocube, so I'll need enough flow for both. I'm also getting a 65gal tank for a sump, so both tanks will drain to that and then the pump will have to feed both tanks...

 

[Haulin Oates]

Got the sump today, thanks Tyson! Now to start drawing up plans for the stand!