135gal aquarium

[moji]

I have started the aquarium build for the house. The basic design of the frame is not my design as i found this design on other foreign fishkeeping sites. This is really an over designed frame but i prefer it since it would be carrying a heavy load of water.

All this for the aquarium..i wish i could have something close to Ben's materials but that would make this way more expensive, so construction grade materials it is.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/Mojito00/aquarium/P6220850.jpg

The top frame consists of 2" x 6" lumber. Had to raise it during the cut in the cms for it to fit
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/Mojito00/aquarium/P6200849.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/Mojito00/aquarium/P6220853.jpg

[bbn]

Nice project bro. I was into aquariums a few years ago. Yes, you should pay attention to the structural integrity of the stand. Correct leveling is also important so there are no "hard spots" where the load will concentrate.

My last build was a 100 gal with a 75 gal sub-tank - it was a marine aquarium. This was made from several sheets of 18 mm marine plywood. We did also have a 300 gallon with a 100 gal sub-tank but for that one I used steel for the structure though that was not a good idea because eventually it rusted despite the epoxy coating. Wood is definitely better for marine aquariums.

[moji]

Actually leveling will be my biggest challenge here as the flooring where the aquarium will be is tiled and thus not perfectly flat.

Aquariums are really addicting..never tried marine aquariums though, that i think is more difficult to maintain than a planted tank.

[beebeenator]

wow. I am planning to build something that big as well.

A divider for the living room. did you get your lumber squared s4s already like that or did you do that yourself?

[moji]

It came s4s already but i need to do some planing to get the pieces to the same width. I have to choose the pcs carefully since i dont want to plane each and every board. It will be skinned with plywood so the appearance of the frame can be left a bit rough. Just need to get it level.

[timber715]

do you have pictures of the design? curious lang naman ako.

[moji]

Sige, il post it in a bit..

[moji]

Here's the design of the frame and carcass
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/Mojito00/aquarium/100gal.jpg

The design of the carcass is still not finalized..im still thinking of adding some visual interest..

[timber715]

very nice design. simple and strong with the outer carcass adding to the strength and stability... elegant is what you will do to enhance the outer shell....

[moji]

Thanks..I was thinking of adding shallow grooves along the length, going around the carcass. But im not sure if i can do this properly since the grooves would need to line up perfectly on all sides..

[timber715]

that shouldn't be all that difficult Moji, I am confident you can do that without any problem...

[moji]

How do you think i should go about the grooves? Routing the ply after it is stuck to the frame or before? My problem would be the edge of the short side won't have the groove if i rout before assembly..

[timber715]

better before imo. but if you have a very unstable floor, well you can do either. you will have a leveled top area anyway, so cutting the grooves before will make it easier as long as the reference is the top portion...

[moji]

I have to make a guide for the rounter pa pala..

i have to model it in sketchup first..the groove design might not look right..

[timber715]

well sice you already have the initial drawing, importing it to sketchup should make it easier. though don't ask me about sketchup, I'm still in the learning stage...

[moji]

madali nalang yun...i love sketchup! makes creating 3d models quick and easy..

[timber715]

madali nalang yun...i love sketchup! makes creating 3d models quick and easy..
oo nga, sometimes I wish woodworking is as easy as drawing in sketchup... :p:p:p

[bbn]

That is similar to what I did however I have four posts of plywood which each span the width of the aquarium. Watch out for voids ("bungi") in the plywood particularly in those beams. My beams were very similar. In retrospect, I would add or instead use solid lumber for the beams.

Yeah marine aquariums are more challenging but they're a lot more colorful.

[beebeenator]

didi you guys self learn the google sketch up? i suck at reading instructions so i never got to learn sketch up properly... hahahah

[mudhutdesigns]

didi you guys self learn the google sketch up? i suck at reading instructions so i never got to learn sketch up properly... hahahah

Madali lang sya sir. I learned GSU without reading anything. May mga tutorials sa youtube na rin sir. so kahit wala kang binabasa you can just follow along the video. :)

[bbn]

The best way to learn is to have something to make. Like Bee I don't like reading manuals. I must admit though that I have read a few tutorials for things I could not figure out myself like drawing a curved surface.

It is easy Bee. Sketchup is one of the most intuitive programs I've ever seen.

[bbn]

I happened to find an old photo of the last aquarium I made.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/lcasambre/Miscellaneous/IMGA0555.jpg

I think this was when it was a few months or weeks old.

[beebeenator]

wow

It held the weight?, Was the platforom/bed a torsion type?

http://img353.imageshack.us/img353/1517/p7261470scaled.jpg
here is my 5 gallon before... it is over grown now.. but healthy parin.. Low light setting 12 hours and no co2 and pitiful fertlizers

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/3940/p7191448.jpg

and here is my 20 gallons in its best days.... its now only half of its old glory which i hope to revive. it also has the same regimen as the other

no water changes for 6 months... :)

[timber715]

Edward would love those plant pictures bee...

[moji]

Bbn,

Wow, im amazed that plywood was able to hold the weight of those two aquariums..I guess mine is really overdesigned. Your tanks look real nice..is it still up and running?

Bee,

Ganda ng planted tank mo! Makes me want to set up a planted tank after this hehe..

Where do you buy your driftwood? What substrate do you use?

[bbn]

That's a very beautiful tank Bee. I was about to get into those and even joined a Yahoo group but never quite got around to it. Balanced tanks are great to shoot for - wide variety, little maintenance.

Honestly, I don't know that a "torsion type" is.

[beebeenator]

THanks guys

Sad to say its been neglected for TOO long

Its a two part driftwood epoxied to look like a tree. my SECOND project after my 2 x 2 scrap made workbench (now acts as miter saw station stand, and dovetail jig stand and paint item drawer carcass)

the substrate is GEX. but the substrate does NOTHING for the plants i used. All of them get nutrients from the water column and not the substrate hehehe...

Thanks Timber. Edward can have them if he wishes :)

i just made a knife handle in less than 2 hours... well small buck knife.

[beebeenator]

bbn

try searching torsion box... its a cost effective way of making a really rigid top that is wide and long of needed.... but time consuming. Lightweight is the main advantage.

[moji]

Got some work done today,

Got to use the kreg a lot today. Correctly i must say ;)
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/Mojito00/aquarium/P62709955.jpg

Finished the base frame and got the top frame started.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/Mojito00/aquarium/P6281000.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/Mojito00/aquarium/P6281004.jpg

In using the kreg jig with the original and locally bought screws, the originals are way better in fastening than the locally available ones. The local screws were a bit frustrating because they were weaker than the originals. I broke a few screws inside the pocket holes using too much torque, but in lessening the tourque i found it did not pull the pieces together as tightly as the originals.

After experimenting, i use the originals to hold the piece with glue and when the glue sets i replace them with the locally bought screws. More time but works great.

[timber715]

Kreg really excels when it comes to framing... so much easier and very durable. I'm sure the work time for the stand is cut in half due to it... ;)

[beebeenator]

i got the k3 master kit... coming in... 2 more months.... huhuhu

[bryant77]

very useful talaga ang kreg jig when it comes to framing. it's listed on my wish list.

[moji]

Got a little work done today.
Cut the main supporting legs and dry fit.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/Mojito00/aquarium/P7010935.jpg

Its really when you get the main components into place that you see how massive the project really is.

[JayL]

Looks like the Kreg Jig is now seeing action. :)

[moji]

Looks like the Kreg Jig is now seeing action. :)

Yup, its really getting used a lot. Im glad i got it.

[jarod]

moji,

Would those legs be enough to handle the (135gal x 8lbs/gal) 1,080 pounds of water? I was thinking of 4"x4" as posts or maybe the panels would eventually help in supporting the weight?

[moji]

Based on what i've read on several fishkeeping sites it would be able to take the load. Here are the sites:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1169964
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=302232

[JayL]

Moji did you find the longer screws that will work with Kreg?

[moji]

Yes i was able to get those screws and i used them for this stand..but like i said in the earlier post it doesn't have the pulling strength like those of the original..I still use the original screws for the initial set of the glue then replace them with the local screws..

[timber715]

hey Moji, since I often use these replacement screws on plywood, they can pull the wood together. but working with hardwood, the best option is to drill the pilot hole to allow the thread to turn without locking...

[moji]

hey Moji, since I often use these replacement screws on plywood, they can pull the wood together. but working with hardwood, the best option is to drill the pilot hole to allow the thread to turn without locking...

Yes i think pilot holes are needed even though the local screws are self tapping. I actually broke some of the screws when driving them into the hardwood. Quite difficult to remove..As for the original kreg screws, no problems even without pre drilling. I think their screws are hardened.

[jarod]

... the best option is to drill the pilot hole to allow the thread to turn without locking...

Isn't that what the Kreg is suppossed to do in the first place?

[moji]

If you use the original screws then no need to pre drill. I think the local screws are not as strong as the kregs which make them prone to snapping once it gets deep into the wood.

[timber715]

Isn't that what the Kreg is suppossed to do in the first place?
well, yes and no. yes it will make a pilot hole for the crews, and no, often it doesn't penetrate the other end which makes the local screws (which have full thread unlike kreg's) lock on the main board before locking on the other piece. hence the recommendation of making the hole penetrate and slightly bigger than the screw thread body.

[mudhutdesigns]

wow may kapwa aquarium addicts pala ko dito. Do you guys visit the other forum too for aquarium hobbyist? I'm a regular too in that forum.

Planning to upgrade soon to a 6x2x2 tank thats why I'm thinking if I should go metal stand or make a wood one. Im a bit apprehensive lang about the wood stand since I'm not that good yet in wood working. My fishes might end up swimming on the floor. :)

incase you dont know the site pala search PALHS na lang on google. Im not sure kasi if I can post the link here eh.

[moji]

Yup PALHS. I also posted there this build.

The stand im building is not a fine woodworking project. I did not employ fancy joints. All this needs to be is robust and stable.

[mudhutdesigns]

That's my main concern talaga. I might not be able to build a structurally sound aquarium stand.

OT: So what do you plan to put in it? Will we be seeing a super red arowana or a 24k golden crossback? I'm into exotic bichirs (dragonfins). I think Ben is into hardcore planted tank by the looks of his tank. :)

[moji]

Im almost sure that an arowana will be placed there. I have a bichir and oscar. They will probably be placed there too. It will probably be a comm tank hehe..

[mudhutdesigns]

Im almost sure that an arowana will be placed there. I have a bichir and oscar. They will probably be placed there too. It will probably be a comm tank hehe..

The tank looks promising as the aquarium stand itself.

[moji]

Thanks..i do hope it all goes well..if not its 135 gallons of water on the floor!

[JayL]

@Moji

Are you using fine threaded local screws? I think the course one are for plywood and the fine ones are for hardwood.

http://www.amazon.com/Kreg-SML-C125-4-Inch-Coarse-1000-Pack/dp/B00002240N/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1278773615&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Kreg-SML-F125-1000-4-Inch-Pan-Head-1000-Pack/dp/B0006444U2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1278773615&sr=8-4

[moji]

The screws i got locally don't have fine threads. I did read that the fine threaded screws are made for hardwood, im just lucky that the wood i used did not split or crack. I guess the self-tapping point helped.

[moji]

Got the legs done
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/Mojito00/aquarium/P7070962.jpg

I was doing the legs right before the storm hit..got caught with the brownout..luckily i was using the cordless..
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/Mojito00/aquarium/P7080965.jpg

I really love that drill..no regrets in buying it.

Installed the legs into the bottom frame
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/Mojito00/aquarium/P7090966.jpg

[timber715]

seems to be a legs day... :p:p

[moji]

More WIP's

Started skinning the frame with the plywood.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/Mojito00/aquarium/P7171056.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/Mojito00/aquarium/P7171061.jpg

Attached top and bottom together
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/Mojito00/aquarium/P7171062.jpg

[moji]

I dry fit the outer plywood skin and then i noticed a problem..
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/Mojito00/aquarium/P7181064.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/Mojito00/aquarium/P7181063.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/Mojito00/aquarium/P7181065.jpg

One side of the aquarium is off square by around 1/4". I think this moved when i was fastening the other side of the frame. Now will this be a major problem?

[timber715]

seems fine from where I'm at. your problem seems just cosmetic and can be corrected easily by adding an edge band and lanning from there...

[moji]

Oh i forgot, on the right side of the ply, sobra naman yung plywood by 1/4".. is this still considered cosmetic?

[timber715]

Oh i forgot, on the right side of the ply, sobra naman yung plywood by 1/4".. is this still considered cosmetic?
out of square nga either the plywood or the frame, see how much out of square if you have a protractor.

[moji]

Its the frame. i think the top and bottom on this side did not align properly. Hmm..delikado ba to?

[timber715]

Its the frame. i think the top and bottom on this side did not align properly. Hmm..delikado ba to?
try this, ask your brother, your mom and aunt and you sit on it and see if it is stable. no need for movement since your tank wouldn't have waves...

[moji]

Its off by around +-2 degrees. My gut tells me it would hold.. i'll see if i can get the stand down from the sawhorse and get all of us on top of it...Its now very heavy..

[beebeenator]

Ive seen in fish forums , tank stands built with ALOT LESS care. Not to mention aquarium stands same size as yours built by folks with lesser experience than me. Then i have lesser experience than you. :)

The bottom (feet/foot the thing that touches the ground) of my tank is scattered with those anti scratch rubber stick on things. It also has the side effect of leveling. you could consider that. Oh there is a felt tip instead of rubber tip. The felt tip gives me the ability to "slide" the aquarium tank stand a little bit at a time. :)

[moji]

Im also thinking of those leveling pads, my only concern is that it might degrade over time or might get squished too much thus rendering the aquarium unstable. I might try wood shims..

[moji]

Its been a while...the weather has been so weird that i wasn't able to get to work much last week..
Cut the styro to size before closing of the top
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/Mojito00/aquarium/P7271061.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/Mojito00/aquarium/P7271062.jpg

[moji]

Im about done with the plywood skin and edging..only the doors need to be done..
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/Mojito00/aquarium/P7261056.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/Mojito00/aquarium/P7281061.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/Mojito00/aquarium/P7281063.jpg

[timber715]

looking good bro...

[moji]

thanks..hindi na ko nakabili ng nail gun..ubos na pla budget ko hehe

[timber715]

tagal ng update ah?....

[moji]

Some updates..

Got to work on the cabinet doors..

placing the edging
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/Mojito00/aquarium/P8021065.jpg

installing the concealed hinges
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/Mojito00/aquarium/P8031068.jpg

Doors installed
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/Mojito00/aquarium/P8031070.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/Mojito00/aquarium/P8031074.jpg

[timber715]

plywood door naman pala eh, madali lang ayusin yan... hahahaha.
nice work bro, its beginning to look like a cabinet... :p

[moji]

Took a while before i was able to finish the masilya stage. The sanding part i did not like at all but is needed for a good finish. Took about a week, notice i did not put masilya on the back inner wall. It will be barely seen anyway.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/Mojito00/aquarium/P8171247.jpg

Got to start putting the primer on. The weather changed so fast that i was not able to put on the exterior. Interiors and door only
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/Mojito00/aquarium/P8171248.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/Mojito00/aquarium/P8171249.jpg

[timber715]

lacquered yan Moji? very nice...

[moji]

The masilya is lacquer based, but the primer, paint is enamel..

[jarod]

Hi sir moji,

So pwedeng ganitong combination? All along I thought that lacquer and enamel could never be applied together as it will result to paint deterioration. Or dahil masilya naman yung isa and not a paint itself kaya ok lang?

Thanks in advance for your explanation.

[timber715]

the thing is Jarod, that the enamel will not react on a lacquered based finish, but not the other way around. applying a lacquered finish over and enamel paint will give you disastrous results...

[moji]

I think it depends on the drying time of the two paints. Timber is correct in saying that you can apply enamel over lacquer but not vice versa. Enamel fully cures a very long time while lacquer cures very fast. Defects occur when the bottom layer is still curing while the top has already dried.

[chisel]

Moji quick question, I’m going to paint our ceiling and I’m going to spray finish it because of the crown molding to buy me some time. What would you suggest for primer that can go for spray painting. TIA

[moji]

What type of paint would you use? If spray painting then i would think that lacquer is the appropriate paint/primer to use.

[chisel]

Moji What is your recommendation in painting a ceiling

[moji]

The usual method is enamel applied by roller..

[mek]

nice build! i'm a tank builder myself and currently on a project. and yes i will agree on you with the sanding part... hehe. good luck sir sa project nyo.

[moji]

thanks, do post pics of your work. Im quite interested in your projects..

[mek]

sige po sir. perhaps i'll just post it here kasi i think i'm not allowed yet to post links. btw, ano nga po pala waterproofer gamit nyo?

[timber715]

sige po sir. perhaps i'll just post it here kasi i think i'm not allowed yet to post links. btw, ano nga po pala waterproofer gamit nyo?
you can post pictures even if you have less than 5 post. look up this thread and read thru. details are there on how to post pictures.

[mek]

eto po yung last tank project ko. delivered two saturdays ago...
http://seaturtledesignconcepts.webs.com/CIMG2551.JPG

this is my current build. i'm on my 10th day...
http://seaturtledesignconcepts.webs.com/CIMG2667.JPG

thank you sir timber... hindi ko alam na pwede palang mag-post ng pics. hehe

[moji]

Ikaw pala gumawa ng tank na yan? Hehe sinusundan ko yan sa thread sa isang forum..ayos ah.. Wala ako waterproofing na ginamit, painted lang yung lalagyan ng aquarium.

Yan tank na yan parang playwood tank ang dating no? 2 sides not glass?

[mek]

dun nga po to naka-post sa kabilang forum. opo plywood tank tsaka two sides lang ang glass then the rest wood na. yung left wall kasi yun yung overflow...

[moji]

Started the final painting already

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/Mojito00/aquarium/P8231251.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/Mojito00/aquarium/P8231253.jpg

Not really satisfied with the outcome specially the doors..so more sanding, priming and painting to come..

[timber715]

hmmmmm, chocolate... yum yum...:D