600G - 10ft Kahuna Starfire Build
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Thebrinc
Community Member
Thanks guys! Some minor progress, we got the euro-bracing on!
A little hard to see, but I've got 4" of bracing running along the top perimeter and then three 6" braces running over the top, front to back.
Once the books, clamps and tape comes off I'll take some proper photos. Didn't want to climb inside the tank before everything's had a couple weeks to dry.
On a funny note, after putting the braces on I noticed the piece of MDF I used to stand on, inside the tank still. Lol, guess I'll have to chop it up to get it out. Somehow I always knew I'd forget it in there. MDF make good aquascaping? lol
5 More tubes of silicone on the way... This puts the count on 24 tubes and I'll probably need more before the overflow's done. This time I'm going with SCS 1200... half the price and free shipping with some true union valves and clear netting I found online. From the info I could find online it looks like it's pretty good at adhering steel to glass as it's a industrial glazing adhesive. Doesn't stick to plated steel though unfortunately so I'll have to do a lot of prep work on the steel angles once I find 'em.
On the topic of silicone, when you google GE SCS 1200 silicone and open the official spec sheet, the logo on the top of the document says "Momentive". GE has been licensed and trading under Momentive since 2006, so it's either the same or close to the same stuff I've been using... just cheaper and more readily available!
A little hard to see, but I've got 4" of bracing running along the top perimeter and then three 6" braces running over the top, front to back.
Once the books, clamps and tape comes off I'll take some proper photos. Didn't want to climb inside the tank before everything's had a couple weeks to dry.
On a funny note, after putting the braces on I noticed the piece of MDF I used to stand on, inside the tank still. Lol, guess I'll have to chop it up to get it out. Somehow I always knew I'd forget it in there. MDF make good aquascaping? lol
5 More tubes of silicone on the way... This puts the count on 24 tubes and I'll probably need more before the overflow's done. This time I'm going with SCS 1200... half the price and free shipping with some true union valves and clear netting I found online. From the info I could find online it looks like it's pretty good at adhering steel to glass as it's a industrial glazing adhesive. Doesn't stick to plated steel though unfortunately so I'll have to do a lot of prep work on the steel angles once I find 'em.
On the topic of silicone, when you google GE SCS 1200 silicone and open the official spec sheet, the logo on the top of the document says "Momentive". GE has been licensed and trading under Momentive since 2006, so it's either the same or close to the same stuff I've been using... just cheaper and more readily available!
OP
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Thebrinc
Community Member
Fin: I'm using 1/2" annealed glass. I know I know 
I'm basing this build off two others with the same dimensions and glass thickness that have both had long term success (5 yrs+) One from a builder in Miami (who has the same tank running for 10 yrs) and the other from another DIY guy. The key being bracing at least every 30"... and with my top braces on, the open gap between braces measure 23.5" only. The steel stand is also a must to avoid flexing.
The height being the key concern at 30" tall. But with my waterline running at 2" below the top and the bottom's double bracing there's only 27" of unsupported glass going up vertically. AGA also builds their 30" tall, 6 foot wide tanks with 1/2" glass with no extra bracing other than the plastic trim.
Still, the silicone doesn't have as much space to adhere to in the vertical seams as with thicker glass... hence me wanting to steel brace the sucker.
I'm basing this build off two others with the same dimensions and glass thickness that have both had long term success (5 yrs+) One from a builder in Miami (who has the same tank running for 10 yrs) and the other from another DIY guy. The key being bracing at least every 30"... and with my top braces on, the open gap between braces measure 23.5" only. The steel stand is also a must to avoid flexing.
The height being the key concern at 30" tall. But with my waterline running at 2" below the top and the bottom's double bracing there's only 27" of unsupported glass going up vertically. AGA also builds their 30" tall, 6 foot wide tanks with 1/2" glass with no extra bracing other than the plastic trim.
Still, the silicone doesn't have as much space to adhere to in the vertical seams as with thicker glass... hence me wanting to steel brace the sucker.
hawkinsrgk
Valuable Member
Following. Love this build so far
following
Very nice, please more pictures of the tank! I would like to build my own tank some day as well.
This is nuts!!!! I tried to build a 60 cube a while back....I ended up buying a deep blue lol. You are a much braver man than I. All in all what is your budget on the tank build vs buying one? Just curious. Definitely going to be watching this one!
OP
OP
Thebrinc
Community Member
Thanks guys! Had a slow weekend with some family related travels but made some headway...
Still some scraping and cleaning up to do but most of the bracing's been cleaned up. I'm still hesitant to climb inside or un-clamp the base as the seam there is well over 1" in some places and the silicone takes 7-14 days to cross link and cure proper. Can't wait to get all that tape out of there!
Meanwhile I've started unpacking some of my dry rock, you can see some under the stand. That one piece measures around 30" across:
I also got my hands on some more Seaflor special grade sand, so I have five 40lbs bags in total which should get me a 1" sandbed. I hope
At $50 a bag I've already started running out of beer money over here.
As far as budget goes GnarleyMarley, I've decided to institute a strict blind-eye policy for this build Paying off my credit card as fast as it goes into the red. That being said, after $500 in silicone, $2k for glass and $800 for the stand and some more for clamps and wood the tank's sitting on around $3 500. To get one built would push double that I'm sure, especially getting something that size delivered to a small town, only connected to the mainland by ferry. I have a ton of equipment stripped from my previous two tanks and current 100g cube which I'll re-use to keep costs down...
Keep in mind I'm in Canada where everything costs double!
Still some scraping and cleaning up to do but most of the bracing's been cleaned up. I'm still hesitant to climb inside or un-clamp the base as the seam there is well over 1" in some places and the silicone takes 7-14 days to cross link and cure proper. Can't wait to get all that tape out of there!
Meanwhile I've started unpacking some of my dry rock, you can see some under the stand. That one piece measures around 30" across:
I also got my hands on some more Seaflor special grade sand, so I have five 40lbs bags in total which should get me a 1" sandbed. I hope
At $50 a bag I've already started running out of beer money over here.
As far as budget goes GnarleyMarley, I've decided to institute a strict blind-eye policy for this build
Paying off my credit card as fast as it goes into the red. That being said, after $500 in silicone, $2k for glass and $800 for the stand and some more for clamps and wood the tank's sitting on around $3 500. To get one built would push double that I'm sure, especially getting something that size delivered to a small town, only connected to the mainland by ferry. I have a ton of equipment stripped from my previous two tanks and current 100g cube which I'll re-use to keep costs down... Keep in mind I'm in Canada where everything costs double!
steelheader.262
Valuable Member
This is going to be one awesome tank, good luck with the rest of the build.
roadrashpaul
Well-Known Member
You have balls of steel. Keep it up!
MoparManiac
Community Member
- Joined
- Oct 9, 2015
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You're definitely inspiring me to do something similar in the future! Looks very nice
OP
OP
Thebrinc
Community Member
@deadreply : We sourced the glass from a wholesale connection before moving away from Vancouver... Bronco Glass I believe.
Some minor progress, I got the 1" stainless steel angles ordered for the vertical corners & they should be here by Friday. It might be overkill but I think it's going to look good & the cost is negligible.
As for trimming the top of the tank, I haven't found a good solution just yet. I'm thinking of getting 2" anodized aluminum angles (I did some tests and the silicone sticks to it violently) but am worried about long term oxidation issues. Not that it's an area that'll get too much water on it but it'll probably get splashed pretty often.
Some minor progress, I got the 1" stainless steel angles ordered for the vertical corners & they should be here by Friday. It might be overkill but I think it's going to look good & the cost is negligible.
As for trimming the top of the tank, I haven't found a good solution just yet. I'm thinking of getting 2" anodized aluminum angles (I did some tests and the silicone sticks to it violently) but am worried about long term oxidation issues. Not that it's an area that'll get too much water on it but it'll probably get splashed pretty often.
OP
OP
Thebrinc
Community Member
Hey Guys, some updates!
I've got another shipment of plumbing supplies:
They finally got the stainless angles cut, and I have the vertical braces on:
Some really awesome large Pukani pieces arrived, thanks Eli! :
Check my foot for scale...
Overflow box is glued and drying:
I'm getting really anxious to see if this thing holds water... I woke up dreaming about triggerfish! I'm thinking of giving the braces a week to dry and then figuring out how to get the foam in under the tank. lol. Any ideas?
I'm thinking of pushing the tank forward a bit so it overhangs, and then jacking the sucker up with the car jack & a 4x4 under the glass for support?
I've got another shipment of plumbing supplies:
They finally got the stainless angles cut, and I have the vertical braces on:
Some really awesome large Pukani pieces arrived, thanks Eli! :
Check my foot for scale...
Overflow box is glued and drying:
I'm getting really anxious to see if this thing holds water... I woke up dreaming about triggerfish! I'm thinking of giving the braces a week to dry and then figuring out how to get the foam in under the tank. lol. Any ideas?
I'm thinking of pushing the tank forward a bit so it overhangs, and then jacking the sucker up with the car jack & a 4x4 under the glass for support?
