Simon’s (Mostly Conceptual) 1,600 Build

[ca1ore]

Been playing around with skimmers. Here’s a modified MTC HSA3000 that I plan to use on my current 450 that should handle 1,600 easily.

 

[Muttley000]

Been playing around with skimmers. Here’s a modified MTC HSA3000 that I plan to use on my current 450 that should handle 1,600 easily.

It's a beaut!

 

[ca1ore]

Haven't posted to this thread in a while ..... but I have been continuing to think and 'plan' for the eventuality .... inevitability LOL. Although I continue to think that i will go with plywood for the box, I've been noodling over using PVC sheet as the waterproofing layer rather than fiberglass, pond armor, etc. What do folks think? Unlike acrylic, PVC doesn't expand much with water, so I have been thinking about two layers of 3/4" ply (with reinforcing joists), a 1/2" cushion/expansion layer like that pink insulation and then a 1/4" of PVC sheet (probably type 1 rather than the foam board). Might experiment with this once the weather gets warmer on a smaller box and see.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

Haven't posted to this thread in a while ..... but I have been continuing to think and 'plan' for the eventuality .... inevitability LOL. Although I continue to think that i will go with plywood for the box, I've been noodling over using PVC sheet as the waterproofing layer rather than fiberglass, pond armor, etc. What do folks think? Unlike acrylic, PVC doesn't expand much with water, so I have been thinking about two layers of 3/4" ply (with reinforcing joists), a 1/2" cushion/expansion layer like that pink insulation and then a 1/4" of PVC sheet (probably type 1 rather than the foam board). Might experiment with this once the weather gets warmer on a smaller box and see.

I like the pvc idea. My only concern would be long spans and the seams. I could see using some pvc dowels to strengthen those seams. Drill some small holes every so many inches, insert the dowels where each sheet connects to each other and then glue it. Glue on the dowels as well. That should eliminate some of the flex at the seams and would also provide a nice way to line everything up, provided the holes were lined up.

 

[ca1ore]

Do you mean using the dowel like a woodworking biscuit? I had not thought through how to do the seams.

 

[dantimdad]

I believe I would still pond armor the plywood. A tiny leak could ruin the whole thing without it.


A 1600 gallon tank, I would not rely on pond armor alone either. I would do fiberglass cloth and resin over the whole thing then pond armor over that.

Biggest plywood I have done is 560 and we used two layers of cloth and 3 coats of sweetwater epoxy. That was in 97. Last I saw the tank, about 10 years ago, it still was holding strong. But, 1600 is a whole new ballgame.

 

[ca1ore]

I’ve mostly worked out what return pumps I’d use, heating, cooling and lighting. But how about flow. Big hydrowizard and abyzz flow pumps are stupid expensive and colossal eyesores. Even a bunch of MP60s probably wouldn’t cut it. Tunze master stream perhaps.

 

[kenchilada]

I’ve mostly worked out what return pumps I’d use, heating, cooling and lighting. But how about flow. Big hydrowizard and abyzz flow pumps are stupid expensive and colossal eyesores. Even a bunch of MP60s probably wouldn’t cut it. Tunze master stream perhaps.

Way back in your original layout, you had a couple islands of rock but mostly empty swim area. Maybe if you focus on providing flow just to the islands you don’t need as much flow as you think. MP60s across the back, closed loops returning from under the tank pointed at the front (hidden in the rock islands?). Then again I have no experience over 300g so probably a dumb idea.

(edit: just realized you already had closed loops setup this way in your diagram )

 

[AlexG]

The PVC sheet is an interesting concept. I would be concerned about the strength of a 1/4" joint even with a foam backing. I would almost want to go 1/2" and then make an armored joint similar to a glass tank seem with an overlapping piece pf PVC glued on top of the joint. The bigger concern I would have is how are you going to secure the glass or acrylic viewing windows to the PVC? I would assume a pressure seal but what method would be used to implement?

 

[ca1ore]

Was talking to a buddy of mine who has worked some with pvc sheet and he says they hot air weld it. Probably more than I’d be comfortable with. But, I’ve got time ......