???'s about structural integrity.

JimNasty · 10-23-2003, 04:26 PM

Hi all,

Got a question about tank integrity for anyone that can answer.
Employee of LFS makes me an offer that I cannot refuse. $10 for a 42 gal Oceanic Hex (tank only, $10 only to cover his costs fro DRILLING). I take him up on the offer, but now am starting the think of the potential disasters of putting this tank in my living room. The tank has 2 holes (2in I believe) drilled side by side in the center of the bottom of the tank. There is about 1/2" between the two holes, and when the bulkheads are installed, you cannot see the separation. The idea of having a nice hex tank drilled so it can be a nice centerpiece of the room is an attractive thought, but I don't know if the tank will hold up under the weight of the water and rocks.

Should I add some bracing to the tank (suggestions?) or just scrap this tank idea and count the $10 investment as a "learning experience"?

Thanks for any input, and thanks for giving your time at this forum.

Jim

***Reefland*** · 10-23-2003, 07:15 PM

Hi JimNasty and Welcome to Reefland!

I am no engineer but to me, it seems that the tank will be ok with the holes drilled in it. People are drilling holes in glass all the time and I have yet to hear a story of this causing the glass to weaken to the point it breaks.

If your worried about it, set it up temporarily, perhaps in a garage or the backyard, and fill it with water and add some additional weight to it and see how it handles. I think you'll be fine though.

Why was the person interested in selling the tank? Just curious.

Regards,
Scott Z.

JimNasty · 10-24-2003, 09:40 AM

Hi and thanks Scott.

Actually, the person that I got the tank from was a disgruntled LFS employee that was moving. Atthe same time, he also got rid of a 200g, 150g, and a few 55g tanks, and all ofthe livestock. The hex was just a planned tank at the time that he was moving, so it was easy for him to unload.

I have already attached the bulkheads and some drain pipes, and the tank has been sitting filled for about 2 weeks now, much to my wife's dismay. Soon I will move it back into the living room, but I need to finish some other projects first.

BTW I wouldn't mind some suggestions for making my own sump for a hex stand. Anyone ever make one? Designs? I'm starting to think about how to best assemble the pieces of acrylic that I have to fit the coutour of the stand, but I'm no engineer either.

Thanks for the hel

Jim.

***Reefland*** · 10-24-2003, 01:02 PM

Ahhh, very nice; your already a step ahead of us.

If it has been full of water for a couple of weeks and there are no signs of any stress then I would say your just fine. I see no reason why this tank drilled would be different than any other drilled tank.

AsS far as making a sump for this system, I wouldn't even attempt a hex sump. Just go with a square that you can easily fit into the stand.

What kind of lighting do you plan to use? That's usually a tricky question for Hex Tank owners.

Regards,
Scott Z.

JimNasty · 10-24-2003, 01:18 PM

You touched on both of my current problems/projects. First of all, since the stand is Oceanic (has a friend who is a dealer, and got a great deal on it

), that means I am stuck with the limiting access door to get and kind of sump in. I think the access is about 8" across, when most pre-made boxes are at least 9" (I could be wrong on this, but I know that I have measured before). That was why I was thinking of making my own sump...not hex shaped, but sort of modular (attaching one to another with 45 deg plumbing ). That's where I start having my brain farts.

Secondly, since the tank is drilled in the center, I was thinking about building a small box in the tank to conceal the drain and return. This limits my lighting choices to NOT include anything that hangs as a pendeant or such. I would just lose too much of the light to the box. Not enough for the tank. So, I have started planning a canopy that would allow for placemenet of some sort of fixtures around the perimeter. This is another place where I am at a loss. I have always bought premade lighting systems for my other tanks and never tried this on my own. I mayjust have to give up on the hopes of this being a tank with anyhing other than fish

Thanks for the guidance.

Jim

10-23-2003, 04:26 PM	#1
JimNasty New in Town Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3	???'s about structural integrity. Hi all, Got a question about tank integrity for anyone that can answer. Employee of LFS makes me an offer that I cannot refuse. $10 for a 42 gal Oceanic Hex (tank only, $10 only to cover his costs fro DRILLING). I take him up on the offer, but now am starting the think of the potential disasters of putting this tank in my living room. The tank has 2 holes (2in I believe) drilled side by side in the center of the bottom of the tank. There is about 1/2" between the two holes, and when the bulkheads are installed, you cannot see the separation. The idea of having a nice hex tank drilled so it can be a nice centerpiece of the room is an attractive thought, but I don't know if the tank will hold up under the weight of the water and rocks. Should I add some bracing to the tank (suggestions?) or just scrap this tank idea and count the $10 investment as a "learning experience"? Thanks for any input, and thanks for giving your time at this forum. Jim

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

10-23-2003, 07:15 PM	#2
*Reefland* Owner Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Bardstown, KY Posts: 13,023	Hi JimNasty and Welcome to Reefland! I am no engineer but to me, it seems that the tank will be ok with the holes drilled in it. People are drilling holes in glass all the time and I have yet to hear a story of this causing the glass to weaken to the point it breaks. If your worried about it, set it up temporarily, perhaps in a garage or the backyard, and fill it with water and add some additional weight to it and see how it handles. I think you'll be fine though. Why was the person interested in selling the tank? Just curious. Regards, Scott Z.

10-24-2003, 09:40 AM	#3
JimNasty New in Town Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3	Hi and thanks Scott. Actually, the person that I got the tank from was a disgruntled LFS employee that was moving. Atthe same time, he also got rid of a 200g, 150g, and a few 55g tanks, and all ofthe livestock. The hex was just a planned tank at the time that he was moving, so it was easy for him to unload. I have already attached the bulkheads and some drain pipes, and the tank has been sitting filled for about 2 weeks now, much to my wife's dismay. Soon I will move it back into the living room, but I need to finish some other projects first. BTW I wouldn't mind some suggestions for making my own sump for a hex stand. Anyone ever make one? Designs? I'm starting to think about how to best assemble the pieces of acrylic that I have to fit the coutour of the stand, but I'm no engineer either. Thanks for the hel Jim.

10-24-2003, 01:02 PM	#4
*Reefland* Owner Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Bardstown, KY Posts: 13,023	Ahhh, very nice; your already a step ahead of us. If it has been full of water for a couple of weeks and there are no signs of any stress then I would say your just fine. I see no reason why this tank drilled would be different than any other drilled tank. AsS far as making a sump for this system, I wouldn't even attempt a hex sump. Just go with a square that you can easily fit into the stand. What kind of lighting do you plan to use? That's usually a tricky question for Hex Tank owners. Regards, Scott Z.

10-24-2003, 01:18 PM	#5
JimNasty New in Town Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3	You touched on both of my current problems/projects. First of all, since the stand is Oceanic (has a friend who is a dealer, and got a great deal on it ), that means I am stuck with the limiting access door to get and kind of sump in. I think the access is about 8" across, when most pre-made boxes are at least 9" (I could be wrong on this, but I know that I have measured before). That was why I was thinking of making my own sump...not hex shaped, but sort of modular (attaching one to another with 45 deg plumbing ). That's where I start having my brain farts. Secondly, since the tank is drilled in the center, I was thinking about building a small box in the tank to conceal the drain and return. This limits my lighting choices to NOT include anything that hangs as a pendeant or such. I would just lose too much of the light to the box. Not enough for the tank. So, I have started planning a canopy that would allow for placemenet of some sort of fixtures around the perimeter. This is another place where I am at a loss. I have always bought premade lighting systems for my other tanks and never tried this on my own. I mayjust have to give up on the hopes of this being a tank with anyhing other than fish Thanks for the guidance. Jim

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)