Tanglovers 520g Build

[ReeferRob]

I heard that this has the highest tensile strength available and is completely reef safe. 103 is supposed to be black.
http://www.skygeek.com/rtv108-12t.html

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Yikes. That could have been a serious flood. I'll second what Rob said about the silicone. The RTV is what tanks should be constructed with (the 100% stuff is designed for sealing not holding together). You might want to check with the tank manufacturer to ensure the main seams of the tank won't have the same issue as the bracing.

I was just thinking about your tank the other day and wondering if a 3-side fiberglass tank wouldn't be a good option for you. This would be a good time to consider it if you hadn't already. Especially if you can return or get a refund on the current tank (if it has a warranty). Just a thought.

Tom

[tanglovers]

Thanks for the info. After Rob posed the question I posted over on RC and was told the same thing about the silicone. As a result, I will have RTV 108 (clear) here tomorrow morning once our local Grainger gets it in for me.

I bought this tank used so there is no warentee. I believe the top piece of eurobracing started coming loose due to the move and setup of the tank combined with maybe less then par original design. The main center bracing on the tank is two wide center braces that connected the front panel, rear panel and the cooresponding eurobraces. This combined with the external overflow box meant that the center braces only actually bonded to the rear panel in two areas about 2" long each. This was the weakpoint. With standard eurobracing (ontop of the sides/front/rear) it is siliconed along the whole edge onto that spot.

The new bracing will be all the existing pieces (re-siliconed) in the current locations (sitting inside the top lip) and a full new set sitting ontop of the top lip. The resulting end product should be very strong. The center two braces will then go across as well.

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Sounds like you have a good plan.

FYI- my understanding of the RTV is that it needs to cure for at least a week and can be difficult to work with. Sorry I don't have more info on it (I've never used it). Most of what I've read about it has been over on RC.

Tom

[tanglovers]

If all goes as planned I will be able to give you an update tomorrow evening on how it is to work with. I am unsure I will get all the bracing on tomorrow, might have to be tomorrow and the following depending on my work schedule but we shall see. It should have plenty of time to cure, the first time it took nearly a week to fill the tank. I kept the water when I drained it but have been using it as water change water so about 75% of it is gone anyhow.

[tanglovers]

Well I am about 1/2 way done adding the bracing back onto the tank. The RTV108 silicone (108 is the clear) is not too bad to work with. For sure not quite as easy as standard silicone but not hard either.

I am hoping to get the rest of the bracing on tomorrow. Looks like a 1 week cure time so no water back in by this weekend.

[tanglovers]

Well a long overdue update.

All the bracing work is done and silicone is cured. Tank has had water back in it for about a month now and doing great. It is done cycling, Prodibio aided greatly in the cycle.

The metal halides are all mounted above the tank, the spread / lack of shadows sure is nice due to the bracing being glass. All my previous setups have had plastic cross braces.

The mesh tops are made and installed over the tank.

The apex is not yet hooked up, playing around with it on the kitchen table and figuring out where I am planning on mounting all the pieces still.

I also added the first three fish to the tank today. A pair of long nosed butterflies (Forcipiger flavissimus) and a moorish idol (Zanclus cornutus). The idol I got from another hobbyist when I picked up a pair of bandit angels (Apolemichthys arcuatus) for my sub tropical non-photo tank and the long nosed butterflies I have had for a couple months now in QT.

I will try to get some pics up tomorrow!

[Sir Patrick]

Looking forward to seeing pics of the fish!

[tanglovers]

Here are a couple quick pics. Obviously the install is far from done.

Here is a full tank shot - only the end halides on. I am amazed by the spread and lack of shadows:



The mesh tops:




The idol:



The long nose butterfly pair:



If these three fish do fine then next week there will be a larger group of additions, my fairy wrasse harems and most of the smaller angels.

[Rook]

Looks great, can't wait to see it full.