140 GALLON AQUARIUM CONSTRUCTION

This is a good tank for live rock grow out

Geothermal Aquaculture Research Foundation, Inc

YOU CAN MAKE THIS AQUARIUM ANY SIZE YOU WANT. IT IS GREAT FOR FRESH AND SALT WATER. DO NOT MAKE THE TANK ANY TALLER WITH 1/4" GLASS. I HAVE MADE OVER 100 OF THESE AND THEY WORK GREAT. I HAVE ONE IN MY LAB THAT IS 17 YEARS OLD.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Where do I get the paint?
You can get the epoxy at stores that sell swimming pool supplies.

Where can I get the glue?
The glue is used to make boats and fine cabinets

Can I make the tank taller?
Yes, but you need to use 1/2" glass for tanks up to 28" tall.

Can I make a window on both sides?
Yes

How long will this type of tank last?
We have used some for almost 20 years.

Do I paint both inside and out?
That is a good Idea.

Can I make this tank wider?
Yes, just use very good center supports.

1321 Warm Springs Ave.
Boise Idaho 83712
U.S.A.

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CONTENTS
MATERIAL LIST
CUTTING LIST
ASSEMBLE TANK
TANK PAINTING
INSTALL GLASS
FINAL FINISH
FEED BACK AND QUESTIONS
LINKS TO ONLINE CORAL FARMING SCHOOL
HOME PAGE Geothermal Aquculture Research Foundation INDEX TO MORE RESEARCH

140-GALLON GROW-OUT TANK CONSTRUCTION


PLEASE PRINT THIS PAGE FOR LATER USE

TANK IS A 2-3 PERSON PROJECT

Tools

MATERIAL LIST

Materials List (Sufficient to build two [2] tanks)

CUTTING LIST

Plywood Cut List (Sufficient to build two [2] tanks)

Work Area

A clean, dry work area is needed, indoors if necessary to insure cleanliness, out-of-doors if possible. Secondary, well ventilated, warm area for final tank drying after construction.
TANK ASSEMBLY

Single Tank Construction Procedure, Tank Assembly

a. Inspect all plywood pieces for rough or flawed edges, which might later affect tank integrity. Sand as needed.
b. Lay bottom panel on the 16-inch stanchions.
c. Apply glue along all four edges of bottom panel, sufficiently heavy to accommodate the edges of the backpanel, endpanels, and face frame.
e. Raise backpanel up under bottom panel, mating long edge of backpanel into glue along edge of bottom panel. Insure that edges are flush, and that they make a 90-degree corner.
d. Turn bottom panel over, glue side down, centered on stanchions so that all edges of bottom panel are accessible.
f. Using screwgun, screw backpanel to bottom panel, inserting 2-inch drywall screws at 3-inch intervals along entire length. INSURE THAT ALL SCREWS ARE FULLY SEAlED, AND TIGHT.
g. Apply glue along one 16 inch edge of each endpanel.
(h) Raise each endpanel up under bottom panel, and screw tightly to both bottom panel and backpanel. Place drywall screws at three inch intervals.
i. Apply glue along inside edges of face frame, where they will mate with the endpanels. Raise lower face frame up under remaining edge of bottom-panel, and screw into place to bottom panel and endpanels.
j. Use three (3) screws in each end, and normal three-inch intervals along length. Insure that all edges are flush, and tight, after final tightening of screws.

*** WIPE EXCESS GLUE FROM ALL JOINTS AFTER FINAL TIGHTENING, AS IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CHIP OR SAND AWAY AFTER IT IS HARDENED. ***


k. Turn partially-completed tank right side up on stanchions for inspection. At this point, all panels screwed together should rest on the bottom panel, for the strongest possible base.
If this is not the case, quickly disassemble the pieces before the glue sets, and reassemble properly.
1. Turn the tank face-up on the stanchions.
m. Apply glue to FRONT exposed edges of endpanels.
n. Lay upper face frame in place, and screw to edge panels, using three screws in each end.
o. Check short face frame pieces for proper fit, sanding if necessary. THEY MUST FIT TIGHTLY WITHOUT SPRINGING UPPER AND LOWER FACE FRAME PIECES APART.
p. Apply glue to ends of short face frame pieces.
q. Lay short face frame pieces into place, and screw firmly to end panels, insuring that the outer edges are flush with the ends of the tank.
r. Recheck all work, wiping away excess glue, and insuring that corners are square, true, and not pulled open by later construction.
s. Allow to dry overnight if possible, though this is not critical.
TANK PAINTING

Single Tank Construction Procedure, Painting --

Precautions FOR ALL PROCEDURES INVOLVING EPOXY PAINT, THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS MUST BE ADHERED TO.

APPLY PAINT IN A WELL-VENTILATED AREA, PREFERABLY OUT-OF-DOORS, AND MOST ESPECIALLY AWAY FROM THE AIR SUPPLY INTAKE. THE FUMES ARE HIGHLY TOXIC, AND MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS IN HUMANS IF THEY ARE CONCENTRATED AND EXPOSURE IS PROLONGED.
a. Apply epoxy paint to all exposed wood surfaces of tank.
b. Make coat of paint as thin as possible, while covering the wood surfaces completely, because the paint runs easily.
c. Allow coat to dry overnight.
d. Fill all cracks and holes with autobody putty, making as smooth a surface as possible.

e. Sand entire surface, using 120-grit paper or power sander, and apply second coat.
Again, insure that the coat is as thin as possible, to avoid running paint.
f.SANDING DETAILS
Use the 120-grit sandpaper for sanding the first two coats of epoxy paint.
220-grit for sanding the third coat, in preparation for the fourth or final finish coat.
(If power sander is used. then the sanding pressure applied would be less for the last coat.)
Repeat procedure in steps until four (4) coats of the epoxy paint are applied.
Allow tank to dry in well-ventilated, warm area for 24 hours before proceeding.

Glass Installation

Single Tank Construction Procedure, Glass Installation --

a. Turn tank face down on level, flat surface, insuring that entire face frame is supported.
b. Use 220-grit sandpaper to rough up a two-inch strip of the epoxy paint on the inside of the tank, around the glass opening. This rough area will serve as a bonding area for the silicon glue.
c. Sand or file all corners of the glass panel, to avoid later injury to either workers or fish.
d. Clean entire surface, and edges, of glass panel with Xylene cleaner, and then commercial glass cleaner.
e. Apply 1/2-inch bead of silicon caulking around entire opening in face frame, on inside of tank. The bead should be approximately one inch from edge of opening, except along the top, and there the bead should be approximately one-half inch from edge of opening.
f. Install glass on inside of tank, insuring that the lower edge of the glass is resting full-length against bottom panel of tank for support.
g. Press evenly on glass to remove all bubbles and gaps from silicon caulking seal.
h. Recaulk glass, along all edges. pressing caulking with finger firmly into the corner formed by glass and face frame. Final caulking seal should be smooth, rounded, and gap and bubble free. Wipe any excess caulking away after seal is finished.

FINAL FINISH

Single Tank Construction Procedure, Final Assembly Points

a. Using three screws for each end of brace, install tank top brace, centered, spanning from top, inside edge of backpanel to top inside edge of upper face frame.
b. Apply heavy bead of silicon caulking into all interior corners of tank, again smoothing the seal with finger, removing all gaps and bubbles, and wiping away excess caulking when finished.
Allow tank to dry for 48 hours in warm, dry area before adding water.

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