Chuck's 150 Gallon Reef Project - Page 23

RonnieM · #**221** (**permalink**) 03-07-2007, 12:48 AM

Chuck will be known after this project as the DIY GURU

ChuckG · #**222** (**permalink**) 03-07-2007, 01:01 AM

AND IT WORKED !!

That's a heavy duty bulkhead for 1 1/2 inch pipe

**phlounder** · #**223** (**permalink**) 03-07-2007, 01:16 AM

Aren't we creative?

Why do you have to remove the center brace on the sump? You might not even need to put it back. If it is going to only be half full of water (as most sumps are), then I wouldn't worry about replacing it. The load on the front & back glass will be half (or less) of what it would be if the tank was full. Plus, if you have baffles siliconed in that will reinforce it even more. Maybe I am missing what you are using that particular tank for though.

What time of day do you actually find time in your busy schedule to deliver mail? If you are not DIY'ing, you are answering questions on the board! You da' man!!!

ChuckG · #**224** (**permalink**) 03-07-2007, 01:28 AM

Deliver mail? - that sounds like work to me.

Today was my day off. They aren't giving out so much overtime anymore which is a bad thing. I have a serious habit here to finance.

The smaller tanks don't have braces. The 150 has a brace right down the center and I need to cut the weir in the top edge of the back panel for the external overflow.

The tank I just drilled is one of the 29gals. I have to drill the other one so the two can be connected. Too late tonight, the neighbors will complain. And besides that, American Idol will be on shortly.

**phlounder** · #**225** (**permalink**) 03-07-2007, 01:59 AM

Ohhhhh. I didn't realize that was the 150. Didn't know those had plastic center braces. That's going to be a tricky situation trying to brace that tank after you remove the center brace AND some glass at the top of the back panel. You are a braver man than I. I wish you luck.

RonnieM · #**226** (**permalink**) 03-07-2007, 02:19 AM

Gary, George at CC in N.O. took his 120 and removed the center brace then added an aluminum channel around the top of it to give it support. He claims he has done this many times and never heard of a problem from doing it.

**phlounder** · #**227** (**permalink**) 03-07-2007, 02:24 AM

Yeah, but did he cut a wier along the top edge of the back glass?

Chuck, fill us in with some the details on how you plan to cut that wier and replace the center brace also. Color me curious.

ChuckG · #**228** (**permalink**) 03-07-2007, 02:41 AM

Obviously I haven't done anything yet. Thus far I see three options for rebracing.

1) Perimeter Brace. Just let the brace ride over top of the notch. I don't see why this wouldn't work. The water level won't get that high.

2) Simply two strips of glass across the top on each side of the weir.

3) Two squares that sort of immulate perimeter bracing and the two strips in combo.

**phlounder** · #**229** (**permalink**) 03-07-2007, 02:57 AM

How are you going to cut the wier on the back glass? Something like one of these?

ChuckG · #**230** (**permalink**) 03-07-2007, 03:15 AM

I was shooting for #1 but it will probably only make it 24" long. That will be plenty for the flow. So it will look more like this.