Setting up my acrylic tank i built

[uarujoey]

Hey guys/gals....

For those who were following my acrylic tank build that i posted in video format a while ago, im now going to be setting it up.

Heres the first video of 4....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heAjxXHmrF8

[Mike536]

Great Video Joey.

On a side note. When I was ordering my acrylic here in Ottawa I was going to go with EM plastic and the guy said they didn't have any 3/8" cell cast, no applicators and it would cost a fortune to get the weld-on 4 in because they would have to order it from the USA. Regardless I went with someone else. Maybe down east they have it in stock.

Cheers,
Mike

[uarujoey]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIZA-j-p2No

[Hookup]

Impressive...  How can you combat the noise?

[JetJumper]

I have used silicone to try to hold acrylic baffles in place before but usually after a while they let go since Silicone does not stick to acrylic.

Have you had this happen to you yet?  Or do you just use a LOT of silicone and pray it doesn't go?

[uarujoey]

Impressive...  How can you combat the noise?

Noise can be lowered by putting lids on the filter, and putting it in an enclosed stand. After that, its very quiet.

[uarujoey]

I have used silicone to try to hold acrylic baffles in place before but usually after a while they let go since Silicone does not stick to acrylic.

Have you had this happen to you yet?  Or do you just use a LOT of silicone and pray it doesn't go?

I have never had this issue. I use a normal amount of silicone for my baffles. I have had it last for a couple years or more. One went for over 4 years until i took the filter apart. Even then, it was still difficult to do so. A lot of it depends on what the water height will be in each chamber, as well as the thickness of the acrylic used.

[uarujoey]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1Y2Y_iJldE

[Greatwhite]

Hey Joey... I have to ask.. Why did you go with ABS pipes in the filter/sump?  I've been told MANY times to stick with PVC because it's "food grade" and ABS can break down over time...

Just curious.. I'm sure that "rules" are probably different with fresh water than they are with salt.

[uarujoey]

Im not sure where a lot of these rumors come from to be honest. ABS does not corrode, rot, break down, or anything of the like.

I have never heard of it breaking down. In fact, its durability is one of the reasons for its success.

I have also heard people saying that ABS contains antibacterial agents..

None of this is correct.

Some basic reading:

ABS:

http://www.ppfahome.org/abs/absgeneral.html#code

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABS_Pipe

[Greatwhite]

Im not sure where a lot of these rumors come from to be honest. ABS does not corrode, rot, break down, or anything of the like.

I have never heard of it breaking down. In fact, its durability is one of the reasons for its success.

I have also heard people saying that ABS contains antibacterial agents..

None of this is correct.

Some basic reading:

ABS:

http://www.ppfahome.org/abs/absgeneral.html#code

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABS_Pipe

weird stuff... I've seen MANY people blasted for even mentioning using ABS for their lines on another forum.  The main argument is that ABS is used for drain lines to a sewer, and PVC carries clean water to the sink for us to drink.  I'll have to do a search on the other forum to see what actual arguments were given there.

Thanks!

cool videos, btw.

[Greatwhite]

This is a quote from the other forum when "the guy" was questioned about his constant poo-pooing of ABS used in an aquarium.  The common thing that he had said in posts was that building code says not to use ABS for potable water.  Therefore if we cannot drink from it, it shouldn't be in the aquarium.  He also mentions that ABS breaks down at a lower PH than PVC, but I can't see what that PH is anywhere.

But like I said - fresh water probably uses different rules because it's less corrosive than salt...

I research everything before I get into it. It's a flaw I have to need to know the facts first. I've actually read books (from the library) about various plastics and their properties; as well as have spoken to chemical engineers and the like. To keep it simple -

There are different 'grades' of everything produced - from paper to oils to gasoline to glass to.... (I think you get my point).

There's waterproof paint. Does that mean that ALL paint is waterproof? NO...as it costs more to make it that way - thus in a situation that doesn't require it - you would create/produce a paint that is designed to simply get the job done. ABS is simply a copolymer of Acrylonitrile, Butadiene, and Styrene - and adjusting the amounts of each changes the structure, hardness, heat resistance, UV resistance, etc. This is also done via the addition of other chemicals/pigments, ie. that would make the product Black vs another color, etc. (ie. Legos).

PVC has been approved for drinking water; thus it's tested and verified by various agencies (like the FDA, etc.). to ensure it's 'safe'. ABS is NOT approved for drinking water - and as such, it doesn't need to be built to the same standards.

Just like there are various 'grades' of PVC - there are different 'grades' of ABS ... just like everything else.

oh - some 'reference':
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABS_resin

[magnosis]

Hey Joey

Just tought I'd chime in.  I've watched every single one of your videos, and I gotta say: I'm very impressed !!  Very well spoken, professional, quite talented and you have a gift to explain complicated things in very simple ways.

Plus... it's all free information !  Many people would opt to print dvd's, stream video a-la-carte, or sell books.  Yet you chose to freely give your time and efforts for the betterment of every aquarists and DIY-ers out there - this is commendable beyond any words I can find !
The least I can say is Bravo   

[Greatwhite]

Hey Joey

Just tought I'd chime in.  I've watched every single one of your videos, and I gotta say: I'm very impressed !!  Very well spoken, professional, quite talented and you have a gift to explain complicated things in very simple ways.

Plus... it's all free information !  Many people would opt to print dvd's, stream video a-la-carte, or sell books.  Yet you chose to freely give your time and efforts for the betterment of every aquarists and DIY-ers out there - this is commendable beyond any words I can find !
The least I can say is Bravo   

Agreed!  MANY hours are spent staring at a project, trying to think of how to get it done.  You are probably single-handedly saving people from making lots of mistakes and wasting so much time & money with your videos.  /highfive

[uarujoey]

This is a quote from the other forum when "the guy" was questioned about his constant poo-pooing of ABS used in an aquarium.  The common thing that he had said in posts was that building code says not to use ABS for potable water.  Therefore if we cannot drink from it, it shouldn't be in the aquarium.  He also mentions that ABS breaks down at a lower PH than PVC, but I can't see what that PH is anywhere.

But like I said - fresh water probably uses different rules because it's less corrosive than salt...

ABS doesn't corrode. its an insoluble material.. there's nothing in saltwater that will cause it to corrode. I've seen it used in reef tanks many times before. The fact that ABS doesnt corrode, has made it so popular. It will even stand up to hydrochloric and phosphoric acids. So saltwater wont hurt it. What real concerns should be is leaching.
If ABS was so dangerous for the aquarium, i'd think or tank rims and trims would be made out of something else other than ABS(almost every black trim is ABS)
Constantly keep it submerged, could cause leaching, but i have found nothing to support those facts, nor have i ever experienced any issues with it, after several years of use.
If anyone doesn't feel comfortable using it, don't. I feel fine with it though. If i wasnt comfortable, i wouldnt use it in tanks with single specimens worth a few thousand dollars.
You'll come to find, that panic spreads quickly in this hobby, and it only takes a few people to say something that puts others off from it. Always do your own research, even if you trust the source.

Hey Joey

Just tought I'd chime in.  I've watched every single one of your videos, and I gotta say: I'm very impressed !!  Very well spoken, professional, quite talented and you have a gift to explain complicated things in very simple ways.

Plus... it's all free information !  Many people would opt to print dvd's, stream video a-la-carte, or sell books.  Yet you chose to freely give your time and efforts for the betterment of every aquarists and DIY-ers out there - this is commendable beyond any words I can find !
The least I can say is Bravo   

Thank you very much magnosis. I appreciate the support greatly! Having something explained in laymen terms is something i personally appreciate. It makes learning much faster. It also gives a great starting point for further research into more complicated explanations. So i try to explain my builds and videos as simple as possible. The only down side to my videos, is i do a lot of them "live". Meaning i make permanent changes, or permanent adjustments as im building(like the acrylic tank build) So it brings me a great challenge, to not only explain the build as detailed as i can as im actually building, but to also concentrate on doing it right. So i find sometimes i notice i missed a few details. Which is why i stay active with the videos after they are posted, so i can answer any questions... which i answer all of them.

You my friend, are a perfect example, as to why i make my videos. Someone who appreciates them, and learns something from them. Thank you for adding to the cause.

Agreed!  MANY hours are spent staring at a project, trying to think of how to get it done.  You are probably single-handedly saving people from making lots of mistakes and wasting so much time & money with your videos.  /highfive

I surely hope my videos are helping people! Thanks for the support!

[uarujoey]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAhycbnL1Mk

[Hookup]

As always.  Job well done.   

[Rybren]

Don't forget that many, if not most, of the bulkheads that we use on our tanks are made from ABS.

My coast-to-coast overflow is a length of ABS pipe with a slot cut in the top.  I've had no issues with it in the 1 1/2 years that it's been running.

[FishBuddy]

+1 from me as well magnosis...

Joey explains things very clearly on the videos.  They are very well made, professional and easy to understand.  Now, I have no problem trying/attempting to reseal a tank

Nice job Joey...  You certainly show a lot of passion in this hobby!

Hey Joey

Just tought I'd chime in.  I've watched every single one of your videos, and I gotta say: I'm very impressed !!  Very well spoken, professional, quite talented and you have a gift to explain complicated things in very simple ways.

Plus... it's all free information !  Many people would opt to print dvd's, stream video a-la-carte, or sell books.  Yet you chose to freely give your time and efforts for the betterment of every aquarists and DIY-ers out there - this is commendable beyond any words I can find !
The least I can say is Bravo   

[uarujoey]

As always.  Job well done.   

Thanks Hookup, i appreciate it!

Don't forget that many, if not most, of the bulkheads that we use on our tanks are made from ABS.

My coast-to-coast overflow is a length of ABS pipe with a slot cut in the top.  I've had no issues with it in the 1 1/2 years that it's been running.

Agreed.... You wont have any issues with it...

+1 from me as well magnosis...

Joey explains things very clearly on the videos.  They are very well made, professional and easy to understand.  Now, I have no problem trying/attempting to reseal a tank

Nice job Joey...  You certainly show a lot of passion in this hobby!

Thanks FishBuddy! I'm very pleased to get feed back like this. Although, i don't mind criticism as well(helps me improve)
I'm grateful for your support, and others like you, to say the least!

I have no problems answering questions, or asking them, so it was no trouble with your reseal questions!

Thanks for the support!