65 Gallon Acrylic Vivarium Build

thercman · #1 (**permalink**) 12-14-2008, 03:28 AM

Hey Everyone!

This is going to be my first Vivarium and the first time I have kept dart frogs. After much searching around for a tank of the right size for my projected I opted to build my own. The tank is 30x18x24. The back and the bottom of the tank are 1/4" black acrylic and the rest will be constructed of 1/4" clear. Anyway, today I went over to my friends house for a couple hours and we managed to get all of the pieces cut and routed. I also managed to start assembly. Sorry about the pic quality it was taken with my cell phone. Enjoy!

froggsong · #2 (**permalink**) 12-14-2008, 03:35 AM

Very cool. Why did you decide on the black?

That is pretty darn great quality for a phone pic, btw.

thercman · #3 (**permalink**) 12-14-2008, 03:54 AM

Some people have used black silicon to coat the back, others have painted it etc. I figured I would just start out that way since we had the acrylic laying around.

The design has changed again...lol The change to the change to the change. Anyway, the drain in the bottom is going to be omitted. Instead I will just install small bulkhead in one of the lower back corners. It will have a piece of tube on the inside as a pick up to supply an external canister filter. The return from the filter will go back into the bottom with another small bulkhead. Prior to this bulkhead will be a T connector with a 1/4" tube and a shut off valve. By closing of the shut off valve I can divert some of the return water to the 1/4" tube that will feed the water fall feature.... Still working out the details...

beckdg · #4 (**permalink**) 12-14-2008, 09:31 AM

it all sounds great... bulkhead = good idea! T-splitter = bad idea Y-splitter = good idea.

better off to use a y... you'll get a better flow and reduce stress on your equipment as well as reducing back pressure and the chances for a possible blow-out/leak!

btw... CHANGE IS GOOD... it just means you want it to work the first time!
i know it's a pain in the rear, but a bunch of minor changes during planning and building will prevent a lot of future issues.

thercman · #5 (**permalink**) 12-14-2008, 12:56 PM

The plan will be to use the rigid tubing used with Jaco fittings so a blow will probably not happen. However if I can find a Y with a 3/8" line off one end and a 1/4" feed off the other I'll use it over the T for sure... Good idea thanks. You aren't kidding about the planning thing. I spent a year or more planning out my 375 gallon reef tank. There are still little things that are getting changed even as it goes together. Here is the design for that so you can see what I mean.

froggsong · #6 (**permalink**) 12-15-2008, 02:21 AM

Ok, I think my husband WON'T be getting that saltwater aquarium we've been discussing, lol...

bareass · #7 (**permalink**) 12-15-2008, 03:00 AM

so i take it that the sump tank will filter and heat the water and send it back into the main tank, but is it planted, if so why? just curious i really know nothing of aquariums but i do like engineering!

froggsong · #8 (**permalink**) 12-15-2008, 03:09 AM

It helps filter the water.

beckdg · #9 (**permalink**) 12-15-2008, 08:25 AM

it chews up minerals that accumulate and adds o2 as saltwater is very hard to keep oxygenated!

btw frogg... just to make a kalkwasser reactor can be expensive let alone skimmers, wave makers... the list goes on. oceanics are EXPENSIVE and quite difficult for the diy-er.

a planted freshwater can be just as rewarding and can be accomplished w/less time (maintenance) and money. also is a great step towards a reef tank and can help you decide if time or money might put a quick end to a well thought out project.

thercman · #10 (**permalink**) 01-03-2009, 10:53 PM

Sorry for the delay with updates. We have received 62" of snow over the last few weeks so getting out to work on the tank has been rough. Anyway, below is a pic of the work that was done today. Basically the tank is now built. Next weekend I will need to router the edges so they are flush, round them over and polish them. After that I will drill the holes for the filter supply and the water feature. I also need to make the removable top and drill the holes for the misting system. As of right now I am not sure whether or not I want or need access doors. Any thing I should add let me know....