Tobes
Retired Moderator
Congratz on your tank Adee, agree - this will look awesome when finnished, keeping an eye on the build 
Adee's v2
- Thread starter Adee
- Start date
Wow Adrian this is sounding amazing and the layout looks really good from the sketch! Can't wait to see this tank up and running!
jeez Adee this is going to be awesome man
lovely tank..i cant wait to see this system up and going will be following this thread closely
lovely tank..i cant wait to see this system up and going will be following this thread closely
Wow gonna be awesome! Good luck!
Weyhey! Cool, Adee Looking forward to the build.
Glass is best for light and durability, but it's a poor thermal insulator. It also requires a strong frame and is expensive to install. With regards acrylic and poly, I prefer acrylic. It lets through more blue/UV light and doesn't yellow as quickly as poly does. Fiberglass is a pretty good option, but it diffuses the light (some poly will too). One option to consider here would be twinwall poly. Cheap and easy to install and a good insulator. Redox used twinwall in his greenhouse: not the most cost effective greenhouse you ever heard of - Reef Central Online Community
You mean the open space in front of the table? Yeah, that'll be a problem. Leave a bucket of 27 degree water out overnight to get a feeling for it. My greenhouse loses 2 degrees overnight, despite having each of the tubs covered with polyethylene sheet.
Schlep. It'll be bulky and look funny when not in place. Rather insulate the space. The wife gets a winter sunroom too
Nope, all good IMO. Keep a few tanks aside for quarantine etc. of course.
Check out Hillaldam for sliding door components. They have some nice systems. Maybe you can figure out a way of getting the cost down?
Looking forward to the build.Glass is best for light and durability, but it's a poor thermal insulator. It also requires a strong frame and is expensive to install. With regards acrylic and poly, I prefer acrylic. It lets through more blue/UV light and doesn't yellow as quickly as poly does. Fiberglass is a pretty good option, but it diffuses the light (some poly will too). One option to consider here would be twinwall poly. Cheap and easy to install and a good insulator. Redox used twinwall in his greenhouse: not the most cost effective greenhouse you ever heard of - Reef Central Online Community
You mean the open space in front of the table? Yeah, that'll be a problem. Leave a bucket of 27 degree water out overnight to get a feeling for it. My greenhouse loses 2 degrees overnight, despite having each of the tubs covered with polyethylene sheet.
Schlep. It'll be bulky and look funny when not in place. Rather insulate the space. The wife gets a winter sunroom too
Nope, all good IMO. Keep a few tanks aside for quarantine etc. of course.
Check out Hillaldam for sliding door components. They have some nice systems. Maybe you can figure out a way of getting the cost down?
Weyhey! Cool, Adee
Glass is best for light and durability, but it's a poor thermal insulator. It also requires a strong frame and is expensive to install. With regards acrylic and poly, I prefer acrylic. It lets through more blue/UV light and doesn't yellow as quickly as poly does. Fiberglass is a pretty good option, but it diffuses the light (some poly will too). One option to consider here would be twinwall poly. Cheap and easy to install and a good insulator. Redox used twinwall in his greenhouse: not the most cost effective greenhouse you ever heard of - Reef Central Online Community
Check out Hillaldam for sliding door components. They have some nice systems. Maybe you can figure out a way of getting the cost down?
Thanks for the reply Rob most apreceated!I go thru Redox's thread as well looks like a good read.
Anyways did some "window" shopping today (with the wife of course)...looks like we will def get those folding doors to seal up the front.
I suppose Maizeys would stock the acrlic?...do you think would have that twinwall polly as well?..I will give them a call.
I'll try Hilladam as well for the doors.
One more thing...what thickness clear acrylic would be best?
Yes, they stock both acrylic and twinwall. Maybe pre-phone to see that they have twinwall in stock.
Depends on how it's supported, but 5mm is pretty good. I used 5mm to glaze two windows in my greenhouse. They're around 2.5m x 0.65m each. I used 3M VHB tape to flush glaze it on. The tape is around R500 a roll (gulp) and the acrylic works out to around R250 a square meter.
Be aware that horizontal acrylic will sag a bit unless it's very well supported. You might need little aluminium purlins to keep it level. The roof is currently wood, right?
Thanks Rob.
I had a look at this product on the net,
multiwall polycarbonate technical although their best is 86% light transmittance (UV absorption) on their 4.5mm. The percentage drops a bit more at the product get thicker.
You would want as much light to come thru tight?
I had a look at this product on the net,
multiwall polycarbonate technical although their best is 86% light transmittance (UV absorption) on their 4.5mm. The percentage drops a bit more at the product get thicker.
You would want as much light to come thru tight?
Yes, you want as much light as possible, but the truth is you'll probably wind up with too much light anyway and you'll probably have to shade. I wouldn't worry about 85% versus 95% light transmission. The spectrum of transmission is more important, IMO.
Tagging along to check progress
Cool, I agree with you there Rob.
the more the merrier
Yep, Riaan...ive changed the plans again...made the green house section part of the main area. Will post plan updates.
Had to redo, cause had not factored in the standard window lengths...
Managed to find a supplier that quoted me a good price on doors and windows
Managed to find a supplier that quoted me a good price on doors and windows
update...building has started!
Ok, so I changed the plans...again.
Decided to rather make the nursery area part of the bldg alterations as well. The pinball machine looking set up on the right is the ATS, that will flow into the refuige, that will flow into the frag tank. I will probably make is narrower to no more than a meter but extend the length of that tank.
The tank still where I left it...excuse my gremlin in the picture...
the part of the veranda that was extended that will be my fish room :yeahdude:.
Plumbed in drainage and electrical. The drainage (for water changes) empties directly into the sewer line...so no more dead grass patches. Electrical will have its own DB box.
Windows and main 6 panel door should arrive end of the week, next week latest. Only hold up now it the twin-wall polly guys... :nono: not getting back to me with my requirements.
Ok, so I changed the plans...again.
Decided to rather make the nursery area part of the bldg alterations as well. The pinball machine looking set up on the right is the ATS, that will flow into the refuige, that will flow into the frag tank. I will probably make is narrower to no more than a meter but extend the length of that tank.
The tank still where I left it...excuse my gremlin in the picture...
the part of the veranda that was extended that will be my fish room :yeahdude:.
Plumbed in drainage and electrical. The drainage (for water changes) empties directly into the sewer line...so no more dead grass patches. Electrical will have its own DB box.
Windows and main 6 panel door should arrive end of the week, next week latest. Only hold up now it the twin-wall polly guys... :nono: not getting back to me with my requirements.
Thanks Neil!....so when are you starting a build thread for your new system?
Thanks Jacques, total volume I'm trying to keep to around 2000 liters. Will update as quick as I can get the building stuff done.