Recent Acrylic Projects

[ajn81]

Well, since I got laid-off, I've had the time to take on some acrylic projects. Thought I'd share a few that I recently finished up.

54 gal total volume (22"x26"x22") 46 gallon visible (22" x 22" x 22"):

http://www.austinanna.com/Images/BB/sump/cube_tank_front.jpg

back view of the same tank:

http://www.austinanna.com/Images/BB/sump/cube_tank_back.jpg


60 Gallon Sump (42" x 18" x 18"):

http://www.austinanna.com/Images/BB/sump/sump_f.jpg

http://www.austinanna.com/Images/BB/sump/sump_f2.jpg


20+ gallon sump:

http://www.austinanna.com/Images/BB/sump/doc_sump.jpg

[xsocali]

Very nice work,I like the 60 gallon sump.

[davocean]

Really clean looking builds.
I think I got that same granite I may use for a cab top!LOL

[narcist21]

Very nice work on the sumps. Are you interested in selling any?

[DOC]

That 50 gal turned out nice. Thanks for the great work on my sump A+.

[ajn81]

Very nice work,I like the 60 gallon sump.


Thanks, that sump is the largest volume project I've built so far. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out


.
Really clean looking builds.
I think I got that same granite I may use for a cab top!LOL

Thanks Dave. The granite make for a really nice level workspace :). I hope that sump fits nicely in the stand that you built ;).


Very nice work on the sumps. Are you interested in selling any?

Sorry, I should have specified, all of these project were built for, and sold to fellow sdreefers.


That 50 gal turned out nice. Thanks for the great work on my sump A+.

Thanks Dustin, I hope you have recovered from that nasty sun burn you got while we were working on yours :lol:.

[jt_milstead]

I think you have found your calling Austin...

[ajn81]

I think you have found your calling Austin...

No way man, I'll always be a software engineer ;). This is a fun way to keep me busy though in between jobs.

[ajn81]

Also thought I'd share this sump I just finished building out of an existing 20 Gallon Tall:

http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/imagehosting/47304a1dd7cce5303.jpg

[MustangBill]

Nice! Good work, very professional looking! :)

[pnguy3n]

Hey Austin,
Hope all is well for you, just wanted to say awesome projects.

[ajn81]

Just finished up a couple more projects.

~33 gal Sump (36" x 13" x 16"):

http://www.austinanna.com/Images/BB/sump/SB_Grad-Sump.jpg

45 gallon sump (48" x 18" x 12"):

http://www.austinanna.com/Images/BB/sump/narcist21_sump3.jpg
(this one actually has a couple of minor leak issues that I'm working out :()

[j1gregor]

what do you use to cut the acrylic?

[ajn81]

Just a table saw and a router.

[narcist21]

That second one sure looks sweet, great design:angel:

[99sf]

Wow, great work! For the 54 gallon cube, did you bend the corners or glue 90 degree angles together?

[ajn81]

Wow, great work! For the 54 gallon cube, did you bend the corners or glue 90 degree angles together?

Thanks! Bent the corners with my DIY Acrylic Bender (http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51869) :).

[j1gregor]

I guess I should have been more specific. Are there blades that work better with acrylic.. I used a hand held cirucular saw with the blade it came with, which works, but the edges are pretty ragged afterward.

[99sf]

Nice... I did not see your DIY Acrylic Bender thread before you linked to it. From software engineer to mechanical engineer! A couple of weeks ago, I went to a Bay Area Reef presentation featuring Gen Watanabe of Kritter Products and learned a lot about acrylic tank building.

[ajn81]

I guess I should have been more specific. Are there blades that work better with acrylic.. I used a hand held cirucular saw with the blade it came with, which works, but the edges are pretty ragged afterward.

Yes, an 80 tooth blade is the way to go for acrylic. Reduces friction and gives a very clean cut. Marc (melev) has some very good info on acrylic tools if you're interested http://www.melevsreef.com/tools.html.

[j1gregor]

great info on that site. Thanks for the help.

[ajn81]

Just finished up this display case for !van's cell phone store. It measures 16" x 8" x 72". He is going to put used phones in it. At least I don't have to worry about it leaking ;).

http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/imagehosting/47304a45a130d0466.jpg

[!v@n]

Thanks Austin, the display looks great. My partner saw it and said we may have you build some more custom displays for our new store. To all those considering using Austin for acrylic work, his work is top notch, and his pricing is reasonable.

[DOC]

I tell you Austin this might be a new business for you... A.A. Austin Acrylics :)

[!v@n]

Austin built the overflows for my new tank.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a335/ivanp2/utf-8BSU1HMDAwODYtMjAwOTA3MDQtMTIyO.jpg

[ajn81]

Just finished another tank project and thought I'd share the progression of this tank build. Hope you all enjoy :).

20 Gallon Total Volume (18" x 22" x 12") 17 Gallon Visible (18" x 18" x 12")

I was given these designs to work from.

http://i323.photobucket.com/albums/nn446/kthehun/Back-1.jpg

http://i323.photobucket.com/albums/nn446/kthehun/Front-1.jpg




So, to begin, I joined the sides of the tank to the front panel:

http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/imagehosting/47304a4ab2e0d2282.jpg


Then I started joining the back baffles to the back panel:

http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/imagehosting/47304a4ab2e0eedb9.jpg


From there, I joined the black false wall to the baffles and then joined the entire back section to the side panels:

http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/imagehosting/47304a4bfb78c80e5.jpg

http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/imagehosting/47304a4bfb78ebda4.jpg

[ajn81]

From this point, I joined the bottom and top of the tank to the sides. Then routed the euro-bracing on the top:

http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/imagehosting/47304a4e898b60e83.jpg

http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/imagehosting/47304a4e898b8e6d6.jpg

[ajn81]

And the final product...


http://www.austinanna.com/Images/BB/kristof_tank/c1.jpg

http://www.austinanna.com/Images/BB/kristof_tank/c3.jpg

http://www.austinanna.com/Images/BB/kristof_tank/c4.jpg

http://www.austinanna.com/Images/BB/kristof_tank/c2.jpg

[LotsaFishies]

Wow! amazingly clean work! impressive build.

[kthehun89]

wow great stuff. Wonder who the latest project is for ;)

[BajaReefs]

free plexiglass for you to build something



http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/zip/1260665635.html

[ajn81]

Been a while, but just finished up building a fuge with/for a friend:

http://www.austinanna.com/Images/BB/ray_fuge.jpg

http://www.austinanna.com/Images/BB/ray_fuge/ray_fuge2.jpg

http://www.austinanna.com/Images/BB/ray_fuge/ray_fuge1.jpg

[afitzwater]

damn your good!

[whatever]

great work.

[Bubblehead]

If I want to add baffles to an acrylic sump I have, is there an adhesive I can get at say Home Depot or Lowe's to glue them in? I know Weld on is the best, but I may not want to wait to get Weld on... Just wondering...

[ajn81]

If I want to add baffles to an acrylic sump I have, is there an adhesive I can get at say Home Depot or Lowe's to glue them in? I know Weld on is the best, but I may not want to wait to get Weld on... Just wondering...

Sorry, only thing that I'd use to do something like that is weldon 16.

[Bubblehead]

Figured you'd say that, but figured I'd ask anyway. I guess patience is best anyway. Thanks for the feedback!

[reefer38]

Wow man! Those looks awesome! Hand router or CNC router?

[ajn81]

Wow man! Those looks awesome! Hand router or CNC router?

Thanks! Hand router :).

[reefer38]

Thanks! Hand router :).
Wow! Those overflows look so clean I would have thought CNC!

[sandogrob]

Wow, well I know where i'm getting my next tank from.

[Acefspds]

What kind of prices did some of these tanks have on em? If you dont mind me asking. I wouldnt mind a 4 foot version of that cube.

[ajn81]

Wow! Those overflows look so clean I would have thought CNC!

Haha, okay, I'll come clean. While technically not a CNC, I took a handheld router and mounted it upside down on a table saw make myself a small router table. This gives me a fence for making the overflow notches :).

[ajn81]

What kind of prices did some of these tanks have on em? If you dont mind me asking. I wouldnt mind a 4 foot version of that cube.

Getting some PM's asking about prices so here is the deal. I'm not really in this to make money, but I'm all for helping people out. I'm willing to help people build stuff and let them use my tools for $20 (smaller projects, like overflow boxes, frag racks, etc. I'd do for free). The only thing being that they need to buy the material, bring it to my place and then help me build it. If anyone is interested in this, I can help you to know what materials to get, just ask.

[reefer38]

Haha, okay, I'll come clean. While technically not a CNC, I took a handheld router and mounted it upside down on a table saw make myself a small router table. This gives me a fence for making the overflow notches :).

Thats a great idea, ive never seen that!

[ajn81]

Just finished up a sump for Mike (mineman). Had a good time building it with him. Here is his build thread: http://www.sandiegoreefs.com/forums/showthread.php?87642-120-Build

We started with this design:

http://www.austinanna.com/Images/BB/sump/mineman5.jpg
ATO Reservoir is on the left front. To the right of it is the skimmer area w/ filter sock holder. To the right of that is the return area with probe holder. On the back side of the sump is the fuge which is 6" deep and runs the length of the sump before draining into the return area.


Some pics of the progress:

http://www.austinanna.com/Images/BB/sump/1.JPG

http://www.austinanna.com/Images/BB/sump/4.JPG

http://www.austinanna.com/Images/BB/sump/3.JPG

http://www.austinanna.com/Images/BB/sump/6.JPG


I didn't get any pics of the final product, but Mike took a couple while leak testing:

http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u513/mineman_usn/ddf9098a.jpg

http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u513/mineman_usn/45abc1b6.jpg

[jessegarcia28]

Just finished another tank project and thought I'd share the progression of this tank build. Hope you all enjoy :).

20 Gallon Total Volume (18" x 22" x 12") 17 Gallon Visible (18" x 18" x 12")

I was given these designs to work from.

http://i323.photobucket.com/albums/nn446/kthehun/Back-1.jpg

http://i323.photobucket.com/albums/nn446/kthehun/Front-1.jpg




So, to begin, I joined the sides of the tank to the front panel:

http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/imagehosting/47304a4ab2e0d2282.jpg


Then I started joining the back baffles to the back panel:

http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/imagehosting/47304a4ab2e0eedb9.jpg


From there, I joined the black false wall to the baffles and then joined the entire back section to the side panels:

http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/imagehosting/47304a4bfb78c80e5.jpg

http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/imagehosting/47304a4bfb78ebda4.jpg
I would love something exactly like this except 24x20x12H footprint & the same back chamber set up.
lmk or pm how much something like this would run me at and if timming is good
tia jesse

[unbereefable]

Can u pm me too? Those little tanks are the biz!!!

[ajn81]

Sent you guys a PM.

[bladedrummer]

Hadn't seen this thread, now I know who to ask if/when I decide to go sump :D

[paulyboy18]

Also my first time seeing this thread and Damn Impressive! Awesome and super clean...

[jessegarcia28]

Sent you guys a PM.
thanks & hopefully we can get my next project going
jesse

[ajn81]

Just finished up a couple of smaller projects.

For Jeff (specvjeff) I made these clips that he is going to put on his Solana to hold a screen top:

http://www.austinanna.com/Images/BB/specvjeff.jpg

And for Ryan (rdetune) I made a shield that allows him to place his MP 10 higher in the water column without it sucking air:

http://www.austinanna.com/Images/BB/rdetune/1.jpg

http://www.austinanna.com/Images/BB/rdetune/2.jpg

You can see pics of this one in action on Ryan's build tread.


I (http://www.sandiegoreefs.com/forums/showthread.php?89423-Mr-Aqua&p=729687#post729687)f anyone needs anything, feel free to shoot me a PM. My current policy is: you supply the plastic and I'll build it super cheap for you.

[JohnnyAirtime]

That's a great idea... I don't use MPs, but... making some of those, with magnets to hold'em in place would be a great idea. (not all of us have rimless tanks). AND, they could be used for Koralias too (and other air sucking powerheads/wavemakers)!!!



............

And for Ryan (rdetune) I made a shield that allows him to place his MP 10 higher in the water column without it sucking air:

http://www.austinanna.com/Images/BB/rdetune/1.jpg

http://www.austinanna.com/Images/BB/rdetune/2.jpg..................

[rman]

Austin these are awesome!

Another idea for the shroud/shield thing would be to have them mount on A thin acrylic "plate" that would go between the powerhead mount and the glass. A little cleaner look and not dependent on hanging over the glass edge/lip.


Sent from my pager

[mineman]

I'm really late on this because of a lot of travel lately. I still don't have the aquarium up and running, but I did do a fresh water test on the setup. Austin, great sump!! Very quiet, no leaks (first time). Great job!!!!! I highly recommend his work!http://img.tapatalk.com/4465f3fe-613f-2912.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/4465f3fe-614f-61fa.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/4465f3fe-6168-3bef.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/4465f3fe-617b-716f.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ajn81]

That's a great idea... I don't use MPs, but... making some of those, with magnets to hold'em in place would be a great idea. (not all of us have rimless tanks). AND, they could be used for Koralias too (and other air sucking powerheads/wavemakers)!!!


Austin these are awesome!

Another idea for the shroud/shield thing would be to have them mount on A thin acrylic "plate" that would go between the powerhead mount and the glass. A little cleaner look and not dependent on hanging over the glass edge/lip.


Sent from my pager

Thanks for the great ideas guys. I think Ryan came up with the shield idea from a member of another board. He just gave me a picture of one and I copied it, so I can't take credit for the idea ;).

If anyone else wants one or a variation of one, hit me up via PM.

[ajn81]

I'm really late on this because of a lot of travel lately. I still don't have the aquarium up and running, but I did do a fresh water test on the setup. Austin, great sump!! Very quiet, no leaks (first time). Great job!!!!! I highly recommend his work!

Thanks for posting pics of your sump Mike. Glad it's working well for you!

[jasonp87]

PM sent. I actually found this thread after I sent the PM and now I am more interested than ever! Really good looking work!

[seabass1]

Yup, pretty dang impressive if I must say so myself!! PM sent.

THX

seabass1

[Blaze]

Sent a PM about some minor work if you're availible