I'm thinking this out beforehand as best I can. I have stands holding 900 gallons of water filled with fish that are falling down. I have that many gallons of water storage containers in storage that only need bulk heads because they've already been drilled. I'll need to buy a ton of heaters, but I have no spare heaters so it won't be money wasted. I also have a stand containing 220 gallons of tanks that is not in danger of falling down, but I want it rebuilt, as well. I called Mr. Sharp and asked how he was thinking of doing it. I know that he plans to build the stands at his house. He said that he was planning on doing it over 2 days to make moving the fish easier. He didn't know that I had containers that I could move the fish to if I got up at 4 am and got to work so everything would be ready when he and his guys got here. I told him that we could get it done in a day... and he agreed. We could get it done on my day off and I wouldn't have to take off work unless I got exhausted (mostly from the stress of it).
I found a deal on the right size bulkheads and heaters on Jehmco. The bulkheads are on sale and the heaters are cheap as dirt. Check out the WBPGH series here. http://jehmco.com/html/heaters.html I called Jehmoc about them and spoke to John. I told him the story and asked if he's had any negative feedback on the heaters. One guy recently told him that the heaters couldn't reach 90 degrees and they haven't had time to test them since then. That's OK with me. After all, how often do you need 90 degrees?
Sorry I've gone off on a rant. This is a stressful situation and I have a lot to plan for. I needed to blather :-[
Quote from: LizStreithorst on March 16, 2016, 04:13:04 PM
I'm thinking this out beforehand as best I can. I have stands holding 900 gallons of water filled with fish that are falling down. I have that many gallons of water storage containers in storage that only need bulk heads because they've already been drilled. I'll need to buy a ton of heaters, but I have no spare heaters so it won't be money wasted. I also have a stand containing 220 gallons of tanks that is not in danger of falling down, but I want it rebuilt, as well. I called Mr. Sharp and asked how he was thinking of doing it. I know that he plans to build the stands at his house. He said that he was planning on doing it over 2 days to make moving the fish easier. He didn't know that I had containers that I could move the fish to if I got up at 4 am and got to work so everything would be ready when he and his guys got here. I told him that we could get it done in a day... and he agreed. We could get it done on my day off and I wouldn't have to take off work unless I got exhausted (mostly from the stress of it).
I found a deal on the right size bulkheads and heaters on Jehmco. The bulkheads are on sale and the heaters are cheap as dirt. Check out the WBPGH series here. http://jehmco.com/html/heaters.html I called Jehmoc about them and spoke to John. I told him the story and asked if he's had any negative feedback on the heaters. One guy recently told him that the heaters couldn't reach 90 degrees and they haven't had time to test them since then. That's OK with me. After all, how often do you need 90 degrees?
Sorry I've gone off on a rant. This is a stressful situation and I have a lot to plan for. I needed to blather :-[
... ;D ;D blather away, Liz......I find the work in progress with explanations very educating..... |^|
When we do it I'll take pics.
Quote from: LizStreithorst on March 16, 2016, 04:32:48 PM
When we do it I'll take pics.
...SUPER !...a tutorial ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
This is what I'm starting with. You can see that disaster is imminent.
This is the other stand.
This is the stand that is not threatening to fall down tomorrow. Please forgive the filthy tanks. I'll be doing wipe downs today.
Liz your stands rely on fastener strength only. It's always recommended to have wood to wood to floor. I dado all my legs so the horizontal pieces are resting on wood. Take a look at my fish house thread and you'll see what I mean. Those racks, even if they start to rot will still be pretty darn strong.
Bud said that he was going to build them the way you said, 8. He built one section that way and then discovered he had mis figured...that my 24" wide tanks would not fit if he did the whole thing that way. I pointed it out to him but he said that it would work and I believed :( Being supported by screws alone was not the worst thing. The 2X6's sitting slam on the slab were the worst thing. I have floods! When I get through my daily WC without a flood I pat myself on the back. The water has nowhere to go so it just sits around the wood and the wood rots.
Boozer was on drugs and I didn't know. I'm sure I wasn't the only one he did piss poor work for. He's been clean now for 2 years and doing well, but I will never hire him again. Mr. Sharp knows how to build it right. And more importantly if it's not right he comes back and fixes it right away.
I build my racks the same way, but instead of dados I usually just put another 2x4 behind the full length vertical and it supports the horizontals.
Another trick I learned from someone is to put little rectangles of shingle under all the legs. This will keep them above any pools of water that have not fully run off.
That is the plan exactly. John at Jehmco told me about putting something impregnable to water under the legs.
This is what I got done yesterday. It doesn't look like a full day's work, but it was. In the first pic you can see the 100 on the top and the 20 on the bottom right that have been drained. The empty space on the left is the 29 I moved that started to leak. (at least I know what fish I'll put in the empty 20 for a couple of days)
2 40 breeders and a 20 drained.
The dang leaker.
They cost too much but they work well. I'm glad that I bought them.
Thanks to the LFS I was able to clear out a 60 wide on a stand that wants to give out. I think that if I spread the dots out among a few tanks I can empty the other 60 wide on that rack.
Another 120 gallons empty
...you're moving right along, nice......it won't be long now, plus it's a good chance to tidy up and tweak everything if needed....
It just occurred to me. If I can rustle up a couple of big strong guys, I won't have to buy a gazillion heaters and haul in huge water storage containers for temporary housing. I already have 350 gallons of empty tanks. I have 200 gallons of fish on stands that I either built or reinforced myself that don't need to be replaced. If I can find someone to set them on the floor for me I can have them filled with water and fish before the carpenters arrive. That will only 2 100's and a 60 that I need to figure out what to do with. I think I'm figuring right. Perhaps not. Even simple arithmetic is somewhat over my head :-[ I have big cords and power strips galore. I can use the Mangum's to provide air.
I just ordered from Jehmco. I decided that I wouldn't be able to do this without making the carpenters catch and move fish and wait for me to fill the tanks with water. When Mr. Sharp calls and tells me that he's coming to take measurements I'll ask him to bring one of his strong helpers with him so that he can move the empty tanks so that I can get fish moved to them before the guys arrive. I'll have to bring in and set up at least one 150 gallon storage container. My containers are already drilled for bulkheads but I no longer have the bulkheads huh
Bottom line...I have 3 100 watt, 3 150 watt, and 8 250 watt heaters plus 8 bulk heads for $178.. That is quite a good deal if you ask me. I think that I'll only need to use 4 or 5 of the heaters but I have no heaters at all in reserve right now and the price on them was so good I figured that it would be a good time to stock up. I think I'll only need one bulk head, but the size and type I need is on sale. I thought that it would be nice to have them just in case I decided to raise fish outside during the summer months.
Quote from: LizStreithorst on March 21, 2016, 09:15:28 AM
The dang leaker.
I'm checking the leaker now. I have it sitting on Styrofoam on the fish room floor. It's been an hour and I see no leaks so far. When I talked to John at Jehmco about rebuilding my stands he said to be sure to put them on Styrofoam. I said "I already do that". He said that he had a leaker once and when he set it on Styro it quit leaking. This tank was on Styro before I moved it and it didn't leak. I figured that it could sit on wood that the level says is level for a couple of weeks without me having to cut a piece of Styrofoam for it. Perhaps not. I'll let it sit on the floor on Styrofoam till morning and see if it leaks. This isn't a new tank but all the silicone looks fine. Wouldn't it be nice if it only needs something soft to sit on?
...yes it would be nice.. 8)....good luck |^|
Liz, just keep reminding yourself how great it will be when all the work, worry and expense are over. It will happen. Same is true for me too, right?
Barb
Good luck Liz. |^| |^| |^| |^| |^|
The tank leaks. It doesn't leak as much as it did on the bare wood, but water is seeping out somewhere along the bottom glass. It's OK. I have the silicone on hand and it's no bid deal to re-silicone a 29.
Quote from: LizStreithorst on March 22, 2016, 03:25:57 PM
The tank leaks. It doesn't leak as much as it did on the bare wood, but water is seeping out somewhere along the bottom glass. It's OK. I have the silicone on hand and it's no bid deal to re-silicone a 29.
Oh poo !!!.....
Re sealing a 29 is nothing.
I have 3 of these. One I'm not worried about because it was not drilled. I hauled 2 of these 150 gallon water storage containers home. One last week, and one today. I used to have these plumbed together using bulkheads and 1" PVC. When I left Mobile didn't want to hang around long as I loaded my stuff so when I took these I just ripped them apart from one another rather than cut the PVC and load them gently. They leak from around the the bulk head. Part of the problem is that the hole I drilled is not perfectly and the new bulk head doesn't fit perfectly. I could fix that with a bench grinder. there is also the problem that there is a raised area where I'd knocked off a couple of reinforcement pieces. I'm thinking I could grind them down level with a Dremmel.
Would that be the easiest way to fix the leak or is a way I could close that 1 3/4" hole forever that is easier? Surely there is a way. These are wonderful containers. I need them while my stands are being rebuilt. They're made to keep shrimp alive down on the coast until people buy them. Imagine the fish I could raise in them during the summer months?
Those are cool containers. I have always wanted one.
In situations that are not perfect for sitting bulkheads, I will often put large amounts of silicon sealer between the bulkhead and the container.
If you have cracks, you might want to try a fish safe epoxy (if it sticks to your material). You might find it at http://pentairaes.com/?gclid=CJeK9s-0-MsCFYlcfgodEH4JHg (http://pentairaes.com/?gclid=CJeK9s-0-MsCFYlcfgodEH4JHg) or maybe Jehmco.
Alternatively, you could either glue in the bulkhead or cover the hole by gluing a piece of plastic on the inside and put in a new bulkhead elsewhere.
Thanks so much, Bill. I thought about silicone but I don't know if it would adhere to plastic. Will it? If so, since I will no longer want to plumb these containers could I silicone a piece of 3/8" glass to the inside of the plastic container to completely seal the holes? I have a wonderful glass place just a hop skip and jump from my shop.
Believe it or not, I got 3 of these plus a working swimming pool pump for $100. from a scrounger about 10. years ago. After I moved back home somebody nipped off with the pump, and some good fire wood, and an extension ladder! (I still miss that ladder). I know who it was but I have said nothing because...well I guess I have my reasons...the guy is married now to a good woman and is doing way better.
The silicon may or may not stick to your plastic. Greasy feeling plastics (polyethylene or polypropylene may not stick well, but I have used silicon, mostly successfully, by using the bulkheads to clamp the silicon in place mechanically, so it can not move much and is therefore less likely to peal off.
A sheet of plastic or glass on the inside should have the same effect to a lesser extent due to the water pressure. You could also put little screws in around the side of a plastic sheet. I have done this with plastic windows in a rubbermaid tub.
Thanks again. My plastic tub is not in the least greasy. I'll try silicone under the bulk heads first. I need to do a bit of work with the bench grinder and dremmel first.
..I think Bill has it right...silicone the bulkheads....see if they have the Locktite silicone by you...I got some from Lowe's....it has adhesives in it and very strong....some use it for building tanks too.....
HA! Smart guy who I don't like much but still respect may have given me the best answer...an expansion plug! I've used small ones before but never a huge one. They last for ever and work perfectly. I'm looking at this one. What do y'all think? http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=74435&catid=701
Yeah, that would work. I've used them a couple of times.
Just make sure that you don't have bad metals like copper in contact with the water. Or bury it in silicon.
They look like brass, stainless and rubber to me.
Quote from: LizStreithorst on April 05, 2016, 08:23:24 PM
HA! Smart guy who I don't like much but still respect may have given me the best answer...an expansion plug! I've used small ones before but never a huge one. They last for ever and work perfectly. I'm looking at this one. What do y'all think? http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=74435&catid=701
...should work like a bung....?
Quote from: Mugwump on April 06, 2016, 06:20:33 AM
Quote from: LizStreithorst on April 05, 2016, 08:23:24 PM
HA! Smart guy who I don't like much but still respect may have given me the best answer...an expansion plug! I've used small ones before but never a huge one. They last for ever and work perfectly. I'm looking at this one. What do y'all think? http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=74435&catid=701
...should work like a bung....?
It looks good
I just use good quality o-rings on my RubberMaid storage tanks, (ie Trash Cans).
Dennis
My expansion plugs will be in Monday afternoon. That will give me 3 150 gallon containers. Yesterday I brought home 6 55 gallon containers and put the bulkheads in this afternoon. I have 2 containers outside that I use to raise live mosquitos and daphnia that are raising nothing much ATM. They look like they hold around 35 gallons each. I'll be in good shape to house the fish for a day.
I called Mr Sharp and nagged him last week. He was blacking in a house in the rain, poor guy. I called and nagged him again today. He's roofing the same house. Thank God he isn't finishing the inside ::)
I apologized for nagging but told him that three weeks ago he said he would come and take measurements. I told him that I had everything ready to go on my end and wanted to know when he would get to me. He said next week. I sure hope so. I want this done and over with. I have empty tanks that I have fish yearning to fill them. I have a Discus pair in the kitchen!
Quote from: LizStreithorst on April 18, 2016, 03:41:39 PM
I called Mr Sharp and nagged him last week. He was blacking in a house in the rain, poor guy. I called and nagged him again today. He's roofing the same house. Thank God he isn't finishing the inside ::)
I apologized for nagging but told him that three weeks ago he said he would come and take measurements. I told him that I had everything ready to go on my end and wanted to know when he would get to me. He said next week. I sure hope so. I want this done and over with. I have empty tanks that I have fish yearning to fill them. I have a Discus pair in the kitchen!
...tell him to bring the crew and do it all in one swoop.... |^|
He wants to build them at home. I need for him to come and take measurements first because I want to tell him exactly what I want. I've got it pretty much figured out. Some stands will have to be longer so supports can go where they need to go, which is on the corners and sides of the tanks. I'm quite sure that I have enough room but I suck at figuring out measurements. It will require more thinking and math on his part than he is expecting. He thought that he'd just have to do the same as I have now, but better. I'll have to do some plumbing work to the tanks but I can do that. I'm great at basic plumbing. I actually enjoy it :o
Quote from: LizStreithorst on April 18, 2016, 04:21:43 PM
He wants to build them at home. I need for him to come and take measurements first because I want to tell him exactly what I want. I've got it pretty much figured out. Some stands will have to be longer so supports can go where they need to go, which is on the corners and sides of the tanks. I'm quite sure that I have enough room but I suck at figuring out measurements. It will require more thinking and math on his part than he is expecting. He thought that he'd just have to do the same as I have now, but better. I'll have to do some plumbing work to the tanks but I can do that. I'm great at basic plumbing. I actually enjoy it :o
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