DIY: Stainless Tank Trim

[ghad_lv]

Well I've been working on the custom stand and got derailed by this project. I noticed a couple of days ago that my trim around the top of the tank had cracked and the center cross brace had separated. The front a rear glass panels were bulging outwards about 3/8 to 1/2". I figured that this needed to be addressed ASAP! So Here's my Custom stainless tank trim build. I didn't have a camera with me when I formed up all the pieces so I'll start with tack welding them together.
http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv317/ghahnroyal/IMG00193-20110121-1026-1.jpg
http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv317/ghahnroyal/IMG00192-20110121-1026-1.jpg

I had to cut out the plastic center brace. (a utility knife did the trick without contaminating the tank with shavings like a saw blade would have created).

The dry fit:
http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv317/ghahnroyal/IMG00195-20110121-1249.jpg
http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv317/ghahnroyal/IMG00196-20110121-1249.jpg

Completed the welds, Polished , and Installed:
http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv317/ghahnroyal/IMG00198-20110121-1254-1.jpg
http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv317/ghahnroyal/IMG00197-20110121-1254-1.jpg

[Narazbad]

How are you going to counter the rusting?

[Troylee]

Hmmmmm good question chris...... Lol j/k man stainless don't rust..;) that's the beauty of it.... Everything else about it sucks like cutting welding etc... Lol

[fishman]

lol chris I cant stop laughing with Lees comment to follow. Looks pretty good nice with brace and all .

[ghad_lv]

How are you going to counter the rusting?

killing me! LOL:D

[ghad_lv]

lol chris I cant stop laughing with Lees comment to follow. Looks pretty good nice with brace and all .
Thanks, It worked out perfect.

[ghad_lv]

Hmmmmm good question chris...... Lol j/k man stainless don't rust..;) that's the beauty of it.... Everything else about it sucks like cutting welding etc... Lol

Trade you stainless work for Plexi work any day.

[Narazbad]

Dude, I have had several items that were stainless rust. Just cuz its stainless, doesn't mean it isn't going to rust.

[Troylee]

Like what??? You sure they weren't stainless or Nickle coated???? I've never seen it rust.. It will oxidize over time but it just looks like salt creep.... Besides the rust won't hurt the tank chinesse use iron nails for phosphate control.... What do you think gfo is??? Rust me friend...;)

[TheGreatAukSociety]

I used to do corrosion testing. We used a salt spray machine. It should rust eventually. The speed depends on quality of steel, the Chinese stuff will rust if you look at it too long. Amount of exposure. And temperature play roles.

If you tie a little zinc ribbon on it. You can make it last long. Also if you totally submerge it. It will last longer. Partially wet will make it rust faster.

It also has chromium in it. That may or may not be good for the tank.

[ghad_lv]

not worried about it here.

[TheGreatAukSociety]

I was talking to my friend at the lab for US Steel and he says it will eventually rust. Even the best type of stainless 316 grade 18% Chrome/10% Nickel, will eventually corrode.

[vegaskid]

I have heard the same, it will eventually rust but I do have some stainless parts around my fish room and they have not rusted yet and its 60-80% humidity in there and going 4 years now. I have rust issue with everything non-stainless though big time like brackets tht are supposed to be galvamized. that **** is toast, I have been switching to the plastic type slowly. The galvanized electrical conuit seems to be perfect shape not a bit of rust on that stuff anywhere.

[ghad_lv]

yeah, not too concerned about it. I will have updated to a bigger tank before I have to worry about rust. However if you ever want anything stainless or mild steel to last all you need to do is clear powder coat it or add color. Even Marine grade stainless will eventually fail, but if you check it periodically and remove surface rust with a simple scotch-brite pad it'll be fine for a long long time.

[Xcali1985]

Why not just give it a coat of LED Seal. They spray it on DIY LED fixtures to prevent corrosion.

http://www.ledsupply.com/09013-07.php

[ghad_lv]

Why not just give it a coat of LED Seal. They spray it on DIY LED fixtures to prevent corrosion.

http://www.ledsupply.com/09013-07.php

not a bad idea