210G Upgrade / Build (Lots of Pics)

Awesome stand

Awesome stand

Awesome stand Michael. I love the idea of the actuators for the canopy. I had looked into doing the same thing before I decided to do an in wall build. You definitely have to post some information on that part of the build when you get to it!
 
pjmiller33 said:
Awesome stand Michael. I love the idea of the actuators for the canopy. I had looked into doing the same thing before I decided to do an in wall build. You definitely have to post some information on that part of the build when you get to it!
Click to expand...

I think this is going to be a fun part of the build. I decided to do it kind of last minute, but I know someone that has a metal shop and can help me do all the metal work that will be used to mount the canopy to the linear rails and linear actuators. I got the actuators from progressive automations. Had an issue with the shipping, but they e-mailed me back immediately with a tracking number on the new parts to replace the broken items. Good customer service.

I plan to post a video once we get it working. The actuators are 400lbs lift each with about 0.6"/sec of travel, so that will take about 1 minute to raise the canopy the full distance (36"). They offer a 200lb model that's faster, but I didn't want anything moving too quick especially as it comes back to rest on the tank. We've got some plans for that, too, to relax any pressure on the tank. Will post lots of pictures as the build on that gets going.
 
Got the stand moved over to the house today! It's going to sit in the garage until setup day. I'm going to start by painting under the stand to water seal it. Also, I'll do a dry run on all the plumbing and electrical before the move including the canopy lift system.

A few pics...

IMG_2254.JPG


Inside left with the sealed electrical compartment:

IMG_2256.jpg


The dowel rod at the top pushes out the left side panel to expose the electrical compartment. It's held in with magnets.

IMG_2257.jpg
 
very nice, I like the secret compartment idea. What are you going to treat the interior of the stand with?
 
Michael,

I know you have heard this several times but that stand is amazing looking. You obviously have been doing woodworking for some time and have a keen eye for detail as evident by your secret electrical compartment. Have you given any thought to heat build up in that space with the ballasts, etc? Could be helpful to build in a fan now on the inside back panel that enters the sump area. Just a thought. I have subscribed and plan on watching closely.
 
d3hree said:
very nice, I like the secret compartment idea. What are you going to treat the interior of the stand with?
Click to expand...

Thanks. I think I'm going to use an epoxy based paint like what is used to seal garage floors. That stuff should be really tough. I think it comes in a battleship gray color. I'll get some caulk and seal up the bottom first. I want to make sure that in the event of a major problem any water stays in the bottom and trips my water alarm on the apex.
 
reeftanknewbie said:
Michael,

I know you have heard this several times but that stand is amazing looking. You obviously have been doing woodworking for some time and have a keen eye for detail as evident by your secret electrical compartment. Have you given any thought to heat build up in that space with the ballasts, etc? Could be helpful to build in a fan now on the inside back panel that enters the sump area. Just a thought. I have subscribed and plan on watching closely.
Click to expand...

Thanks, but I can't take credit for the craftsmanship. I know someone that's been doing it for a hobby for awhile. He did a great job and we had a lot of fun with all the details as it changed on more than one occasion. I think he watches the thread some, so he'll appreciate the feedback. Maybe I'll get him hooked and setup a tank before this is all over....

Yeah, I was worried about heat in that compartment. If you notice there are a series of holes in the shelves. Those are for ventilation. I plan to drill a small hole near the bottom for a mini fan I picked up. I also have 4 or 5 more larger fans (2 different types) that I plan to use to keep the cabinet cool. I was considering using a larger PVC elbow or something as a ventilation guide inside the stand into the electrical compartment. I wanted to get the sump in and do a dry run on plumbing and electrical to see where everything would fit the best first. I want to keep some airflow in the stand base, too, to keep humidity down. That is a problem in my current stand.

Thanks for the inputs...
 
I thought it would ship early this week, but still haven't heard from Felix. This is all taking MUCH longer than I thought, but I want to do it right, so I'm trying to keep from rushing anything. The canopy lift portion of the build will take a little time, too... there always seems to be a list of stuff left to do!
 
michael_in_nc said:
I thought it would ship early this week, but still haven't heard from Felix. This is all taking MUCH longer than I thought, but I want to do it right, so I'm trying to keep from rushing anything. The canopy lift portion of the build will take a little time, too... there always seems to be a list of stuff left to do!
Click to expand...

Oh I see, I know exactly what you mean by taking much longer than you thought. I still don't have water in my tank yet. Almost done with the frame of the new stand, then on to skinning and finish work.
 
That tank looks incredible. Is that the reef savvy place down in FL? I've heard the Felix name a few times before and heard he had put out great tanks.

I hope to be going "large" in the next year or so...I'll have to keep him in mind.

Looking forward to this developing...beautiful stand.
 
D5HP said:
That tank looks incredible. Is that the reef savvy place down in FL? I've heard the Felix name a few times before and heard he had put out great tanks.

I hope to be going "large" in the next year or so...I'll have to keep him in mind.

Looking forward to this developing...beautiful stand.
Click to expand...

Yeah, Reef Savvy is in Miami. Felix is the owner and handles pretty much all of the customer support. He is great to work with. Very helpful and patient. I would recommend them. His lead time is long as his business is growing, so keep that in mind.

I'm looking forward to setup day, but still got several things to get done first...
 
michael_in_nc said:
Thanks, but I can't take credit for the craftsmanship. I know someone that's been doing it for a hobby for awhile. He did a great job and we had a lot of fun with all the details as it changed on more than one occasion. I think he watches the thread some, so he'll appreciate the feedback. Maybe I'll get him hooked and setup a tank before this is all over....

Yeah, I was worried about heat in that compartment. If you notice there are a series of holes in the shelves. Those are for ventilation. I plan to drill a small hole near the bottom for a mini fan I picked up. I also have 4 or 5 more larger fans (2 different types) that I plan to use to keep the cabinet cool. I was considering using a larger PVC elbow or something as a ventilation guide inside the stand into the electrical compartment. I wanted to get the sump in and do a dry run on plumbing and electrical to see where everything would fit the best first. I want to keep some airflow in the stand base, too, to keep humidity down. That is a problem in my current stand.

Thanks for the inputs...
Click to expand...

I think if you set up two fans in a push/pull fashion you can keep it cool by using the room's air to run through the cabinet and across your power supplies. Just be careful in not drawing in the air from around your sump which may be rich with moisture and cause rust or other problems with the electric.
 
reeftanknewbie said:
I think if you set up two fans in a push/pull fashion you can keep it cool by using the room's air to run through the cabinet and across your power supplies. Just be careful in not drawing in the air from around your sump which may be rich with moisture and cause rust or other problems with the electric.
Click to expand...

That's what I was going to try and do. I was thinking about running a PVC elbow to vent it through the main cabinet area to the back. Maybe 1 for ventilation and 1 for wiring. I didn't want to put it in the back of the electrical cabinet b/c that is one of the main supports, so I don't want to put any significant holes in it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
Another coming back to reefing post
Replies
6
Views
175
Uncle99
Uncle99
S
Novice Aquarist - Sump & Equipment Questions
Replies
9
Views
294
wvned
wvned
guserto4
Planning a New Build - Acrylic Thickness 80x30x24T euro-brace?
Replies
1
Views
390
griss
griss
Niven
I'm back....and ready to jump back in, feet first in the deep end, speedo, everything!
2
Replies
24
Views
644
griss
griss
A
DRILL aquarium only 1 DownPipe?
Replies
1
Views
315
Timfish
Timfish
Back
Top