37g Build
- Thread starter bnmir
- Start date
Stand in progress
Stand in progress
I've also begun the stand. It will be skinned in 1/4" oak ply, and some surplus cabinet doors. There is an extension along the back to hide the plumbing & wiring.
I'm dont have a clear plan in mind for the hood design. Lighting plan is T5HO retrofit, but haven't thought much beyond that, or bought anything. Any good ideas are welcome.
Stand in progress
I've also begun the stand. It will be skinned in 1/4" oak ply, and some surplus cabinet doors. There is an extension along the back to hide the plumbing & wiring.
I'm dont have a clear plan in mind for the hood design. Lighting plan is T5HO retrofit, but haven't thought much beyond that, or bought anything. Any good ideas are welcome.
Doors for the front and sides of the stand are now ordered from doorsandpulls.com. I also ordered some drawer-fronts with the intention of using them on the hood, either as small 'doors' or as decorative accents. (Prices can't be beat).
I'm planning to run t5 retrofits, but I'm trying to figure out a canopy design that will hold the t5s and still be accessible for feeding, etc, by opening a door in the front of the hood.
The bulbs will either need a shield, or a glass cover on the tank.
If there's a cover, i need enough clearance to open the cover and not hit the bulbs....
If anyone has pictures or links of what they've done, I'd appreciate it.
I'm planning to run t5 retrofits, but I'm trying to figure out a canopy design that will hold the t5s and still be accessible for feeding, etc, by opening a door in the front of the hood.
The bulbs will either need a shield, or a glass cover on the tank.
If there's a cover, i need enough clearance to open the cover and not hit the bulbs....
If anyone has pictures or links of what they've done, I'd appreciate it.
Aqua-World PITT
In Memoriam
On the canopy maybe do a all glass style canopy. It opens up on the front. Here's a link for reference
http://img.thefind.com/images/QgBje...4VS85P1e_IDNZN1Hf0dHd1MzI1ETPK8CdAQA*?m=1&g=2
http://img.thefind.com/images/QgBje...4VS85P1e_IDNZN1Hf0dHd1MzI1ETPK8CdAQA*?m=1&g=2
Aqua-World PITT
In Memoriam
Oh yeah, let me know how that overflow box works, I generally see slotted ones.
superstein61
New member
Your stand and other work to date looks good - any update? I am curious how my old tank turns out
Still active. Picked up a mag 9.5 for the return, and a used OM squirt 4 way. Right now i'm leaning toward plumbing the 4 return outputs in the top corners, so I dont have to worry about backsiphon in the event of a power failure.
Still trying to figure out part of the canopy. It will basically be a large box, split and hinged down the middle so the entire front portion swings up (similar to the link posted above).
So i figure 2 bulbs in the stationary portion, 2 in the moving portion.
Not quite sure how I can incorporate a splash shield. If I mount the shield near the bulbs, it would have to be split to move, and a split in the middle of the shield will allow salt vapor to reach the reflectors, which is what I want to avoid. Any ideas?
I can't see a cover on the tank working, especially with the plan for the sump return coming up over the back and being plumbed to the 4 top corners, the pipe will be in the way of a lid.
Suggestions?
Still trying to figure out part of the canopy. It will basically be a large box, split and hinged down the middle so the entire front portion swings up (similar to the link posted above).
So i figure 2 bulbs in the stationary portion, 2 in the moving portion.
Not quite sure how I can incorporate a splash shield. If I mount the shield near the bulbs, it would have to be split to move, and a split in the middle of the shield will allow salt vapor to reach the reflectors, which is what I want to avoid. Any ideas?
I can't see a cover on the tank working, especially with the plan for the sump return coming up over the back and being plumbed to the 4 top corners, the pipe will be in the way of a lid.
Suggestions?
cloakerpoked
New member
You could use a router and slot the canopy and slide a full sheet into it, much the same way that you would with the Coralife power compacts. I'm assuming that the purpose of this discussion is to keep the tank pretty readily accessible without removing the canopy all together but to also have a splash shield? In that case, I'd make it open from the front, and have the splash shield about 3/4 of the way up the canopy. Put a ledge on the back, and both sides for the shield to sit on, so it can be removed if you want by sliding it out the front. (you could silicon it in place if you didn't have any intention of ever removing it).
As for the back siphon, another way to deal with it is to drill a small hole right at the water line. That way, you don't notice the hole.
It might be a little hard to see, but that little squirt right at the water line is where I have the hole drilled. Once backflow starts, the hole sucks air, and kills the syphon. It doesn't have to be very big, so you shouldn't lose much power from the return pump that way.
As for the back siphon, another way to deal with it is to drill a small hole right at the water line. That way, you don't notice the hole.
It might be a little hard to see, but that little squirt right at the water line is where I have the hole drilled. Once backflow starts, the hole sucks air, and kills the syphon. It doesn't have to be very big, so you shouldn't lose much power from the return pump that way.
hood
hood
The hood is also in process. If you look closely at the picture, the front rectangle will be hinged at the top.
I'm going with the idea (thanks) to router a groove to slide an acrylic shield under the bulbs, assuming I can manage it with my learn as I go woodworking.
hood
The hood is also in process. If you look closely at the picture, the front rectangle will be hinged at the top.
I'm going with the idea (thanks) to router a groove to slide an acrylic shield under the bulbs, assuming I can manage it with my learn as I go woodworking.
updated progress
updated progress
The hood is coming along nicely. It's been skinned and the front 'door' trimmed. Just need to finish trimming the hood, hinge the front, and then move on to finishing.
Most the stand trim is also finished, except the pieces to hide the tank bottom trim.
updated progress
The hood is coming along nicely. It's been skinned and the front 'door' trimmed. Just need to finish trimming the hood, hinge the front, and then move on to finishing.
Most the stand trim is also finished, except the pieces to hide the tank bottom trim.
Rickinferno
New member
Very nice work, can wait to see the results of your hard work!
Nothing photoworthy this week.
Created a slot inside the hood and cut a removable acrylic sheet to shield the lights. Hole in the back for a computer fan.
I ran into some trim interference when I tested the hinges on the front of the hood.
I think the simplest solution is to sand away some clearance, and mount both halves of the hinge on top of a 1/4" thick strip.
I need to get my wife to decide on the stain very soon.
Created a slot inside the hood and cut a removable acrylic sheet to shield the lights. Hole in the back for a computer fan.
I ran into some trim interference when I tested the hinges on the front of the hood.
I think the simplest solution is to sand away some clearance, and mount both halves of the hinge on top of a 1/4" thick strip.
I need to get my wife to decide on the stain very soon.
