turbodiesel01
New member
tag
A First Plywood Project...
- Thread starter Sean : EbN
- Start date
Sean, it's looking great! I have one very small question though. What are the fitting called that you used on the light rack to join the pieces of square tubing and where did you get them? I get a look like I asked for the stupidist thing in the world when I go anywhere and ask about them. I'm needing some for my light rack as well.
Keep up the great work. Your an inspiration to us all
EDIT: Just went back through and found where you got them with something else. Any ideas where I might be able to find some? I also noticed the price difference in 1" tubing between Lowes and HD. I bought all they had at HD as well!
Keep up the great work. Your an inspiration to us all
EDIT: Just went back through and found where you got them with something else. Any ideas where I might be able to find some? I also noticed the price difference in 1" tubing between Lowes and HD. I bought all they had at HD as well!
lpkirby
New member
Hi Sean,
I got my Sweetwater Epoxy Paint in today (same color as yours), any tips or things to avoid when applying?
Also I have been thinking about the one layer on the front and really did not think it was needed. But since I have not painted the tank yet I decided to go ahead and add the double layer. AND........ You are right!!!, it is a hundred times stronger and with the threaded bar I have no worries now.
Here are pics from today 2nd layer on the front:
Next is to put one more layer of glass and to paint. My glass is due in on Monday and then I have to put the threaded rod and the top piece of plywood.
Any pics of you rod going in place?
Thanks,
Leon
I got my Sweetwater Epoxy Paint in today (same color as yours), any tips or things to avoid when applying?
Also I have been thinking about the one layer on the front and really did not think it was needed. But since I have not painted the tank yet I decided to go ahead and add the double layer. AND........ You are right!!!, it is a hundred times stronger and with the threaded bar I have no worries now.
Here are pics from today 2nd layer on the front:
Next is to put one more layer of glass and to paint. My glass is due in on Monday and then I have to put the threaded rod and the top piece of plywood.
Any pics of you rod going in place?
Thanks,
Leon
otterpop510
New member
wow, amazing project, i'm just following along too.. thanks for the detailed pics.
blfuller123
Premium Member
Sean must have a lot of pictures to add because we havent heard any progress in a couple of days.
Sean : EbN
New member
Hey everyone...
turbodiesel01 : Welcome Aboard!!
crash519 : Thanks for the compliments! About those aluminum connectors... how many do you need?? I talked to a guy today that molds them and he no longer needs that design for his product. I may be able to buy a quantity of them if there is a need for them. Please PM me or something and we can discuss it further!
LEON! : Mr. Progress! Stop dude you're making me look bad! Hopefully all went well with the Sweetwater (since I haven't posted I assume that you've already done it!) In case you haven't... put it on thin! Mine has paint "curtains" on the inside back wall where I put it on too thick. I thought it was thinner but after about 15 minutes that heavy paint sags and make the curtains. If you want a REALLY smooth panel such as maybe the outer face and the inner back wall... lay the tank down on its back and paint it that way. Whatever surfaces are flat and parallel to the ground come out smooth as glass. I brushed mine on. Remeber GOOD ventilation! Warm temps are better too. I waited until the temp was above 60F before I applied it. Also, good call on the double layered face. I think it will make a big difference too. All this work and money, shame if it poped on ya! I didn't get any pics of the rod installation process but I will get some pics tomorrow of it in place. It firmed it up a LOT! Keep those pics coming!
otterpop510 : Thanks a bunch... welcome to the show!
blfuller123 : Bustin my chops?!? I'm aiming to disappoint tonight! The store has been very busy these last few days. I have a good excuse/excuses for being quiet. We work a TON of hours caring for thousands of reptiles and on top of that I decided to build this tank and THEN on top of THAT I decided to get into the reef business here locally (for the moment) so I am renovating my 1000 sq ft warehouse space (the room that I worked on the tank construction in that serves as junk storage) to hold 600 sq ft of reef stuff (mostly livestock) 100 sq ft of rodents ( reptile food) and 300 sq ft of good ole' storage space. I have one wall framed up and need to frame in the rodent room then the fun part of hanging a drop ceiling in the reef area. In addition to all of this stuff, its breeding season for our most profitable races of reptiles so I have to oversee that stuff.
WHEW! Enough excuses huh? Well I do have to find time to set-up some of these 130 gallon propagation tubs I bought. There are 6 of them and they are 74x38x12 and made of polyethylene. I am going to use them for an indoor prop effort in the new reef room but for now I need to set-up at least one of them for live rock curing.
My replacement bulkheads SHOULD be here tomorrow so I will hopefully be able to test fill the tank! WHOOOO HOOO! I also used some of that rubber, interlocking flooring mat that they sell at Target, Sam's Club, etc. I bought it at Target for $15 for a 4/pack that will cover roughly 2x8' area. I trimmed off some of the little interlocking teeth and cut it to fit inside the stand on the concrete. Instead of building up a floor for the Hammerhead to vibrate on I figured I would use this rubber floor mat stuff. Seems like it will work well. I also got all of my receptacles put in and plated up. Starting to look nice!
Oh well... that was a long and BORING rant... sorry for the lack of pictures and interesting stuff. At least we get to see Leon's tank progress! Keep em coming buddy!
LATER ALL!
turbodiesel01 : Welcome Aboard!!
crash519 : Thanks for the compliments! About those aluminum connectors... how many do you need?? I talked to a guy today that molds them and he no longer needs that design for his product. I may be able to buy a quantity of them if there is a need for them. Please PM me or something and we can discuss it further!
LEON! : Mr. Progress! Stop dude you're making me look bad! Hopefully all went well with the Sweetwater (since I haven't posted I assume that you've already done it!) In case you haven't... put it on thin! Mine has paint "curtains" on the inside back wall where I put it on too thick. I thought it was thinner but after about 15 minutes that heavy paint sags and make the curtains. If you want a REALLY smooth panel such as maybe the outer face and the inner back wall... lay the tank down on its back and paint it that way. Whatever surfaces are flat and parallel to the ground come out smooth as glass. I brushed mine on. Remeber GOOD ventilation! Warm temps are better too. I waited until the temp was above 60F before I applied it. Also, good call on the double layered face. I think it will make a big difference too. All this work and money, shame if it poped on ya! I didn't get any pics of the rod installation process but I will get some pics tomorrow of it in place. It firmed it up a LOT! Keep those pics coming!
otterpop510 : Thanks a bunch... welcome to the show!
blfuller123 : Bustin my chops?!? I'm aiming to disappoint tonight! The store has been very busy these last few days. I have a good excuse/excuses for being quiet. We work a TON of hours caring for thousands of reptiles and on top of that I decided to build this tank and THEN on top of THAT I decided to get into the reef business here locally (for the moment) so I am renovating my 1000 sq ft warehouse space (the room that I worked on the tank construction in that serves as junk storage) to hold 600 sq ft of reef stuff (mostly livestock) 100 sq ft of rodents ( reptile food) and 300 sq ft of good ole' storage space. I have one wall framed up and need to frame in the rodent room then the fun part of hanging a drop ceiling in the reef area. In addition to all of this stuff, its breeding season for our most profitable races of reptiles so I have to oversee that stuff.
WHEW! Enough excuses huh? Well I do have to find time to set-up some of these 130 gallon propagation tubs I bought. There are 6 of them and they are 74x38x12 and made of polyethylene. I am going to use them for an indoor prop effort in the new reef room but for now I need to set-up at least one of them for live rock curing.
My replacement bulkheads SHOULD be here tomorrow so I will hopefully be able to test fill the tank! WHOOOO HOOO! I also used some of that rubber, interlocking flooring mat that they sell at Target, Sam's Club, etc. I bought it at Target for $15 for a 4/pack that will cover roughly 2x8' area. I trimmed off some of the little interlocking teeth and cut it to fit inside the stand on the concrete. Instead of building up a floor for the Hammerhead to vibrate on I figured I would use this rubber floor mat stuff. Seems like it will work well. I also got all of my receptacles put in and plated up. Starting to look nice!
Oh well... that was a long and BORING rant... sorry for the lack of pictures and interesting stuff. At least we get to see Leon's tank progress! Keep em coming buddy!
LATER ALL!
blfuller123
Premium Member
Yea, I had to give you a hard time. I know the feeling. I thought I was going to get my skimmer that I built tested out, but I had to go into the office Wednesday and Thursday. I am at home today, so I should have time today.
My tank build is on hold for at least a year and a half now. Atleast building it into the wall. My wife told me she is wanting to move into another school district next summer. That is ok though. I can see how things progress with your tank and try and learn from you guys. That will give me time to get all of my equiptment rounded up and have it ready. I still might start the tank and have it ready. Who knows.
Leon, is the front part of your tank doubled up (the wood)? I couldnt tell in the pictures.
Keep up the good work and keep us posted.
-Brett
My tank build is on hold for at least a year and a half now. Atleast building it into the wall. My wife told me she is wanting to move into another school district next summer. That is ok though. I can see how things progress with your tank and try and learn from you guys. That will give me time to get all of my equiptment rounded up and have it ready. I still might start the tank and have it ready. Who knows.
Leon, is the front part of your tank doubled up (the wood)? I couldnt tell in the pictures.
Keep up the good work and keep us posted.
-Brett
lpkirby
New member
Thanks Sean, The paint is going on today, it has been a bit cold here in Houston to apply it. Will post pics, Thanks for all the help. I got my Dart and it looks sweet.....
blfuller, yes it is 2 3/4 plywood pieces. Orginal it was only one and Sean thought it would be best to double it up so it is not very wide there. He was right, the difference from one layer to 2 was amazing and I have not even inserted the threaded rod yet.
Make sure to take lots of pictures in a year or so and keep us posted.
Sean looking good and send some more pics when things calm down there. But hey that means business is good.
Leon
blfuller, yes it is 2 3/4 plywood pieces. Orginal it was only one and Sean thought it would be best to double it up so it is not very wide there. He was right, the difference from one layer to 2 was amazing and I have not even inserted the threaded rod yet.
Make sure to take lots of pictures in a year or so and keep us posted.
Sean looking good and send some more pics when things calm down there. But hey that means business is good.
Leon
pepsi69taste
New member
wow
otterpop510
New member
yeah, congrats in the good business, thats always good to have.. and look forward to seeing some more pics as you get time to continue working on your project..
lpkirby
New member
Hello Everyone,
Just an update, I finished up the hole in the wall today except for the base molding. Put the first coat of paint on the tank, and notice all the minor areas that I thought were ok really show up in the blue. The beauty is that I can glass those area again and repaint. Lots of work but soon it will be really nice. My glass came in today( was due in on Monday). So It will be going in early next week.
That's it for now,
Leon
Just an update, I finished up the hole in the wall today except for the base molding. Put the first coat of paint on the tank, and notice all the minor areas that I thought were ok really show up in the blue. The beauty is that I can glass those area again and repaint. Lots of work but soon it will be really nice. My glass came in today( was due in on Monday). So It will be going in early next week.
That's it for now,
Leon
BruiseAndy
New member
I'm blue ba da de da da da be da... 
looking good
looking good
Sean : EbN
New member
ITS GOT WATER!!!
ITS GOT WATER!!!
Hello everyone,
No pics again! I've been working on the tank so late at night that I just can't seem to bring myself to take pics. Tomorrow I PROMISE to do something with the pic thing.
Yesterday I did a test fill... everything went pretty good. The only leaks I had were where the MPT fittings met the bulkheads. The Savko bulkheads seemed a little wider threaded than the others so I had to really screw those fittings in. I was worried about overtightening so I put them in hand tight with pipe tape, no wrenching. Well I got it filled about 25% and a there was a leak between the threaded fittings. I shut off my union ball valve (a lifesaving invention) and unscrewed it from the Oceans Motions 8 way which I have so affectionately named Dr. Octopus or DOC-OCK as he is my nemesis. HAHA Actually hooking it up was quite simple but just wait until you see it. Every 1" output has a 1" true union ball valve(TUBV) on it. The 8way is perched atop a 1.5" TUBV which is atop the Sequence Hammerhead which has another 1.5" TUBV on the intake side. The number of fittings for the number of leaks was impressive to me. I am sometimes a leaky plumber
So in total I had 5 leaky fittings which were quickly solved. There is still one that drips every few minutes but the fitting is so tight that I don't want to risk cracking it. Maybe the bulkhead has an imperfection in the threads that is letting the water through. As most of you know... the beauty of slow leaky marine tanks is that they don't leak for very long as the salt creep plugs up the hole! So in a few weeks I don't expect to see any drips.
The 8-way OM has 4 ports (2 on one side and 2 on the other) opened at all times which was a mistake with the order which was supposed to be 2 opposed ports (1 on one side and 1 on the other) Paul @ OceansMotions contacted me before the order even arrived to tell me that they made a mistake but to keep the 4port-open one until I plumbed it up and if I didn't like the flow, he would be happy to replace the barrel with the one I ordered. Well... Paul if you are reading this... The 4 ports seem PERFECT! That Hammerhead is putting out SO much flow the way I have it plumbed, I'm not sure I'd want the velocity out of those Omni-Flex nozzles to be any stronger. We'll see when there is livestock in the tank.
On another note... that Hammerhead is SOOOOOO QUIET!! If you need a big flow pump that is virtually silent... buy the Reeflo Hammerhead by Sequence! I'm a proud buyer!
Ok.. I also mounted the shelf for the 2 PFO Dual 400w HQI Halide ballasts and hooked up the main tank's lighting through the wall from the canopy to the ballast area. I bought some nice hanging lamp fixtures for the refugium lighting and mounted 2 of them over the "fuge" with those screw in compact fluorescent floodlights that several people on here recommended. Next thing I did was mount a 70 CFM vent fan in the ceiling above the tank and since I have the luxury of a removable floor upstairs, I was able to run a 3" duct hose that is 25' long from that fan to the "attic" of my other unit next door. I have a good stream of warm air coming out of that baby now! There just so happens to be a 12" by 6" gap between the floor/ceiling joists running from over the tank/sump room all the way to the outer wall of my unit. I already ran the duct for the exhaust fan and I also plan to run 2 lengths of 1" PVC through it. I will have these PVC pipes rum from the sump room, up 10 feet and over 25 feet to the attic area of my other unit which is where I will locate the chiller. This way we don't have to deal with the tank's heat that the chiller removes nor the noise that the chiller produces.
Its all coming together folks! I just want to be SURE that the tank is sound before I wall up around it.
Ok bedtime guys... G'NIGHT!
PS... Leon the tank looks great! FYI my tank is full of water and the trough is full of water and the front of the tank has barely flexed. You can tell when you get close to the glass that the glass is bowed outwards because of the fisheye effect that it gives. I don't see this being a problem though from 3 feet away the tank looks perfect.
LATER!
ITS GOT WATER!!!
Hello everyone,
No pics again! I've been working on the tank so late at night that I just can't seem to bring myself to take pics. Tomorrow I PROMISE to do something with the pic thing.
Yesterday I did a test fill... everything went pretty good. The only leaks I had were where the MPT fittings met the bulkheads. The Savko bulkheads seemed a little wider threaded than the others so I had to really screw those fittings in. I was worried about overtightening so I put them in hand tight with pipe tape, no wrenching. Well I got it filled about 25% and a there was a leak between the threaded fittings. I shut off my union ball valve (a lifesaving invention) and unscrewed it from the Oceans Motions 8 way which I have so affectionately named Dr. Octopus or DOC-OCK as he is my nemesis. HAHA Actually hooking it up was quite simple but just wait until you see it. Every 1" output has a 1" true union ball valve(TUBV) on it. The 8way is perched atop a 1.5" TUBV which is atop the Sequence Hammerhead which has another 1.5" TUBV on the intake side. The number of fittings for the number of leaks was impressive to me. I am sometimes a leaky plumber
So in total I had 5 leaky fittings which were quickly solved. There is still one that drips every few minutes but the fitting is so tight that I don't want to risk cracking it. Maybe the bulkhead has an imperfection in the threads that is letting the water through. As most of you know... the beauty of slow leaky marine tanks is that they don't leak for very long as the salt creep plugs up the hole! So in a few weeks I don't expect to see any drips.
The 8-way OM has 4 ports (2 on one side and 2 on the other) opened at all times which was a mistake with the order which was supposed to be 2 opposed ports (1 on one side and 1 on the other) Paul @ OceansMotions contacted me before the order even arrived to tell me that they made a mistake but to keep the 4port-open one until I plumbed it up and if I didn't like the flow, he would be happy to replace the barrel with the one I ordered. Well... Paul if you are reading this... The 4 ports seem PERFECT! That Hammerhead is putting out SO much flow the way I have it plumbed, I'm not sure I'd want the velocity out of those Omni-Flex nozzles to be any stronger. We'll see when there is livestock in the tank.
On another note... that Hammerhead is SOOOOOO QUIET!! If you need a big flow pump that is virtually silent... buy the Reeflo Hammerhead by Sequence! I'm a proud buyer!
Ok.. I also mounted the shelf for the 2 PFO Dual 400w HQI Halide ballasts and hooked up the main tank's lighting through the wall from the canopy to the ballast area. I bought some nice hanging lamp fixtures for the refugium lighting and mounted 2 of them over the "fuge" with those screw in compact fluorescent floodlights that several people on here recommended. Next thing I did was mount a 70 CFM vent fan in the ceiling above the tank and since I have the luxury of a removable floor upstairs, I was able to run a 3" duct hose that is 25' long from that fan to the "attic" of my other unit next door. I have a good stream of warm air coming out of that baby now! There just so happens to be a 12" by 6" gap between the floor/ceiling joists running from over the tank/sump room all the way to the outer wall of my unit. I already ran the duct for the exhaust fan and I also plan to run 2 lengths of 1" PVC through it. I will have these PVC pipes rum from the sump room, up 10 feet and over 25 feet to the attic area of my other unit which is where I will locate the chiller. This way we don't have to deal with the tank's heat that the chiller removes nor the noise that the chiller produces.
Its all coming together folks! I just want to be SURE that the tank is sound before I wall up around it.
Ok bedtime guys... G'NIGHT!
PS... Leon the tank looks great! FYI my tank is full of water and the trough is full of water and the front of the tank has barely flexed. You can tell when you get close to the glass that the glass is bowed outwards because of the fisheye effect that it gives. I don't see this being a problem though from 3 feet away the tank looks perfect.
LATER!
Sean : EbN
New member
PICS!!!
PICS!!!
Ok everyone... so no one responded today... you must be on pic strike?!?
HAHA So here they are...
This is the shelf I put up for the 2 Dual 400w HQI PFO Ballast enclosures. I tried to be as clean as possible with the wiring, I still think its kinda sloppy...
Here are the 2 hanging ceiling fixtures that I got to light the refugium. Please keep in mind that the light is much brighter in person and the refugium is not yet a real fuge, that is just some left over rock that I couldn't fit in the frag tank...
DOC-OCK My NEMESIS! I got him WHOOPED! You can see the Oceans Motions 8way is perched atop a Sequence Reeflo Hammerhead with a JILLION true union ball valves!
Another view...
Shameless Plug of the evening... BUY OCEANSMOTIONS!!! The 8 way unit is dead centered under the tank and his "tentacles are outstreched! HAHA
Next post...
PICS!!!
Ok everyone... so no one responded today... you must be on pic strike?!?
HAHA So here they are...
This is the shelf I put up for the 2 Dual 400w HQI PFO Ballast enclosures. I tried to be as clean as possible with the wiring, I still think its kinda sloppy...
Here are the 2 hanging ceiling fixtures that I got to light the refugium. Please keep in mind that the light is much brighter in person and the refugium is not yet a real fuge, that is just some left over rock that I couldn't fit in the frag tank...
DOC-OCK My NEMESIS! I got him WHOOPED! You can see the Oceans Motions 8way is perched atop a Sequence Reeflo Hammerhead with a JILLION true union ball valves!
Another view...
Shameless Plug of the evening... BUY OCEANSMOTIONS!!! The 8 way unit is dead centered under the tank and his "tentacles are outstreched! HAHA
Next post...
Sean : EbN
New member
... the fun continues...
This is the 70 CFM vent fan that I hooked up to draw heat from above the tank. I plumbed it to a 3" flexible duct tube that extends 25' into the attic of my other shop area. Sorry for the sloppy hole for the actuator ram... gotta close that up still.
Here is the water! Again... the camera doesn't show brightness very well. These next 4 pics are with all 4 - 400w XM 15K Halides burning on those HQI Ballasts. The water is a bit clody because of me working with drywall around the tank. You can see on the back wall of the tank there are 2-2" strainers, these are connected together behind the tank and run down a 1.5" spa-flex line into the Hammerhead pump. The other 2 holes are 1" in size and have those TRICK 1" Omni-Flex nozzles from Oceans Motions... these things kick butt!
A pic from a different angle. In this pic there is water rolling over the overflow. I have a Mag 5 just sitting in the overflow trough pumping water into the main tank area just to test for leaks and stuff. You gotta love not seeing that overflow! I hope I don't regret the continuous design...
A shot down its length. I promise that tank is 2 ft wide... looks 6" in the pics!
should have made it wider. Next time 
Final pic... you can see the back bulkeads as well as one of the ones in the back bottom. The frnt holes are barely visible since they are close to the front face frame. I think I am going to make a PVC live rock support structure that will actually have water running through it. There will be 2 of these support systems and both will be tied into the bottom rear bulkheads. This way I can put detritus from behind the rocks where I can clean it out or the overflow will take it out.
So that's all peeps! Don't know what comes next?!?
What do you think?
LATER!
This is the 70 CFM vent fan that I hooked up to draw heat from above the tank. I plumbed it to a 3" flexible duct tube that extends 25' into the attic of my other shop area. Sorry for the sloppy hole for the actuator ram... gotta close that up still.
Here is the water! Again... the camera doesn't show brightness very well. These next 4 pics are with all 4 - 400w XM 15K Halides burning on those HQI Ballasts. The water is a bit clody because of me working with drywall around the tank. You can see on the back wall of the tank there are 2-2" strainers, these are connected together behind the tank and run down a 1.5" spa-flex line into the Hammerhead pump. The other 2 holes are 1" in size and have those TRICK 1" Omni-Flex nozzles from Oceans Motions... these things kick butt!
A pic from a different angle. In this pic there is water rolling over the overflow. I have a Mag 5 just sitting in the overflow trough pumping water into the main tank area just to test for leaks and stuff. You gotta love not seeing that overflow! I hope I don't regret the continuous design...
A shot down its length. I promise that tank is 2 ft wide... looks 6" in the pics!
should have made it wider. Next time
Final pic... you can see the back bulkeads as well as one of the ones in the back bottom. The frnt holes are barely visible since they are close to the front face frame. I think I am going to make a PVC live rock support structure that will actually have water running through it. There will be 2 of these support systems and both will be tied into the bottom rear bulkheads. This way I can put detritus from behind the rocks where I can clean it out or the overflow will take it out.
So that's all peeps! Don't know what comes next?!?
What do you think?
LATER!
blfuller123
Premium Member
Wow Sean! Looks really nice! I know you are really getting excited now with water in the tank. Keep up the good work and keep all of us posted.
Brett
Brett
Carl_in_Florida
Active member
You might want to try pics with no flash next time. I think that is why the tank does not look as bright.
Congratulations on being wet.
Carl
Congratulations on being wet.
Carl
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