a Whacked 40B adventure
- Thread starter Whacked
- Start date
got everything moved over to the 15g temp tank, 'cept for the sand and the 6-line wrasse. I'm going to get rid of the 6-line as the temp tank is too small. Hopefully i'll have time to take it to Twins after work.
I'll probaby wash and dry the sand for base sand for the 40g.
One cool thing.
In the middle of transferring everthing over as I was dumping out a bucket of old gunky tankwater I noticed I had 2 sea stars!!
Whoo hoo!
I quickly put them into the new tank where they promptly dissapeared intothe LR. Both of them were about size of a nickel. I went to liveaquaria to see if I could ID them altho I only really got a good look at them under decent lights for a few seconds. It looks like the fancy type, banded or tiger striped i'm not sure.
Anyways, it was a cool find and i've been wanting to get one anyhow.
Hopefully I can get the inside of the canopy painted tonight. Its my immediate goal anyhow. I want to get that done then I can work on the trim.
I'll probaby wash and dry the sand for base sand for the 40g.
One cool thing.
In the middle of transferring everthing over as I was dumping out a bucket of old gunky tankwater I noticed I had 2 sea stars!!
Whoo hoo!
I quickly put them into the new tank where they promptly dissapeared intothe LR. Both of them were about size of a nickel. I went to liveaquaria to see if I could ID them altho I only really got a good look at them under decent lights for a few seconds. It looks like the fancy type, banded or tiger striped i'm not sure.
Anyways, it was a cool find and i've been wanting to get one anyhow.
Hopefully I can get the inside of the canopy painted tonight. Its my immediate goal anyhow. I want to get that done then I can work on the trim.
wierd, I tried posting a update last nite but RC kept sending me to the 'sorry the search engine is overloaded, try again later' screen???
Anyhow, no new pics but I did make some progress this weekend.
Baffles are siliconed in the sump. I still need to make/design a media rack. Originally I figured on using a filter sock but since decided to use filter floss and want a area to put chemi-pure, carbon or whatever.
The stand has the trim and canopy support finished. Tonite i'll do some touch-up sanding and hopefully get the first of 3 coats of stain. No doors made yet. They will be the last thing if I ever make them...
I decided to hold off on mounting the lights until I attach the canopy to the stand.
Need to cut and glue the bottom piece for the overflow box. Tap Plastics wouldnt cut the teeth so I did a hack job with my dremel. looks horrible but if all goes according to my master plan, it wont matter.
once the overflow is done and attached to display then its time to get the plumbing together. I went with gate valves instead of ball valves. I dont like how the ball valves are so dang tough to turn. the gate valves will give me more control over the flow anyhow.
then its time to get the rock/foam wall put in...
still sounds like a lot of work left but I can see light at the end!
Anyhow, no new pics but I did make some progress this weekend.
Baffles are siliconed in the sump. I still need to make/design a media rack. Originally I figured on using a filter sock but since decided to use filter floss and want a area to put chemi-pure, carbon or whatever.
The stand has the trim and canopy support finished. Tonite i'll do some touch-up sanding and hopefully get the first of 3 coats of stain. No doors made yet. They will be the last thing if I ever make them...
I decided to hold off on mounting the lights until I attach the canopy to the stand.
Need to cut and glue the bottom piece for the overflow box. Tap Plastics wouldnt cut the teeth so I did a hack job with my dremel. looks horrible but if all goes according to my master plan, it wont matter.
once the overflow is done and attached to display then its time to get the plumbing together. I went with gate valves instead of ball valves. I dont like how the ball valves are so dang tough to turn. the gate valves will give me more control over the flow anyhow.
then its time to get the rock/foam wall put in...
still sounds like a lot of work left but I can see light at the end!
bbl_nk
New member
Ken,
You may want to check out and see if there is a local Habitat for Humaity resale shop in Stockton. There is one in Modesto and they have a buttload of cabinet doors for a few bucks a pop. You might be able to find a pair that work for you and save the hassle of building doors which is a big PITA.
Brian
You may want to check out and see if there is a local Habitat for Humaity resale shop in Stockton. There is one in Modesto and they have a buttload of cabinet doors for a few bucks a pop. You might be able to find a pair that work for you and save the hassle of building doors which is a big PITA.
Brian
JoshuaG
New member
I know you said doors are a low priority, but bookmark these guys.
http://www.heartlandcustomwood.com/Cabinet_Doors.html
I got 2 doors 28"x12" built and delivered for $45
http://www.heartlandcustomwood.com/Cabinet_Doors.html
I got 2 doors 28"x12" built and delivered for $45
thanks for the door info 
I'll probably go that route when i'm ready.
After the weekend update:
I made more progress altho it doesnt seem like much.
Stand is done! and cleared out the place for its final home. I think that was a big hurdle as its a good visual sign of progress.
I also started in on the foam/rock wall. 1 can of Becketts isnt enough so back to HD to get more tonite. The foam is wicked nasty to work with, latex gloves is a must. I need to take pics of building that while I can.
I guess its a good thing I ran out of foam. I forgot I wanted to build a "tunnel" with PVC. So now I can get that in the design.
The sump media rack is done. Not pretty but I have a 6x4x7 area for filter floss. If I use less floss a bag of chemi-pure will sit in their easily. I didnt make the rack go all the way to the bottom so that I (hopefully) can direct the skimmer intake under there easier. Also if I decide to go with a bigger skimmer (again hopefully) i'll have more wiggle room with something a larger footprint.
The lights are marked for mounting. I'll finish them up later.
I started playing with aquascape ideas. All the rock I got from Jacob is scattered on my dining area floor I think I got more than I need. Well see whats left after all this is done.
I'm thinking I may drill some of the rock to piece them together. I'll have to do more reading on how they stick 'em together.
Input help: I want a jawfish eventually. I've seen how some people have made "jawfish houses" from PVC. I dont know when I'll get a jawfish or what type yet either.
So should I go ahead make the house then bury it under the sand/rock like normal? or hold off and put in the house when I get the fish?
My thinking is the house will do 2 things. provide a stable cave for the fish and provide a stable support for the rock. I really hate burying good LR into sand so this way it will be lifted up somewhat.
I'll probably go that route when i'm ready.
After the weekend update:
I made more progress altho it doesnt seem like much.
Stand is done! and cleared out the place for its final home. I think that was a big hurdle as its a good visual sign of progress.
I also started in on the foam/rock wall. 1 can of Becketts isnt enough
so back to HD to get more tonite. The foam is wicked nasty to work with, latex gloves is a must. I need to take pics of building that while I can.I guess its a good thing I ran out of foam. I forgot I wanted to build a "tunnel" with PVC. So now I can get that in the design.
The sump media rack is done. Not pretty but I have a 6x4x7 area for filter floss. If I use less floss a bag of chemi-pure will sit in their easily. I didnt make the rack go all the way to the bottom so that I (hopefully) can direct the skimmer intake under there easier. Also if I decide to go with a bigger skimmer (again hopefully) i'll have more wiggle room with something a larger footprint.
The lights are marked for mounting. I'll finish them up later.
I started playing with aquascape ideas. All the rock I got from Jacob is scattered on my dining area floor
I think I got more than I need. Well see whats left after all this is done.I'm thinking I may drill some of the rock to piece them together. I'll have to do more reading on how they stick 'em together.
Input help: I want a jawfish eventually. I've seen how some people have made "jawfish houses" from PVC. I dont know when I'll get a jawfish or what type yet either.
So should I go ahead make the house then bury it under the sand/rock like normal? or hold off and put in the house when I get the fish?
My thinking is the house will do 2 things. provide a stable cave for the fish and provide a stable support for the rock. I really hate burying good LR into sand so this way it will be lifted up somewhat.
A few pics:
Staining the stand:
Foam/rock wall:
Some say the white eggcrate can leech phosphate. to counter that a bleach/vinegar soak or cover it up. So I sprayed it with Krylon paint.
Foam expansion. Had to hack a lot of it off to expose more rock and to counter any bouyancy.
epoxy/sand to keep it sealed up and looking good.
I ran out of epoxy but i'll finish it up tomorrow.
I am running a leak test on my sump baffles, almost 24hrs now and not a drop of water leaking.
Oh yea one thing. Tap Plastics was out of the black 1/4 acrylic so I bought clear. What I did was sand one side then sprayed it black (a member on nano reef had issues with krylon sticking to the acrylic so I thought scuffing it up will give the paint something to stick to.) The black painted acrylic is the 'fuge baffle. I figured it will help block any light going into the return part of the sump thus less likely any algae growing there. Worth a shot anyhow.
From Tap plastics I also bought 2 very thin pieces of blue acrylic from the scrap bin. I plan on painting one side of those black also. The back part the rock/foam wall will have the acrylic on the outside for a background. It will be held in place by packing tape and the magnets from the koralia's. That way I can easily switch it from blue to black when ever I want. Even change to a totally different color with a new piece of acrylic.
Staining the stand:
Foam/rock wall:
Some say the white eggcrate can leech phosphate. to counter that a bleach/vinegar soak or cover it up. So I sprayed it with Krylon paint.
Foam expansion. Had to hack a lot of it off to expose more rock and to counter any bouyancy.
epoxy/sand to keep it sealed up and looking good.
I ran out of epoxy but i'll finish it up tomorrow.
I am running a leak test on my sump baffles, almost 24hrs now and not a drop of water leaking.
Oh yea one thing. Tap Plastics was out of the black 1/4 acrylic so I bought clear. What I did was sand one side then sprayed it black (a member on nano reef had issues with krylon sticking to the acrylic so I thought scuffing it up will give the paint something to stick to.) The black painted acrylic is the 'fuge baffle. I figured it will help block any light going into the return part of the sump thus less likely any algae growing there. Worth a shot anyhow.
From Tap plastics I also bought 2 very thin pieces of blue acrylic from the scrap bin. I plan on painting one side of those black also. The back part the rock/foam wall will have the acrylic on the outside for a background. It will be held in place by packing tape and the magnets from the koralia's. That way I can easily switch it from blue to black when ever I want. Even change to a totally different color with a new piece of acrylic.
OK I found something interesting and potentially dangerous the other nite.
I was going to finish epoxy/sand whats left on my rock wall. So I dumped the entire contents of the epoxy and hardener into a throwaway tupperware container. I dont know if it was because it was around 100deg or what but as I was about 1/2 way thru the epoxy I noticed a white vapor from my container, and it was getting hot. I held it far away and picked up the pace. the epoxy in the container was already starting to harden. I ended up having just enough to finish but wasted about 1/4 of the epoxy. The tupperware was starting to deform and I put it on the sidewalk where it really started to put out the white vapor. I caught the barest of whiffs and yea, most definitely not something I'd want a full snort.
So even tho the bottles was 30 min and 4.5oz, dont use it all at once. Maybe even use it on a cooler day. Most definitely use in WELL ventilated area. I was lucky there was a breeze 'else things could have gotten ugly fast.
This morning I drilled my tank. (yea yea I know, slacker) Talk about nerve wracking. Ive never drilled glass before. I have the overflow box siliconed in place now. Hopefully it will be cured enough for a leak test tomorrow.
Later tonite I think i'll start laying out the light placements and see about getting them installed.
Tomorrow i'll put in the rock wall and start plumbing. the tank will be on its side until the wall is firmly inplace so I cant finish it.
If all goes well and according to plan, I hope to start putting water in it on Wed. Gonna take a few trips to get the RODI but i'm definitely not going to use tap to get things started.
I was going to finish epoxy/sand whats left on my rock wall. So I dumped the entire contents of the epoxy and hardener into a throwaway tupperware container. I dont know if it was because it was around 100deg or what but as I was about 1/2 way thru the epoxy I noticed a white vapor from my container, and it was getting hot. I held it far away and picked up the pace. the epoxy in the container was already starting to harden. I ended up having just enough to finish but wasted about 1/4 of the epoxy. The tupperware was starting to deform and I put it on the sidewalk where it really started to put out the white vapor. I caught the barest of whiffs and yea, most definitely not something I'd want a full snort.
So even tho the bottles was 30 min and 4.5oz, dont use it all at once. Maybe even use it on a cooler day. Most definitely use in WELL ventilated area. I was lucky there was a breeze 'else things could have gotten ugly fast.
This morning I drilled my tank. (yea yea I know, slacker) Talk about nerve wracking. Ive never drilled glass before. I have the overflow box siliconed in place now. Hopefully it will be cured enough for a leak test tomorrow.
Later tonite I think i'll start laying out the light placements and see about getting them installed.
Tomorrow i'll put in the rock wall and start plumbing. the tank will be on its side until the wall is firmly inplace so I cant finish it.
If all goes well and according to plan, I hope to start putting water in it on Wed. Gonna take a few trips to get the RODI but i'm definitely not going to use tap to get things started.
need some aquascape input.Ive been playing around with it a bit but havent made my mind up. These pics show what I came up with.
Pics taken with my P&S (pos?) Nikon Coolpix so not very good. played with a couple modes flash on then off.
2 FTS, the PVC will be a jawfish house. going to do something to camo the entrance piece. I'll have about 1-2" sand
right top side looking left
left top side looking right
I have more pieces that are larger. not sure if i'll use them.
Pics taken with my P&S (pos?) Nikon Coolpix so not very good. played with a couple modes flash on then off.
2 FTS, the PVC will be a jawfish house. going to do something to camo the entrance piece. I'll have about 1-2" sand
right top side looking left
left top side looking right
I have more pieces that are larger. not sure if i'll use them.
Thanks Jacob.
I intentionally made the wall a bit smaller. That way if for any reason I remove it, I wont tear up the tank seals. The overflow box will be toast tho, I siliconed that sucker on good The bottom sides I sprayed black on the outside, I'll just let the coraline build up there. I'm digging the acrylic background. It will be easy to switch it from blue to black for a different look.
On the aquascape. I thought about bringing the rock to touch the wall but i'm afraid of creating dead spots. I'll have K2's in the back corners so that should help.
Originally I thought of running the return to the front corners but now I dont think I'll do that. At least not right away. Instead I'll go with a spraybar action across the back and sides.
Guessimate about 510gph at the tank rim where the 1" will reduce to 3/4", 3/16" holes drilled every 2", about 32 total should give me a area of .88 and 1" pipe area is .78 (think my math is right). So I dont think i'll create any backpressure with the pump running full blast. I remember reading somewhere that 3/16" was good for a spraybar as that kept most critters from plugging the system up.
Been outside working all day today, pretty fried so haven't done much today.
I intentionally made the wall a bit smaller. That way if for any reason I remove it, I wont tear up the tank seals. The overflow box will be toast tho, I siliconed that sucker on good
The bottom sides I sprayed black on the outside, I'll just let the coraline build up there. I'm digging the acrylic background. It will be easy to switch it from blue to black for a different look.On the aquascape. I thought about bringing the rock to touch the wall but i'm afraid of creating dead spots. I'll have K2's in the back corners so that should help.
Originally I thought of running the return to the front corners but now I dont think I'll do that. At least not right away. Instead I'll go with a spraybar action across the back and sides.
Guessimate about 510gph at the tank rim where the 1" will reduce to 3/4", 3/16" holes drilled every 2", about 32 total should give me a area of .88 and 1" pipe area is .78 (think my math is right). So I dont think i'll create any backpressure with the pump running full blast. I remember reading somewhere that 3/16" was good for a spraybar as that kept most critters from plugging the system up.
Been outside working all day today, pretty fried so haven't done much today.
I swear I made 4 trips to Lowes today.
Dangit, never get everything the first go-around.
Well, no more leaking plumbing. Kind of a hack job but it works.
I am not 100% happy with the return spraybar I made. It works but, well it could be better. Anyways, I can always change it out later and I just may do just that.
So I move the stand to its new home (final move! it aint going anywhere anytime soon). So I start leveling it. My level is pretty short, I think 9" and I was having a heck of a time getting it level and not wobbly. Then I realized that the tanks side trim is bowed upwards in the middle. I dont know what the hecks the deal with that. When I put my square on it it is very noticeable. So I pulled out all the shims. I'm pretty tired so I'll level it out tomorrow.
Next on the agenda:
Level stand
WATER!!!!! get the salinity up and start cycling!!!!
I need to get another K2, new bulb for 'fuge light. better light timers.
finish mounting the lights. been slacking real bad on this part of the project.
Get them mounted into the canopy.
Put canopy on tank.
Get sloppy drunk 'cause its over!
Dangit, never get everything the first go-around.
Well, no more leaking plumbing. Kind of a hack job but it works.
I am not 100% happy with the return spraybar I made. It works but, well it could be better. Anyways, I can always change it out later and I just may do just that.
So I move the stand to its new home (final move! it aint going anywhere anytime soon). So I start leveling it. My level is pretty short, I think 9" and I was having a heck of a time getting it level and not wobbly. Then I realized that the tanks side trim is bowed upwards in the middle. I dont know what the hecks the deal with that. When I put my square on it it is very noticeable. So I pulled out all the shims. I'm pretty tired so I'll level it out tomorrow.
Next on the agenda:
Level stand
WATER!!!!! get the salinity up and start cycling!!!!
I need to get another K2, new bulb for 'fuge light. better light timers.
finish mounting the lights. been slacking real bad on this part of the project.
Get them mounted into the canopy.
Put canopy on tank.
Get sloppy drunk 'cause its over!
CJerome21
New member
Looks like it coming together well. Leveling it can be a pain but is worth it in the long run. I used on of those little levels on a tank I just set up but it was only a biocube 29, on one of your trips to lowes you could pick up a three foot one and then if you decide you dont really need it then just return it ;-)
Instead of light timers pick up one of the RKL, they are $99 now for the basic temp and four outlets and you can add the K2 into the order to combine shipping.
Jerome
Instead of light timers pick up one of the RKL, they are $99 now for the basic temp and four outlets and you can add the K2 into the order to combine shipping.
Jerome
On the RKL: its on my "gotta get" list just after a RODI unit (really need one of those). If I'm reeeeeally lucky i'll win the RKL summer giveaway contest. yea right, I know my luck,... If it wasnt for bad luck I wouldnt have any luck at all
Probably a good idea to pick up a bigger level for future projects. like the dining table I want to refurbish. Probably pick one up on my way home tonite.
Its just wierd that the top trim sides are bowed. I looked at it briefly a bit more this morning and its almost like they didnt cut the glass straight. Hope it doesnt interfere with how the canopy will sit on top.
Probably a good idea to pick up a bigger level for future projects. like the dining table I want to refurbish. Probably pick one up on my way home tonite.
Its just wierd that the top trim sides are bowed. I looked at it briefly a bit more this morning and its almost like they didnt cut the glass straight. Hope it doesnt interfere with how the canopy will sit on top.
