Complete DIY Custom 144x15x15

Status
Not open for further replies.
you could use alumininum, just get the right gadge and you should be fine although I think it would have to be bent to look and fit correctly. Like mentioned above, make sure you vent it...I think the louver idea would make it look professional grade.

I like the idea, it could look very good and seams like it would function excellent for your tank.

Keep up the good work, stillllllllllll tagging along lol.
 
I would stick with a rounded look. Only reason I wouldn't intentionally bend the aluminum is because it would be difficult to get consistent bends along the relatively long length of the fixture.

Also, just my opinion, but I think that the aluminum will be too soft regardless of gauge (not gadge). If it were me, I'd go with a thin stainless steel. You should be able to have a piece cut for a relatively inexpensive cost at a local metal shop (lms!).

I'm enjoying all the posts! Keep up the awesome work!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13680634#post13680634 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
That's pretty intense. I wonder what you could wrap it with. Here's a crazy thought: canvas?
Click to expand...

I haven't ruled out a cloth material, but I'm afraid it will look funny as light will likely shine through it. ???

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13680733#post13680733 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GIJOE007
you could use alumininum, just get the right gadge and you should be fine although I think it would have to be bent to look and fit correctly. Like mentioned above, make sure you vent it...I think the louver idea would make it look professional grade.

I like the idea, it could look very good and seams like it would function excellent for your tank.

Keep up the good work, stillllllllllll tagging along lol.
Click to expand...

That's the concern I have, being able to bend it cleanly... Doing a 12' bend won't be easy... Only way around it I think would be to just screw it to the ribs from the outside and use a seperate piece of aluminum for the undersides... Thoughts?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13680786#post13680786 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by therealbobbyt
I would stick with a rounded look. Only reason I wouldn't intentionally bend the aluminum is because it would be difficult to get consistent bends along the relatively long length of the fixture.

Also, just my opinion, but I think that the aluminum will be too soft regardless of gauge (not gadge). If it were me, I'd go with a thin stainless steel. You should be able to have a piece cut for a relatively inexpensive cost at a local metal shop (lms!).

I'm enjoying all the posts! Keep up the awesome work!
Click to expand...

So do you think it would be better to use a "cloth" since it won't crease/dent? If I did stainless steel, I'd have to do it in sections instead of one piece.
 
Sheets of stainless come standard in sizes up to 8'. You may be able to special order a larger size. Or you can do it in 2 or 3 sections - may give a cool architectural look.
 
You could even do it in a way that it looks like the wing of a plane, using metal and rivets.
 
If you use Canvas (or some nonflammable material) you could paint the inside of it perhaps even with abstract color scheme to keep the light from coming thru so much - even put it on light so it might glow a bit for effect

if you use sheet - I can not imagine that by the time you finish shaping it you won't be disappointed by random marks and inconsistent bending - however if you dimpled it like crazy(or bought it dimpled) it would tend to hide those imperfections and would sort of match the wind across the water dimpling you see sometimes on the days where the water is calm but wind is sweeping across, sun is still midmorning and those shots of light sparkling off the ripple reflection - i.e. it might look water like.

There may be an aluminum based window blind treatment - available that is rather flexible - almost like aluminum screen .

just thinking - there is a solution - maybe you should go with the ribbed structure and get it running so we can see water and think on it while you populate your reef and we can all ponder the perfect covering while enjoying your reef.

You know, like Marc L. did with his woodwork.:D
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13681762#post13681762 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
You could even do it in a way that it looks like the wing of a plane, using metal and rivets.
Click to expand...

I like this idea:thumbsup:
 
If the smooth look is your goal, you could use metal for the skeleton then spot TIG the aluminum to it. Once attached spot putty sand and paint.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13681573#post13681573 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by therealbobbyt
Sheets of stainless come standard in sizes up to 8'. You may be able to special order a larger size. Or you can do it in 2 or 3 sections - may give a cool architectural look.
Click to expand...

Sounds $$$... :(

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13681762#post13681762 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
You could even do it in a way that it looks like the wing of a plane, using metal and rivets.
Click to expand...

That's the idea that inspired me to do the rib structure... Just afraid it might look too industrial and clash in the room. Thoughts?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13681784#post13681784 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnb
If you use Canvas (or some nonflammable material) you could paint the inside of it perhaps even with abstract color scheme to keep the light from coming thru so much - even put it on light so it might glow a bit for effect

if you use sheet - I can not imagine that by the time you finish shaping it you won't be disappointed by random marks and inconsistent bending - however if you dimpled it like crazy(or bought it dimpled) it would tend to hide those imperfections and would sort of match the wind across the water dimpling you see sometimes on the days where the water is calm but wind is sweeping across, sun is still midmorning and those shots of light sparkling off the ripple reflection - i.e. it might look water like.

There may be an aluminum based window blind treatment - available that is rather flexible - almost like aluminum screen .

just thinking - there is a solution - maybe you should go with the ribbed structure and get it running so we can see water and think on it while you populate your reef and we can all ponder the perfect covering while enjoying your reef.

You know, like Marc L. did with his woodwork.:D
Click to expand...

Thanks for the thoughts! Definately lots to think about there. :D

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13682559#post13682559 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
Just use the pink foam. It's always a hit. :D
Click to expand...

LOL! Yeah, that does it for me every time. ;)

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13682922#post13682922 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by newreef8584
If the smooth look is your goal, you could use metal for the skeleton then spot TIG the aluminum to it. Once attached spot putty sand and paint.
Click to expand...

Except I can't TIG it to the wooden ribs... :( Perhaps a rivet look? Metal Screws? Think an industrial "wing" will clash in the room?
 
I like the wing idea, but I think that it doesn't fit into the room scheme. My .02. Too much wood look in the room, industrial will just clash.
 
You could "shingle" it with smaller pieces of aluminum using a jig to make exact duplicate "shingles" of whatever shape you like then flashing would work fine. you would then need "slats "between the ribs for attachment points . This method would allow ventilation and keep material costs down while allowing for a great amount of creativity. I am sure whatever you decide it will come out beautiful.
Lee
 
again....aluminum is NOT the way to go. You'll be able to get the stainless for the same cost or better....

aluminum will also oxidize creating a hazy finish if left raw...
 
various metal mesh and cloth
"http://www.twpinc.com/twpinc/control/category/~category_id=TWPCAT_10"
 
What about acryllic sprayed with black Krylon Fusion? Or, you could just go natural and let the light shine through...just watch out for sunburn on your retinas... :D
 
you can use wiggle board for that. its flexible so you can bend it to that shape very easily and you can get it with some nice finishes as well.

and its cheap!
 
speaking of airplane wings... have you seen the radio controlled planes with wings covered in Monokote (TM). it is a plastic film with colored heat-activated adhesive, it looks just better than a paint job, comes in every color of the rainbow and then some... also comes in transparent colors, it is heat-shrinkable with a small iron, comes in long rolls, can be layered to create designs, not expensive.
basically cut it a little over-sized, roll it out, tack it in place on the ribs with the iron (helps to use a cloth between the iron and the film to avoid scratches), then go around the whole thing to shrink it up, which also removes all the wrinkles.
once the heat shrink process is done, the stuff holds up to all kinds of feuls/oils, hot exhaust gases and oils, and cleans up with a wipe of a rag.

http://www.monokote.com/monoinst1.html
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

F
Tank stand on castors
Replies
4
Views
371
albano
albano
E
4x2x2 Acrylic reel tank and stand for sale
Replies
4
Views
305
ebe
E
D
DIY Stand Help
Replies
6
Views
439
kharmaguru
kharmaguru
D
Which sump would you choose?
Replies
5
Views
376
Devilphish
D
scuzy
FS: complete setup
Replies
3
Views
1K
ashburn
A
Back
Top