Complete DIY Custom 144x15x15

[kcress]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13750226#post13750226 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lakee911
kcress: What kind of pressure gage do you recommend? Are gages available that are compatible with marine environments? Here at work I would use a silicone filled gage with a PVC diaphragm seal to prevent any metal (such as brass) from coming in contact with the saltwater. This would be a bit expensive for me at home though....

Thanks,
Jason

Yes they are oddly hard to find. Luckily our tanks run very low pressures so you can use a bunch of tricks.

1) You can make your own using a union. Lay a material across the union face. Buy a thin sheet of something from McMaster-Carr like 0.002", or 0.003", or 0.005" Teflon. The thinner the better.

2) You can use a "long tube isolator". Use about ten feet of air line tubing in a vertical roll with the gauge at the top of the last turn. The water never makes it to the gauge.

3) Pay twice as much and use a SS gauge.

Make sure you use a low pressure gauge - as close as you can get to the pump's maximum.

I would be happy to discuss this more if you like, but you better start a new thread so as we don't hijack Calvin's.

 

[calvin415]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13750684#post13750684 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by asmodeus
the tank is looking really good man. the trim is looking good too basic that is what you need. to allow the tank to pop out by it's self

Thanks! I picked up the trim last night but haven't installed it yet. I was worried about it warping if any drips get down on it, but while I was at Home Depot I found the same style trim but in solid plastic (bright white to match) so it's water proof! I was afraid it wouldn't match, but unless you're right up next to it, you can't even tell! I'll post pics as soon as I have it installed.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13750885#post13750885 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by daw422
The tank looks awesome! I do like the trim.

Thanks!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13752315#post13752315 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spear reef
awesome,
you cant even see the seams

Well I can, but hopefull they will fade once the tank is filled.

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

yeah the seams look awesome...you can kinda see them in the overhead long pics...and only by the distortion they create onthe bulkheads...but damn nice...

calvin, are both seems (long viewing panels) on the same end of the tank or is back panel seem on the peninsula end of the tank? do you think it would matter structurally to have the seems on the same ends or not? or are the sides on the same end and the top and bottom on the other?

as i was waiting for the page to load it poped up the pics and i was like "woah damn he has water in it"...but looking at it again it looks more like a reflection in the bottom of the tank...

again completely inspirational work you do man...

LOL someone is going to have to start up a thread "Praise Calvin"

 

[calvin415]

LOL!!! Both viewing panels have the join on the same end, and the top and bottom are on the opposite end. I didn't want the joins to be on the same ends but unfortunately to keep the joins from touching on the ajoining pieces, meant putting the join on the same end.

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13760383#post13760383 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by calvin415
LOL!!! Both viewing panels have the join on the same end, and the top and bottom are on the opposite end. I didn't want the joins to be on the same ends but unfortunately to keep the joins from touching on the ajoining pieces, meant putting the join on the same end.

thats what i figured...it would make for quite the little pivot point otherwise...

how is your pendant design coming along? starting manufacturing it yet?

 

[calvin415]

Still in the research phase right now, trying to figure out what weight glass I should consider, what resin, how to color/paint it. How firm I can build it before I add any glass and as light as possible?

Plus, I'm still working on the water flow (sumps are routered, polished, and drilled), just a couple more steps and I can work on filling it. I figure I can get the water in the tank, and rock cycling in the dark...

 

[EnderG60]

before you do anything else turn the tank over and take the protective paper off the bottom! If you dont do it now, it will NEVER come off without sanding.

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13761610#post13761610 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EnderG60
before you do anything else turn the tank over and take the protective paper off the bottom! If you dont do it now, it will NEVER come off without sanding.

personally i never view the tank from the bottom...LOL...Calvin knows his acrylic...i am sure if he deems it necessary to remove it he will...

Calvin you still going with all T5's? could you build it out of acrylic and then veneer some birch ply over it? or just sand and paint it?

 

[calvin415]

Not worried about the bottom... Could care less if it ever comes off since I'll never see it again.

Lighting will be all T-5's 3 sets of 48" 4 bulb retro's with 660 ballasts. As for the pendant itself it will be built out of some form of wood and possibly covered in fiberglass for additional support.

 

[calvin415]

Today was a sick day, I woke up this morning about 2am with a headache and didn't get back to sleep. Called in sick with work and tried to sleep today...

I did make a little progress tonight:

Installed the trim around the tank, put a bead of silicone on the back side of the trim to try to keep any water from getting under the tank.

I installed styrofoam on top of the concrete followed by a shower plan liner (PVC Sheet) to catch any drips or leaks. Then put in the sumps:

I sprayed foam all over the electrical box the building inspector made me install to keep any salt out of it (nothing getting through that), and drilled the sump for the return pump. I started on the return plumbing, but still have to wait on a bulkhead to drill the end of the tank and the end of the stand.

Let's see... I also finished the frame for the cabinet doors to mount to. My wife finished painting the doors this morning and I have the hardware installed, just have to paint the frame and then install it. Sorry no pics of this, but I will once it's installed this week.

I still need to locate a lock for the doors to keep the little ones out, but I haven't looked at all yet.

I also went ahead a just bought a spool of 14ga wire from Lowes instead of spending more for 18ga. A friend said he uses it on all his T5's so as long as I can get it in the endcap, I'll give it a shot (also rated at 600v).

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13766639#post13766639 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by calvin415

Lighting will be all T-5's 3 sets of 48" 4 bulb retro's with 660 ballasts. As for the pendant itself it will be built out of some form of wood and possibly covered in fiberglass for additional support.

in that case i would suggest trying to build it entirely out of fiberglass...i used to build lots of crazy shaped stuff with fiberglass when i was big into car stereo installs...this is something you could build with minimal wood and weight and have all the strength you could ever need, plus fiberglass is very strong when it comes to heat and wont melt or burn on you...also it is super easy to work with (in this application) and you can cut and drill where ever...i bet you could build it for under a hundred bucks easy and have it weigh less then ten pounds...you seem beyond capable in DIY terms...but if you like i could maybe through some ideas your way on how to glass it up..

 

[melev]

Sorry to hear about the sick day, but you did use it to the fullest. :thumbsup:

 

[FabRight]

Sounds more like a sickation day to me. Keep up the good work. Looks like your getting pretty close to filling with saltwater. We'll be watching with anticipation.

 

[EnderG60]

your gonna trigger my OCD leaving that stuff on the bottom!

carpender friend of mine told me about a place called harrison doors I think it was. said they have a few different styles and are pretty cheap. I need to look into them for my kitchen, but well you know how it goes.

 

[rdubled]

nice work! can't wait to see how you do your lights

 

[casper5096]

The only thing that could possibly make this look any better is if it were going up in my house:dance:.

However, since i have had a little bit of experience with sheet rock, PLEASE, tell me you are going to put some waterproofing on the exposed sheet rock inside your stand :eek2: .

 

[calvin415]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13767305#post13767305 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NanoReefWanabe
in that case i would suggest trying to build it entirely out of fiberglass...i used to build lots of crazy shaped stuff with fiberglass when i was big into car stereo installs...this is something you could build with minimal wood and weight and have all the strength you could ever need, plus fiberglass is very strong when it comes to heat and wont melt or burn on you...also it is super easy to work with (in this application) and you can cut and drill where ever...i bet you could build it for under a hundred bucks easy and have it weigh less then ten pounds...you seem beyond capable in DIY terms...but if you like i could maybe through some ideas your way on how to glass it up..

Thought about it, but to build the molds etc I'm just not interested in saving that much weight... It will already be pretty light. Figured if I did fiberglass it, I treat it like a surfboard, just laminate it, hot coat it and call it good. Again that is if the structure isn't solid enough without it.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13767443#post13767443 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
Sorry to hear about the sick day, but you did use it to the fullest. :thumbsup:

LOL! Thanks Marc!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13767896#post13767896 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FabRight
Sounds more like a sickation day to me. Keep up the good work. Looks like your getting pretty close to filling with saltwater. We'll be watching with anticipation.

I sure hope to get it filled soon...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13768874#post13768874 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EnderG60
your gonna trigger my OCD leaving that stuff on the bottom!

carpender friend of mine told me about a place called harrison doors I think it was. said they have a few different styles and are pretty cheap. I need to look into them for my kitchen, but well you know how it goes.

Sorry, you won't know it's there either in a few weeks. I just picked up some MDF doors online for 15each and then primed and painted them to seal them. Looks great, I can't wait to install the assembly!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13769084#post13769084 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rdubled
nice work! can't wait to see how you do your lights

Thanks! Me either, LOL!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13769352#post13769352 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by casper5096
The only thing that could possibly make this look any better is if it were going up in my house:dance:.

However, since i have had a little bit of experience with sheet rock, PLEASE, tell me you are going to put some waterproofing on the exposed sheet rock inside your stand :eek2: .

Think I need it? Just primer or do you think I need to install a plastic barrier? Didn't think about it, I figured the flow through the sump would be slow enough that it wouldn't matter...

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13772653#post13772653 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by calvin415
Thought about it, but to build the molds etc I'm just not interested in saving that much weight... It will already be pretty light. Figured if I did fiberglass it, I treat it like a surfboard, just laminate it, hot coat it and call it good. Again that is if the structure isn't solid enough without it.

oh...i dont think there is any need to build molds, unless you want to reproduce the unit...a one time off you could build it just by making an aluminum skeleton and stretching fabric over it...glass a layer or two and your done...what ever you decide it is going to be awesome...

 

[calvin415]

Thanks! Do you think a hot coat would leave a smooth enough finish to look right? Also what would be the easiest way to paint this? Paint the structure under it and then glass? Tint the resin? Will the resin tint enough to cover anything under the glass if it's not already the same color? Sorry for all the questions, I've never worked with glass but don't want to shell out too much moolah in tests if someone else can tell me it won't work. What weight would you recommend? 3.7oz work or would 5.6oz be better? E glass enough, or do I need to bump it up to S? How many layers?

Anyone think a final layer of Carbon Fiber would look good with the decor or would it clash?

 

[daw422]

Carbon Fiber would definitely clash imo.