diy pico build
- Thread starter inkmates
- Start date
oceanparadise1
In Memoriam
Man ralph looks AWSOME!
I'm defenatly going with leds, I'm just going to find something I can tear apart for a retro fit. lol who am I kidding I'm just cheap. Any ways I'm looking at a 48 led puck light on an online auction site, looks like I'll be able to pick it up for a few bucks. A little wire and a converter and I'll be in business.
Now that I'm thinking about how cheap I am lets do a tally of what I've spent:
Glass- $0 (old picture frame glass)
acrylic- aprx $2 (bought some for the 55g so it was extra)
chaulk- $0 (left over from work)
wood- $0 (left over from work)
pump- $.25 (picked up a table foutain at a yard sale last summer)
heater- $9 (actually had bought it for my sons tank but we took it down)
wood glue- $0 (left over from work)
masking tape- $4 (bought the good stuff this time)
blue leds- $1 (dollar store special)
white leds- $?? (haven't got them yet)
computer fan- $0 (salvaged from old pc, not for sure if I'll need it or not)
wood stain & polish- $0 (left over from work)
plumbing parts for bulkhead- $1.75
Grand Total- $18 + white leds
lol nothing like a good ol diy economy build huh anybody wanna bet me I can't get this finished for less than $30 total (less stocking)?
Glass- $0 (old picture frame glass)
acrylic- aprx $2 (bought some for the 55g so it was extra)
chaulk- $0 (left over from work)
wood- $0 (left over from work)
pump- $.25 (picked up a table foutain at a yard sale last summer)
heater- $9 (actually had bought it for my sons tank but we took it down)
wood glue- $0 (left over from work)
masking tape- $4 (bought the good stuff this time)
blue leds- $1 (dollar store special)
white leds- $?? (haven't got them yet)
computer fan- $0 (salvaged from old pc, not for sure if I'll need it or not)
wood stain & polish- $0 (left over from work)
plumbing parts for bulkhead- $1.75
Grand Total- $18 + white leds
lol nothing like a good ol diy economy build huh anybody wanna bet me I can't get this finished for less than $30 total (less stocking)?
oceanparadise1
In Memoriam
LOL im not taking that bet ralph ur cheaper then my *** LOL
belgian_waffleman
New member
Nice job!
I love the way it is turning out.
Waffleman
I love the way it is turning out.
Waffleman
belgian_waffleman
New member
I think that you will at least triple your budget for the white LED's.
You need to get the ones that have enough umpf to maintain or even grow corals.
Waffleman
You need to get the ones that have enough umpf to maintain or even grow corals.
Waffleman
doryarlin955
New member
"pump- $.25 (picked up a table foutain at a yard sale last summer)"
I would see if you can figure out what brand and model it is, and call the company or go online to check and make sure it's safe to use in saltwater. I've passed on buying countless cheap fountains in garage sales after seeing warning labels on the pumps about saltwater(usually tag along with my mom incase I can find something usefull lol)
I would see if you can figure out what brand and model it is, and call the company or go online to check and make sure it's safe to use in saltwater. I've passed on buying countless cheap fountains in garage sales after seeing warning labels on the pumps about saltwater(usually tag along with my mom incase I can find something usefull lol)
block head
New member
whatya gonna stick in it ?
no stickers on the pump other than voltage rateings, I pulled it apart after I got it and its all plastic other than the magnet part of the drive. I've been useing it as a transfer pump and have used it in the 5 gallon I used to have. As far as stocking the tank my baby burrfish will be going in until he out grows the tank and I saw a baby urchin at SWP that I will probably get when the tank is all ready. I might eventually put my False perc in it as well but he's sort of a pain to net so who knows.
Micro-skimmer??
Micro-skimmer??
Got bored again tonight and figured I would make something else for the pico, I haven't tested it yet but I think it should work ok tell me what you think.
Parts and pieces
Mid build, I had to change up a few pieces to get a better unions, and had to shave down the wood air bubbler
The air adjustment valve I dug up ended up not having the adjustment screw (lol thats about my luck this week) The pic doesn't show them but theres an air escape hole in the red lid and 4 holes under the pvc end cap to allow water to escape the main chamber. The collection cup should hold about 1/4 cup
Micro-skimmer??
Got bored again tonight and figured I would make something else for the pico, I haven't tested it yet but I think it should work ok tell me what you think.
Parts and pieces
Mid build, I had to change up a few pieces to get a better unions, and had to shave down the wood air bubbler
The air adjustment valve I dug up ended up not having the adjustment screw (lol thats about my luck this week) The pic doesn't show them but theres an air escape hole in the red lid and 4 holes under the pvc end cap to allow water to escape the main chamber. The collection cup should hold about 1/4 cup
oceanparadise1
In Memoriam
nice man
Ohh just incase anyones keeping track everything for this part of the build came from my junk and broken equipment pile except for the collection cup (its a container from a game called left right center lol thanks kids) and the pvc endcap which I had extra from when I plumbed my 29g. I forget what it cost so I'll just say $1 so grand total is now $19 + leds which I should be bidding on in the next few minutes
oceanparadise1
In Memoriam
hahah send me the link to the leds i want to see them
oceanparadise1
In Memoriam
umm we need a total ralph!
belgian_waffleman
New member
What are you planning for the power supply for the LED's?
There was a thread in the DIY for an LED matrix to light up a PICO tank, it may help. I will look for it.
Nico
There was a thread in the DIY for an LED matrix to light up a PICO tank, it may help. I will look for it.
Nico
I've got a radio shack adjustable voltage power supply that I used to use for my tattoo setup. I tested it on the small array I already prototyped and it worked just fine so I'll probably just use that. If you find the link post it up for me if you would. Thanks again and happy reefing everyone
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