DIY projects

[jkreefer]

What are some things you would like to build? I'm a big fan of DIY type projects and know you can save A LOT of money sometimes building your own stuff. I would be willing to help another member of our club to build something if they maybe don't have the tools or confidence to try it out on their own. So if I can help someone build something lets hear some ideas!

 

[northbay-reefer]

I love DIY projects too, we have build a couple of cool things together. Calcium generator, and a filter socks box.

My recent prpject was the LED and that was a cool project. The blue leds and the VHO actinics looks absolutely beautiful together. Once you see it you will want to build your own.

The other that I am working on is an ozone reactor chamber.

 

[Grant W]

Nice of you to offer the help to people Jeff. Especially with the amount of experience you have at keeping tanks and past projects that I've heard about.

 

[justin_cutri]

I'm still working on finishing my stand. Would like to put black plastic/plexy panels with magnetic stripping for the sides, couple handles, and maybe a shelf. Would wrap the whole thing up and make it look very clean.

 

[zeroinverse]

I wish web I originally built my stand, I had welded it together instead of wood 4x4s and such. Gives you that much more cabinet space. Too bad to weld you probably need an acetylene torch or such to do it.

My next DIY is LED complement to my t5ho's and then my "new 3ft by 2 ft sump". (swapping out from my 40 breeder).

Other DIY projects would include a fish feeder. I would like to just drop cubes into tank and let them melt without having to defrost them first.

One dream is a new canopy lift mechanism. Like the fighter jet canopies, they tilt up and back. This way light still shines down on tank so you can do maintenance, etc.

Better frag racks to hang in-tank.

 

[northbay-reefer]

Jeff, If you have the room and the tools, maybe we can host a DIY meeting at your place some day?

 

[AMAYEU]

Extreme - DIY vortech mp. Just kidding.

I would like to know how to:
- make a glass tank, silicone and bracing
- make an acrylic tank using Weldon
- drill holes into acrylic/glass for return and overflows

I think it would be cool to have different DIY workshops, ie make a small tank, sump, stand, led fixture, plumbing, etc. Each workshop the club would work together and complete one high quality item. Over the course of time, there will be a complete tanks less the equipment that can not be made. The system would then be raffled off.

After typing that, it seems too complex, complicated and hard. Let's say 1 item at a time, a high quality tank. Because the club is a non profit, maybe we can get a donation for some Starphire glass. After the tank is complete, we would raffle it off. Maybe some advertising of the donor on the raffle tickets. Half the raffle money goes to the club and the other to a charity. Or just keep all of it for the club. And a disclaimer waiving liability of leaks etc. lol.

 

[jkreefer]

Jeff, If you have the room and the tools, maybe we can host a DIY meeting at your place some day?

Unfortunately Tom, I do have the tools, but I dont have the room. I live in a pretty small place now and also have roomates. Not to mention There is only 3-4 visitor parking spots for the whole condo complex. I would not mind doing some kind of build, mabe precut some peices to build a fishtrap or something along those lines?

 

[jkreefer]

I'm still working on finishing my stand. Would like to put black plastic/plexy panels with magnetic stripping for the sides, couple handles, and maybe a shelf. Would wrap the whole thing up and make it look very clean.

So Justin, instead of wraping the stand with wood you want to wrap it with plexi so it will be removable?

 

[jkreefer]

Extreme - DIY vortech mp. Just kidding.

I would like to know how to:
- make a glass tank, silicone and bracing
- make an acrylic tank using Weldon
- drill holes into acrylic/glass for return and overflows

We can do all of these at one of the upcoming meetings, except mabe making a glass tank, unless you want to buy the glass panes and have the edges sanded and polished. Then we could probably work something out.

 

[lokii_37]

i would also be interested in learning how to drill a glass tank. my current 75 is not drilled but i wold like to be able to drill it in the future and get rid of the hang on overflow box.

Nick

 

[northbay-reefer]

Lokii, Jeff will help you with some built but he is not mister fix it ok? lol j/k ... actualy all you need is a glass drill bit and water to keep the glass cool when you drill glass. Make sure the glass is not tempered though.

Jeff, well maybe down the road when you supersize your space we can do it there. BTW I like to see pictures of your tank if you have it.

 

[justin_cutri]

So Justin, instead of wraping the stand with wood you want to wrap it with plexi so it will be removable?

Yup, couple brushed aluminum handles and some magnetic strip. Bottom 4 panels should be simple. Canopy might be a little tricky.

 

[northbay-reefer]

Justin, are you going to have a sump underneath your stand? If you do, the water evaporation might warp the acrylic so make sure to have them mount nice and tight.

 

[kodiak23]

This is a great idea, I wish I had some help\guidance before building my stand, drilling my brand new tank and building an overflow box with teeth on the router table!!

 

[Lucas M]

So here's my thought, and I'm looking for some help on this.

I'm sure you all know about the very good/reliable wire rack storage shelving you can get damn near anywhere. Something like this:

http://www.homedepot.com/Storage-Or...splay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051

These units have 800 lbs/shelf capacity. I was going to build a DIY wood stand for my frag system (40B top and 20L sump), but I can pick up one of these shelves for $50. With 800 lb static load capability (without casters), any reason this is a bad idea? I'd most likely get some thin melamine to put between the wire shelves and the actual tanks, but in general I don't see any reason why this wouldn't work fine.

Has anybody used something like this before, or seen it used, and did it work fine?

 

[woodnaquanut]

What kind of floor do you have? The big issue is the rack puts 4 point loads on the floor. If you are on wood, I'd add something to spread the load at the floor. Make sure you secure it to a wall so it doesn't take a tumble in a quake.

If you only put the two tanks - max. 60 Gal.- that would 'only' be 600 lbs. I'd still put something under the feet to prevent making marks on the floor (if wood).

5 shelves full would be 2 TONS. Wow.

 

[Lucas M]

Concrete garage floor. Not worried about scratching, and the shelves have leveling feet. These are NSF certified food storage racks for restaurants, so hundreds of pounds per shelf is totally normal. I'm thinking it shouldn't be an issue..

 

[AMAYEU]

Concrete garage floor. Not worried about scratching, and the shelves have leveling feet. These are NSF certified food storage racks for restaurants, so hundreds of pounds per shelf is totally normal. I'm thinking it shouldn't be an issue..

In a previous life with the food industry, we only used Metro Racks. http://www.metro.com/ But probably costs more than home depot.
They also carry them in a coated green to prevent rusting. We had them in our frigs/freezers. In addition, they have plastic ones.

We used these in wherehouse storage and also seen pictures on the internet of hobbyists using this... http://www.homedepot.com/Storage-Or...splay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051

 

[gonzalez78]

I would not mind getting a stand like Justin for my tank that thing is sweet