drummereef's 180g in-wall build

[psteeleb]

great job Brett!!!

do you think it would be practical to make a 46" bender using that design?

 

[Krazie4Acans]

I've seen a couple of 48" ones done the same way. High density particle board and some MDF come in sheets 49"wide or you could cut a 4'x8' sheet at 50"x48" and then you could bend full 4' sheets if you can handle it while it's all bendy. Lol

 

[silentscream]

A finally have to post something... that plastic-bender was the last straw! This is my favorite thread on RC because of your craftsmanship.

Roughly how much time per week would you say you spend tinkering on your system? I want to know if I'll ever be able to produce a system like this.

 

[drummereef]

Very clean work yet again Brett, Im gonna figure out how to label the pages of this thread so I can get all your awesome ideas on file. Your fans look incredible, cant wait to see the probe holder you come up with.

Thanks for the kind words Brett. I'm thinking a fairly simple design but it will be custom to the design of my sump. I'll keep you posted.

Maybe he should convert it into a BLOG then it would be streamlined.

I'm not even sure how to do that. :lol:

great job Brett!!!

do you think it would be practical to make a 46" bender using that design?

Thanks Pete. I'm sure it's possible but it's going to take quite a bit more power. You'd likely have to go with a 24 volt transformer with I'd say a minimum of a 10 amp capacity to power a wire that long. Depending on the thickness of acrylic 1000-1200F will bend up to 3/16" easily. I'd probably add another screw or 2 in the middle of the wire length to keep it from sagging too much, or have a more robust way to "stretch" the wire over that length. I considered using guitar tuning pegs to stretch the wire on my bender but it wasn't necessary since I'm using only 18". With that said, there's a more risky way about this :lol: I don't, however, advocate it because there quite a bit more danger involved. There are people out there that straighten heating elements from an electric stove top or oven and use 110 volts directly from the wall to power it. I consider this high risk because of the voltages being used. And since the element diameter is much wider than Nichrome Wire the bends would likely not be as tight. 12/24 volts aren't without risk, which I'm sure you know, but it's far safer for this kind of thing than using straight 110 IMO. Check out this calculator on the Jacobs-Online site. It only calculates up to 35" but it will give you a general idea of power requirements using Nichrome Wire.

http://www.jacobs-online.biz/nichrome/NichromeCalc.html

I've seen a couple of 48" ones done the same way. High density particle board and some MDF come in sheets 49"wide or you could cut a 4'x8' sheet at 50"x48" and then you could bend full 4' sheets if you can handle it while it's all bendy. Lol

Good info, thanks Krazie.

A finally have to post something... that plastic-bender was the last straw! This is my favorite thread on RC because of your craftsmanship.

Roughly how much time per week would you say you spend tinkering on your system? I want to know if I'll ever be able to produce a system like this.

Thanks for posting Justin. I appreciate the kind words. I'm on and off when tinkering with the tank, but when I get an idea I tend to run with it. Just my personality I guess. I do the typical stuff like feed the fish, clean the glass, etc during the week which doesn't take much time. But it took me a few weeks to brainstorm, research, build, and fabricating the acrylic fan mount and bending table. Most of my "larger" projects take quite a bit of time behind the scenes even if my postings make it look like I put it together overnight.

 

[drummereef]

UPDATE:


A few coral pics from tonight.

 

[drummereef]

So I've been into wire management lately... Does anyone foresee an issue cutting down the length of the power cables from my Galaxy Ballasts? I can't stand all the extra coiled up wire. I'm thinking of cutting off the ends and replacing them with a standard 15 amp 115 volt grounded plug so I can customize the length. The power cords are rated at 300 volt and are 16 AWG wire. Here's a pic so you can get a better idea of what I see. :hmm4:

 

[smoothdog]

Sweet pics! :thumbsup: I don't see any reason why you couldn't shorten those power cords.

 

[dainiusiva]

Brett,

You are my hero. Thats all i've wanted to say

 

[naprestsleep]

So I've been into wire management lately... Does anyone foresee an issue cutting down the length of the power cables from my Galaxy Ballasts? I can't stand all the extra coiled up wire. I'm thinking of cutting off the ends and replacing them with a standard 15 amp 115 volt grounded plug so I can customize the length. The power cords are rated at 300 volt and are 16 AWG wire. Here's a pic so you can get a better idea of what I see. :hmm4:

They look like the standard power cord for PCs/servers. If so you can buy lengths pretty much from 1ft and up. May be cleaner if you buy one to the closest foot.

 

[bagz727]

Nice! Do you use the HQI setting on the galaxy ballast or just the normal 250W? Ty

 

[bravanc]

Those cables also come in 14 gauge wire too. I like using the thicker gauge myself. I was wondering why you haven't custom cut the power cable yet. I also have one question about watertight plugs and corrosion on the connectors from the reflectors, have you noticed any corrosion on them being that they are above the water constantly? Did you ever considered using watertight plugs? Thanks always looking forward to updates and use your build for references. Great job

 

[drummereef]

Sweet pics! :thumbsup: I don't see any reason why you couldn't shorten those power cords.

Thanks smoothdog.

Brett,

You are my hero. Thats all i've wanted to say

Haha! Most days I feel more like Mario than Iron Man but thank you for the kind words dainiusiva.

They look like the standard power cord for PCs/servers. If so you can buy lengths pretty much from 1ft and up. May be cleaner if you buy one to the closest foot.

I believe they are. Good idea naprestsleep, I'll look into that.

Nice! Do you use the HQI setting on the galaxy ballast or just the normal 250W? Ty

Thanks bagz. I'm using the HQI setting with my 250 Watt Radiums.

Those cables also come in 14 gauge wire too. I like using the thicker gauge myself. I was wondering why you haven't custom cut the power cable yet. I also have one question about watertight plugs and corrosion on the connectors from the reflectors, have you noticed any corrosion on them being that they are above the water constantly? Did you ever considered using watertight plugs? Thanks always looking forward to updates and use your build for references. Great job

Good question bravanc... I'm paranoid when it comes to cutting stuff like this down in the off chance I would need to move things around later. But I'm guessing 3 years in the same spot has been long enough to make a decision.

The plugs I used aren't technically "water proof" but are very heavy duty rubber plugs. They mate together extremely tight even though they don't have the overlap a waterproof plug does. Last time I had them apart when I was changing the bulbs I didn't notice any corrosion at all. I'm guessing it's because they are high enough off the tank and they aren't enclosed in a canopy. I did originally consider waterproof plugs but seeing that the Lumenbright fixtures I use, the components aren't waterproof and they hang directly over the tank i thought it was unnecessary. If my lighting was enclosed in a canopy I probably would have gone that route though.

 

[lluv24]

I would have to say this build has inspired me to make some changes on my system.. Thanks for the great build u displayed. Gooooooood. Wooooork!!!!!!'m

 

[drummereef]

I would have to say this build has inspired me to make some changes on my system.. Thanks for the great build u displayed. Gooooooood. Wooooork!!!!!!'m

Thank you very much lluv24. Appreciate the kind words.

 

[cromedogg33]

Wish I had a sex tank too!!!! Oh wait...

 

[drummereef]

sex tank. i wish i had it

Be careful what you wish for.

Wish I had a sex tank too!!!! Oh wait...

:lol: :rollface:

 

[drummereef]

Doing some MAJOR updates with the power center, cable management and such. Waiting on a couple parts to come in so I should have some new pics to share in the next couple days.

A little sneak preview...

 

[Ironman58]

Brett-Spent most of the day reading this thread. First of all, thanks SO MUCH for taking the time to post all these images and information! I think I learned more today than in the past YEAR! You are AMAZING! Just keeps me thinking "someday..."
I may have missed it, but are you using any power conditioners/backup UPS?

 

[Krazie4Acans]

Doing some MAJOR updates with the power center, cable management and such. Waiting on a couple parts to come in so I should have some new pics to share in the next couple days.

A little sneak preview...

Brett, after all these pictures you finally post one that had some dust in it! Good for you! Krazie:jester:

 

[d2mini]

Sick man... sick. Egads. :crazy1: