finally beginning my 480g 5'x5'x30" SPS Reef Tank
- Thread starter ReefingBuddha
- Start date
ReefingBuddha
New member
Im just going into debt and then paying for the tank off the ticket sales I'll make off of letting people see it 
ReefingBuddha
New member
don't tempt me... I already like the idea of a cuddlefish tank way to much
ReefingBuddha
New member
damn we all have problems. We are all just getting to our first big tank and already planning to make moves on another. I'm telling you reefing must be worse then crack.
Now, a productive questions. Anyone know where I can get a block of 4"x4" solid PVC or acrylic? Might as well work at machining my overflows.
Now, a productive questions. Anyone know where I can get a block of 4"x4" solid PVC or acrylic? Might as well work at machining my overflows.
danskim
New member
I just checked www.mcmaster.com. They have 4" thick sheets of 12x12" acrylic blocks. They are almost $300 though.
ReefingBuddha
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damn, that's pretty pricey. Maybe I can get a scrap piece from them, I don't need close to that much material and shipping will probably kill me.
Thanks for the information.
Thanks for the information.
jnarowe
New member
I go to the local plastics distributors and rifle through their scrap bins. The one I use most is Interstate Plastics and that's because the local branch actually merchandises scrap pieces and sheets. I got these 8" x 5" x 3" pieces for $5 each.
ReefingBuddha
New member
That's exactly what I'm looking for Jonathan. Thanks for the info. I'll see what's available over here and maybe I can find something to work on while I'm stuck.
I came across weatherson.com the other day and was inspired to start honing my acrylic working skills. That guy has made some amazing DIY projects. Love that wavemaker he made and his skimmer is a work of art. I hope that I can gear my passion for sculpture into the realm of acrylic production. Anyway, looking forward to trying my hand at milling acrylic.
I came across weatherson.com the other day and was inspired to start honing my acrylic working skills. That guy has made some amazing DIY projects. Love that wavemaker he made and his skimmer is a work of art. I hope that I can gear my passion for sculpture into the realm of acrylic production. Anyway, looking forward to trying my hand at milling acrylic.
jnarowe
New member
yeah, that sinusoidal valve is bada$$ isn't it! It's not as easy as it looks either. I found from a local acrylic worker to use certain typre of files, drills, etc. and I do flame polish some stuff I make. That piece above kind of sucks because it's actually two pieces. There is a thin piece on the top side that is lamenated to the base, and when I did it, the glue ran and crazed the inside. But you can see that I routed the edges and flame polished them, and they didn't turn out too bad. Had i not messed up with the glue, that piece would be crystal clear.
ReefingBuddha
New member
I'm sure it takes a lot of practice to get that good and I got mountains of stuff to learn. But I learn fairly quick and work well with my hands so i'm looking forward to taking on this kind of work.
That piece looks pretty good to me. I really like the clean look of properly worked acrylic. Who knows, maybe I'll find a new favorite medium to work in, seems to change every few months anyways. Looks like I'll be diving into the DIY forum for a few hours.
That piece looks pretty good to me. I really like the clean look of properly worked acrylic. Who knows, maybe I'll find a new favorite medium to work in, seems to change every few months anyways. Looks like I'll be diving into the DIY forum for a few hours.
ReefingBuddha
New member
that's where I got the link from 
Thanks man
Thanks man
ReefingBuddha
New member
Good point Eric. I had considered that but to be honest with you I just really want to try to machine the thing to see if I can do it. My backup is to just glue some pieces together to make a box and then cut out what I need to.
btw, in case people forgot, I'm trying to reproduce the elos drain since they refuse to self me 2. Damn trade secrets and what not.
btw, in case people forgot, I'm trying to reproduce the elos drain since they refuse to self me 2. Damn trade secrets and what not.
Serioussnaps
New member
Tom,
I have enjoyed reading your thread. I just wanted to point out a misconception you have about the clown goby's if you are worried about your acros. They will irritate the hell out of your acros regardless if they are mated pairs or not. These little boogers can really wreak havoc and I would seriously reconsider them entirely.
Also, if you can't get your hands on the orange lined cardinals you can get your hands on the threadfin/blue streak/glass cardinals easily. They don't always ship well so expect some losses and buy more than you need. The latin name is :
apogon leptacanthus
One of my favs, very docile, will breed in your tank, become much more attractive after TLC than any picture will let on and don't bring much bioload or care.
Ill be tagging along, but on this one I couldn't resist.
I have enjoyed reading your thread. I just wanted to point out a misconception you have about the clown goby's if you are worried about your acros. They will irritate the hell out of your acros regardless if they are mated pairs or not. These little boogers can really wreak havoc and I would seriously reconsider them entirely.
Also, if you can't get your hands on the orange lined cardinals you can get your hands on the threadfin/blue streak/glass cardinals easily. They don't always ship well so expect some losses and buy more than you need. The latin name is :
apogon leptacanthus
One of my favs, very docile, will breed in your tank, become much more attractive after TLC than any picture will let on and don't bring much bioload or care.
Ill be tagging along, but on this one I couldn't resist.
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