griss' Tank Upgrade Thread

[griss]

Tested the metric to imperial unions, they’ll work so I’ll take that win.

When I first (billion years ago) started this project, the plan was for a 4’ tank and I spaced electric outlets for a 4’ tank. Thats not going to work with a 5’ tank, so I moved two outlets today.

Measured and determined I need 12 sheets of drywall for the walls.

 

[Dustin07]

When I first (billion years ago) started this project, the plan was for a 4’ tank and I spaced electric outlets for a 4’ tank. Thats not going to work with a 5’ tank, so I moved two outlets today.

it's funny how no matter how much you plan there ends up being a caveat. I don't think my wife understood why it took me a few weeks the first time to set up the 425xl. but I had to keep visualizing the weight, the plumbing, the dimensions, and of course the electrical. Even I was shocked when I figured out how many electrical devices we had. At the time I think it was:

1 ink bird
2 heaters
1 reef mat
1 skimmer
1 macro reactor (which as you know I don't use anyways)
1 return pump
2 neros
3 LED lights
1 auto feeder for a lunch time feeding while I'm at work.

even at 13 devices there I feel like I'm missing something, ha. I still haven't added my auto top off, auto doser, or any kind of camera.

 

[griss]

Couple small updates.

I was so focused on framing the walls I didn't realize I never finished framing around support beam/ducts/water heater exhaust. I'm 5' from finishing that now.

I also didn't like how I had wired the non-tank related outlets. I set it up for 2 circuits when one will suffice. So, I bought a bit more wire and will re-wire that, hopefully next weekend if the weather isn't nice and we go boating.

 

[griss]

The 2nd to the last frame to go next to the house support beam was the most frustrating. In the week since I bought the 2x4’s one I was trying to use had warped. So, every time I tried to put it up (against the beam) one end was flush with the beam and the other was a little off. Finally realized the board was warped but trying to get it to work took a lot more time than it should have.

 

[OrionN]

I took forever when I buy wood for my stand. Looking each piece down the length to make sure there I’d no warp. Look at the pattern of the wood, choose knot free beam, ect…
Good luck.

 

[griss]

I took forever when I buy wood for my stand. Looking each piece down the length to make sure there I’d no warp. Look at the pattern of the wood, choose knot free beam, ect…
Good luck.

Yep, I spent a lot of time picking these out. Not why this one (out of 12) warped in a week's time but, it did. Maybe it didn't like sitting on the basement floor near the tank.

 

[Dustin07]

Finally realized the board was warped but trying to get it to work took a lot more time than it should have.

reminds me of this, lol

 

[kharmaguru]

Yep, I spent a lot of time picking these out. Not why this one (out of 12) warped in a week's time but, it did. Maybe it didn't like sitting on the basement floor near the tank.

Big box store lumber is just too dry. They break those bundles open and the top ones curl fast, so the customer (you) moves those and picks straighter ones from deeper in the pile. The problem is they are just as dry and only days/hours from bananaville. As someone who uses a nail gun almost every day, I hate home Depot lumber - half the time it just explodes when you nail it. The wholesale lumber you get when you build a house is so much better - only because it still has lots of moisture in it. Bend it any way you want and nail it, and it'll stay like that forever.

 

[griss]

Big box store lumber is just too dry. They break those bundles open and the top ones curl fast, so the customer (you) moves those and picks straighter ones from deeper in the pile. The problem is they are just as dry and only days/hours from bananaville. As someone who uses a nail gun almost every day, I hate home Depot lumber - half the time it just explodes when you nail it. The wholesale lumber you get when you build a house is so much better - only because it still has lots of moisture in it. Bend it any way you want and nail it, and it'll stay like that forever.

How do you feel about Menards lumber? If you have Menards in the Canuckistan

 

[kharmaguru]

How do you feel about Menards lumber? If you have Menards in the Canuckistan

Nope don't has it.

 

[griss]

Hope I didn’t offend with the Canuckistan comment, I have a bit of a weird sense of humor.

 

[kharmaguru]

Hope I didn’t offend with the Canuckistan comment, I have a bit of a weird sense of humor.

Not at all my Murican friend.

 

[griss]

Framing *FINALLY* done. Electric rough-in complete. Got new WiFi satellite boxes this week, all old coaxial cable removed.

Yesterday’s refugium overflow remediated…damn Astrea snails.

Will order drywall this week.

 

[griss]

Sister's boyfriend (professional handyman who does excellent work) is coming mid to late next week to give me a bid on hanging drywall/mud/tape and doing the baseboards. So, despite this being the world's slowest build, we might be picking up speed

 

[Dustin07]

once you start getting that cosmetic work done like drywall its going to feel like it's moving 10x faster!

 

[griss]

Should have the bid from sister’s boyfriend re: drywall and baseboard tomorrow. Told him I’d like to prioritize the area where the tank will be so I can get the upgrade done.