Oh trust me, I've asked for his help--he doesn't want to touch this project with a ten foot pole! I would attempt it myself in his workshop, but it is an hour and a half from where I live, so getting in there enough to work on it would be tough with my responsibilities to my 1 and 2 year old boys and wife... I will definitely do the trade--the problem is that the craftsman has to get through a few jobs first so he can afford to do a $3000 project for "free" (he would be purchasing all the materials out of pocket, and it would take him about 3 weeks to build). So I'm still trying to come up with the cash, including selling my bike (which I built as it turns out, with my own two hands. If only I could turn a lathe the way I turn a wrench!)
Jessezm's 200g Pentagon Corner Tank
- Thread starter jessezm
- Start date
Avast Marine
.Registered Member
Any, updates?
John_Auberry
New member
I cant wait to see this thing done
Oh man, I wish!!! I did just pick up some plumbing parts from a local who took down his reef last year--got a really cool 3-way valve for $5! I did find a friend here locally who builds sets for the theatre here at Mercer University, and he has agreed to take on the project with me. IF all goes well, we should start building the stand in the next few weeks. I'll keep this post up to date with photos and progress. Sorry for the big teaser, guys! I had so much going on and then just hit a wall with the stand/canopy issue...
Also, still trying to sell my motorcycle, which will really grease the wheels once sold.
Oh, and I set up a 10 gallon nano reef just to let off a little steam, so I am having fun with that in the meantime!
Thanks for keeping me going, guys!
--Jesse
Also, still trying to sell my motorcycle, which will really grease the wheels once sold.
Oh, and I set up a 10 gallon nano reef just to let off a little steam, so I am having fun with that in the meantime!
Thanks for keeping me going, guys!
--Jesse
Progress
Progress
Alright folks, I finally made a little more progress! I finally sold my motorcycle (ugghh) and got some cash to build the stand and a get a few last things.
I haven't started on the stand still (I know, I know!), but I did pick up a great skimmer to replace the T5000 shorty I was going to use, and I thought I'd post some pics. I'll post this in the DIY section, too...
I picked up this custom skimmer body from dgil for $300 delivered by him personally to my doorstep. While it didn't come drilled or with a pump, I thought it was well worth it. It's a clone pretty much of a deltec, made with 1/4" cast acrylic. The inner diameter is 8", so it's 8 1/2" all around, and 28" tall from top to bottom.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65325613@N00/273336358/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/101/273336358_d00454c885_o.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Skimmer 005" /></a>
I went back and forth about what pump to use, but finally settled on the OR3700 I already had instead of shelling out $300 more for an Eheim NW pump.
First I had to tackle the problem of converting the German metric fittings to NPT sizes we use here in the states. spazz has a great thread about how to do this, which can be found HERE .
However, I did not want to cut off the fittings in case I end up wanting to use the pump for the T5000 if this skimmer doesn't work out...
So here's what I did:
The intake of the OR3700 actually threads quite nicely onto a 1" union that I had. However, I wanted to go down to 3/4" piping (because that's what my uniseals were, and I figured I could go up in size if necessary...). So I simply took the collar from a 3/4" union and widened the opening with a file here in order to accept the 1" female side of the union:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65325613@N00/273337490/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/92/273337490_2b17b0c108_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Skimmer 013" /></a>
I also had to shave the female side down a bit here to fit inside the threads of the collar:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65325613@N00/273337218/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/86/273337218_3ed3e91b86_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Skimmer 012" /></a>
Next, I was able to simply use the male side of a 3/4" union on the other end. I drilled a whole for the venturi on this side of the union, so this part stays with the skimmer when the pump comes off:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65325613@N00/273337204/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/104/273337204_0b6f7075fc_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Skimmer 007" /></a>
Here is the venturi air fitting I made out of a 1/4" X 1/4" JG adaptor:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65325613@N00/273337206/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/116/273337206_d0c311ac89_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Skimmer 008" /></a>
Sorry for the blurry picture. I will probably experiment with the venturi design some before I'm through, but this produced promising preliminary results.
Next, I had to use the collar of the metric fitting for the output and do the same thing to convert the male end to a 3/4" union. To do this, I had to destroy the long 90 that comes with the skimmer (but can be replaced for a few bucks). It came out nicely:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65325613@N00/273337214/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/91/273337214_7b8aabcb17_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Skimmer 010" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65325613@N00/273337210/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/119/273337210_15bf311dc7_o.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Skimmer 009" /></a>
After fitting the pipes and drilling the holes and installing the uniseals and then the pump, this is what I came up with:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65325613@N00/273336354/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/86/273336354_859fe6d203_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Skimmer 003" /></a>
And finally, a fresh saltwater test:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65325613@N00/273336357/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/121/273336357_3804a8be6c_o.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Skimmer 004" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65325613@N00/273336353/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/119/273336353_1d08bfad57_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Skimmer 002" /></a>
I just ordered an airflow meter to check out its draw, and will put it on a kilowatt, too, but I think it's pretty promising! Now, on to the stand!
Progress
Alright folks, I finally made a little more progress! I finally sold my motorcycle (ugghh) and got some cash to build the stand and a get a few last things.
I haven't started on the stand still (I know, I know!), but I did pick up a great skimmer to replace the T5000 shorty I was going to use, and I thought I'd post some pics. I'll post this in the DIY section, too...
I picked up this custom skimmer body from dgil for $300 delivered by him personally to my doorstep. While it didn't come drilled or with a pump, I thought it was well worth it. It's a clone pretty much of a deltec, made with 1/4" cast acrylic. The inner diameter is 8", so it's 8 1/2" all around, and 28" tall from top to bottom.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65325613@N00/273336358/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/101/273336358_d00454c885_o.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Skimmer 005" /></a>
I went back and forth about what pump to use, but finally settled on the OR3700 I already had instead of shelling out $300 more for an Eheim NW pump.
First I had to tackle the problem of converting the German metric fittings to NPT sizes we use here in the states. spazz has a great thread about how to do this, which can be found HERE .
However, I did not want to cut off the fittings in case I end up wanting to use the pump for the T5000 if this skimmer doesn't work out...
So here's what I did:
The intake of the OR3700 actually threads quite nicely onto a 1" union that I had. However, I wanted to go down to 3/4" piping (because that's what my uniseals were, and I figured I could go up in size if necessary...). So I simply took the collar from a 3/4" union and widened the opening with a file here in order to accept the 1" female side of the union:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65325613@N00/273337490/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/92/273337490_2b17b0c108_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Skimmer 013" /></a>
I also had to shave the female side down a bit here to fit inside the threads of the collar:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65325613@N00/273337218/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/86/273337218_3ed3e91b86_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Skimmer 012" /></a>
Next, I was able to simply use the male side of a 3/4" union on the other end. I drilled a whole for the venturi on this side of the union, so this part stays with the skimmer when the pump comes off:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65325613@N00/273337204/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/104/273337204_0b6f7075fc_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Skimmer 007" /></a>
Here is the venturi air fitting I made out of a 1/4" X 1/4" JG adaptor:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65325613@N00/273337206/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/116/273337206_d0c311ac89_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Skimmer 008" /></a>
Sorry for the blurry picture. I will probably experiment with the venturi design some before I'm through, but this produced promising preliminary results.
Next, I had to use the collar of the metric fitting for the output and do the same thing to convert the male end to a 3/4" union. To do this, I had to destroy the long 90 that comes with the skimmer (but can be replaced for a few bucks). It came out nicely:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65325613@N00/273337214/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/91/273337214_7b8aabcb17_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Skimmer 010" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65325613@N00/273337210/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/119/273337210_15bf311dc7_o.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Skimmer 009" /></a>
After fitting the pipes and drilling the holes and installing the uniseals and then the pump, this is what I came up with:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65325613@N00/273336354/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/86/273336354_859fe6d203_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Skimmer 003" /></a>
And finally, a fresh saltwater test:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65325613@N00/273336357/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/121/273336357_3804a8be6c_o.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Skimmer 004" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65325613@N00/273336353/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/119/273336353_1d08bfad57_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Skimmer 002" /></a>
I just ordered an airflow meter to check out its draw, and will put it on a kilowatt, too, but I think it's pretty promising! Now, on to the stand!
Last edited:
scarletknight06
New member
looks awesome. great buy. one question.comment: on the output of the pump into the skimmer, did you put that piping section there? I would recommend either removing all of it, or just making it a 45 elbow, not a 90 then a 45.
Oh, good catch. I tested it with and without the 45, but not with the 90--i didn't find that until later, and just put it on to think about testing later. I did not see a big difference with the 45 on or off, but I do get a lot more bubbles filling the whole reaction chamber if I use the 45 and point it down a little (you can tell in the picture of it running). Without it, the bottom several inches doesn't get bubbles, but I'm open to suggestions on that point... dgill suggested trying it with a tee fitting. Thanks!
scarletknight06
New member
some people report the skimmer drawing slightly less air with a 45 on the pumps output. If you leave it off, you'll get less microbubbles in the tank. try it both ways when the tank is running and see if changing it affects the amount of skimmate you get.
scarletknight06
New member
yes, that is the theory of the H&S design
Well, I'm not sure what material he would be using, but my guess was mohagany/cherry and some nice ply. I won't be using him, though--I think I'm building it myself. His deal is that he is a very skilled master woodworker with a warehouse in virginia highlands, so you can imagine that the market in that area is for fine woodworking. I've seen his work, and if I were rich, wouldn't think twice before hiring him! But alas...
yep,cant wait to move into my new house so i can set it up.glad you decided to build the canopy and stand yourself,youll save quite a bit of money and youll really appreciate the outcome much more.where did you buy the dj8 plugstrips and switches?i cant seem to find it anywhere.
That's what I've been trying to find the time to do! With two youngun's, busy job, and all that, I've been awful about it. But after setting up a 210g tank in a bar, and thinking about all the awesome things I have planned for my own tank, I want to get myself back on track! I'm back to planning the stand. I'm going to go wood instead of steel (as I had been planning), and am just going to dive in. I'll keep you up to date.
Yay, progress!!! Wow, it's been a while now that I've been whining about needing to build the stand and how I don't have the time, money, yada yada yada.... Anyhow, my wife just told me last night the tank had to be sitting on its stand by next weekend, so I got right to it... $60 and 8hrs later, here's what I got so far:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65325613@N00/404234083/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/169/404234083_2daf575844_o.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="HPIM0819" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65325613@N00/404234083/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/169/404234083_2daf575844_o.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="HPIM0819" /></a>
A few more...
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65325613@N00/404234082/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/154/404234082_6433a88759_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="HPIM0818" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65325613@N00/404234077/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/128/404234077_7fb7376a09_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="HPIM0817" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65325613@N00/404234082/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/154/404234082_6433a88759_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="HPIM0818" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65325613@N00/404234082/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/154/404234082_6433a88759_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="HPIM0818" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65325613@N00/404234077/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/128/404234077_7fb7376a09_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="HPIM0817" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65325613@N00/404234082/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/154/404234082_6433a88759_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="HPIM0818" /></a>
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