Jims 16" bubble

Thanks &

Thought that wrench was goofy enough looking to laugh at.


I'm hoping the bowls (or vessels as my best friend insists on labeling them) will become a mini second career.
 
Well as with many things in life. There is the plan & then there is what actually happens. I received the aluminum tubing I was going to hide the plumbing inside of. It is visually to big!

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It's just leaning kinda where it would go, & you can see it's awfully big. I think it would be just fine with a bigger tank. After much thought I decided I'm fine with the plumbing showing.

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The overflow plumbing is just loosely put together, mostly so I could know where to drill holes. Plan on painting the PVC when final plumbing is completed.

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There wasn't enough room for a cutoff valve under the tank. I remembered I have a lathe, so I turned one end of the valve down so it would slip into the existing rig.

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I was concerned that the mag5 pump might heat this small amount of water so I decided to put it outside of the sump. As you can see I have the check valve installed. I found check valves with a union on both ends. I bought two so I can change them out when one needs to be cleaned. The pump being outside the sump will make this easer too.

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I cut a couple small pieces out of the sewer pipe scrap. Ran them across the jointer to get the inside flat to have a place for the bulkheads to seal against.

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Glued in & drilled pieces for bulkheads. One on the left is a overflow for when doing water changes. I can just pour in new water up top & excess water will overflow below. I will install a flex tube to floor drain so water changes will be much easier. The one on the right is for intake on return pump.

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I recently got a gooseneck light fixture from Boost Led for my pico tank. I like it very much & it gave me an idea. My new plan for holding the light over this tank is to attach a piece of 1/2" electrical conduit to the back of the stand. Then slip & fasten the end of another Boost gooseneck fixture into the end of the conduit. Think it will look fine & be much more adjustable than the original plan. When the stand is painted & final plumbing done I will make the brace that will hold/support the plumbing & conduit in place.

I think I may finally be ready to paint & finish the top now.

One more thing. I'm planing on making a acrylic constant water level box to fit in the sump area. This box/small overflow tank will house filter sock or floss & a small skimmer.

This project has turned out to be way way more complex than I ever imagined. So whats new?

Jim
 
Looking good Jim! What about cutting that aluminum tubing in half and sizing it down a little? I'm sure you know someone who could weld it back together. You could even orient your drain line so it is directly behind(rather than beside) your tank overflow line. Just a thought. I'm sure the finished product will be astounding no matter what you do.
 
Looking good Jim! What about cutting that aluminum tubing in half and sizing it down a little?

If only that could work. There is only 1/4" clearance longways & less sideways. For some reason the pipes being rounded & the little space between them make them seem smaller than a box just big enough for them to fit into. It doesn't help that the tank isn't all that big either. My original plan was to run the pipes straight back instead of sideways. A smarter person would have made amock-up out of cardboard or something before ordering the aluminum. I'll find a use for it one day.

Jim
 
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Even I beat you with water in my tank. Haha kidding, cmon I can't wait to see this sweet little tank with some life!
 
Sorry I have been doing house projects & honey do list. Nothing new for now. I will post when there is some more progress. Also in-between every thing I have been setting up a frag tank in the fish room. Your right it's time to get back to it. But one more house thing to do.

Jim
 
How did I miss this thread? It's people like you that really inspire the rest of us to try new things. Can't wait to see it up and running!
 
Just have sanded & painted primer coat. Nice to see it all one color, even if it's not the finished color. Been working on some bowls for a sale in couple months. When I get to applying epoxy I'll coat the wood top, That will be the last thing before water.

I think I'm going to get a Ritteri anemone for the big tank. Thinking about a pair of smallish seahorses & couple gorgonians for the bubble tank. Wont have to change any thing, just wouldn't need near as much light.

Jim
 
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