Kelley's 37 gal system. from the start
- Thread starter kelley_mc
- Start date
gary faulkner
New member
A lot of thought went into this and great woodworking abilities.
This should last a lifetime.
This should last a lifetime.
vessxpress1
Premium Member
For this size tank, definately one of the nicest stand and canopies I've ever seen. It looks awesome. Great work!
kelley_mc
Active member
Thank you all! I really enjoyed this project so far and this thread has been fun. I like to even go back here and there to see the progress. The kind words from so many people just make it even better.<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9314084#post9314084 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zmazza
And we haven't even seen the fish and corals yet!
There is much more work to be done and I will try to keep things moving right along. Sanding is up next, not very exciting....
zmazza
Premium Member
Some concern was raised over my design. Are you staining or painting the inside of the lid on your canopy? I stained the top of mine, but left the underside just unfinished. Someone mentioned this would be a fire hazard. I left the light on for a few hours, but it didn't seem to be too hot.
I noticed you are using an MH setup. Are you taking any special precautions with yours to make it less fire retardant? Or do you think there is a fire risk with unfinished plywood?
Thank you.
I noticed you are using an MH setup. Are you taking any special precautions with yours to make it less fire retardant? Or do you think there is a fire risk with unfinished plywood?
Thank you.
kelley_mc
Active member
I actually am going to paint the whole interior of my setup white. I believe I am going to be using appliance paint.
As for a fire hazard, anything is possible. However, I built my canopy quite high to allow for proper air flow. In addition, I have 4 computer fans waiting to be installed to keep the air moving around the light to keep it cool.
The light I am using is a Coralife Sunpod. It comes with a splashguard on it and it also comes with built in fans. The light never gets hot the the touch. At this point, I am not too concerned about a fire hazard. However, once the light is installed, if I see any potential for danger, I will certainly address it.
Thanks for the feedback. If you hear anything more, please let me know.
As for a fire hazard, anything is possible. However, I built my canopy quite high to allow for proper air flow. In addition, I have 4 computer fans waiting to be installed to keep the air moving around the light to keep it cool.
The light I am using is a Coralife Sunpod. It comes with a splashguard on it and it also comes with built in fans. The light never gets hot the the touch. At this point, I am not too concerned about a fire hazard. However, once the light is installed, if I see any potential for danger, I will certainly address it.
Thanks for the feedback. If you hear anything more, please let me know.
kelley_mc
Active member
Fans are pretty easy. I took mine from old PCs that weren't being used anymore. Then I went to Radio Shack and bought a transformer with the proper voltage and amperage. You shouldn't have too much trouble locating a thread on how to do it. When I get to that point, I will show you how I did it here on my thread.
It may take some time to get there though..
It may take some time to get there though..
kelley_mc
Active member
Well, another weekend is over. What a blur. We glued up just about everything and did quite a bit of sanding. At this pont we have to wait for the glue to dry so we can remove the clamps and finish the sanding.
On another note, my Hydor Koralia 2 Turbo Pump came by FedEx yesterday. The pump is nice and looks well built. Here is an image from Foster and Smith. I did not take any pics of my pump but I will and try to upload them tomorrow,
On another note, my Hydor Koralia 2 Turbo Pump came by FedEx yesterday. The pump is nice and looks well built. Here is an image from Foster and Smith. I did not take any pics of my pump but I will and try to upload them tomorrow,
kelley_mc
Active member
Here are some pics I took of the pump. I apologize for the poor quality. I was in a hurry and didn't realize how bad they were until I uploaded them. Anyway.... here you go....
The Hydor website has a lot of good info on them if you would like to know more about them. Hydor Website
The Hydor website has a lot of good info on them if you would like to know more about them. Hydor Website
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kelley_mc
Active member
One of the concerns that I have had recently is my electrical cords and power usage. The setup is small, but does use quite a bit of electrical do-dads. I know that many people use these for easy control of their systems:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/shop/product/buy_american_dj_pc100a_8switch_onoff_power_center?full_sku=100313636
I am thinking about getting one, if I decide where to put it. It is fairly small at 19" x 2" x 5".
http://www.guitarcenter.com/shop/product/buy_american_dj_pc100a_8switch_onoff_power_center?full_sku=100313636
I am thinking about getting one, if I decide where to put it.
It is fairly small at 19" x 2" x 5".
zmazza
Premium Member
Would have never thought about that but it certainly sounds like a good idea. Seems very thin. I'd say you could mount that on the underside of your cabinet no problem.
I do know what you mean about electrical cords, though. I ended up buying the Coralife Digital Power Center and it looks like a great product. It's got the two daytime, two nighttime, and 4 constant power outlets.
That's both lights, both lunar lights, two powerheads, a heater, and in your case, possibly a return pump?
Seems nice to have it all combined with a digital timer. I wonder if it would work with that power center you posted a link to? That would certainly be a nice way to turn everything off if you needed to.
I do know what you mean about electrical cords, though. I ended up buying the Coralife Digital Power Center and it looks like a great product. It's got the two daytime, two nighttime, and 4 constant power outlets.
That's both lights, both lunar lights, two powerheads, a heater, and in your case, possibly a return pump?
Seems nice to have it all combined with a digital timer. I wonder if it would work with that power center you posted a link to? That would certainly be a nice way to turn everything off if you needed to.
kelley_mc
Active member
That's what I am hoping. I obviously want to be sure that it will be protected from any potential water source.
I have a Corallife timer too. I will probably use that exclusively for lights. Any pumps, fans, heaters, etc, would be hooked up to the power source. The problem that I see with hooking a timer to the Corallife is when you shut it off, your timer will be off. So if you shut the lights off for 5 minutes, the timer will be off 5 minutes. You said yours is digital so I am not sure if that is the case.
I have been struggling with the drill/no drill debate on my 30 gallon breeder. It is currently undrilled and has been maturing for 10 months. I have decided to add a sump. I spent weeks devising elaborate methods to avoid floods should an overflow siphon break. My concerns about floods have overcome my worries about drilling.
Here is my approach: I bought a new 30 gallon breeder and am having it drilled (cost $130). I am going oversized on the bulkhead, using a 1.5". I avoid buying a siphon overflow, check valve, float switch, etc. (probably $100+). I will never miss the $30 difference. I will also never have a flood and can sleep and vacation well.
It is true that I will have to move my live rock and sand. Since I have not added other livestock I will have fewer headaches. Every old salt I know says that a siphon will fail at some point. It may take a couple of years; it may take a couple of weeks.
kelley_mc
Active member
Good choice going with the drilling... I bought a hang-on overflow that I was originally going to use, but never did. I just always worried about it. I agree, it seems that something will happen with one of those and eventually, the siphon will break. Because you are just setting up, it is a no-brainer to me.
Because I am overly cautious, I went with 2 holes. Each one is capable of handling all of the flow from the sump. That's good because if one gets blocked or clogged, the other one can handle the flow.
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