Mike's 140 Cubish Build
- Thread starter miwoodar
- Start date
miwoodar
Likey the bikey
Thanks Derrick. I'm very pleased with it. I can point the blemishes out from across the room but I doubt anyone will ever notice or look twice at any of them. The overall presentation is exactly what we wanted. As long as we have that and I feel like it's the best I could have done, I'm happy.
I'm not sure exactly, maybe 4" on the reflectors? The actual bulbs are probably 6 or 7".
The base isn't done yet. It needs the crown and the quarter round then finishing. Finishing takes longer than cutting and gluing. Somehow I always conveniently forget how long finishing takes when I am planning a project. As in, surprise..you're only half way done....:strooper:
I'm not sure exactly, maybe 4" on the reflectors? The actual bulbs are probably 6 or 7".
The base isn't done yet. It needs the crown and the quarter round then finishing. Finishing takes longer than cutting and gluing. Somehow I always conveniently forget how long finishing takes when I am planning a project. As in, surprise..you're only half way done....:strooper:
melev
Well-known member
That canopy looks sharp! You did an excellent job, and I totally agree with you on the finishing process. This explains why I've never been inclined to be a painter. Go ask me to trim a house, I'll do it. Ask me to paint & seal, and I'll point you to the Yellow Pages. 
I like your water alarm. Did you notice they are using the very very old school antennae wiring for a contact point? I bet they bought 10 billion feet of that stuff for $1. I've got a few of those 55g blue barrels (that used to hold Dr Pepper syrup). I've been thinking about cutting off the bottom section maybe 3" tall, then use that as a tray for my 5g jugs, with the sensor inside the tray.
I like your water alarm. Did you notice they are using the very very old school antennae wiring for a contact point? I bet they bought 10 billion feet of that stuff for $1.
I've got a few of those 55g blue barrels (that used to hold Dr Pepper syrup). I've been thinking about cutting off the bottom section maybe 3" tall, then use that as a tray for my 5g jugs, with the sensor inside the tray.
miwoodar
Likey the bikey
Thanks guys. I'll keep the blems a secret. I should have a few pics with the lights on this evening.
LOL, I'm laughing about wrestling that thing into position last night. It occurred to me today how idiotic it was but after staying up that late in a quest to finish it, I was *NOT* going to go to bed without placing it atop the tank. It was only a short time before sunrise and there I stood with 75 pounds of wood stretched above my head staggering like a drunken sailer around the room trying to balance the load so I could slide it into place (I was sober). I did not have the confidence of this guy....
I should have a few pics with the lights on this evening.LOL, I'm laughing about wrestling that thing into position last night. It occurred to me today how idiotic it was but after staying up that late in a quest to finish it, I was *NOT* going to go to bed without placing it atop the tank. It was only a short time before sunrise and there I stood with 75 pounds of wood stretched above my head staggering like a drunken sailer around the room trying to balance the load so I could slide it into place (I was sober). I did not have the confidence of this guy....
spleify
Premium Member
Wow Mike!! That really looks awesome, you got to love those long nights trying to get something done. It looks really good and I bet you're glad you stayed up now arn't you.
So I hate to ask but I know you want it done, but when are you gonna finish up the stand?
Keep up the great work!!
Spleify
So I hate to ask but I know you want it done, but when are you gonna finish up the stand?
Keep up the great work!!
Spleify
Mikeeal
Same avatar since '05
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13208773#post13208773 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by miwoodar
I tried this out last night. The ripples and faint glow look fantastic. I initially wanted to do LEDs again but I like the look of this even better. It's less of a pin point than an LED. The entire tank ends up with a faint glow instead.
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Hey Mike, everything looks fantastic! Nice work.
Are you using that moonlight on a timer? If so, unless you want some period of total darkness, you could try one of these:
It's a sensor I found at Lowes. No timer needed, as soon as your main lights go out, this will kick on.
I used a conduit bracket to mount it:
Just an idea for ya, keep up the nice work.
miwoodar
Likey the bikey
Leif - thanks for the kind words. Yes, it was worth it to stay up that late. The stand is next week. I had hoped to get to it today or tomorrow but it's been nice to divert my attention to a few fun mini-projects after the intense nights working on the canopy. Last night I piped in my ATO, ran the night lights, and zip tied almost all of the hanging wires. Tonight I revised, glued, and foamed the PVC shelf before taking an inventory of my corals and mapping out where I want to put them. Tomorrow night is booked and I'll be out of town for the weekend visiting family. So next week it is I guess...
Mike - that thing is sweet. I didn't realize that you could get a sensor socket. Nice idea! I actually scrapped the socket in the picture when I was walking through Walmart yesterday and low and behold, there was a dual bulb system with a dawn/dusk sensor for only $9. Pictures have been taken but for some reason I am not able to log onto my photobucket account from my wife's computer. Timers take up so much room on the strips, no need to add any more if I don't have to. How long do your bulbs last? Are they the 25 watt party lights? Have you ever tried the CF blue bulbs?
Mike - that thing is sweet. I didn't realize that you could get a sensor socket. Nice idea! I actually scrapped the socket in the picture when I was walking through Walmart yesterday and low and behold, there was a dual bulb system with a dawn/dusk sensor for only $9. Pictures have been taken but for some reason I am not able to log onto my photobucket account from my wife's computer. Timers take up so much room on the strips, no need to add any more if I don't have to. How long do your bulbs last? Are they the 25 watt party lights? Have you ever tried the CF blue bulbs?
miwoodar
Likey the bikey
stock list ideas
It's very exciting to have a largish tank again. I've been salivating over new fish for a few years. It's amazing how boring looking at the same four fish can eventually become. The lineup needs some new personality types to keep the tank active. Anybody have any thoughts about any of these combos?
Have already:
* Regal Tang (4")
* Flame Angel (4")
* Watchman Goby (5")
* 6-Line (going to a new home next week)
What I am about to get from another reefer:
* Purple Tang (3")
* Copperband Butterfly (3") (trained aiptasia assassin :uzi: )
What I definitely want in the coming months:
* Blue Jaw Trigger
* Flame Hawk
* Mandarin
Other options I've been pondering (not all of these of course!):
* Small shoal of Yellow Tangs (that would be neat but I might end up with a tang overload)
* 5 or so Lyretail Anthias (never tried anthias, are these guys the ones I should be looking at?)
* Desjardini Tang (would an established purple of the same size rip this guy to shreds?)
* Orange Spotted Rabbitfish (everybody I've spoken to who has owned one of these has absolutely loved it)
* Chocolate Tang (dig the juvies, love the adults)
* 10 or so Apogon Leptacanthus (the artistic approach)
* Sohal (on this list but would be at least a year out after I was sure that it would be the final addition)
* Emperor Angel (that would be great until I had to rip apart the tank to pull him out - still - is it worth the risk?)
It's very exciting to have a largish tank again. I've been salivating over new fish for a few years. It's amazing how boring looking at the same four fish can eventually become. The lineup needs some new personality types to keep the tank active. Anybody have any thoughts about any of these combos?
Have already:
* Regal Tang (4")
* Flame Angel (4")
* Watchman Goby (5")
* 6-Line (going to a new home next week)
What I am about to get from another reefer:
* Purple Tang (3")
* Copperband Butterfly (3") (trained aiptasia assassin :uzi: )
What I definitely want in the coming months:
* Blue Jaw Trigger
* Flame Hawk
* Mandarin
Other options I've been pondering (not all of these of course!):
* Small shoal of Yellow Tangs (that would be neat but I might end up with a tang overload)
* 5 or so Lyretail Anthias (never tried anthias, are these guys the ones I should be looking at?)
* Desjardini Tang (would an established purple of the same size rip this guy to shreds?)
* Orange Spotted Rabbitfish (everybody I've spoken to who has owned one of these has absolutely loved it)
* Chocolate Tang (dig the juvies, love the adults)
* 10 or so Apogon Leptacanthus (the artistic approach)
* Sohal (on this list but would be at least a year out after I was sure that it would be the final addition)
* Emperor Angel (that would be great until I had to rip apart the tank to pull him out - still - is it worth the risk?)
spleify
Premium Member
He ordered them he does ocassional wholesale orders, I ordered them on Monday, and they came in today. All female's, thats what I requested. I am excited to see one of them morph.
I don't know about the Copperband and the Blue jaw, but I'm sure someone with more experience will chime in.
Spleify
I don't know about the Copperband and the Blue jaw, but I'm sure someone with more experience will chime in.
Spleify
miwoodar
Likey the bikey
Nice. I'm looking forward to seeing how they work out in your tank. Watching one of them morph would be a special treat!
I just received a call from my brother. His buddy is looking to get rid of a 2" orange spot rabbit. I went to the fish forum and queried experiences with these fish. Many people seem to have had good experiences. Roughly an equal number seem to have had bad experiences with zoas, softies, and lps. I'm wondering if the bad experiences folks were being more vocal? Maybe that's just hopeful thinking on my part? I don't know if I should add it. Two fish at once already pushes my limit. All three of these fish would be coming from existing systems though. Hmmm. I don't know what to do. This choice would be a lot easier if one of them were in a rack at a store - I would simply pass until a later date.
I just received a call from my brother. His buddy is looking to get rid of a 2" orange spot rabbit. I went to the fish forum and queried experiences with these fish. Many people seem to have had good experiences. Roughly an equal number seem to have had bad experiences with zoas, softies, and lps. I'm wondering if the bad experiences folks were being more vocal? Maybe that's just hopeful thinking on my part? I don't know if I should add it. Two fish at once already pushes my limit. All three of these fish would be coming from existing systems though. Hmmm. I don't know what to do. This choice would be a lot easier if one of them were in a rack at a store - I would simply pass until a later date.
Mikeeal
Same avatar since '05
Sweet Mike those look good.
To answer your question, I do believe it was the 25 watter, however I only used it for a brief amount of time so I couldn't tell ya how long they last. The good news is they're so cheap to replace. I most definitely agree on the timers taking up room as well, they're almost a pain unless you have unlimited outlets.
Keep it up!!!
To answer your question, I do believe it was the 25 watter, however I only used it for a brief amount of time so I couldn't tell ya how long they last. The good news is they're so cheap to replace. I most definitely agree on the timers taking up room as well, they're almost a pain unless you have unlimited outlets.
Keep it up!!!
