New 120 build, need some input please.

[woodnaquanut]

The distance is equal to the thickness of the piano hinge metal. when closed both pieces touch. Routing is a good idea, I just used a tablesaw.

It's also possible to mortise in the leaves of the hinge. This just leaves the knuckle showing and both pieces of wood touch.

Sorry, I speed read the thread and don't know where you are using the piano hinge. There are also PHs with an extra bend in the leaf for extra strength. Look for 'wrap around' like:
http://www.rockler.com/full-wrap-around-slotted-piano-hinges

 

[IPT]

Thanks for the input and link guys, much appreciated.

I'm going to build a 3/4" open plywood box. I'll mount a 1x1 on the inner edges that will sit on the tank rim (holding up the box). I'm going to basically cut the front 3" of the box off and reattach with the hinges. That way it can flip up for me to access the tank from the front. I will have (2) 3" wide strips across the top running from side to side to add rigidity and attach the piano hinge too. I'll probably add one in the back too. it'll add rigidity and also act as guard to prevent carpet surfing.

 

[IPT]

So I'm in my garage doing the wet test. All is going fairly well with no leaks and the stand not even letting out one creak or groan from the weight. Then i turn around and have take a few seconds to process exactly what was standing by my car. It was low, very dark, black in fact, and was not there the last time I looked in that direction. oh, it was looking at me too. Ah, it's a bear looking at me! What the hell, seriously, I didn;t even know it was there. Went for my phone to snap a pic (after I shook off the urge to run) but he got spooked when I moved and ambled off along the side of the house. Living in AK you never know what will come through the yard so I always have a camera at the ready. I ran inside and managed to get a few frames off.

 

[IPT]

Anyway, anybody have an idea as too why my brand new Eheim 1262 is making noise? Sounds like air cavitating (not a lot though, just sounds like small pops and crackles sort off). I thought it might be my plumbing but it does it even without the PVC attached (though I left the output and 6" off Spa flex on it). This was fully submerged in the display tank too with the input cover on or off.

 

[Yodeling]

Open it up and inspect the impeller and the shaft. The ceramic shafts break easily and that would definitely result in the noise you describe.

 

[reefermad619]

Definitely add some support to the drain piping. Those long pipes act as levers and a small amount of movement can equal big pressure at the bulk heads.

 

[IPT]

Open it up and inspect the impeller and the shaft. The ceramic shafts break easily and that would definitely result in the noise you describe.

Opened it open and the bottom of the impeller looks pretty rough. Not sure if this is normal or not? The pump is literally brand new (well it sat in the box for a few years but it's never been run until this weekend). I think this might be the source of the noise as it sounds rough like crackling. Not sure if this is normal for an Eheim impeller or not?

Definitely add some support to the drain piping. Those long pipes act as levers and a small amount of movement can equal big pressure at the bulk heads.

Thanks for the heads up. Yes, once all the lengths and configurations are final and joints that I am gluing glued, I'll mount some brackets to the stand. That should stop any wiggles from going on.

 

[woodnaquanut]

Mine looked like that when new. I know because I took it apart because of the noise!

After it ran a few days it settled down. Since it's out of warranty, I'd say just run it and see what happens.

 

[IPT]

Pump issue still not resolved. I do have contact info for Eheim just haven't had time to call.

Stand painted, canopy built. Side stand # one built but I didn't look at my plans and made it too big. Now worries, I'm going just expand the other side and do a full built in sort of deal. Plan for the two part on the right and the electrical in the cubby area. Electrical will be: ATI powermodule ballast/controler, Reefkeeper 2 power strip, Vortec battery back up. I'll see what else I can fit in there too. Under the tank will be the sump and too the left of it a 15 high for 10% water changes. Then in the other stand to the left (not built yet) will be top off water storage.

I was loving the grain and thought about going with a stain. The red or browns just did not go with the color scheme for the space. In the end I stuck with my original plan the wood looks awesome dark. It fits the color scheme for the room perfectly. It is red oak sprayed with about 4 coats of black transparent dye. Then 4 coats of Satin poly. You can really see the beauty of the grain so i was happy about that.

The piano hinge worked like a charm. Use a 45 bevel cut so no light will escape forward (thanks for the link and suggestion). Got one clamp on for the return. Will clamp the drains once they are glued in place in their final position.

Couldn't decide how to secure the far end of the return. Opted out of the Wavy Sea so needed an anchor. Was going to just clamp it down to the hood but didn't like the idea of having to remove screws over the tank if I need to remove the canopy. Came up with a slip bracket that I can attach the clamp too. Then if I need to take the canopy off I can just lift the assembly out of the bracket. then I can just slid it back in once I put the canopy back.

 

[IPT]

Oh yeah, and leak test passed for the overflow box and return area of the sump. Sweet.