Phase 1 of garage conversion started
- Thread starter thor109
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People do that all the time. I'm in or around p'field about everyday, I make deliveries for rays.
thor109
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Ok so I rinsed my sand. I tried pillow case first. It does not work. My natures ocean sand was full of organic type debris. I had to do it in a bucket so stuff would float out. 30 minutes each bag times 12. I cut down the last 8 to around 20 minutes with my modified lid. I spent 3 evenings rinsing sand. Reef flakes might be worth it.
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muttley000
MTS Sufferer!
Great build! Looking forward seeing it wet!
thor109
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I drills 260 holes in aluminum, I deburred both sides and than tapped them for 8/32 screws. I installed washers and screws on most of the 130 leds. I had a mix up and 8 cool whites were shipped instead of 8 royal blue. Hopefully they fix it fast. After all that drilling and tapping I'm thinking the tinning and sodering is going to be twice the fun. I love my hobby.
thor109
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The bulk of the led work is done. I'm just waiting on the replacement royal blues and I can finish. After 130 leds I'm pretty good at soldering. It does not look like much but I'm sure its going to be brighter than the sun at the equator.
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thor109
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So I bought 6 water leak alarm sensors the other day and placed them in all wet areas of house. I heard on go off today. My tank is full and water was going over over flow. One of the bulkhead fittings was leaking. I always make things extra tight. Come to find out that does not work for BH fittings. The first time I installed them I noticed seals popped out. I took them apart and cleaned everything up. I installed them with sealant but lightly hand tightened them. The next day after sealant cured I snugged them up a little. Well it didn't work. I guess I over torqued them. I took them apart and reinstalled them with no sealant. I think sealant let's the seal slide out and your better off without it. Now I'm watching my sump fill. I'm so close to pumps on I can't sit still.
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thor109
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Tank is full and pumps are running. I got my apex today and I can't get it online. I have ATT uverse. My computer hooks to a switch that runs two different routers so I have WiFi in the back yard by the pool and in the garage. There is a third router that is for the kids so I can filter content but its isolated. Anyway the controller is 3 deep in routers and I can't figure it out. You would not think a network would be so complicated in a 1100 sq foot house. 2 ps3 an x box 360 a Wii 3 tablets and 2 pcs plus everyone's cell phone and a half dozen ipods.
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thor109
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My 130 led is working. I learned a lot....well I learned so much about so many different things that building this light has changed how I do everything in my life...good thing is it works and it makes the sun look like the moon.
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thor109
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I guess a simple version would be one led. Build an aluminum structure to house it. Figure out where to put it , drill 2 holes and tap those two holes. Debur both sides of holes. Add thermal paste and mount led with two screws. Now take a piece of wire and cut it to size. Strip the insulation off each end and heat with soldering iron and melt solder to tin wire. Now place wire on small led chip and solder it without shorting to side or melting led (both ways are about 1/8 inch apart). Now do that 130 times
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muttley000
MTS Sufferer!
Yea, that is hard on the eyes! What are you going to build?
thor109
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Thanks, I was starting think I was the only one who liked my rocks. I'm not sure on light canopy. I know it needs to be lite and attached to light frame so I can raise it as one piece. I'm thinking about some kind of automated lifting device. I laughed a few months ago at some peoples builds but now I see what a PITA it is moving your light all the time.
rrasco
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I am planning a 3" strip of black acrylic to frame my LED fixtures to prevent them from shining at me. Hoping it will work.
For automated lifting, you can look at the Sunlight Supply Sun Lift system, or there are some ratcheting hangers on Amazon that I opted for instead since the Sun Lift only has thin nylon wire, made me nervous. It's not automated, but streamlined assisted lifting.
For automated lifting, you can look at the Sunlight Supply Sun Lift system, or there are some ratcheting hangers on Amazon that I opted for instead since the Sun Lift only has thin nylon wire, made me nervous. It's not automated, but streamlined assisted lifting.
thor109
New member
I've also been tossing around the acyrlic idea. My concern is dust. It seems like acyrlic is a dust magnet and black makes it stand out. I'm leaning toward 1/4 " oak veneer stained to match my stand. I'm currently trying to figure out what lens to use so I can raise to around 18 inches above tank.
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