Shallow Reef Build

[Joeb1983]

Mount came in! Had to cut the back out for the ghost overflow box... That was a task let me tell you!

Sorry for the sideway pics, have no idea...

 

[Joeb1983]

More pics so you get the idea of how I imagined it in my head, now to reality. lol!

 

[Joeb1983]

Where it will be located. You can see it is matched to the width of the fixture. It will hang below. Just for reference.

I still need to touch things up, flame polish the edges and what not, then mask and paint.

Cost me $75 + shipping and a Dremel. (burnt that sucker up!) :blown:

 

[acropora213]

Badass man. Mucho Impresso ��

 

[Joeb1983]

Flame polished the light mount over the weekend. Need to pick up another can on fusion. Here's how it turned out. Before pic. (Cut edge "frosted")

 

[Joeb1983]

Using the propane torch. You can see the change happening.

 

[Joeb1983]

Glassed over look

 

[Joeb1983]

All done with the flame polishing.

 

[Cdodge1]

All done with the flame polishing.

Some fine work there, the edges look perfect!

 

[Joeb1983]

^ Thanks. My buddy showed my how to do it with my sump we built for my 60. I had the torch already, so I figured Id give it a go.

Have to "float the melt" if that makes any sense?.. Spend to much time in one area the acrylic will bubble and in extreme cases catch fire. lol! (test piece) Best to keep moving and go back if need be.

Since I cut out a nice portion of the rear for the overflow box, It now has a slight give to it with the fixture weight.

Nothing crazy and it would be 100% fine, but I am going to re-enforce the back with some 1" square acrylic rod. (you wont even see it) its like $4 a foot and sold in 6' lengths I believe... Trying to source it locally.

According to UPS the fixture (Hydra) should be here tomorrow.

I'm trying to find/design a sleek mounting solution. Looing at "extreme" low profile stainless fasteners or black nylon.

 

[glweek]

Following

 

[Joeb1983]

AI Hydra came in. Headed to ACE today for some fasteners/hardware. (Size is 10-32 x whatever length I need).

Here is what I just sketched up and the idea of what I am thinking.

 

[acropora213]

Alrighty lets get some water moving ! :0)

 

[Joeb1983]

^ I hear ya! Trust me. :thumbsup:

Need to figure out what I want to do for a sump. (Standard tank/throw in baffles, make another acrylic or find one used.)

I did get the Bubble Magus NAC 3.5 skimmer for this tank when the time comes.

Have the NAC 5.5 on my 60 and it blows my Vertex Omega 130 out the water... :angryfire:

I also picked up a used Tunze ATO as well.

Looking at sumps now.

 

[blake2shay]

Definitely inspired to build rather than buy my next tank. Great work, definitely following

 

[Cdodge1]

^ Thanks. My buddy showed my how to do it with my sump we built for my 60. I had the torch already, so I figured Id give it a go.

Have to "float the melt" if that makes any sense?.. Spend to much time in one area the acrylic will bubble and in extreme cases catch fire. lol! (test piece) Best to keep moving and go back if need be.

Haha at one point I was considering a DIY sump and did some extensive research before I chickened out! Lol. But yes I understand exactly what you mean. I'd have probably messed up royally.

 

[Joeb1983]

Been busy this weekend. Here is what I got done. First measured and marked for the mounting holes and drilled.

Used my drill press and countersunk the screw holes so they could be hid later.

 

[Joeb1983]

Then I had to drill a hole in the back for the light fixtures power cord.

 

[Joeb1983]

Masked off and getting spayed.

 

[Joeb1983]

And the outcome...