Smoothdog's 150DD build

[kegogut]

I would say theyre 80 or higher. The water change really didnt do anything for me.

 

[kegogut]

The only thing Ive changed recently is cleaned a couple chambers in the sump which really did stir things up that got into the column when I turned the return back on,and added like 5 small pieces of rock into my refugium.

 

[smoothdog]

but you are still using the stock 550?

Yep, just running it at full bore off the manifold right now. If I didn't have a pressure rated pump I don't think it would even work like this.

I was reading that the TLF 150 is better suited for running biopellets than the 550. Im thinking Im needing to try some pellets myself. I did another water change today and my nitrates are still high. Gonna test again tomorrow and see what I come up with. If theyre still high I'll do another water change but dont want to do too many too fast.

Agreed, the 150 has the same size ports and a much smaller diameter chamber so keeping the pellets suspended is easier. You just can't put as many pellets in it.

The only thing Ive changed recently is cleaned a couple chambers in the sump which really did stir things up that got into the column when I turned the return back on,and added like 5 small pieces of rock into my refugium.

Were the rocks cured? If not, that may be the source.

 

[kegogut]

They were cured when I got them but they were left out of the water for a few days until I decided to utilize them in the sump.

 

[smoothdog]

 

[kegogut]

So should I take it out or just let it go and let it settle on its own?

 

[smoothdog]

If your nitrates are still going up I'd pull them. Whatever was alive on them is just rotting in your tank if they were sitting out dry for a few days. This includes the bacteria that was living inside the rock.

 

[kegogut]

I dont think the nitrates have gone up,but they definitely havent gone down. I'll go ahead and pull them out and do a water change tomorrow.

On the plus side my phos are down to .25! kind of a half empty/half full problem I'm in

 

[smoothdog]

Finally had a little time and the weather was nice so I was able to pick up some lumber to start the new stand. Spent most of yesterday playing with the new saw, got tenons cut in the top and bottom cross members:


DSC_1955.JPG by ksw2005, on Flickr

and cut and drilled pocket holes in the face uprights:

DSC_1956.JPG by ksw2005, on Flickr

Picked up some 3" turning stock for the legs. This has been kiln dried and stored in climate controlled environment so should not have any issues with twisting or cracking at this point. I've heard of twisting problems with using larger stock like this but figured I should be safe since this is used for making table legs.


DSC_1957.JPG by ksw2005, on Flickr

 

[VSpeck]

sweet. Should turn out great based on what you showed me so far:thumbsup:

 

[smoothdog]

Thanks, I was planning to do the whole boxed leg plan we talked about but when I saw these and talked to the guys at St. Charles hardwoods I decided this would be much easier and give me the look I was going for. Hopefully I won't regret it.:worried:

 

[Schplitter]

Well, this is what I've come up with in SketchUp. Wether I can pull it off or not remains to be seen.


150DD Aquarium stand by ksw2005, on Flickr
.

That looks very nice. Just remember: measure twice and cut once!

 

[smoothdog]

That looks very nice. Just remember: measure twice and cut once!

Thanks BK! I always thought it was 'take a drink, measure twice and cut three times'. :lol:

 

[SaltwaterChris]

Great drawing, cool design, best of luck.

 

[smoothdog]

Thanks Chris. If nothing else, I've learned how to effectively make simple sketchup drawings.

 

[smoothdog]

Ok, I know it's been awhile since I posted any updates, but building the stand has been a labor of love and unfortunately I don't have nearly the amount of time I'd like to work on it. I've never built anything this large from scratch before and I'd like it to turn out furniture grade so I'm just taking my time and slowly working through it when time is available. over the past couple weeks I assembled the face frames and stained them.
Then I finally got the mortises cut in the legs and cleaned up the tenons in the face framing so everything fit together nicely. I stained the legs today and did a final test fit then glued it all together. Next up, cut bottom shelf and mount it, then cut and attach top, apply trim, then waterproof it.

Oh, and here's a couple pics:

DSC_1969.JPG by ksw2005, on Flickr


DSC_1970.JPG by ksw2005, on Flickr

 

[Tradewinds]

This build just keeps getting better and better. That stand looks fantastic!

 

[Nanook]

Beautiful work, Kirk! Great attention to detail.

 

[kegogut]

Looking real good. furniture grade for sure. And not the cheap stuff either =P

 

[smoothdog]

This build just keeps getting better and better. That stand looks fantastic!

Thanks Mike! Hopefully it looks even better when it's done!

Beautiful work, Kirk! Great attention to detail.

Thanks Nookie!

Looking real good. furniture grade for sure. And not the cheap stuff either =P

Thanks kego! Yeah, I'm shooting for more 'House of Denmark' and less 'Value City' :lol: