Project 187G

[JDigital]

So as some of you saw, in my 75G thread, I came up with plans for a larger system (an upgrade actually).

I got my quote back from Red Coral for a custom built tank yesterday. And was pleasantly surprised. I've decided to go for it.

The Tank:

Dimensions: 60"x36"x20" w/ 24"x6" external "V" Overflow.
Tank Volume: 187G


My crappy Google Sketch-up of the tank, missing a few holes, but you sorta get the idea. The overflow will only be 24" wide, not the 36" like in this diagram.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/Project%20187G/theupgrade.jpg

Unfortunately when I designed the tank, I never actually went out into the room and took measurements, it was just an idea I came up with one night. So I was having some troubles figuring out how I would actually fit this Peninsula style tank in the room, spent a good chunk of time tonight with fishytime(thanks doug) discussing different options as I didn't think it was gonna work out. I tossed the idea that I might have to go with the traditional look. We measured, and figured... nothing we came up with really enticed me..... Until I decided to move some furniture around, and came up with a place to put the tank, as the Peninsula I want. without terribly blocking the view of my current tank for the next 9+ months.

This tape box will probably get shifted towards that Tunze box a bit, it doesn't look at tight as these pictures show it to be. The coffee table and chair won't be staying there. The chair would end up on the 3rd side of the tank for viewing. Sitting from the closest end of the couch, you get an "almost" straight on view of the 36" viewing panel, which will be Starphire, sitting at the far end of the couch, will give you a great view of the 60" side.

FLASH:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/Project%20187G/Roomshot1.jpg

Actinics:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/Project%20187G/roomshot2.jpg


For filtration upgrade, I am planning to try out a Hydor 1000.. Lighting won't change a whole lot from my current setup, all I would add is a 4x24W T5 to go on the ends and in between the MHs.

Closed loop system on this tank as well, however the pump will be upgraded from a Snapper to either a Dart Gold or Hammerhead Gold. Return from the sump will probably be the Snapper from my current closed loop on my 75.

Anyways, I'll keep you posted! Tis gon' be slooooow.

Wish me luck!! :drinking:

[Funky_Fish14]

Sounds like an awesome concept! Good luck with the build!

Can I ask the reason for your choice of a "V" shapped overflow? Is there an advantage to it? (maybe less detrius buildup?)

Im planning an almost identical tank idea - but 48 instead of 60" long, the same width and height... and out of acrylic. Im interested to see how yours goes!

Cheers,

Chris

[rocketlily]

I would like to suggest that you seriously take a look at having all viewable sides done in Starfire glass. Maybe take something else a little slower to save for the price difference in the glass. I would say this tank will be around for awhile and you wouldn't want to regret it a few years from now.

[JDigital]

Sounds like an awesome concept! Good luck with the build!

Can I ask the reason for your choice of a "V" shapped overflow? Is there an advantage to it? (maybe less detrius buildup?)

Im planning an almost identical tank idea - but 48 instead of 60" long, the same width and height... and out of acrylic. Im interested to see how yours goes!

Cheers,

Chris

Thanks Chris... The reason for the V shaped overflow is to open up some space along that wall of the tank for sump return, CL intake. It should help with keeping detritus build up down as well, but it was more to provide me some space for plumbing.


I would like to suggest that you seriously take a look at having all viewable sides done in Starfire glass. Maybe take something else a little slower to save for the price difference in the glass. I would say this tank will be around for awhile and you wouldn't want to regret it a few years from now.

I'll see what the extra cost would be... Only reason I was getting the end panel done was purely for photographing the tank length wise, whereas from the sides, I can don't have to shoot much deeper into the tank than my 75G because I can shoot from both side.

[Funky_Fish14]

Ohh, the space idea is great and makes plenty of sense! Haha. If it was me, I probably would have just build a bigger overflow box on the end and run the plumbing down into it or through it - yours is less work, haha.

Cant wait to see this develop!

Cheers,

Chris

[karazy]

looks like a cool build.

lol, i know 20 inches is high, but it looks tidepoolish in your sketchup drawing :P

should be a nice tank.

[JDigital]

looks like a cool build.

lol, i know 20 inches is high, but it looks tidepoolish in your sketchup drawing :P

should be a nice tank.

Yea, I need a bit more practice with the program... :lol: I've got the materials for the tank stand sitting my living room... Wish we could stop getting snow every other day, so I could get to work on the stand, as I don't have any indoor area where I can cut wood.. Ohhh someday I will have a garage.. :twised:

[bignose]

What is a Peninsula style tank?

[JDigital]

What is a Peninsula style tank?


3 Sides viewable... similar to this.

http://www.ecoaquatica.com/images/150r.jpg

[bignose]

I like that idea.

[fishytime]

With three sides.....think of all that glass for you to obsessively clean:mrgreen: j/k.

[JDigital]

With three sides.....think of all that glass for you to obsessively clean:mrgreen: j/k.


Nothing wrong with clean glass on a tank! Makes it more enjoyable even.

[Rbacchiega]

feel free to come enjoy yourself at my place...wait...that didn't sound right...nevermind.


Stoked for the build!

[mseepman]

feel free to come enjoy yourself at my place...wait...that didn't sound right...nevermind.

LMAO....that was great!

[JDigital]

feel free to come enjoy yourself at my place...wait...that didn't sound right...nevermind.


Stoked for the build!

I appreciate the offer.. :lol: but I just spent 5 hours cleaning 800G worth of tank at Country Hills Toyota.. :drinking::crazy: I'm done cleaning for a few days..

[fishytime]

Is you arms sore??:mrgreen: Was it bad?

[banditpowdercoat]

have I been lost?? I dont remember pics of this 800g tank??

[JDigital]

Is you arms sore??:mrgreen: Was it bad?

My arms aren't sore in the sense of muscles... but I sliced my knuckles/hands and right forearm pretty bad on the euro-bracing... But yea it was pretty bad... Worse than I could EVER let my tank get... they are 2sides viewable and you could barely see through.. :neutral:

Plus I don't think they have enough salt in the system because my cuts never hurt while in the water, but as soon as I dipped my hand in a tank at RC and my own tank at home.. my hand lit on fire!!!:onfire: So I suspect that's why they have had a lot of fish die lately. :twitch:

[JDigital]

have I been lost?? I dont remember pics of this 800g tank??

It's at a dealership here in calgary.... Wasn't a thread on it...

And it's actually 2x400G Curved Tanks... end to end.

[banditpowdercoat]

It's at a dealership here in calgary.... Wasn't a thread on it...

Surely it's worth snapping a couple pics for us BC'ers to drool over???

[JDigital]

Surely it's worth snapping a couple pics for us BC'ers to drool over???

Maybe in time after it gets taken care of a bit better... It's been sorta neglected up till now... :neutral:

[banditpowdercoat]

OK, sounds great


Now, back on track. Have you had any quotes yet on tank build price, with all 3 sides Starfire? I love Peninsula style tanks, and some day WILL build my own. but just not here, we need a bigger home, so no sence getting all carried away here.

[JDigital]

OK, sounds great


Now, back on track. Have you had any quotes yet on tank build price, with all 3 sides Starfire? I love Peninsula style tanks, and some day WILL build my own. but just not here, we need a bigger home, so no sence getting all carried away here.

Yea, I got a quote for triple Starfire... The tank pretty much doubles in price to add the two long sides... Way outta of my price range for this, it's enough extra cash to buy the new skimmer, sump/qt tanks, and probably the Hammerhead pump... I think I can live without it... :wink:

EDIT: and maybe the extra 4x24W T5 supplemental lights... MAYBE! lol

[Red Coral Aquariums]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/Project%20187G/theupgrade.jpg

Josh on your outlet from your overflow you have 6" at the bottom. For your overflow holes you will need at least 2" between the holes and from the edge of the piece of glass. So if you are going with a 2" Bhead hole is 2 3/4" and 1 1/2" Bhead emergency hole is 2 1/4" making it 2" + 2 1/4" + 2" + 2 3/4" + 2" = 11 inches. Sorry I should have caught this earlier in your drawings.
Kevin

[JDigital]

Josh on your outlet from your overflow you have 6" at the bottom. For your overflow holes you will need at least 2" between the holes and from the edge of the piece of glass. So if you are going with a 2" Bhead hole is 2 3/4" and 1 1/2" Bhead emergency hole is 2 1/4" making it 2" + 2 1/4" + 2" + 2 3/4" + 2" = 11 inches. Sorry I should have caught this earlier in your drawings.
Kevin

I should have caught that too!! Thanks Kevin..

[Red Coral Aquariums]

Start your overflow angles from the top of the overflow, you don't need to go straight down that 8".
Kevin

[JDigital]

Been doing some work on the tank stand these last few days... Unforetunately I picked up some uneven piece's of 2x6 so I have been having a few headaches getting it level and straight... It's close, but needs some shimming.:lol:

The center posts will be added after I get my sump area layed out.. I plan to fit a 40G Breeder, 20G Fuge, 20G return tank, and ATO reservoir, and 1x Sequence Snapper and 1x Dart or Hammerhead.. haven't decided yet..

Eitherway, this stand isn't a finished project by any means... but does add life to the thread. :cheer2::boink:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/Project%20187G/IMG_0258.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/Project%20187G/IMG_0259.jpg

As you can see the back right corner is a bit high, this is due to a warped 2x6... It flattens out easy enough when there is weight, but I plan to fix it correctly.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/Project%20187G/IMG_0260.jpg

This gives you an idea of how wide the tank will be.. :mrgreen: 36"... Aquascaping heaven!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/Project%20187G/IMG_0261.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/Project%20187G/IMG_0262.jpg

[Dez]

Hi, I'm just wondering if you are going to put verticals under each corner of the top frame. This way it isn't just screws holding the top frame on. I know that you mentioned you are going to put middle supports in right? It's going to be a beautiful tank with 36" of room....lots of aquascaping options. When is your tank going to be ready?

Des

[JDigital]

Hi, I'm just wondering if you are going to put verticals under each corner of the top frame. This way it isn't just screws holding the top frame on. I know that you mentioned you are going to put middle supports in right? It's going to be a beautiful tank with 36" of room....lots of aquascaping options. When is your tank going to be ready?

Des

Yea, I will be adding verticals in the middle, after I get my sump area figured out. As well as the vertical supports on the 4 corners..

Tank will be ready about 2 weeks after I give a deposit for it.. haha.. :wink: Which I still need to do...

Thanks!

[JDigital]

So after some serious re-consideration, I am scrapping the Peninsula part of this tank. The room just doesn't work well enough to incorporate the tank properly, and I think in the end it would look very out of place where I was originally planning to have it.

This means the tank design has been edited. It will be 2 sides viewable (1 long (60") side, and the short (36":lol: ) end). This change in design might allow me to run Starfire on both viewing panels, I'll have to get an update on the cost. The 2nd long side will now become the back of the tank where I will run 2 of the 4 return lines from my closed loop, the other 2 will still come up through the floor and be hidden underneath the rock work. Overflow will stay at the end of the tank, no real changes there, other than adding my sump return line up through the overflow box. So I will have water returning through 3/5 panels of the tank. :mrgreen:

I will also be incorporating a 20-25G viewable refuge at the end of the stand (down where the mitre saw is sitting in the pics).

Couple pics to give you an idea of where the tank will be sitting now. My 75G is directly behind me from where I took the pics.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/Project%20187G/IMG_0414.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/Project%20187G/IMG_0415.jpg

That's all I can think of for now for an update.

[Rbacchiega]

never has hunks of wood and nails and stuff looked so sexy :D

Eta for the tank?

[rocketlily]

Personally I think this is a better idea. To have a stand in the room as an island, I think you need a very large area and the tank should serve as a divider. I do like the new position, but have you thought of a corner tank?

[JDigital]

never has hunks of wood and nails and stuff looked so sexy :D

Eta for the tank?

Likely putting in the order this week... not really in a rush for it, but would be nice to get it so I can work out the rest of the system. Seems like new ideas always creep up when you visually have the tank in front of you.

Personally I think this is a better idea. To have a stand in the room as an island, I think you need a very large area and the tank should serve as a divider. I do like the new position, but have you thought of a corner tank?

This is in the corner... :wink:

[rocketlily]

I know it's "in the corner" but a meant a "corner" tank.

[Skimmerking]

WOw i didn't know that they made HOME DEPOT SALT:lol::lol::lol:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/Project%20187G/IMG_0261.jpg

[untamed]

The lower ceiling over that corner position is going to drive you nuts. Looks good, though. You have to starfire glass both the viewable sides.

[JDigital]

The lower ceiling over that corner position is going to drive you nuts. Looks good, though. You have to starfire glass both the viewable sides.

The tank is only 20" high on a 36" tall stand.. I should have plenty of head room over the tank for maintenance. I've got Alberta-Newb (Trigger Coatings Inc) building a lighting bracket which will have the capability of raising up with small gas lifts, out of the way for tank work or changing bulbs. Probably looks lower in the picture, but I have close to 26" from tank rim to roof. Unless your thinking something different??

I expect the quote back tomorrow with the cost of both side's starfire. I really want them but I'll have to see what the cost is. :wink:

[JDigital]

I got my quote back from Red Coral for the updated design of the tank, including the addition of both viewable sides in Starfire glass and the eurobracing w/ Polished edges (so I don't slice my forearms all to hell)... And in came it a few dollars (<$100) over my budget so I will be going with the dual starfire choice. :mrgreen:

In the meantime I have been slowing working away on the tank stand... I got the Aquacontroller Jr. mounted (not pictured yet) and just test fitted the Pine paneling around the viewable 20G refugium tonight.. Still need to trim about 2" off the top edge of the panel and add trim around the refuge frame to hide my poor carpentry skills :lol: ...

Sorry, only the one photo to satisfy the masses...:razz:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/Project%20187G/187stand1.jpg

Suggestions on a refugium background color? I was thinking either white or blue. The display tank will have a black background though so I'd like to avoid clashing colors.

[banditpowdercoat]

loking good. Is that a rubbermaid garbage can in there? How tall is the stand? I built mine 33.5" to the top. Now I'm wondering, to high? just looks HUGE in my little house


DUHH,. just read up above, "The tank is only 20" high on a 36" tall stand.."

[pastout]

im glad to know im not the only one who thinks its good to store there power tools in the living room haha.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/Project%20187G/IMG_0415.jpg

[JDigital]

im glad to know im not the only one who thinks its good to store there power tools in the living room haha.

:lol: .... The room is a mess, and it's driving ME crazy, but no point putting the stuff away as I am constantly using it for misc. cuts/measurements/etc... :razz:

[Rbacchiega]

that's my theory on things too. Until there's water running in the tanks that I have strategically placed throughout this house, there's no point in putting ANYTHING away.

[JDigital]

Had a few days off work this weekend and made some progress on the stand and refugium area.

I had attempted to cut out my refuge window with a jigsaw, unfortunately it wasn't capable of locking in the blade dead straight so I had to try and cut it free hand, and due to my shaky hands ended up having a very wavy cut.. :lol: Thank goodness I have a steadier hand with my camera.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/Project%20187G/trim.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/Project%20187G/trim2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/Project%20187G/trim3.jpg

Not wanting to have such an ugly edge as the frame of my refuge, I decided to add some trim pieces around the window this afternoon. Certainly made a huge difference and I am definitely pleased with the outcome.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/Project%20187G/trim4.jpg

Aside from the framing I got my Aquacontroller Jr mounted, it will be sunk in to the stand skin to avoid getting bumped during maintenance or other unknown reasons. I also mounted the DC8 power bar above the the refuge well away from where the sump will be.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/Project%20187G/acjr.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/Project%20187G/dc8.jpg

You can see in the pictures I also drilled the drain bulkhead in my refuge which will return water to the sump. My Snapper return pump will be T'd off to feed the refuge with a 3/4" line, and 1.5" back to the display tank.

Refuge lighting is an Aquamedic Oceanlight 4x24W T5 unit and will be running 2 6500K midday bulbs, 1 Reef Blue and 1 Fiji Purple.

And a quick shot of the refuge window with lights on, right now it has 2 10K and 2 Fiji Purples. Still need to paint the background for the refuge tank so you won't be able to see into the sump area, I'm thinking a Cream White or Light blue, haven't decided yet.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/Project%20187G/refuge.jpg

:mrgreen:

[rocketlily]

I'm impressed:cheer2:

[bignose]

I lika alot.

[Lance]

Looking Good!

[banditpowdercoat]

Shaky hands, Thats why god, I mean RONA made trim LMAO

[Rbacchiega]

man that trim is sharp! Gonna look incredible when everything is said and done

[pastout]

exactly thats my theory to hence why i keep my table saw in the kitchen and 30 sheets of drywall in the spare bedroom. you just never know haha. the stand is looking preety good. i like the veiwable fuge

[the marine apprentice]

well i spent 5 hrs reading your other build and i was impressed with your work.
this is gonna be a sweet lookig setup.

[fishytime]

See.....I figured you would be able hide the wonky cut with the trim(welcome to the world of finishing carpentry....where hiding crappy framers and drywallers work is the name of the game).....Lookin good Josh.

[JDigital]

I'm impressed:cheer2:

Thanks. Me too..

I lika alot.

Thanks!

Looking Good!

Slowly coming together, just like planned.

Shaky hands, Thats why god, I mean RONA made trim LMAO

Home Depot actually.. :wink: haha!

man that trim is sharp! Gonna look incredible when everything is said and done

Thanks Randy.. My vision is coming together, even if it has been changed once or twice..

exactly thats my theory to hence why i keep my table saw in the kitchen and 30 sheets of drywall in the spare bedroom. you just never know haha. the stand is looking preety good. i like the veiwable fuge

Haha!! Thanks..

well i spent 5 hrs reading your other build and i was impressed with your work.
this is gonna be a sweet lookig setup.

5 Hours?!?! Wow, props to you, I don't think I'd spend 5 hours reading my own thread.. :lol:

Thanks.

See.....I figured you would be able hide the wonky cut with the trim(welcome to the world of finishing carpentry....where hiding crappy framers and drywallers work is the name of the game).....Lookin good Josh.

Only difference is you fix OTHER peoples crappy work... I had to fix my own.. :mrgreen: I'm pretty impressed with myself because I really do suck at wood work, but the trim matches up pretty much perfect on every corner.. The doors will be another story.. :wink:

[banditpowdercoat]

If it's any consolation, I suck at wood too. I prefer building with metal

[Funky_Fish14]

Looking great! Cant wait to see this turn out!

Nice heavy stand too! :razz: haha. You dont even need those 4x4's in there. Tank definetly aint fallin over!

PS did you use wood glue in the seams? Wood glue makes stands so much stronger, and helps with tortional strength a bit. Just FYI - for anyone building a stand. (Or PL400 if you happen to have some around :P haha)

[JDigital]

Looking great! Cant wait to see this turn out!

Nice heavy stand too! :razz: haha. You dont even need those 4x4's in there. Tank definetly aint fallin over!

PS did you use wood glue in the seams? Wood glue makes stands so much stronger, and helps with tortional strength a bit. Just FYI - for anyone building a stand. (Or PL400 if you happen to have some around :P haha)


I'm still thinking of adding in 2x6's as center vertical supports for the middle of the 2x4's on edges... :razz: Gotta wait till the sump is in though.

[Funky_Fish14]

Ooh that top piece is a 2x4... I thought it was a 2x6. Yeah a vertical under there absolutely... unless you double up on the 2x4's on edge - Cause you'd probably have a 1/8th inch flex or so in that middle easily without the verts.

[Carmen]

Looking incredible Josh!:mrgreen:

[JDigital]

Ooh that top piece is a 2x4... I thought it was a 2x6. Yeah a vertical under there absolutely... unless you double up on the 2x4's on edge - Cause you'd probably have a 1/8th inch flex or so in that middle easily without the verts.

I was gonna put 2x6s on the top (the bottom is framed with 2x6), but the piece of 2x6 lumber I picked up wasn't as straight as I thought, So I replaced them with 2x4 I had laying around that was Straight!

[Myka]

If it's any consolation I'm a 4th year renovation carpenter specializing in finishing (and tiles!), and my stand is no work of art, that's for sure. Maybe because I despise tank builds. I only start to like it when I get the water and rock in. :D

[JDigital]

If it's any consolation I'm a 4th year renovation carpenter specializing in finishing (and tiles!), and my stand is no work of art, that's for sure. Maybe because I despise tank builds. I only start to like it when I get the water and rock in. :D

See, I am the opposite... I LOVE the build portion of it... :mrgreen: I love it sooo much I am considering shutting down and selling my 75G (exempt for 3 select items) so I can use the money to get this one rolling along a bit quicker.. :neutral:

[Myka]

Come finish mine then!! :p

[Rbacchiega]

See, I am the opposite... I LOVE the build portion of it... :mrgreen: I love it sooo much I am considering shutting down and selling my 75G (exempt for 3 select items) so I can use the money to get this one rolling along a bit quicker.. :neutral:

nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooo!

[JDigital]

nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooo!

If I can figure out what to do with my Tang (not selling it, but I don't think he would be happy in a 30-40G tank for the next few months)... I'll be selling the 75..

[banditpowdercoat]

They may not be happy, but will survive none the worse for wear.

I acctually have a Hippo, and a Sailfin in a 45g diamond tall tank, with some others.. I know they feel cramped, But it's only for a couple months and they are not stressed. Just cant swim as much as they like

[JDigital]

They may not be happy, but will survive none the worse for wear.

I acctually have a Hippo, and a Sailfin in a 45g diamond tall tank, with some others.. I know they feel cramped, But it's only for a couple months and they are not stressed. Just cant swim as much as they like

I might consider that... or get a 30G (24x24x12) frag tank built and use that as a holding tank first, then frags later...

[fishytime]

I might consider that... or get a 30G (24x24x12) frag tank built and use that as a holding tank first, then frags later...

That doesnt make sense to me....spend ? getting a tank made and plumbed so you can make a few hundred selling the 75g??

[JDigital]

That doesnt make sense to me....spend ? getting a tank made and plumbed so you can make a few hundred selling the 75g??

When I say sell the 75, i mean pretty much everything... not just the tank...

I could run the frag tank without a sump to.. no need to spend on plumbing right now..

[fishytime]

What do you think you would get for it? There have been two or three 90g systems sold recently for around the $500 mark. I would offer to babysit some stuff for ya but space for corals in my tank is limited and I doubt I would be able to get any fish out later.

[JDigital]

Things have been a bit slow going with this build, but then again Rome wasn't built in a day.. (but probably still quicker than this tank will be, hahaha) :p

I got my light rack ordered last week and it should be ready for pick up later this week...

Here is a sketch up of how it will look..

http://www3.telus.net/lucas-mustangs/AQUA/light-frame.jpg

I gave myself 5 crossmembers to hang respective lighting from... as my choice in lighting is still sorta up in the air, but I do know what my choices will be... This rack should be able to support the following options:

3x 6x39W T5 Fixtures
2x 250W Lumenmax Elite DE's + 3x 2x39W T5 Fixtures for Supplement
3x 250W Lumenmax 3 DE's + 2x 2x39W T5 Fixtures for Supplemnt.

The unit will be constructed from 3/4" square tubular steel, painted black and sealed to prevent rust/corrosion.

Huge Thanks to Francis (Alberta-Newb) @ Trigger Coating for the light rack! Great Customer Service! :mrgreen:

I'll get some real pictures when it arrives this week!

[JDigital]

Light rack is in!!

I had it built to 72" tall to accommodate MH reflectors, but after some serious thought (as I am a fan of MH), I'm pretty sure I will be going all T5 on this tank, with three 6x39W T5 Tek fixtures, which means I will end up taking a quickie saw to the legs and knocking it down 6-8" since the T5 units have a much lower profile, this will also give me more room above the rack to raise the lights out of the way for maintenance. ... (If I win the lotto, I'll switch that plan and go with three 8x39W ATI Powermodules... :lol: ) It will be installed on the opposite side of the stand..

Again a big thanks to Alberta-Newb for the light rack... It turned out better than I was expecting! :mrgreen:

I also got my 20G refuge tank painted a while back, but never got any pics of it... I went with an off white as a neutral color.

It's slowly coming along. :)

Pics!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/Project%20187G/IMG_0329.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/Project%20187G/IMG_0330.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/Project%20187G/IMG_0331.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/Project%20187G/IMG_0332.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/Project%20187G/IMG_0333.jpg

[sharuq1]

Looking great! Keep up with the pictures :D Are you talking about your powder brown tang?

[JDigital]

Looking great! Keep up with the pictures :D Are you talking about your powder brown tang?

Thanks..

Yup, I was referring to the PBT... only tang I got... :wink:

[lastlight]

Nice rack man.

I see bolts in the back...can you tilt the front up for greater access?

[JDigital]

Nice rack man.

Never thought I'd hear being a man.... :lol:


I see bolts in the back...can you tilt the front up for greater access?

Yup, it will be able to lift up out of the way.... myself and Francis are still both looking for some 4"/30lb gas lifts to keep the rack raised up... if I can't find any, I will have to add a locking peg-leg.

[fishytime]

Princess Auto perhaps?

[StirCrazy]

light rack is a neat design, only question I have is how is the pivioting part constructed? If I would have caught this thread befor you actualy had it made I would have recomended aluminum as if there is painted steel sliding on painted steel the pait will rub off and then you will get rust and eventualy you'll have to rip it down to clean it so it will work. If you can (or maybe you already have done this) get some thin teflon washers and put them anywhere there is paint to paint contact that moves.

Steve

[lastlight]

mcmaster-carr has those gas springs. I was looking into them at one point. There isn't much they DON'T have actually.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#gas-springs/=2lc7yq

[banditpowdercoat]

I've tried before, Mcmaster carr wouldnt ship to Canada. Maybe they've changed the policy? I would hope because there is alot of good stuff on there

[fishytime]

I've tried before, Mcmaster carr wouldnt ship to Canada. Maybe they've changed the policy? I would hope because there is alot of good stuff on there

Dan, I thinks Josh's light rack is powder coated...do you think that the "hinge" will "stand up" over time...given the fact that it will likely be used relatively little?

[xtreme]

I've tried before, Mcmaster carr wouldnt ship to Canada. Maybe they've changed the policy? I would hope because there is alot of good stuff on there

I tried to order from them a couple weeks ago, and ya they don't want to ship to Canada.

[banditpowdercoat]

Dan, I thinks Josh's light rack is powder coated...do you think that the "hinge" will "stand up" over time...given the fact that it will likely be used relatively little?
The acctual hinge may not be powdercoated. It's pretty tough to get a consistient film build with the wear and such, most won't powdercot he acctual hinge rod

[JDigital]

If I remember correctly Francis mentioned that it was finished in a polyurethane spray as well... The "hinge" itself it just stainless steel bolt/nut combo, and I had already added some rubber washers to avoid any harsh metal on metal rubbing... but like mentioned, I won't be needing to raise this up and down a lot, I'm guessing couple times a month at most... Right now I barely have to move my canopy on my 75G... Appreciate all the suggestions though... It's too bad that Mcmaster carr won't ship to canada, they've got exactly what I need. :sad: