Jumping In! My tank diary begins.

[lastlight]

This just in: All three cats on the stand at once brought it down. I'm in tears! Back to the drawing board =)

Thanks folks. I've been reading up for nearly a year. It's SO sweet to finally be getting my hands dirty (and soon SALTY)

Brett

[woodcarver]

Thanks for sharing ! These threads really help those of us hovering on the fringes waiting to make the leap . Site looks good to me lastlight!
I liked Albert's simple , no nonsense reply to what he sees as the basic neccessities as ,sometimes ,the more reading one does the more confusing it gets.
.........Dave

[GMGQ]

Looking good, Brett! I didnt know anything about carpentry, plumbing, or electrical either when I got into this. But I did my research and muddled through it. Feel free to check out my old photo gallery:

http://www.auphanonline.com/gallery/...d=1330&page=98

If you want to add another piece of mind to the stability, might I suggest some construction grade, Polyurethane Adhesive (comes in a tube, so you have to use a caulking gun to squirt it out). I glued & screwed everything, as suggested by a carpenter that I know. You can get it at Home Depot.

Oh, and another tidbit: Dont DIY to save money. It actually cost me a lot more DIY, than it would if i had bought everything. The priority for DIY is mainly for customization. So dont be surprised when you go over-budget (because you WILL!).

[TheReefGeek]

There are some DIY projects that might cost more than retail, but IMO that would mean you ended up with something mucher higher quality and customized than retail.

And for a lot of projects, DIY is actually cheaper, even if you do go over budget by a bit. For example, I have done 2 lighting hoods that were much cheaper going with a retrofit kit and DIY hood compared to buying a complete unit. My Auto-top of system is cheaper than retail by far. My sump is DIY with an old tank and baffles, FAR cheaper than buying a retail sump.

[fishmanty]

I had some DIY lighting... 4 55watt pc's, all overdriven, that cost me $130, and $30 for the reflector... Thats a lot cheaper than buying a coralife setup.

Other than that, most of the time the supplies cost about the same as the store bought project.... and sometimes, or atleast in my case, it looks better

[GMGQ]

Yes, fair enough. My DIY sump/fuge were cheaper too, as was my DIY Overflow box.

I just wanted to point out the flip side of some DIY projects, so that people know before they jump in. You'll definitely get personal satisfaction from building a higher quality, customized product, but you will pay for it. In both Time and Money. Plus Murphy's Law is always there to prove itself. So you have to weigh those options. Else you can pay a premium up front for a retail product, and you'll have it right away. So it depends on what you're looking for, and what you're willing to give up.

But again, dont get me wrong, I jumped in to this DIY thing whole heartedly, and I actually learned a LOT about the various trades involved. It was very rewarding, and I'm already thinking about how I'd improve on some things for the next time.

Famous Last Words: Measure Twice, Cut Once!!

Originally Posted by TheReefGeek

There are some DIY projects that might cost more than retail, but IMO that would mean you ended up with something mucher higher quality and customized than retail.

And for a lot of projects, DIY is actually cheaper, even if you do go over budget by a bit. For example, I have done 2 lighting hoods that were much cheaper going with a retrofit kit and DIY hood compared to buying a complete unit. My Auto-top of system is cheaper than retail by far. My sump is DIY with an old tank and baffles, FAR cheaper than buying a retail sump.

[lastlight]

Yes for me the reward already has been immense. I've never had a space to mess around in and now having a basement allows me to do just that. This stand will surely cost more than a retail one but in the end I made it, I know it's strong, and i can make it exactly as I want it (with my limited skillset). Plus, like you said, It's a chance to learn. I'm on a computer all day and it's nice to do some hands-on work like this.

I expect to save on the canopy as I bought a retrofit 250 W MH fixture but I wouldn't be surprised if I spend as much or more than a comparable retail unit by the time I'm done putting fans in etc.

Brett

[GMGQ]

Good to hear, Brett! You know what's weird for me, I actually bought a ready-made DIY hood that had 2 x MH moguls, spider reflectors, fans, grills, and 2 x 250W Icecap ballasts, shipped from a guy in the states, and it was significantly ($100?) cheaper than buying those parts locally, even after shipping and duties.

I just took the parts out and put them into my own DIY hood.

Having done these projects, I cant wait to get my own fixer-upper house and renovate it myself, just like those home improvement shows! haha

Originally Posted by lastlight

Yes for me the reward already has been immense. I've never had a space to mess around in and now having a basement allows me to do just that. This stand will surely cost more than a retail one but in the end I made it, I know it's strong, and i can make it exactly as I want it (with my limited skillset). Plus, like you said, It's a chance to learn. I'm on a computer all day and it's nice to do some hands-on work like this.

I expect to save on the canopy as I bought a retrofit 250 W MH fixture but I wouldn't be surprised if I spend as much or more than a comparable retail unit by the time I'm done putting fans in etc.

Brett

[christyf5]

Hehe, I love your writing. Pretty funny stuff

Great looking stand. Reminds me of my own, built by my dad (he has the better tools and needed a "retirement project"). I call it the Tank for the tank.