320g build/journey/experiment DIY :-)

hillegom · #1 07-17-2010, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenmaster

It's not perfectly soldered but it's pretty good and it's filled in most of the cracks... I used a tiger torch http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/sho...070#post535070

Yes, I saw the pic of you working with the tiger torch. The solder will move the heat efficiently to the aluminum.
Are you using a special type of solder? It sticks to aluminum?

Greenmaster · #2 07-17-2010, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hillegom

Yes, I saw the pic of you working with the tiger torch. The solder will move the heat efficiently to the aluminum.
Are you using a special type of solder? It sticks to aluminum?

It sticks to the copper and the copper is screwed onto the aluminum so it is held against the aluminum... if you took out all the screws it would still hold but if you gave it a little tap with a hammer it would release... so it is kinda sticking to the aluminum but not a very strong bond.

hillegom · #3 07-18-2010, 01:07 AM

yeah ok, I see. Thanks.
For where there isn't any solder, you could put on some of that thermal compound,,the type they use on cpu's (sparingly of course) But just by being in contact with the aluminum, heat will migrate from the Al to the Cu pipe.

I thought that maybe they finally invented some new solder.

Greenmaster · #4 07-18-2010, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hillegom

yeah ok, I see. Thanks.
For where there isn't any solder, you could put on some of that thermal compound,,the type they use on cpu's (sparingly of course) But just by being in contact with the aluminum, heat will migrate from the Al to the Cu pipe.

I thought that maybe they finally invented some new solder.

I was going to use thermal paste to "connect" my pipe to the aluminum but then I did some math and I do not believe it is needed or will make more then 1-5 degrees difference. But to attach the LED's to the aluminum you bet I will be using thermal compound.

Greenmaster · #5 07-18-2010, 03:26 AM

This is a cool acrylic top I saw on someone's set-up so I got some mesh from a guy in the states (if your watching this feel free to post a link to your thread).
I ordered my acrylic... and like my glass nobody wants to give me what I want (they say it's too hard/too much work/they can't do it cause it shatters at that width)... so I buy a saw and an 80 dollar blade and cut it myself (at 1/2" in width there was not even a chip). Then I put it all together.
The saw and the pieces I cut.

The first step is to make the bottom rectangle. If you notice the piece that I put on top of the box is the full width. Making the boxes staggered like that helps to avoid weak spots.

Then you stretch the mesh on the one side and glue/clamp the top piece on.

Then you pull the mesh tight to the other side and stretch it width wise at the same time (difficult to do solo without the right tools).

The you do either side pulling it tight (you may get some mild warping) then put the tabs on to make sure it doesn't fall into your tank.

fishytime · #6 07-18-2010, 03:42 PM

have to agree......great build thread and a great job on all the DIY stuff!

Greenmaster · #7 07-18-2010, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishytime

have to agree......great build thread and a great job on all the DIY stuff!

Thanks, Most of the stuff if I had more time or better tools I could make them look nicer but at least this way you guys get the idea of how to do it yourself if you want.

abcha0s · #8 07-30-2010, 06:05 PM

[/quote]

I love your cover!! - Any chance you have left over materials?

- Brad

Greenmaster · #9 07-31-2010, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abcha0s

I love your cover!! - Any chance you have left over materials?

- Brad

Not really I got the mesh from a guy on another forum... was cheep only like 10-15 bucks
http://www.reef2reef.com/forums/f60/...ene-29899.html
with directions here
http://www.reef2reef.com/forums/f30/...ver-29897.html

That's not how I did it though.