WarDog's Tank Thread : Episodic Trial And Error

[WarDog]

Originally Posted by gregzz4

I had a problem with a deadspot on the left side of my overflow, and it took me many days and tests to solve it

I had to split my return
My left side is running a locline Y fitting
Half of it points straight down towards the sand and the other across the surface towards the front of the tank to take away what would churn up the sand
On the right side of my overflow is the other locline, and it points towards the far right corner

Ah yes Greg, I have thought of this already! I am planning to add several more powerheads on the back glass of the tank.

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Any way to install the chiller outside? Mine is in an external room off the side of the house.

It's an option, not one the wife would be too happy about, but an option none the less. The tank is on the north side of the house on an exterior wall. That side gets shade all day and only moss and 'special' mushrooms grow there!

Originally Posted by gregzz4

Or just a second unit on the other side of the house ...

I run one unit in our master and one in my office/sump room
Back and front of the house and the furnace fan runs all summer

Every summer I tell myself I need to wire the furnace with a summer switch, and I never do it... and I'm a gasfitter! Who want's to bring their work home with them, right? Lol.

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by WarDog

Every summer I tell myself I need to wire the furnace with a summer switch, and I never do it... and I'm a gasfitter! Who want's to bring their work home with them, right? Lol.

Understood
I used to love to help whoever I could, but after 23 years in my last industry, I dreaded everytime some family member/friend asked "Hey, can you ..."

[WarDog]

Went to NCIX and bought one of these do-dabs. All I need it for is the 110v to 12v Molex connector (shown here) to power the case fan. Fan is on order from TigerDirect.ca and I am expecting it next week.

Adaptor: http://www.ncix.com/detail/vantec-2-...36790-1013.htm
Fan: http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...6213&CatId=801



Also received my utility lighting for the stand. Got it off Ebay. I am very happy with it. Super cheap and free shipping to boot. Took less than a week to arrive from China.
If it konks out, I have no problem buying another.

LED strip: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/1-20M-RGB-505...item258b915553.



Regarding the ATO reservoir, it made more financial sense to build it myself. Too bad really as I was looking forward to a Concepts made product. That's ok, my next display will be made by them for sure.
Went to my local glass cutter and got it all at a reasonable price. Stupid me, I shelled one corner as I was laying it all out for prep. DOH!!



Assembled the ATO this evening. Going to let it cure before I trim, do the inside and finally the top. Silicone looks ugly as I've never built a tank before.
Interior volume works out to 12 gallons.



This project is taking forever. Thanks for looking.

[gregzz4]

$3 for the LED kit, and with a remote ??? That's almost ludicrous
Good score
Kool fan too. I like the temp display

[WarDog]

Originally Posted by gregzz4

$3 for the LED kit, and with a remote ??? That's almost ludicrous
Good score
Kool fan too. I like the temp display

The LED kit came to about $20. 2 meters of LED strip, power supply, remote and a few T connectors (the strip can be cut to fit). Plus the strip is waterproof and free shipping. Still a steal!

I've used the fans before in my computer mods. I like them. The LED's on the fan only run strong for about 18 months then crap out. It's only $12 so it doesn't break the bank.

[WarDog]

Continuing on with the ATO build. Here is the corner I shelled.



And the inside bead of silicone holding the panes together.



I was thinking how to get a nice fillet bead of silicone on the inside of the ATO without getting my fingers all sticky and silicone everywhere.
Then I remembered a tool glass makers use for just such the trick. Off to Home De Pot, but couldn't find one. Saw a vinyl siding colour swatch (which was free), took it home and made this.
Simply cut it in half and then nicked a nice 45* corner off of one.



Applied a generous amount of silicone and slid my custom tool from bottom to top with lots of pressure and... VOILA!



Let it cure for 48 hours and then began to trim the excess on the outside. DISCLAIMER: Please do NOT eat the razor blade.



I was pretty happy that it held together! Sophie could care less.



Siliconed the top on tonight, probably trim it up tomorrow.



Thanks for looking.

[daplatapus]

That inside bead looks awesome, well done.