ZEOvit/200G Build Journal - 34G Solana - Page 21

GreenSpottedPuffer · #**201** 02-12-2009, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rbacchiega

this is on your current setup right? Not the new, bigger tank?

I really like what some people on RC are doing...when they get a metal stand built, the build a light unit to attatch to it as well. Then they skin it with whatever material they like..

No we are hanging the lights over the new tank already. Well the new tank is not here yet until Saturday but we are getting everything ready so I can start the transfer right away. So we have the stand in place and hung the lights but my fiance, brother and I all kind of though they looked bad. Even when imagining the tank in place. My brother and I went across the street to HD to look for a solution and found the conduit. So we made the most basic arms we could. Just a long piece of the pipe, bolted to the back of the stand with a 90 degree fitting at the top and another length of pipe that extends out over the tank. Drilled a few holes in it to hang the reflectors from. Thats it. Nothing to it and its nice to hide the wires in the pipe.

The plan is to paint the whole thing black BUT I am going to wait until the tank is in place and see how it looks left in the raw grey. The wall behind the tank is exposed concrete, so it may work as is.

Rbacchiega · #**202** 02-12-2009, 12:59 AM

ooooooooooooooh I get it. There was a tank of the month on RC that used a similar idea...I think. Then again, I could be totally wrong. My brain is about to explode trying to get the perspective of this drawing to where I'm happy with it....blaaaaaaaaaah

GreenSpottedPuffer · #**203** 02-14-2009, 05:46 PM

So here is a little preview of the stand/lights. Just primed so far, still needs to be painted. MOst likely will stay white I think though. The tank is being picked up today and once its on the stand, we will decide on what color the stand will be. The doors are on drawer slides like "lastlight"s stand...Love this idea. May need to add a few small handles but not sure yet if we want to.

The lights didn't really work exactly like I wanted but close enough for now I think. They will work anyways

They are relatively easy to adjust for height. I just need to find some caps for the ends of the arms...Also might still drill the conduit and run the wires down through it but I doubt the wires will even be noticeable once the tank is on there. Looks like one light is higher than the other in the picture but they are actually level. And ever so slightly angled back to help with glare when looking at the tank sitting down.

And look! Safety! Switched one of the outlets behind the tank to GFCI for some equipment. Not all will be on the GFCI because I have had them trip before and shut down the whole tank for hours while I was out. Don't want to have that happen ever again. Some of the low wattage powerheads will stay on a regular outlet.

Also...pretty much zero cyano today in the tank!

Rbacchiega · #**204** 02-14-2009, 07:07 PM

Love the way the stand worked out. And I like the white too! My vote is to keep it that way.

GreenSpottedPuffer · #**205** 02-14-2009, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rbacchiega

Love the way the stand worked out. And I like the white too! My vote is to keep it that way.

Yeah I think it is going to stay white...the room is black and white, so maybe the white stand and black trim of the tank will work nicely. We'll see. I will post pics this evening of the tank on the stand.

The final finish (whether white or black) will have a slight gloss. Would have preferred to have the panels all sprayed but just didn't have time really. I don't want to fill the tank until the stand is completely done inside and out. Should be the end of the weekend though.

Heres a question for you guys...

The floor slopes about 1/4" from the wall to the front of the tank. So it leans forward a 1/4". What would you use or how would you shim it? I have 1/4" plywood that would work but then not the entire frame of the stand will be sitting on the ground anymore since the front would be raised up and the back on the floor. The floor is exposed concrete if that makes any difference.

Jason McK · #**206** 02-14-2009, 10:35 PM

Looks Great. So.... It's 3:30 you should have had the thing filled with water by now???

GreenSpottedPuffer · #**207** 02-15-2009, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason McK

Looks Great. So.... It's 3:30 you should have had the thing filled with water by now???

Ha!

Not for a few days. I want to do all the plumbing and everything before filling this thing. Man it was heavy...Jack wasn't kidding when he said it was overbuilt! I think the double laminated bottom pane is the killer. Makes it about 3/4" thick.

The tank is in great shape though, I couldn't be happier.

Jason McK · #**208** 02-15-2009, 12:41 AM

That's a great size. So If you want to do all the plumbing first then what your saying is there will be water in it Tomorrow

J

GreenSpottedPuffer · #**209** 02-15-2009, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason McK

That's a great size. So If you want to do all the plumbing first then what your saying is there will be water in it Tomorrow

J

Actually yes! Well, maybe...

The plumbing is as simple at taking the "herbie" drain from my old tank and then reducing it down 1/2" to fit this tanks bulkheads. Jack was nice enough to give me some of his plumbing for the tank. And the return pump is very simple to plumb, so...should be done tomorrow but we all know it never works that way

I have to level the stand too. Not sure yet how I should make up the 1/4" it slopes forward.

Originally I wanted to actually paint the stand too before filling it but now that I have it, I doubt I can wait a few days to fill it up

new but handy · #**210** 02-15-2009, 01:38 AM

Hey.
how is the bottem of your stand built? Is it sheeted flat or are there 2x4's under it?