180 build (1 Viewer)

[tas5tas]

Didn't make a difference on sound....We(me and Coralvue) even tried it in a rubbermaid. I tried the stock p/w, the meshwheels, and the large purple pinwheels. The sent me new magnet assemblies and shafts that helped a little. The purple pinwheels helped enough so that I could sell it. David @ Coralvue even admitted that the sicce pumps were loud and the only reason they were using them was to get the price down. That's why they no longer use them and have the new skimmers with the bubble blaster pumps and the askolls. I just hope you have a better experience than I did. If you do your research on RC you will see alot of people complaining about noise issues and you can find alot of the extreme skimmers for sale in the BST forums there as well.

 

[GAW]

I have an MSX 200 and yeah it is loud since its in my living room but its came to the point now I have tuned it out, lol!

 

[mario8402]

sure would have helped here: http://marshreef.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=40973

 

[Tangs]

do you really need a sump and protien skimmer?

 

[mario8402]

absolutely.

 

[mario8402]

ok, so I finally got motivated and got to work and build the canopy.. I built the frame and my friend helped me skin it, I think it came out ok for not having any plans haha

Next step is to sand and stain.. does anyone have experience staining and time to help ? haha.. not usually one to ask but this is gonna be something new to me and I want to get it right.

 

[Tangs]

looks awesome. I like the mermaid with the pony tail in your tank. Shedd aquarium in Chic. was awesome.

 

[crvz]

I don't think that lights going to be enough. And maybe you want to center it?

 

[mario8402]

but its CF! :\
I took the pic at an angle too so it looks off center. I will be replacing it with a fan anyway sooner or later

 

[ReefWatcher]

180g

Looking good there Mario.I like your Stand and Canopy.

 

[trb]

Your tank looks great! I'm building mine in a similar fashion.

I've refinished several pieces of furniture, and it is just a couple of more steps than painting. Of course you need to sand it down pretty smooth first.

I would test the color you picked out on scraps of each wood you used, it might take the stain differently on different woods. Or you can coat all the wood with a stain sealer and that will help even out the color.

The amount of time you leave the stain on and number of coats will determine how dark or light it is. I use a cheaper paint brush, or even a rag to stain my projects. Leave the stain on for several minutes and then wipe off the excess when you are ready. I find I usually want several coats to get the color I desire.

I usually use very fine steel wool between coats of the sealer and stain to knock down any wood fibers that raise up, then use a tack rag to pick up the residue. Gives you a smoother finish.

After the final coat of stain, I like to use the rub on polyurethane. It goes on easier IMO with just a clean rag and gives you a cleaner finish. But seeing as this will have water by it, I would probably get some of the marine grade polyurethane. I've used it on my front door and it lasts several years. You brush it on, but if you use a good quality brush, your brush strokes will disappear.

Good luck!

 

[mario8402]

thanks E

trb, thanks for the tips, will definitely help.

I have moved it to the garage so I can start the hard work... hopefully I can get it done by this weekend, but I am not holding my breath

so far the plan is to finish filling in the nail holes with stainable wood filler. I have begun sanding portions of it with 1000 grit to get it smoothed out. I read that it goes on more even with a wood conditioner and then apply the stain. I have already tried out on a few pieces and thats gonna be the rough part. I skinned in birch and the trim is a mix of pine and possibly oak I believe. I am just gonna live with it that it will be different haha.. I think I will do a satin poly after..
do you think a spray on would be easier? also arent there diffrent types? oil, water and gel?

 

[trb]

If you used different types of wood, then certainly use a wood conditioner, that is what I meant to say. I've used Minwax, both oil and water based, and had good results with both, but I just prefer oil. Main thing is use the same type all the way through, conditioner, stain and poly all either water or oil based.

I don't think you need to use as fine a sandpaper as 1000 grit. I've usually used 150-220 the first pass on good wood and then followed up with like 340-400 before staining and then tack rag it clean. If the piece of wood is rough, I would use 80-100 grit first. You could finish up with 1000, but IMO the poly will take care of any imperfections that small. Use steel wool or like 600 grit in between the clear coats too.

If you have a good wood and want to accentuate the grain, then I would just use regular stains. The gel stains are good for covering items that do not have a nice grain, and can be used to "make" a grain on things. They use it on fiberglass doors, metal doors, and many other items that are not wood to give it a wood stained look. I'm actually using it on mine, just because we want it to match our furniture that I refinished in a chocolate brown gel stain.

Satin would be good, they have the Clear Shield outdoor poly in it, and I've always just brushed it on. I haven't used spray since the spray cans are more expensive and I've had good results with the brush on. Plus I think the spray on are just indoor grade poly, not outdoor weather resistant poly.

http://www.minwax.com/products/

 

[mario8402]

my friend has sprayer that you attach the regular stain cans to and spray from there. I wonder if this would be better than rags, seems like it would be faster for sure.
thanks for all the advice!

 

[trb]

If you have something like that, it is certainly worth a try on the stain part, since you will be rubbing it off anyway after it sets a bit. Not like it has to have a perfect dried finish like paint or poly. But I'd say, go ahead and try it on the poly too, maybe on some scraps before you do the whole thing, and see how it works. Just make sure you stir the stain/poly well before spraying. And read the instructions, some say do not shake, and some it is OK to shake.

 

[mario8402]

so I have been a little busy these past few weeks.

I made some overflow and return pipes (nothing impressive):

bought some glass and ended up with this:

did an overnight fw test and passed:

worked on my return plumbing:

hung my lights (mh, vho, and moonlights):

got my power sources situated, skimmer is in and currently running a fw test to test for leaks:
will finish painting the plumbing when i drain it

oh ya, I also got the thing stained:

now, I just need the doors!


FW test has been underway for an hour. once its done, I will drain, pull the sump and finish replacing the black frame (supposed to be here monday), finish painting the pipes but in the mean time, I need to figure out how to quite the system down.. anyone near pearland good with plumbing?? maybe its because there is no doors, or maybe my plubming and sump is all wrong? this is my first time messing with PVC so I am doing good to even be with no leaks, also my first time to ever stain, or make a sump... many first on this build

sorry for the lack of updates, this is taking forever!
Shooting to have sand in next week and maybe start on the aquascape

 

[jhand]

Wow, its really coming along nicely. The woodwork and stain looks great! I might have missed it but what are you going to do for doors?

What kind and how much sand are you going with?

 

[mario8402]

I am going to order some doors online.. 4 doors total, they will be mounted to each side and the middle ones will be hinged to the outside ones, so it will open like an accordian (thats the plan anyway)

I have 160lb of marco rocks bahama arogonite, just need to rise it and put it in!

 

[Hurley]

looking good dude! really like the stain on that wood

 

[mario8402]

thanks man! its not perfect, but not bad for my first staining experience. you see those vhos getting some use in there, props for the hookup!