New Tank build out (2 Viewers)

[Guest]

Hello,

Not for sure what type of canopy you are going to use, me I don't like canopies, even though I have a piece of material that is about 5"x 13" that slides on the outside top of my tank when my MH is on for the glare, my wife doesn't like it. But as you can see I use 3" high velocity fans on both corners of my tank facing towards my MH. Most of the time only one is running.
http://s211.photobucket.com/albums/bb40/Lambianz/?action=view&current=Newpix056.jpg

I do have my temp in my house running between 71 to 73 degrees at all times. And luckily I have a vent that faces towards my tank, so that helps. These 3" fans that I have only cost about 7 bucks at Walgreens. Now with the one fan on I have to turn off at night or temp water in the tank goes below 77 degrees. With MH on never above 79 degrees. You could if you have canopy have three on each side (inside bottom canopy) facing towards MH's and cut out three size cuts just below the top on the sides and put like 130mm case fans facing out to suck the hot air out. I've actual had a fan on my sump to help cool
before but don't use anymore. But remember the more fans for cooling, especially facing towards the water, the more the water evaporation. Anyway I know you where wanting suggestions. Hope that helps, chillers have always put a scare in my mind especially with the cost of electric it consumes.

Lloyd, mobile#832-381-7008

 

[MarkieB]

I was surprised to see the stand built in sections!
What lead you that way, opposed to one solid unit?

 

[jdeveaux]

I was surprised to see the stand built in sections!
What lead you that way, opposed to one solid unit?

We know we are going to move in 5 years so I wanted to hopefully make moving the stand easy. Once we skin it you won’t be able to see tell that they are in sections... I hope 8O


Regards,

 

[jdeveaux]

Lambianz,

Definitely like the input... I just prefer to have a canopy. I've lost a number of critters due to not having one and the fish jumping out, or my wife being upset for finding a dead hermit crab in the hall way

The look is a large part of it for me too.

I will have a chiller on this one but it will be setup so it is only there as a backup in case the temps get too high. I will primarily use fans. I'm routing channels through so cool air will draw in from the bottom and hot air will exhaust out the top. If I need them I have spots for fans ready to go. There will be fans blowing over the MH when they are on.

Thanks,

 

[AquaNerd]

that is a cool looking sump...lotta room for lots of equipment i might add.

 

[jdeveaux]

Started running the power for the new tank today and I suffered a minor setback. The good news is that the trip to the ER revealed no broken bones just a very bruised rib cage and probably a number of very sore muscles tomorrow.

At least now I have access to the attic to finish the electrical work without having to crawl around in the insulation.

 

[MarkieB]

Boy I know that feeling! A few months back I replicated that adding insulation! It will be easier to get the wires through hat hole!

 

[landfish]

wow that sucks.... glad to here you are ok

 

[SnMan]

WOW! You are lucky! Take it easy and be careful. Let me know if you need to borrow drywall tools.

 

[jdeveaux]

Well after falling through the ceiling last weekend I decided to stay out of the attic this weekend and move on to another stage of the build process.
Yesterday we ripped all of the hardwood for skinning the tank. This week I’ll start the staining process now that we finally settled on stain after going through about a dozen test samples and 5 scraps of wood.
Today I pulled the carpet out from where the tank will sit and put down tile (ahem...the fake linoleum kind )

Hopefully we’ll start selecting the materials for the doors so we can start building and staining them.

If this cool front moves in like they keep promising then I'll get backup in the attic and finish running the power and water lines from the garage.

Regards,

 

[jdeveaux]

Finally. The tank is on the stand. I’m finishing the skin this weekend I should have it all attached by the end of the week. I’m installing the lights into the hood in a few minutes so I’ll be able to send a picture with the canopy tomorrow.

Regards,

 

[decimal]

man i cant wait to see the end product. very exiting

 

[landfish]

looks like the tank survived drilling of the holes. It is going to be one very nice set up

 

[cstewart79]

John,

What about electrical needs, I only see one outlet. If you have to fun full lights, pump, and chillers it may be way too much on one circut

 

[jdeveaux]

I'm installing 2 dedicated 20AMP 120v circuits. If you look back earlier in the thread you'll see where I fell through the ceiling when I started that part of the project.

I have a 20 month old son so I haven't pulled the cables through the wall until I have doors and cabinet sides on to keep him out.


Regards,

 

[Guest]

That looks real cool. That spot looks great for an in wall tank. What is behind that wall?
simple door and put the tank in the center like yoy have it and bring out the false wall and instant beauty. Put a nice frame around it and now adds life to the wall instead of taking up the wall.
What ya think?

 

[jdeveaux]

HA... The other side of that wall is my wifes closet. I intend to stay married so I will be leaving that wall alone; besides I think you'll find the final product is well worth the effort. I should be done skining the stand and hood by the end of the week and the doors should be done next week.

We are planning on moving to a much bigger house in 5 years and we are planning on the new house having a tank room with tanks on 3 sides, each with a different setup. Now I just need to win the lottery

Thanks,

 

[jdeveaux]

Busy weekend...

I finished mounting the MH pendants and skinning the stand and canopy. I got the new canopy up and onto the tank and reallize that I forgot to mount the moon lights. My back is killing me now so i'll just get those tomorrow night.

Doors are still pending completion. 8O

Unfortunately I have to work this coming weekend so I’m going to lose about a week of build time. The good news is that the doors will be done by then so I can start plumbing the tank. I hope to have water in this thing by the end of October…

I still need to add the trim but I'm not putting that on until the end.

Thanks for following along, I can't believe this all started in May and it is still going.

Regards,

 

[breiter3]

I have to say that stain looks great. Good choice and congrats on the new tank!

 

[jdeveaux]

Thanks... It took some doing but we matched it to our antique dining room set. I have had no luck matching the door hardware or trim but at least the color matches.
Thanks again,