380 Starfire SPS in a closet

[dandy7200]

Originally posted by erics3000
Holy Molly.. You lind it with metal. Can you explain your theory?

Not metal, it is Type I sheet PVC.

http://freckleface.com/shopsite_sc/s.../pvcsheet.html

Bookmark that site Eric, it is a good place to buy cast acrylic tube for your kalk reactor project.

[erics3000]

WOW...You are the man...

[pcostanzo]

Looks great Dan. Freckleface has some great supplies. I was checking them out for big tubes for a skimmer.

[JCurry]

Nice job Dan, I wonder if you could use the sheet pvc to line the inside of a stand or canopy? how did you glue it to the wall? I was using that white fiberglass wall pannels that they sell at HD to line the inside of a stand but it's a bear to cut and work with!

[mountaindew]

dan, nice work i like the panels, much better way to control moisture and keep clean.
i have used the fiberglass reinforced panels "FRP board" with all the moldings glued to walls on projects like hospitals, commercial bathrooms. and even shower stalls. just noting this for others that might want to do this but are looking for a more conventional material you can get from hd

[JCurry]

mountaindew Yup thats the stuff that I used to line the inside of my stand, Its a bugger to work with. I checked out you gallery, really nice looking planted cube! Thanks.

[dandy7200]

Yeah, I hear you on fiberglass panels. That stuff is a PIA to work with. PVC or HDPE is better suited to this application. I used a adhesive similar to liquid nails to adhere it to the wall and a few roofing screws with EDPM gaskets. The real strength comes once it is all welded together, also even the best caulk has a limited lifetime where welds are forever. If you wanted to do something similar with PVC and didn't have access to a hot air welder you could just cut thin strips of PVC to join the panels and "weld" them together with PVC cement.

[dandy7200]

Well, I got most of the sheet welded together today. Grinding down and polishing the welds is slowing me down.....I'd rather do this than drywall any day of the week though....

I am ready to start my light rack now, only one problem though. I ordered everything through Pacific Garden Supply. First shipment 3ea L3 reflectors, one mogul and power cord, ac kits. Second shipment, 3 pieces of glass. Hopefully the third shipment will be ballast and the rest of the moguls and power cords, who knows when that will show up.....stoners


My Icecap stuff got delayed while the LFS was setting up an account to become a Icecap dealer. I suppose it's worth the wait to support the local guy. Sucks though when your ready to work and the parts are not here yet. I did however finally get my DJ centers from Guitar Center. Apparently their policy is to pack the boxes and then let them sit in a warehouse for two weeks before shipping (true story, I called) that will teach you to go for the free shipping option instead of shelling out for "expedited shipping" LOL This is what we have to look forward to if the reef hobby ever becomes as mainstream as playing the guitar.....

[dandy7200]

Today I got most of the light rack put up. I will try and take some pictures this evening.

[dandy7200]

[normanfine]

nice pics

[gig]

truly mesmerising

[dandy7200]

Thanks guys

I am trying to finish up the last few pieces of PVC welds today and build and hang the racks for the VHO and T-5 retros. Tommarow I hope to get some time to work on the power center.....

[raulalonso]

Wow, what a great job in this program, good to have the photos to keep track of it.
And my wife does not allow me to drill the wall for another socket!! How do you do that? Do you have mind powers? lol

[dandy7200]

Originally posted by raulalonso
Wow, what a great job in this program, good to have the photos to keep track of it.
And my wife does not allow me to drill the wall for another socket!! How do you do that? Do you have mind powers? lol

LOL, it's her fault! She wanted the cowfish Oh yeah, I support her hobbies too, that helps

[dandy7200]

OK, here is the deal with the light rack:

3ea luminarcs centered on 3' intervals flanked on both sides by VHO and T-5's running perpendicular to the face of the tank:





Now when I need to work on the tank:





Thats about 5' of open spread. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out.

[erics3000]

NICE Job!

[dandy7200]

My DJ panels are going to act as over ride switches for my Neptune controller. 3 sets of DJ8's are placed between the DC*'s and the plugs that the equipment will go to. I got a ton of PM's last time I built one of these, so I took more detailed pics and instuctions this time around.
Here is how they are wired:

Remove cover:



Remove top sets of jumper wires and set aside:



Remove bottom wires and discard, remove power cord and save for another project:




Drill holes in back of panel and insert extension cords:



Common ground connected:



Power cords have new connectors installed and go on bottom part of switch. Jumpers are reinstalled on top part of switch:



Close it back up and mount:





Many more wires to go

[akbuuur]

whoa... how many watts are those MH's? and when do you think this is going to be running?

[dandy7200]

MH are 400w ea. Tank will be running about 3 days after I get it

[dandy7200]

Face for power center is complete:

[JCurry]

Very impressive, Dan

[LNell]

Okay, where did you get those new connectors that you put on the power cords coming in that connect to the bottom part of the switch? Also, what are those plastic parts that go on the power cords that seem to be holding the power cords in place in the holes you drilled in the back? Sorry if I'm not very clear, I'm pretty drained mentally right now (damn lab reports! ).

[dandy7200]

Thanks John.

LNell, the pinch connectors I got at Lowes. The white plastic parts are cord grips, I got them at Mcmaster.

[LNell]

Thanks