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Sisterlimonpot
06/02/2009, 04:44 PM
Ever since I got water in my 125 I hated looking at the 4X4 stand that it sits on,





http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Front_Shot_of_Stand-med.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/2099094X4_Stand-med.JPG


I always had planned on covering it but didn’t think it would annoy me this quickly. So I have been planning a way in which to cover it for the last few weeks and came up with a simple yet nice design. My budget is somewhat limited to the change in the ashtrays in the cars and drawers and jars lying around the house so I have to utilize what I have sitting around the garage. Luckily I have a few boards of 4/4 rough cut FAS red oak up on the shelves in the garage and all the tools and equipment I need to make a stand.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Raw_Oak-med.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Shop-med.JPG



Some of the oak board had some curly in it but I doubt it be will noticeable and transfer to the total build:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Some_Curly-med.JPG

Sisterlimonpot
06/02/2009, 04:46 PM
First thing I needed to do is rough cut the lengths of the boards to make them more manageable on the equipment and minimize waste. I will use the 10” miter saw to do this.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Rough_cutting_the_wood-med.JPG


Being that it is only a 10” blade and it only cuts 5” I have to flip the board to cut all the way through
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Rough_cut_the_other_side-med.JPG


After making it a more manageable size I need to get a straight edge on one side of the board, for that I use a 6” jointer:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Jointer-med.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Jointing_the_wood-med.JPG


Now that I have 1 side straight, I can cut the width 1/16-1/8” over sized on the table saw (I’ll bring it to the proper size with the plainer)
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Ripping_it_to_size-med.JPG

After that I can square up 2 sides on the jointer:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/2099092_sides_jointed-med.JPG


Once 2 sides are square
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909All_Cut__2_sides_Jointed-med.JPG


I can run all the stock through the plainer to get the desired thickness (which in this case is ¾”) and width (which varies from ¾” to 2”) Which if you ask me is the most time consuming and monotonous task out of the entire build
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Plained_3_sides_sq-med.JPG

Sisterlimonpot
06/02/2009, 04:47 PM
Now that I have 4 sides smooth and square now it’s time to cut them to length, for this I use my crosscut sled:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Cutting_them_to_length-med.JPG


I like using the sled because it actually moves the entire sled with the wood to be cut across the table saw instead of moving just the wood allowing for the possibility of not getting a straight and clean cut.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Sq_up_one_end-med.JPG


After getting one side square I can set a fence (with scrap wood) and start batch cutting all my pieces to the exact size.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909add_a_stop_and_batch_cut-med.JPG


And after about 3 hours of work this is what I have so far…..
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909All_peices_cut-med.JPG


Now comes the fun part… I’m ready to start building the stand

Sisterlimonpot
06/02/2009, 04:48 PM
Now I want to make the top sections of the cabinet, but first I need to cut out the accent pieces on the ends and the ends of the bottom skirt. And because I’m not going to make another one of these stands I decided to make the templates out oak and use it in the stand when I am done with it:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Outlining_the_template-med.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Cut_out_Tmp_2-med.JPG



I use my ban saw to rough cut them and file/sand them down to proper shape:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Cutting_it_out_on_the_ban_saw-med.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Cut_out-med.JPG


I need to make 6 of each of these so I trace the shape onto the other pieces:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Trace_the_Template-med.JPG


And cut them just shy of the line:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Shy_of_the_line-med.JPG


Now I use double sided sticky tape to adhere the “template” to the piece like so:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Double_sided_sticky-med.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Adhered-med.JPG


Then it’s time to set up my router with a flush trim bit and start cutting all 12 pieces to the actual shape:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Flush_trimmed-med.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Flushed-med.JPG

Sisterlimonpot
06/02/2009, 04:49 PM
Now it’s time to dry fit the top to see how it’s going to line up.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Dry_fit_the_top_skirt-med.JPG


To join everything together I’m going to use a Kreg joint (which is fast and allows for a somewhat strong joint)
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Kreg_kit-med.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Kreg_kit_2-med.JPG


Now that I like how everything fits it’s time to start drilling all the holes with the Kreg jig:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Kreg_Jig-med.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Drilling_Holes-med.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Kreg_holes-med.JPG


Now it’s time to start screwing everything together:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Screwing_them_in_2-med.JPG


Notice from the last picture that there was a little lip where the 2 pieces came together? I used a file to transition the 2 to make a seamless joint:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909smoothing_the_2_peices-med.JPG

Sisterlimonpot
06/02/2009, 04:50 PM
I had to break down and buy some ¼” oak paneling because I didn’t want to make my own (just for the sheer waste of wood it would have made) that means so far I’m $24 into this project. After I got the top and bottom skirt put together I had to cut a channel on the insides to allow for the oak paneling. For that I used another router bit to accomplish this task:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Notch_a_groove_in_the_top_skirt-med.JPG


There’s some burning from the router but some sanding will get that out:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909groove_cut_in_top_skirt-med.JPG


Adding the precut (not shown) paneling and dry fitting it before glue up:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Dry_fitting_the_paneling-med.JPG


Top skirt is all glued up and ready to go:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Topp_Skirt_finished-med.JPG


Now I have to do this 5 more times for the top/bottom side skirts and the bottom skirt:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Side_skirts-med.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Sliding_the_panel_in-med.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Cap_it-med.JPG


The bottom skirt isn’t shown because I ruined it with the router (it tipped off the router table when I was shutting it down the router bit caught it and ruined it) so I had to make another one:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Top_and_bottom_skirts-med.JPG

Sisterlimonpot
06/02/2009, 04:51 PM
Now it’s just screwing and gluing everything together, here is the front panel:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Front_panel_Done-med.JPG


Kind of getting the idea of what it’s looking like? :D
Working on the side panels:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Side_panel-med.JPG


Adding some inside trim to the side panels:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Adding_trim-med.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Adding_trim_3-med.JPG


Gluing the trim on:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Glueing_the_trim-med.JPG


Lots and lots of sanding:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Lots_of_sanding-med.JPG


Got one side screwed and glued to the front:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/2099091_side_panel_on-med.JPG


Used a 3/8 round over router bit to smooth over the corners and bring a connection to the existing top canopy of the 125g:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Route_the_top_edges-med.JPG

Sisterlimonpot
06/02/2009, 04:51 PM
After a lot more sanding it was time to see if all that work was going to fit around the tank:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909On_the_tank-med.JPG



Luckily it did and a few more shots of the stand closer up on the corners:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Right_side-med.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/209909Left_side-med.JPG


So now it’s back to work in Nebraska for the next 4 days and I will get started building the doors. I’m 13 hours into the build and so far the cost is $24 but I still have to buy the hinges (which I think I might have some lying around but I have to find them), a stain that will match the canopy and a waterproof poly.

Let me know what you think so far
Jimmy

sus
06/02/2009, 04:56 PM
its looking good!
also, I am very jealous of your workshop and all your tools.

Tyronius
06/02/2009, 04:56 PM
Very nice! Looking forward to seeing the final product.

dtech
06/02/2009, 05:53 PM
It's looking good gonna be nice.

spleify
06/02/2009, 06:03 PM
Now thats some GOOOOOD stuff right there!! Awesome work Jimmy!! Cant wait to see it all finished up.

Sisterlimonpot
06/02/2009, 06:38 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15121787#post15121787 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sus
its looking good!
also, I am very jealous of your workshop and all your tools. I have my wife to thank for that. it seems every birthday or christmas she gets me a new toy to play with, however it's 2 fold because she gets some nice furniture out of it :D




Thanks everyone. now a question I have is, should I make the doors flush with the stand or have it close on the outside?

melev
06/02/2009, 06:45 PM
I love the extra effort you went into with the circular portions.

So any color preferences in mind? I'm sure you are staining in due to the wood choice. It definitely needs to be sealed to protect it from water damage.

Is this going to be a three-sided skirt, or will you actually affix it?

spleify
06/02/2009, 07:20 PM
Jimmy I think the doors are going to be what you preffer. I personally like top mount doors, but what do you like?

murfman
06/02/2009, 07:38 PM
Nice work, Jimmy!!!

Sisterlimonpot
06/02/2009, 07:41 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15122402#post15122402 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
I love the extra effort you went into with the circular portions.

So any color preferences in mind? I'm sure you are staining in due to the wood choice. It definitely needs to be sealed to protect it from water damage.

Is this going to be a three-sided skirt, or will you actually affix it?
I think that I will attach it to the stand with something that will make it easily removable... kinda like the latch you would use to lock down a leaf to a table top.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15122402#post15122402 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spleify
Jimmy I think the doors are going to be what you preffer. I personally like top mount doors, but what do you like?
I prefer those types of doors as well, they take a little bit more to make but I don't have to use those euro hinges (that are so expensive). And there’s more room error as far as exacting the size.

On the other hand, I do like the clean lines of a flush mounted door though. I guess I'm torn between the 2 ideas. But like I said I’m leaning towards the overlay type.

spleify
06/02/2009, 08:23 PM
Page 1 of my build thread shows the doors I made for mine.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1343381

spleify
06/02/2009, 08:25 PM
And FWIW, I used the inexpensove exterior hinges on mine too.

Sisterlimonpot
06/05/2009, 08:41 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15123031#post15123031 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spleify
Page 1 of my build thread shows the doors I made for mine.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1343381
Leif,
I just had a chance to look at that... very nice. I wanted to go really fancy as well with the denture molding and all but we don't have any furniture that is colonial style in the house and it would have stood out.

Judging by the stickers on the back of the oak wood, you paid an arm and a leg for it. Too bad I didn't know you before I had about 70bf of FAS that I paid $1.75 a bf when I went home to my wifes parents house in WI (of coarse I have to trailer it all the way back here) the Amish sell it really cheap (FAS and it's kiln dried you can't touch that price anywhere) So, in all reality I paid $15 for all the oak wood that I used so far and probably another $10 for the doors when I get to them done.

spleify
06/05/2009, 09:38 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15144055#post15144055 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sisterlimonpot
So, in all reality I paid $15 for all the oak wood that I used so far and probably another $10 for the doors when I get to them done.

Dang, thats a sweet deal!! I have a little more than that in mine......:eek2:

murfman
06/06/2009, 02:08 AM
Damn, my bar cost me over $400 but I had them mill work it, since it is so damn hard!

Sisterlimonpot
06/06/2009, 10:17 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15145177#post15145177 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by murfman
Damn, my bar cost me over $400 but I had them mill work it, since it is so damn hard! That's funny because I was just thinking I can make this into a bar instead of a tank stand cover. :D

Sisterlimonpot
06/06/2009, 11:10 PM
Alright so I can officially say I’m done making doors for a long time!!! These guys were time consuming, it’s true what they say, “the devils in the details”


First thing I had to do was mill all the wood to the correct size:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/91bbc1ca1ef0412d91938ec48affd85b


After all that was done I set the router up to start cutting a groove away on the inside of the door pieces:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/7925116b27e34af8856a9a401d7fab47

http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/0f896f076b4a490bbb6fea1edd6bfb7a

http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/25526ee3304b455396692ecfcc3208ca

Sisterlimonpot
06/06/2009, 11:14 PM
Next I had to set the router table up for the mirrored router bit:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/83ea4f01e26b484ab015cb058f6d3174


And then dry fit them, they are designed to fit snuggly into each other:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/dcbb52b91b084b35b3f0fe697faf6c2b


http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/8c9baefe85ce4644a87231a5411b8499

So once I get them the way I like them I cut out the paneling to fit inside the doors and glue all 5 of them up.


The paneling that I bought was 1/4“ but the router cut out was for a 3/8” thick panel so I wanted to be able to hide that gap on the backside of the doors, so I did the same thing I did for the sides of the stand. I glued in some more costume trim:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/50e15a9b022640818b8cbf3d90f8888c


But you notice that this one has a big lip on it:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/f99e66f6eb6a4c77906e2d4001ec8529


I used a block plain to trim it down:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/8e81a448da2a4689844ade412c8cb939


And sanding them smooth:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/4508c701825743008102596e78a8cfee

Sisterlimonpot
06/06/2009, 11:15 PM
Now the doors are all glued up and ready to round everything over:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/ac013029639a4fefb917b6122379a4e3


I want to add a slight angle to the inside of the doors… to make it easier to grab when opening (I’m not a fan of door handles/knobs) So I use a 14 degree dove tail bit to achieve this:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/241a720780d84023b32849185bbdea1e


Finished with that:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/90564088d7714d1fb4f02511a632f44f


Then on the front side I wanted to round it over, so I used the trusty 3/8” round over bit:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/2e5b59ff50324644ac5058397a60254a


Finished with that:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/636ef9234aa24fff929cd4ae1acfd792

Sisterlimonpot
06/06/2009, 11:17 PM
Now it’s time for sanding again. And here they are sitting on the stand:

http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/a56022a8102745eda217a5b489002ba3


http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/39ad8cb792e8415b92aab76f93706c4b


http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/92fa9eaa904b405e9ba7b70b8d1fb0ac


Doors are done. I didn’t make it to the hardware store before they closed so I need to go there tomorrow and get some hinges and make a trip to Sherwin Williams and get them to match the existing stain of the top canopy and go from there

spleify
06/07/2009, 01:05 AM
Sweet work man!! I love the attention to detail you have.

Can't wait to soo it finished.

fishfanatic06
06/07/2009, 09:55 AM
Looks nice. I would tank the bio balls out of the sump though.

Sisterlimonpot
06/07/2009, 10:23 AM
Thanks Leif, fishfanatic,

After I eat some breakfast I'm off to get some hinges, and stain.

The bio-balls... they are seeding the tank from my other one (more bio-diversity) and in about a months time I will take them out. However, on the subject, I don't buy into the theory that they trap nitrates any different than LR does. The only benefit that I can think of is LR has critters in them to push out detritus. But there are pods crawling around the balls as well.
Cheers:D

spleify
06/07/2009, 11:11 AM
Can't wait to see it done(i'm sure you can't either), its coming along nicely Jimmy

I think the problem with bioballs when comparing to LR, is that the bioballs dont have the potential to properly convert nutrients like LR does.

Sisterlimonpot
06/07/2009, 08:05 PM
I went to get some hinges and had SW mix up a stain.
Now that I got the hinges:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/b1d1126062454999849a93b61ea571e0

I mark off where the hinges are going to go:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/69348672713d4a239a97d8f827138d62


http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/4d5d2a50f425454e8736b2e930021784


http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/7a5aa0bef045485e855fc5eea2aef333


http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/12421fc0418848c394f04ed3cc6c0ccb

And drill them:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/682aca90ff66409ab1d1d38f08d3c679


http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/d882670599a74018beb546359a6a5e8f

Screw them in:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/2e5cfec2dd7840d48d184a5fad959387

Sisterlimonpot
06/07/2009, 08:13 PM
It took me 3 coats of stain to match the hood, It's not exact but it's close. This is coat number 2:

http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/764a16d0cff243a7b39726dc5da11854


http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/7b60e312a6de43078b8175f74ef1be71


Hopefully tomorrow it will be dry and I can start adding a polyurethane satin finish. I’m thinking for ample protection from the water I will add 4-6 coats.

What do you think? Too much? Not enough?

melev
06/07/2009, 09:31 PM
6 coats is what I would recommend. Do you use steel wool between each coat to keep it glassy smooth?

spleify
06/07/2009, 10:04 PM
I did 4 coats and sanded inbetween each coat. I sprayed mine.

murfman
06/07/2009, 10:09 PM
I am damn sure glad that I put up a wall around my tank vs having to have people look at my stand and then your stand. Very fine work, Sir!!!

Sisterlimonpot
06/07/2009, 10:33 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15153951#post15153951 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
6 coats is what I would recommend. Do you use steel wool between each coat to keep it glassy smooth? What is this.... change avatars every 12 hours? :D

Yeah, I'll use 0000 steel wool between coats and a very thin final coat then rubbed with an orange oil to bring back its luster.



<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15153951#post15153951 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spleify
I did 4 coats and sanded inbetween each coat. I sprayed mine.I wish I had the means to spray mine but I would have all kinds of imperfections in my finish. (I need to set up a clean room)




<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15153951#post15153951 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by murfman
I am damn sure glad that I put up a wall around my tank vs having to have people look at my stand and then your stand. Very fine work, Sir!!!:lol: Thanks for the kind words

melev
06/08/2009, 03:35 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15154260#post15154260 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sisterlimonpot
What is this.... change avatars every 12 hours? :D

Yeah, I'll use 0000 steel wool between coats and a very thin final coat then rubbed with an orange oil to bring back its luster.

I wish I had the means to spray mine but I would have all kinds of imperfections in my finish. (I need to set up a clean room)


More like every 23 hours, I'd guess. I don't want to cheat anyone out of the full experience. ;)

That sounds good. I sprayed my 29g's canopy years ago, and it was the worst time of year. Cold, wet, humid... it took forever to dry between coats. I steel wooled each surface between coats, and it came out beautifully. That stand and canopy is still in my garage to this day, even though the tank was broken down almost 5 years ago. I need to go burn it right now while I'm thinking about it. :lol:

Sisterlimonpot
06/08/2009, 12:14 PM
There's been a few of my projects that ended up in the fire wood pile.

So since yesterday the weather is cold and wet, definitely not normal wyoming weather for this time of the year. (which I'm not complaining because I haven't turned on the sprinklers yet this year) The extra humidity in the air gave me plenty of time to add the first coat of poly and rub it in before it tacked up. But on the other end.... it's going to take a while before I can smooth it for the next coat.

xsocali
06/08/2009, 12:25 PM
The stand is coming along real nice...looks like a well planned build with some exeptional details.Always nice to follow someones DIY project.

Sisterlimonpot
06/08/2009, 06:56 PM
Thanks xsocali.

I hate waiting for the finish to dry so in between coats I painted the stand with kilz:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/49e65919a9a7477a93f91a472c4cc443


Hopefully it will be a little bit more water proof. :D

dtech
06/08/2009, 07:23 PM
It;s coming along great very nice.

spleify
06/08/2009, 09:00 PM
Its like waiting for paint to dry...............................

Sisterlimonpot
06/08/2009, 09:58 PM
This is the first time I used minwax fast drying, it says 4 hours between coats:

http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/c97de821b94f428aa8c9069249d2b3d7

the first coat dried quickly but the second coat is taking forever to dry. Is it just the humidity? I mixed the contents of the can with a scrap piece of wood, got all the gunk that settled on the bottom mixed in well like the directions said, my second coat was thinner than my first, it's been 6 hours and it's still tacky. Any ideas?


I usually use old masters but I have to order this stuff, there isn't a place around here that sells it, I have a little bit but not enough to finish this project.:

http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/ed3cad7969324f8491bb54b9016ccb78


Oh well, it looks like I have to wait till tomorrow to add the third coat.:(

spleify
06/08/2009, 10:07 PM
I waited a full day to sand inbetween each coat, somtimes two days. I used the same polyurethane.


http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s16/spleify/IMG_1498.jpg

Sisterlimonpot
06/09/2009, 09:20 AM
So the 4 hours is just a marketing ploy? :D I guess I am waiting then to get the next coat on. but the sun is out today and it's sitting in the sun right now to help dry it.

spleify
06/09/2009, 09:32 AM
Hey Jimmy just make sure it doesnt get to hot sitting in the sun, the wood will sweat out of the grain/pours and could make your stain spotty in areas. (unfortunately I know this from experience)
It can be sanded and restained, but just try and not let it get to hot.

Sisterlimonpot
06/09/2009, 10:47 AM
Thanks Leif,
I've had experience with that as well... in the winter time I crank the heat up and it pushes the still wet stain through.

Well it feels dry but I will have to wait till this evening to put a third coat on. we are heading your way for the day.

Whys
06/10/2009, 11:06 AM
Now that's style, Sister. :thumbsup:

Some great wood grains on those doors, but please move the power strip directly beside the sump. It's making me nervous. :)

Sisterlimonpot
06/10/2009, 11:32 AM
Don't you remember... I like living on the edge!! :D

The set-up is temporary until I get an ACIII pro. However yesterday I moved it about 15 inches away from the sump. and if worst comes to worst it is GFCI protected. No more pictures of burning down the house for this sister :)

spleify
06/10/2009, 02:02 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15169143#post15169143 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Whys
please move the power strip directly beside the sump. It's making me nervous. :)


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15169304#post15169304 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sisterlimonpot
Don't you remember... I like living on the edge!! :D

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s16/spleify/lemonshouse.jpg


Sorry, I couldn't resist :lol: :lol:

Whys
06/10/2009, 09:35 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15169304#post15169304 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sisterlimonpot
The set-up is temporary until I get an ACIII pro. However yesterday I moved it about 15 inches away from the sump. and if worst comes to worst it is GFCI protected. No more pictures of burning down the house for this sister :)
A couple of things. One, I'm glad you moved it. Two, GFCI will not protect you from an arcing power strip. Your electrical box is supposed to have an arc fault interrupter, but I have heard stories from others here of power strips catching fire once wet. That is why it is so important to keep them dry.

So I probably missed it from earlier in the thread, but what's the main purpose for the ACIII?

Whys
06/10/2009, 09:35 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15170146#post15170146 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spleify
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s16/spleify/lemonshouse.jpg


Sorry, I couldn't resist :lol: :lol:

The insurance company might want that for legal purposes. :D

melev
06/10/2009, 09:53 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15172693#post15172693 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Whys
That is why it is so important to keep them dry.


And to replace them every so often, not when they finally fail. If they are getting old, buy some new ones as a precaution. 6-way power strips are so cheap, and we all have the tendency to think they are good until they stop working.

Pull one out, open it up and look for yourself. You'll be surprised by the amount of salt creep and moisture damage within.

euromomtx
06/10/2009, 09:57 PM
It's like watching Norm!
Very nice

(my husband would love to have a workshop like yours!)

Sisterlimonpot
06/11/2009, 12:53 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15172693#post15172693 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Whys
So I probably missed it from earlier in the thread, but what's the main purpose for the ACIII?
ACIII=Aqua Controller 3

That's one thing that wasn't in the acronyms :D


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15172693#post15172693 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
And to replace them every so often, not when they finally fail. If they are getting old, buy some new ones as a precaution. 6-way power strips are so cheap, and we all have the tendency to think they are good until they stop working.

Pull one out, open it up and look for yourself. You'll be surprised by the amount of salt creep and moisture damage within.
I think I'm going to follow your lead and get some of those power distribution racks???
what are they called and where did you get them?

I thought that I had one on my guitar rack in the attic but it is a power conditioner.....:(


what I have planned for the 4th door since it has that 4X4 beam running through it. I'm going to put a panel right behind the door to display the ACIII and the power distributions.


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15172693#post15172693 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by euromomtx
SIt's like watching Norm!
Very nice

(my husband would love to have a workshop like yours!)
Thanks euromomtx,
I wish I had more stationary equipment like Norm but those machines are very heavy and because I'm in the military I have to pick up and take all my stuff with me. and the military will only move so many pounds so I have to wait till retirement (5 more years) to splurge on the good stuff :)


Update: I have 5 coats on and tomorrow morning the final coat will be applied. And hopefully by tomorrow evening I will have it wrapped around the stand.

Whys
06/11/2009, 12:55 AM
I understand it's a controller, but what are you specifically looking to control?

Sisterlimonpot
06/11/2009, 01:02 AM
everything from the lights, heaters, ATO, calcium reactor, feeding, maybe even a dosing pump etc... and controlling the lights on my 72 that is in the other end of the house. I also like the idea of be able to view the parameters online and being alerted when something goes wrong.

Whys
06/11/2009, 01:18 AM
Curious, can it send a text message?

I only have 2 purposes for a controller in my system, and one of them is moot.

The first would be to shutdown my MH if the temp goes over 82. But it's pointless, because my return pump will still jack it to at least 83, or much higher if its a hot day. Shutting down the return pump isn't really on option, because that would leave me completely dependant on my check-valve so as not to drain the tank to sand level.

The second would be a text message alert to inform me of any problems if I'm out of town. But that still requires a friend with a house key.

I decided on a simple temp alarm that can wake me if I'm sleeping.

murfman
06/11/2009, 04:45 AM
ACIII with aquanotes is capable of sending to a pager and emails.

Whys
06/11/2009, 04:49 AM
Thanks murfman. By the way, what is that woman up to?

Sisterlimonpot
06/11/2009, 11:47 AM
For those of you that work with acrylic... my hats off to you. Acrylic must be my Achilles heel. I got some 3/8 scrap from phillipj2 and there was just enough to make a 2 gallon reservoir for the ATO. After about 4 hours I gave up I couldn't get it to be water tight I ended up having to silicone it on the insides. Next time I will take extra time to prep it to have straight edges. It's a learning process that's for sure!

It's not the prettiest but it will do the job!


http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/538a8b1cebfd47e2a83e3a24c64edbca http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/326d5a0efa994faf9767fbc7cc6c572d http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/74b5fbb9949345eab4d4aa7fbc4f808d

spleify
06/11/2009, 12:10 PM
Nice little ATO reservoir!!

Acrylic is easy once you figure it out. Clean, sharp, true edges are definitely the key. Next time run it along a router or jointer to clean up the edges.

Nice looking setup bro!!

Whys
06/11/2009, 12:26 PM
It's not just you Sister. I've tried working with it before and it's the worst. What you've done there looks pretty darn good to me.

Spleify, don't under estimate your skills. If you find acrylic easy, then I salute you.

dtech
06/11/2009, 06:28 PM
=1 on what Spleify said, also if you make some that leak you can use Weld-On 16 like silicone to seam it up and you don't have to worry about leaks down the road. It works great for sealing leaks in other acrylic items as well.

melev
06/11/2009, 06:40 PM
If I were you, I'd make another one soon. Silicone and acrylic don't bond, and I would expect it to leak at some point. The next one will be easier to assemble because you've practiced now.

Haddonisreef
06/11/2009, 06:45 PM
Nice work Jimmy I fill like I'm in a Bob Villa tank build! I also wish i had the wood shop you have!

Sisterlimonpot
06/11/2009, 07:31 PM
Well we switched from cable to direct tv today so the installers were her running all new line for satellite. The bad thing was we couldn't get the internet and satellite changed over the same day so we had to stay with cable connection for internet until Monday. well the installers cut all existing lines to the house and along with the cable they disconnected the net. and we didn't realize it until just recently. Couldn't get a hold of anyone to come fix it so I went and bought some cheap coaxial connectors and figured out which ones to hook back up for internet. So got it in limp mode until Monday. :D

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15177569#post15177569 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dtech
=1 on what Spleify said, also if you make some that leak you can use Weld-On 16 like silicone to seam it up and you don't have to worry about leaks down the road. It works great for sealing leaks in other acrylic items as well. I was going to take some slivers of acrylic and melt them with some WO3 and inject it with a syringe and create a nice bead on the seams but I ended up taking the silicone route.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15177569#post15177569 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
If I were you, I'd make another one soon. Silicone and acrylic don't bond, and I would expect it to leak at some point. The next one will be easier to assemble because you've practiced now. If you didn't make it look so easy... I wouldn't have had to silicone it :D
I scuffed the inside where the silicone was going to create a nice mechanical tooth for the silicone to hold onto. But I will have to see about getting some more acrylic and try it again.


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15177569#post15177569 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CHARLIE AGUILAR
Nice work Jimmy I fill like I'm in a Bob Villa tank build! I also wish i had the wood shop you have!
well, my garage and equipment is open to anyone who wishes to try their hand at it. But if you cut a finger off I'm not liable :D

Sisterlimonpot
06/11/2009, 07:55 PM
Well her it is all complete (except for a way to attach it to the stand.)
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/ee4d1efd3b69402c92e42b850999a55c

See how close it is to the top canopy... not quite but darn there close.. kudos to sherwin williams:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/04808a3b61d94a68b5fcb28defc43fde
Look at that beautiful pain staken finish. It's so smooth my daughter tried to lean up against it and she fell over. :D
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/14b57dab95b6442584d7fcb29f560276
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/23947d4662c34db7811e5f4b023df293

spleify
06/11/2009, 08:00 PM
Looks sweet man, it really came out nice. Your gonna make me go make a cover for my tank up stairs now.

Whys
06/11/2009, 08:03 PM
Wow. Now that is something special.

I bow to you sir.

Sisterlimonpot
06/11/2009, 08:26 PM
Thanks guys,
I tallied the total cost and hours for the project and here's how it lays out:
It took me a total 37 hours and it cost:
$24 for 4X8 sheet of oak ply
$32 for hinges, stain and polyurethane
$30 for roughly 17 BF of raw oak
--------------
Grand Total:
$86

of coarse I didn't factor in the cost of electricity, and the wear and tear of my plainer, jointer and saw blades but you get the picture.

Imagine what you would pay someone to do that for you.... It's the labor cost that gets you.

melev
06/11/2009, 08:33 PM
That looks fantastic.

So what are the dimensions of that little ATO reservoir? I just noticed your little pump holders. Neat.

Sisterlimonpot
06/11/2009, 08:45 PM
the dimensions are 5X17X6. roughly 2 gallons.

dtech
06/12/2009, 06:58 AM
That stand looks Great! Very nice!

rbredding
06/12/2009, 08:25 AM
Great job (and a pretty nice shop too)

it looks great...



if you're looking for a way to fasten it to the 2X structural framing, just use your pocket screw guide and screw through the framing to the face.. (keep penetration under 1/2" and you'll be fine)

shikhyung
06/12/2009, 11:22 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15149200#post15149200 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sisterlimonpot

After all that was done I set the router up to start cutting a groove away on the inside of the door pieces:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/7925116b27e34af8856a9a401d7fab47

http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/0f896f076b4a490bbb6fea1edd6bfb7a

It 's a nice and clean cut. Did you do only one pass?
what kind of router you use?
thanks.

Sisterlimonpot
06/13/2009, 07:20 AM
shikhyung,
I wish I could've gotten away with only 1 pass... It would have cut a couple hours off the building of the doors :D
It was done in 4 passes with a Bosch 2 1/4 HP (http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=11453&TabSelect=Details) 12 amp router,

because of the large diameter of the router bit the RPM was turned to the lowest setting of 8000 to aviod chip out.

Rhodes19
06/15/2009, 07:36 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15122359#post15122359 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sisterlimonpot
I have my wife to thank for that. it seems every birthday or christmas she gets me a new toy to play with, however it's 2 fold because she gets some nice furniture out of it :D

Thats how I am building my work shop!!!! :D

Sisterlimonpot
06/24/2009, 10:14 AM
Alright I finally joined the ranks of people with ATO's. But now I have a question... I got the float switch for my DIY ATO and hooked it up yesterday. (It's working the way it should) but every3-5 minutes the float is turning the solenoid on and off. Is this ok or is it going to prematurely ruin my solenoid?

If so what should I do make it right?

The one thing I was thinking was….. that I can wire another float switch in series of the first one and offset it in the sump about an 1/8 to a ¼ of an inch so that there would be a minimum and maximum level making the solenoid not work so much..

Are the any other ways?

Sisterlimonpot
06/24/2009, 12:19 PM
After thinking about that a little bit longer... that isn't going to work either... so the other idea I have is to set it up on a timer and have the ATO come on 3 or 4 times a day. and the rest of the time it will be off.

Any better ideas???

Rhodes19
06/24/2009, 12:41 PM
Sisterlimonpot,

Are you loosing that much water through evaporation for it to turn on very 3-5 minutes or is water motion in the tank making it turn on? I don't have an ATO yet but that was the first thought that came to mind.

Zooid
06/24/2009, 05:07 PM
If you had two float switches and a relay, you could use one to start the fill solenoid and the other to stop the fill.
Most likely it's the motion of the water that is causing the chatter. If you could create an area around the switch that is calm, that might help enough.

Sisterlimonpot
06/24/2009, 06:08 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15251512#post15251512 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Zooid
If you had two float switches and a relay, you could use one to start the fill solenoid and the other to stop the fill.
Most likely it's the motion of the water that is causing the chatter. If you could create an area around the switch that is calm, that might help enough. I do have 2 float switches and a relay but your going to have to ewxplain that one to me please. I've been racking my brain for hours trying to figure it out.

Sisterlimonpot
06/24/2009, 07:15 PM
Heres how I have it wired up right now:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/3cb73d012d944ee08fd9cb1388e7a046

One switch is 3/8" higher than the other one. The way I have it set up now doesn't work.....

I can turn the floats around on the shaft to where when the float is up it's either on or off and vise versa. So please, someone solve this puzzle for me......

Zooid
06/24/2009, 07:26 PM
I'll try to draw up a schematic for you. Gimme a few minutes

Zooid
06/24/2009, 08:14 PM
check out my gallery, I had to post the drawing in there.
let me know if you need an explanation.

Gale

Sisterlimonpot
06/24/2009, 08:28 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15252655#post15252655 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Zooid
check out my gallery, I had to post the drawing in there.
let me know if you need an explanation.

Gale http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/146514schematic-med.png

If you would please. I'm having a hard time understanding it.

Sisterlimonpot
06/24/2009, 08:30 PM
Do I need 2 relays for this set up? Plus the solinoid that I have?

Zooid
06/24/2009, 08:36 PM
PM sent

Sisterlimonpot
06/25/2009, 12:02 AM
Alright Gale, Thanks to your PM's and pateints :o, I had an eureka moment and the light bulb went on, I think I understand it now.
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/feaae939f2a7412a8a57bde5d6394f6c
is this right????

Now that I got it I can understand your schematic.

Zooid
06/25/2009, 04:42 AM
That is exactly right. That should work very well for you. Good job figuring that out :)

dtech
06/25/2009, 06:51 AM
That looks like alot of extra wiring to me, I did the DIY ATO that Melev has on his site, I added a second float switch as a fail safe agains overflow incase of a snail or something, total cost was $9 Cord from wally world amd 2 float switches from ebay, I used a spare pump I had laying around, and it took 15 minutes to build and instal. plus no extra wiring solenoids, low voltage adapters etc. Have built 5 so far for me and others all work great and have been being used for over a year. Just my thoughts though.

Sisterlimonpot
06/25/2009, 09:06 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15254183#post15254183 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Zooid
That is exactly right. That should work very well for you. Good job figuring that out :)
Zooid,
Awesome thanks, I broke out the soldering gun and shrink wrap this morning and made all the necessary changes and tested it a couple times and it works like a champ. THANKS for your help!!!! :D

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15254183#post15254183 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dtech
That looks like alot of extra wiring to me, I did the DIY ATO that Melev has on his site, I added a second float switch as a fail safe agains overflow incase of a snail or something, total cost was $9 Cord from wally world amd 2 float switches from ebay, I used a spare pump I had laying around, and it took 15 minutes to build and instal. plus no extra wiring solenoids, low voltage adapters etc. Have built 5 so far for me and others all work great and have been being used for over a year. Just my thoughts though.
dtech,
That's how I had it set up the first time, with just a single float and the second float was added in series with the intent to expand the range of tolerance that would be allowed before the pump kicked on and turned off (basically a high and a low to keep from having the solenoid kick on and off every 3-5 minutes due to water turbulence like Rhodes19 and Zooid suggested). But not realizing that I just set up a second fail safe like you described.

I don’t have a failsafe, I guess in essence if 1 switch failed the system wouldn't work and worse care scenario it would pump the entire contents of my ATO reservoir into the tank (but if you see my sorry excuse for a reservoir "above" it's only 2 gallons so it isn't going to dilute my system.

Zooid
06/25/2009, 12:06 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15255111#post15255111 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sisterlimonpot
Zooid,
Awesome thanks, I broke out the soldering gun and shrink wrap this morning and made all the necessary changes and tested it a couple times and it works like a champ. THANKS for your help!!!! :D

Excellent. Glad that worked out for you. I keep forgetting that my schematics are a little odd. We use different symbols and I draw my schematics like ladder rungs. I've worked far too long in industrial controls hehe.

dtech
06/25/2009, 06:35 PM
I use the 2 switches at about a 1.5" difference, also I don't use a solenoid at all, The float switch is wired into the power for the pump Via a modified extension cord, If I gold the lower switch down to activate the circuit the second will open the circuit if the water gets too high. I hope this is readable sorry I'm not a good drawer, http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q475/dtech71/untitled.jpg
Can you let me know why use a solenoid? I just want to learn more ways, etc.

Zooid
06/25/2009, 06:50 PM
Dtech,
That's the way a lot of people do it. It works great. I have been bit by 120VAC in my tank before so I'm just really nervous about putting homemade 120VAC circuits into my tank. Using the 12VDC adapter makes me feel a little safer.
Gale

dtech
06/25/2009, 07:19 PM
Ah ok I understand that, I do use titanium grounding probes, 1 in the display, and 1 in the sump. I have had fish get cooked from a failled pump and a bad heater, so I understand. T
Thanks for the info.

Sisterlimonpot
06/25/2009, 07:25 PM
+1 it's that sense of surety, knowing that you won't have 120 in your tank. A solenoid uses low voltage to control high voltage (far away from water) through an electromagnet, and because of the low voltage it will also give the float switches a lot longer life span. kinda the same reason why I chose to do it this way with the 2 float switches (after the fact)... to prolong the life of the solenoid. If it kept clicking on and off every 3 minutes it would wear out in no time. Today it only came on only 3-4 times.

dtech
06/25/2009, 07:33 PM
Yeah I work on copiers and have them all over throughout them, I always try to stay simple as I can on my stuff, too many years building cars got me wantin to do stuff easier old age comin on maybe :)
I got a question about wood stuff for you Sister, I jave an AGA black pine stand and canopy and I hope to cover them with something nicer that I can stain to match, Is that 1/4" birch stuff at like HD any good for that or should I look for a better tgicker wood etc.

Sisterlimonpot
06/25/2009, 09:35 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15258688#post15258688 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dtech
Yeah I work on copiers and have them all over throughout them, I always try to stay simple as I can on my stuff, too many years building cars got me wantin to do stuff easier old age comin on maybe :)
I got a question about wood stuff for you Sister, I jave an AGA black pine stand and canopy and I hope to cover them with something nicer that I can stain to match, Is that 1/4" birch stuff at like HD any good for that or should I look for a better tgicker wood etc. That's kinda what I used in between the doors, sides and for the skirt below (to keep the cost down). Since your not using it to support any weight it'll be fine. I would recommend framing around it all to make it look nice.

Kinda like this deacons bench that I made: If you notice in the middle drawing on the right there is a 3/8" dado there for the paneling to slide in and that frames around it
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/c256e71cd41c419d9472dd182425b3eb

And here's a visual of what that looks like:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/1f691d350e9c44db94dee72c99c79c69
It's just a wood frame with paniling in it...
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/097c0ea9f65b40499dea3ebd7e6bb3a9


And just because I can :D here it is finished:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/30cdff0aac31407f9131f66c8aa534b1
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/0d19e300460d4201a905ba26c03dcbaa


I think that looks nice but in reality it's a way to save money.





.

Whys
06/25/2009, 11:20 PM
Holy crap Sister! You make some cool frig'n furniture. I really like the curves on that one. Needs a cushion tho. :)

dtech
06/26/2009, 06:50 AM
That is freakin awesome, it's easy to see how your stand and canopy look so great. I am a total amature with wood, metal and resin I have no problem with. The pics make it look simple, when I get closer to that part I will have to get you and Leof involved in keeping me straight on it. I am gonna try and look at different woods in the meantime and find one that I like.
Again that is Awesome!

Sisterlimonpot
06/26/2009, 07:55 AM
I started out working with metal. Just give me a lathe, a mil, a tig welder and all the measurement tools and I could make you anything. In Germany I had to fabricate a lot of parts for american vehicles.

Personally I like maple and walnut because of their contrasting colors. When you’re ready to build it and have all the supplies you can always make a trip up here to use my equipment. I can help you… my services are free…. I take donations though a frag or 2 :D

dtech
06/26/2009, 12:43 PM
I just may do that I have some woodwookers in my family but i didn't get the wood gene:) Yeah with metal and doing carbon-kevlar etc its easy I think. I could spend days on a lathe and mill if I could figure out how to eat and all without ever leaving the shop :)

melev
06/28/2009, 11:35 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15260771#post15260771 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sisterlimonpot
Personally I like maple and walnut because of their contrasting colors. When you’re ready to build it and have all the supplies you can always make a trip up here to use my equipment. I can help you… my services are free…. I take donations though a frag or 2 :D

You seem to be too busy with this stuff to do any Air Force work. ;) Slacker.

Whys
06/29/2009, 12:16 AM
Slacking IS airforce work. The greatest purpose of any weapon is to never have to use it. :D

will16
06/30/2009, 03:02 PM
Just found your thread. Great woodworking!

Sisterlimonpot
06/30/2009, 04:51 PM
Thanks Will, I know I told you that I was going to model my stand after yours but the wife said, "it's too fancy and won't fit with anything we have in the house!!"


Well after a couple weeks of it being done I don't like how the hood lokks any more so I have an idea. More to come.......

Sisterlimonpot
06/30/2009, 05:16 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15273747#post15273747 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
You seem to be too busy with this stuff to do any Air Force work. ;) Slacker. Yeah, i'm kinda in that sitting around and waiting mode. they keep telling us that we are the tip of the spear for deterence, but my job consists of 45 minutes of actual work a day, and the rest of the day is surfing RC :). The downside of my job is that I'm in a remote location for 5 days at a time, basically I'm out there just in case.... and hope that we never have to:(

Whys
06/30/2009, 09:45 PM
It's like sitting around just waiting for the end of the world. Hemorrhoids seem the real enemy. :D

Sister, your mailbox is full.

Rhodes19
07/01/2009, 07:25 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15283536#post15283536 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sisterlimonpot
Yeah, i'm kinda in that sitting around and waiting mode. they keep telling us that we are the tip of the spear for deterence, but my job consists of 45 minutes of actual work a day, and the rest of the day is surfing RC :). The downside of my job is that I'm in a remote location for 5 days at a time, basically I'm out there just in case.... and hope that we never have to:( Thanks for being there for us. Did something similar with the Army in Germany before the wall came down. The upside to being at remote sites is that its away from the flag pole!! :D

will16
07/01/2009, 07:31 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15283420#post15283420 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sisterlimonpot
Thanks Will, I know I told you that I was going to model my stand after yours but the wife said, "it's too fancy and won't fit with anything we have in the house!!"
.


LOL. Not for everyone :)

Well after a couple weeks of it being done I don't like how the hood lokks any more so I have an idea. More to come......

Looking forward to seeing what happens there!

Sisterlimonpot
07/01/2009, 04:34 PM
It's not going to be anything fancy but it's going to tie everything together.

chieuxuan
07/02/2009, 04:02 PM
very beautiful work bro!!!!!!! i'm just jealous (a hater :p ) with all the equipment you have

Sisterlimonpot
07/02/2009, 04:16 PM
So the battery in the camera was dead, I was only able to take 1 shot before it died, I didn't want to wait so there's a big gap between picture 1 and 2. So I want to bring the rounding parts to the canopy to try and tie them both together. This will benefit in 2 ways, 1. As stated, to make them look like they match and 2. To have some wood with the same stain up there so it doesn't look too out of wack:

First the same thing as before... milling all the wood to proper size Did I mention how much I hate this part???:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/80bfdd0db8574178bce608b7b4d194f0
This is one of the sides. The hole is for the fan that I have on the canopy:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/76492a38ac2944cc81a6ffdbafeee9d9
Here's the front piece. It's not going to have a piece of paneling in it:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/fa17297e8d8e434e90d7fde996fdc28a
And last picture of the day. this is all of the pieces they are just going to be glued on the front and sides, hopefully tying everything together:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/c063ee964c444209aab70de87b8aa8c2

Now I have to clean up, I have a buddy coming over to use my tools and garage to replace a couple u-joints on his truck.
So, I will wait until tomorrow to apply the finish.

Sisterlimonpot
07/02/2009, 04:21 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15295056#post15295056 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chieuxuan
very beautiful work bro!!!!!!! i'm just jealous (a hater :p ) with all the equipment you have ahhh.... Thanks.... I think....:D With all that equipment i guess it evens out what you would pay if you bought this already maid. It's paid for it couple times over already, however it is time for new blades in my planer, jointer and table saw.

dtech
07/02/2009, 07:12 PM
It's gonna look great.

Rhodes19
07/03/2009, 06:09 AM
Nice! I can't wait to see the finished product.

Whys
07/03/2009, 06:23 AM
Ppsshh... :rolleyes: ...amateur.



:D

Sisterlimonpot
07/04/2009, 04:36 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15297836#post15297836 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Whys
Ppsshh... :rolleyes: ...amateur.



:D
Definitely not a professional!!:D
I kinda skimped on the pictures but here are a few of it finished and on the canopy, I put 5 coats of finish on this one:

http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/d566df2b5ee34f909b651efe2b11b450
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/29c4974047f943dda0353ee888cffb53
And now they are screwed on from the back, I chose to screw them instead of glueing for the simple fact that some day I will have to replace those fans:D :
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/2a47535aa7e649e18ff258ba8d1e9a16
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/00cd5d6c18f440b186093bc24815c017
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/d817d74469d64a489afff3357d35f6a0 http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/c8652db4f9e447dca56a2daab4f0aa9f

Sisterlimonpot
07/04/2009, 05:07 PM
Now for the part I have been dreading.... Attaching the cover to the stand, a lot of thought went into HOW for the last few weeks, and this is what I came up with:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/f266a2ea02a44c71b50e1f9017e7564b
They are window latches??? I know them as "Table Locks" (hardware for securing leafs on a tables). So the part I was dreading.... The tank stand is 1 5/8" away from the wall:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/ac94886919154622ab35fea4a3fbfa5e
So I can't exactly get a screw driver back there to secure them, So here's what I had to do.
The tools I used:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/2fbf74d7414a440b9de27bec353979dc
Using the prybar to wedge between the wall and the apex, and the wrench to turn the screw a 1/6th of a turn at a time....
and them in use:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/a9a7c0131805431aa497c155e0a52a80
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/5a43064b083d437f892b9b064d4144cc

Believe me... It was a very slow process. It took about 30 minutes for each side but I got it done:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/14583f4aa1934a6e97d124cbd9bc750b
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/b51f7e71ce5d4a8fa5b5b600775236b3
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/352f345742fa4f81a1504d733d80915b

http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/55323f1684024eb79e918f79ad1032b1

melev
07/08/2009, 01:11 AM
I like it. It would have been easier to move the tank forward though. :lol:

Sisterlimonpot
07/08/2009, 10:20 PM
When the actinics came on tonight, I felt like taking some pictures of my new PBT. But he wouldn't cooperate I couldn't get a decent focused picture so here are the best ones:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/463c370526d14b53874250cea2604b50
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/69bdf782306b4a37b0807258f981a4e0
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/782b2970957748d38790479f25147415
and lets not forget the CBB:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/92c76eb36c5240debb30e99e509526d9
and the yellow tang:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/bf83dde9bca1471b8db7d8b9aef52d54
and my 2 freebees....
ORA green birdsnest from phillipj2:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/4773fef5426447e5b9fc2883e81cd384
And a purple milli from spliefy:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/d78a70ebc0f748998852774fc05b6ff7

Whys
07/08/2009, 11:20 PM
Look'n good Sister. And that was nice of Spliefy to send you a frag.

The powder blue looks great in there.

Sisterlimonpot
07/08/2009, 11:41 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15328269#post15328269 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Whys
Look'n good Sister. And that was nice of Spliefy to send you a frag.

The powder blue looks great in there.
Yeah it was, I went to visit him only to see his tanks and walked out with a huge bag of chaeto, a heater and a frag.

and he's not the only person that has done that, since finding RC I have met so many people that are willing to offer up just about anything to get me going on this 125. And one day I will repay the favors that's for sure.

murfman
07/09/2009, 12:10 AM
Looks awesome, Jimmy, great work!

dtech
07/09/2009, 06:53 AM
Looks good, it's comin along great. +1 on the people here!

Sisterlimonpot
07/12/2009, 05:58 PM
So I started looking for a moonlight set up for the tank but they cost more than what they are worth. So I went to radio shack and picked up 4 bleu LEDs and a packet of resistors.
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/766497a9b2d2406dbbffa6c6b61f710b
I hooked everything up in series so fist I soldered the resistors in line:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/ae380afdcfe144599923a23f5e85b946
Then I cut 3/16 tubing to various lengths (to line up where I want the LED's to be on the capapy:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/fbde980e7b394e98bb2bd466cb0e23f0
Soldered everything together:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/23fa1bd34c8343e0b3981f74786e1028
adding the tubing in the process:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/2fb875f1590b4f70839aac532d088bb1
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/33d0739dd77945cba6d1657f1c40a98f
everything is soldered and tested with the multimeter:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/bc1dad3671ab4ebf87b7736f0bf9ee20
then I made everything waterproof by injecting some hot glue into the tubing:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/a3809e90bbad4aeca4100101d18166bb
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/104a5b68027d4187b41c80b3c67a8ad3




I didn't take any pictures of it up in the hood but I will post pictures of the lights on at night later.

Thanks for looking:)


.

melev
07/12/2009, 07:12 PM
Sweetness. That's probably going to look great. The biggest hurdle is keeping the bulb pointing where you like it most.

Sisterlimonpot
07/12/2009, 10:34 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15347628#post15347628 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
Sweetness. That's probably going to look great. The biggest hurdle is keeping the bulb pointing where you like it most. your right about that, They are kind of spot lighty too.... I need to figure out how to defuse them some way.... I'm open to suggestions???? maybe a lens of some sort....
but they have a good shimmer to them.

I didn't think about how hard it was going to be to take a picture in the dark :confused: only because I said I would post pics.. not much to see but here you go:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/fdbf7c2dc19d46a887cad0c3cc5713c1
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/3295649e5c07434bb48724d093924cfb
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/864c9b4bbe634872b12f858af03f655e

melev
07/13/2009, 02:29 AM
Try pointing them up into one of your reflectors.

Take the picture with your camera on a tripod, and set the exposure to 1" to 2" (seconds) and see how they come out.

Sisterlimonpot
07/13/2009, 09:27 AM
That's a good idea, I didn't think of that. As far as the camera thing... That would have been the logical choice but the tripod was in the other room.......:D

Sisterlimonpot
07/13/2009, 11:14 PM
OK, got the tripod out and took some pics at various shutter speeds:
First 5 seconds:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/51841e38bee34681a52221026edaaddf
then 10 seconds:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/91ac841b067341aa98127d41fe0d5176

Sisterlimonpot
07/13/2009, 11:17 PM
20 seconds:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/7b4c2c26e9fb4479a9cd88e73c75e14b
then 30seconds:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/e82b43b3800d42b6a980df7b4b2b45fe


Five seconds is the closest to what it really looks like. as you can see it has the spot light effect. I will mess with reflecting it tomorrow sometime.

melev
07/13/2009, 11:39 PM
Looks good. I had a feeling it would only take a few seconds to get the one that matches your eye.

Zooid
07/14/2009, 12:42 AM
If you can't get where you want using the reflector, try taking a ping pong ball, drill a hole in it the size of the LED and put the ball on the LED. I saw this on:
http://www.boingboing.net/2008/02/21/ping-pong-ball-led-d.html

Thought it might be worth a try.

Sisterlimonpot
07/14/2009, 12:53 AM
That’s a good idea, I have a couple new pingpong balls in the garage, I'll have to hunt them down and give that a try first. But will that get rid of the shimmer effect?

melev
07/14/2009, 01:02 AM
I'm positive it will, because it will diffuse the light and lose the pinpoint effect.

Sisterlimonpot
07/14/2009, 01:08 AM
Marc,
what about pointing them up towards a reflector will it have the shimmer still?

melev
07/14/2009, 01:21 AM
Yes, it should still give you that shimmer, since it is bouncing off a highly reflective surface. You'll have to play around with this to find what you like best.

You can always make some acrylic tabs that you affix to a solid surface, and insert the LED bulb through a drilled hole to keep it pointed exactly where you want it.

Emilio84
08/12/2009, 07:42 PM
You can try sanding the led or cutting part of the lens off. Its a popular method of diffusing the beam when modifying car gauge clusters.

Sisterlimonpot
08/12/2009, 09:36 PM
very interesting. I may have to experiment with that. Do you have any links that talk about it?

ojreef
08/12/2009, 09:59 PM
Here you go

http://www.bing.com/search?q=sanding+leds&form=QBF8&qs=n

Sisterlimonpot
08/12/2009, 10:55 PM
bing huh? It seems like that site is starting to become popular.

ojreef
08/12/2009, 11:23 PM
Yep, I used to search "Ask" but now use "Bing", Was Surprised at how many sites I found on sanding LED's
Hal

Whys
08/13/2009, 12:11 AM
I googled "bing" once. :D

Sisterlimonpot
08/13/2009, 12:23 AM
:lol: soon it will be, "I binged google once"

Whys
08/13/2009, 01:07 AM
Right... and everyone is "squirting" their Zune these days... :rolleyes: But don't mind me. I just program web applications for living. :)

So what's the "special relationship" between Microsoft bing and the military, fellas? I'm sensing a vested interest. :p

Rhodes19
08/13/2009, 06:07 AM
sisterlemonpot,

Did you wire all 4 LEDs in series or just the resitors?

Sisterlimonpot
08/13/2009, 08:05 AM
Everything was ran in series. The string went:
+___resistor___led___resistor___led___resistor___led___resistor___led___-

Rhodes19
08/13/2009, 03:49 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15522174#post15522174 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sisterlimonpot
Everything was ran in series. The string went:
+___resistor___led___resistor___led___resistor___led___resistor___led___- Cool Beans. Thanks. :D

Sisterlimonpot
08/13/2009, 07:38 PM
Well I just got back from vacation and before leaving I was wondering how I was going to have my tank sitter (who knows nothing about SW) take care of feeding and dosing our tanks. The feeding isnt too hard (you really cant screw that up) but the dosing of the 2 part and the vodka was my biggest concern, I didnt want the tanks to be overdosed. So I called the local pharmacy and put in an order for a bunch of different size syringes (3ml, 5ml and 10ml).
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/89bf42e9f88c4ed285d52fa94a872236
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/55ae27c409034632af165a2a51840277
I wonder what was going through the pharmacist mind when I came in to pick all the syringes up. :D

Then I put some holes in some scrap to make a couple stands for the syringes.
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/4a304c96e905469dba67cc9c3670e7bf

And had my youngest girl remove all the syringes from the wrapper and place them in the stand
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/95c78ac17a714b16b7bf8b63176f3d74
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/a8e7230e1bd84e9e80637576b8f488d9
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/24fecdc1beb04f31be94b6c23992c0b8
Then all I have to do is fill all the syringes with the appropriate amount of calcium, alkalinity, and vodka.

I figured that it wouldnt work out so well but it worked great and now that I have these we are going to continue using them, it's going to make it so much easier to dose, we only refill them every 2 weeks. So it will cut back on the mess.

melev
08/13/2009, 11:11 PM
None of your pictures are showing up in your last post for me (in Firefox).

Sisterlimonpot
08/14/2009, 07:15 AM
What, What, What? Does anyone else have this problem? I'm using the same website as all the others (photoshop.com). Marc can you see any of the other pictures from my other posts?

zombiereef
08/14/2009, 08:35 AM
last night the pictures werent showing up, but it seems to be working now. maybe the picture site's server was down for a little while.

Sisterlimonpot
08/14/2009, 08:44 AM
ahh good, that's probably what it was. I was having a hard time getting on the site last night to upload new pics.

melev
08/14/2009, 01:09 PM
Yep, it is working now.

Are you going to cap off the tips of each syringe to keep their contents clean until use?

Sisterlimonpot
08/16/2009, 08:37 AM
Yep, they all came with some sort of screw on cap or sheath that keeps them clean.

Billabong
09/20/2009, 07:10 PM
very nice stand. How did you get the stain to match so well?

pwsk
09/20/2009, 07:31 PM
very nice

tat2shawn
09/28/2009, 10:42 PM
Im totally envious of your wood shop. And love sled for your table saw.
Thanks for all your help.

wirick181
09/29/2009, 09:20 AM
Looks Good

Sisterlimonpot
09/29/2009, 10:40 AM
very nice stand. How did you get the stain to match so well? Well that was a long process, Sherwin Williams offers a great service in that they have a mixing station are able to match stains to an original piece. But the challenge was that I couldnt (didnt want to) take the entire canopy to them and say, Mix me up a stain that matches So I brought a couple scrap pieces of oak and a picture of the canopy and they threw some stain on the scrap pieces to gauge what was close and then I had to go back and match it up with the canopy, them come back and tell them what was missing.. The nice thing about it was that they didnt seem to care that I was wasting their time with the back and forth stuff. They never seemed to get frustrated with me. I think that when I sent them a picture of the finished work they were pleased to see how well it came out.
very nice
Thanks hopefully one day when I retire I can focus on this hobby a lot more
Im totally envious of your wood shop. And love sled for your table saw.
Thanks for all your help.
Thanks, that sled is a must have for any wood worker. I have made 2 of them so far and in the process of making a 3rd to accommodate 36" wide boards. I'm making a full over full bunk bed out of maple for my kids and can't keep a big piece of wood like that up against the fence. Those sleds allow for a completely straight edge that doesn't require any jointing (if you don't want to) The hardest part about making the sled is to make sure that the back fence is completely square, otherwise its worthless and nothing you cut with it will come out right. I went through a lot of hassle trying to get the first one square.

Looks Good
Thanks for looking :)

aquariumclown
10/06/2009, 09:35 PM
I have the same led/moonlight problem as you. I direct mine up at my t5/mh reflectors, I like it much better.

Billabong
10/25/2009, 07:35 PM
Jimmy, any updates on how the tank is coming along?

Sisterlimonpot
10/25/2009, 07:47 PM
No not really, I've been busy making a maple bunk bed for the kids. The tank is just trucking along, We got word that we will be pulling up stakes and moving to California So we are trying to decide if we are going to try and move the tank and all the inhabitants to cali or just get rid of all the livestock and start a new when we get there, I'll be there for a minimum of 5 years.

Billabong
10/25/2009, 08:07 PM
California.... nice.... a lot of reefing going on there. Another wood project huh? what kind of bunkbed are you making? Is it all from scratch? How far along are you? Do you have any pictures?

Sisterlimonpot
10/25/2009, 08:15 PM
Sure, I guess I can put a picture up. Give me a bit.

Sisterlimonpot
10/25/2009, 08:32 PM
California.... nice.... a lot of reefing going on there. Another wood project huh? what kind of bunkbed are you making? Is it all from scratch? How far along are you? Do you have any pictures?

It's a full over a full bed, here it is right after a complete sanding and just before tear down for the hand rubbed finish (the ladder to the top isn't in the picture)

<img src="http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/d348f859a39e42c381b4a2db0dfffe92" width="845" height="634"/>

It's multi-functional, when the kids get older and they want to separate into other rooms the beds will become 2 separate full-size beds, I made it so that the head and foot boards of the bottom bunk will become the head boards and the head and foot boards of the top bunk will become the foot boards. Yes it is all from scratch (raw lumber) All solid maple) and the design is my own but the idea of making it 2 separate beds at a later date isn't a new concept, you see quite a few manufacturers using it, so I can't clam that idea, I just incorporated it in my plans. :)

I'm in the process of finishing it, 7 coats of hand rubbed tung-oil. It's taken me about a month and a half to get to this point (had to make a lot of different jigs and templates). The kids should be sleeping in it by the end of the week.

Rhodes19
10/26/2009, 06:45 AM
Very nice. They'll enjoy it. :)

melev
10/27/2009, 01:10 PM
That looks great. Be sure to post the finished product.

And then get the project done that this thread is about. We've waited long enough. ;)

Sisterlimonpot
10/27/2009, 03:07 PM
It sucks because the wind is out of my sail, I really don't think that we are going to be able to take all the tank inhabitants with us. so we are just biding our time and waiting for the right time to sell everything off (livestock). Once we get to california we are more than likely going to set up the tank and start fresh. (which sucks because there are some corals that I really don't want to get rid of).

aquariumclown
10/27/2009, 05:37 PM
Why don't you ship them here and have them held?

Sisterlimonpot
10/27/2009, 09:57 PM
Are there places that will do that?

H.Veras
11/30/2009, 12:02 AM
hey sister you got some mad skillz with wood... sorry about your fish.

Sisterlimonpot
12/08/2009, 01:51 PM
Thanks H,

After the holiday fragswap I got about 8 new frags, here are a couple pics of the ones that I really like:
Acan
<img src="http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/24c4063fc5a0405f878d0bab78707219" width="706" height="598"/>
and Green bay parckers zoas from John,
<img src="http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/f6485fc96cd34eaca1e1bbd41f47b90a" width="639" height="531"/>
I have other GB zoas but these are different as to they have some acid wash of orange and green on the outskirts. They look nice.

I also met up with Leif and traded for a few other frags but I haven't gotten any good pictures. I'll have to wait till they color up and get better PE.

Scopus Tang
12/16/2009, 04:24 PM
Wow! Nice job on the stand, the bench, and the bed! Sux that I finally find somebody else on here from Wyoming, and now you're off to Cali. Ear-marked the thread, so I'll be tagging along.

Sisterlimonpot
05/09/2010, 09:05 PM
When the actinics came on tonight, I felt like taking some pictures of my new PBT. But he wouldn't cooperate I couldn't get a decent focused picture so here are the best ones:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/463c370526d14b53874250cea2604b50
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/69bdf782306b4a37b0807258f981a4e0
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/782b2970957748d38790479f25147415
and lets not forget the CBB:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/92c76eb36c5240debb30e99e509526d9
and the yellow tang:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/bf83dde9bca1471b8db7d8b9aef52d54
and my 2 freebees....
ORA green birdsnest from phillipj2:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/4773fef5426447e5b9fc2883e81cd384
And a purple milli from spliefy:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/adobe-px-assets/d78a70ebc0f748998852774fc05b6ff7

Sisterlimonpot
01/08/2011, 11:23 PM
Hey everyone, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, I've just been really busy with work.

The whole livestock transfer from Wyoming didn't pan out the way I wanted it to... Before I moved, I had set up a tank at a friends house and transfered all our livestock and corals into it, hoping to one day come back for it all, but one cold night the electricity went out and the temp dropped to about 60, the only things that survived were the LPS, zoas, mushrooms and my fire red shrimp, everything else perished. Oh well!!

It took about 4 months to find, close and move into a house. Upon moving in, the first thing I did was set up the 125 and get it cycling. After the cycle (June) I got a powder blue and a yellow tang to sustain the cycle and then I made my way to Wyoming to get what was left of the livestock.

Fast forward to today, I still have the tangs, 2 false percs, a six line, a copperband, a mandarin goby and a diamond goby. Being here is bitter sweet because the fish are dirt cheap due to the fact that Los Angeles is the industries main hub for fish shipments but on the other hand the coral scene is ridicules, everyone has frag tanks and everyone wants to make a living selling coral. However there are a few people that I have started going to that have great pieces and prices are reasonable.

Along those lines, I started slowly stocking the SPS and I want to share what I have now. They're all little frags at the moment but none the less I've been slowly getting things back together since I've moved out here to California. Here they are enjoy.

First is an ORA Verde, it's been in my tank for about 3 weeks now:
<img src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/assets/271a1f5201ef4a77b30c411c26bb1949" width="571" height="538"/>

Here's an Orange Digitada that was given to me as a tiny sliver when the tank was stable enough to have SPS back in September.
<img src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/assets/3a900f2e177c468ea1fd107d518f4fdf" width="834" height="558"/>

<img src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/assets/6cabd59d600842a88ec92e9b8cad6bcf" width="833" height="529"/>

A shot of a couple montipora's, the green one was given to me in September as a small piece about the size of a quarter, as you can see, it has really taken off.
<img src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/assets/a56209d983e8418e972160d3b3ef993b" width="833" height="852"/>

Sisterlimonpot
01/08/2011, 11:31 PM
Here is an Oregon tort, I've gotten it in September and hasn't changed much, it's a slow grower.
<img src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/assets/afd7f3470d8e4900be33ec452dd0800b" width="511" height="532"/>

Cali tort, it's finally starting to take off.
<img src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/assets/2c595090d19e4265b274af60ad22c15a" width="549" height="549"/>

<img src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/assets/88c95e6a4bdf4ed7b6b584f69b6654a5" width="472" height="527"/>

Joe the coral, it's finally starting to really grow as well.
<img src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/assets/01c8e70f65b7468c86a58a202f612ab0" width="896" height="881"/>

Icefire echinata, this guy was expensive....
<img src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/assets/0d9f07987e454c6a926d90317af4b64c" width="587" height="735"/>

and finally a Strawberry shortcake
<img src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/assets/0cc2d0d07928488f94f96d1a455fa3a3" width="561" height="574"/>

<img src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/assets/50c5658ecf3c49c98a5d7f2d0adbf9dc" width="630" height="573"/>

I need to get an FTS, and pics of the other tank mates, but that will have to be another time. Take care.

Rhodes19
01/10/2011, 08:51 AM
Hi sister,

I'm sorry to hear about your corals and the move but I'm glad you're getting your tank built back up. You're definitely starting off with some very pretty corals. Excellent growth too. :)

Sisterlimonpot
01/10/2011, 12:22 PM
Thanks,
As of yesterday I started dosing lugol's as well as CoralAmino by Brightwell. I'm hoping to get better color and polyp extension from some of the corals. Especially my LPS which pretty much lost their zooxanthellae and I'm hoping this will allow them to look a lot better.

Rhodes19
01/11/2011, 09:17 AM
Thanks,
As of yesterday I started dosing lugol's as well as CoralAmino by Brightwell. I'm hoping to get better color and polyp extension from some of the corals. Especially my LPS which pretty much lost their zooxanthellae and I'm hoping this will allow them to look a lot better.

You'll have to let us know how it goes and how you like CoralAmino. Is it possible to bring the color back to a coral after its gone? Just curious. I have a gsp that lost its green color and now is just purplish gray. Its alive but no color. I assume its because its lost it's zooxanthellae as well.

Sisterlimonpot
01/11/2011, 02:37 PM
Most of the zooxanthellae has been shed but not all of it (I couldn't begin to say in what percentages), and of those that remain, about 40-80% of their photosynthetic pigment has been lost (hence the brown color). The idea is to bring back the color (photosynthetic pigments) of those few zooxanthellae and then have the healthy ones repopulate.

The instructions for the CoralAmino says that it's beneficial for the polyps as well. I'll definitely keep you posted.

Rhodes19
01/12/2011, 08:11 AM
Most of the zooxanthellae has been shed but not all of it (I couldn't begin to say in what percentages), and of those that remain, about 40-80% of their photosynthetic pigment has been lost (hence the brown color). The idea is to bring back the color (photosynthetic pigments) of those few zooxanthellae and then have the healthy ones repopulate.

The instructions for the CoralAmino says that it's beneficial for the polyps as well. I'll definitely keep you posted.

Cool beans. Thanks. :)

dwolson2
02/02/2011, 10:02 AM
Subscribed... hey boss!

Sisterlimonpot
02/04/2011, 11:19 PM
Subscribed... hey boss!
Now it's time to get your tank up and running.... When you start the thread make sure I get the link.

Haddonisreef
02/07/2011, 07:01 AM
Glad to see ya back SIS come over the masc site theres alot of cool thing going on over there!

dwolson2
02/08/2011, 02:42 PM
Glad to see ya back SIS come over the masc site theres alot of cool thing going on over there!

Where is that?

Haddonisreef
02/08/2011, 07:10 PM
Where is that?

pm sent

Sisterlimonpot
02/08/2011, 08:00 PM
Glad to see ya back SIS come over the masc site theres alot of cool thing going on over there!

Sure, I move to another state and the local club takes off.... now I see who the problem was ;)

Do you still have that green carpet I gave you?

dwolson2
02/08/2011, 08:11 PM
got it, thanks....lol thought it might be local

Haddonisreef
02/09/2011, 05:45 AM
Sure, I move to another state and the local club takes off.... now I see who the problem was ;)

Do you still have that green carpet I gave you?

No he had to move on the another home, Im up graded to the 180 and got rid of my blue one also!

Tajjo
02/09/2011, 08:04 AM
Woah sister! That's sweet! You inspired me to finally cover mine.

Too bad your not still out my way I'd have loved to ask you to come over for some "help" and let you have drink most of a 24 pack let you do it all. Lol

dwolson2
02/14/2011, 06:00 PM
here is the link to my build:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=18342858#post18342858

Sisterlimonpot
02/18/2011, 06:05 PM
Woah sister! That's sweet! You inspired me to finally cover mine.

Too bad your not still out my way I'd have loved to ask you to come over for some "help" and let you have drink most of a 24 pack let you do it all. Lol

You know when I was there I had a few people take me up on my offer to come use my shop.


A buddy's wife is a professional photographer and I'm trying to get her over with her macro lens to take some good pictures of the tank. and maybe give me some pointers with my canon.

Sisterlimonpot
03/02/2011, 12:17 AM
FTS as promised

<img src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/assets/f68bb21b62a14e2cbe10fc82cae99434" width="1239" height="313"/>

Rhodes19
03/02/2011, 06:52 AM
Very nice. :) I imagine it will not take long to fill it up. :D

dwolson2
03/02/2011, 09:26 AM
does that have the new frags in it? Looking good!

Sisterlimonpot
03/02/2011, 11:08 AM
Very nice. :) I imagine it will not take long to fill it up. :D

Thanks Rhodes,

although it's hard to see, but there are 11 fish, 26 sps frags, 4 lps, and an assortment of zoas, rics, andshrooms in the tank. Now it's a waiting game...

Sisterlimonpot
03/02/2011, 11:10 AM
does that have the new frags in it? Looking good!
Yep they're all in there.

I want to say that I'm done with stocking coral, I picked up the last of what I wanted in my collection (garf bonsai) from Paul at Fantastic Frags yesterday. I think that it's time to focus on keeping the parameters stable and sit back and enjoy watching it grow out.

Billabong
03/02/2011, 11:35 AM
FTS as promised

<img src="http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/assets/f68bb21b62a14e2cbe10fc82cae99434" width="1239" height="313"/>

thanks for the photo,

What's the spots on the back glass?

Can you talk about what you use get your parameters up? and your equipment? Can you list your fish and corals please?

And I see that you have 2 vortechs and 2 maxijets. How does that work out for you?

Sisterlimonpot
03/02/2011, 06:30 PM
I guess it is time to post what I have settled down with as far as equipment and tank husbandry in hopes to help some people out.

first off equipment:
- 125g 72X18X22
- 30g glass refugium
- ASM G2 protein skimmer (modded)
- Mag 18 return pump
- 2 MP40's
- 2 Maxijets (with the mods)
- 3 200watt Jager heaters
- Combonation of VHO's and T5HO lighting
- Lights powered my IceCap two 660's and two 440's
- Home made ATO (page 4)
- saving up for the Bubble Magus Dosing Pump BM-T01

Livestock:
- Powder lue Tang
- Yellow Tang
- 2 False Percs
- Mandarin Goby
- Six Line Wrasse
- Sleeper Goby
- 4 Lyretail Anthias

Corals:

SPS
- Hawkins Echinata
- Ice fire Echinata
- Garf bonsai
- Strawberry Shortcake
- Pink Lemonade
- Oregon Tortosa
- California Tortosa
- Joe the Coral
- Orange Digitada
- Green Digitada
- ORA Bellina
- ORA Verde
- Reef Ready Grape Juice
- FFF Pastel Plana
- Assortment of Montipora's
- Red
- Green
- Orange
- Pink
- Other Acro's that have no names

LPS
- Green Tip Frogspawn
- Pink Tip Frogspawn
- Green Trumpets
- Nuclear Favia
- Hollywood Stunner Challace

Sisterlimonpot
03/02/2011, 06:52 PM
I dose B-ionics 2 part (alkalinity and calcium) daily, along with a daily dose of vodka and Lugol’s iodine. I try to break up the dosing to 3 times of the day, once in the morning when I wake up, once at lunch and once at about 6pm. Hence the need for the dosing pump which will allow the pump to dose even more frequently which will stabilize the parameters even more. I realize that once these corals grow out I may have to cross over to a calcium reactor just to make it cheaper in the long run. But for the time being I’m sticking with this schedule until it becomes a hassle.

I try to feed 2-3 times a day, constantly changing food sources (whatevers on sale at the LFS at the time). I’ll feed just about everything except for brine, the fish don’t need that crack.

On a weekly basis I add magnesium and CoralAmino from Brightwell. I change 10% of the water about every 2 weeks with Reef Crystals.

The MP40’s do a great job, I still feel that they are way overpriced for what they are, but I tend to be the minority because everyone swears by them. That’s the reason why I purchased them thinking that I was missing something but I still can’t justify the $450 price tag.

They do have great programmed feature like being able to communicate with each other wirelessly in sync and anti- sync mode and you can set them up to make waves or have the flow completely random in the tank. I found that the waves where cool but the fish tended to hide from the flow so after the novelty of having waves in my tank wore off I stuck with the Reef crest mode with them both in sync. The maxijets are there just to hit any dead spots.

My lighting is broke up into 3 different schedules, I have 2 super actinic VHO’s come on at 11:00am then at 12:00 the T5’s come on then at 1:00pm the last 2 50/50 VHO’s come on then they shut off in reverse 50/50 go off at 5:00pm and then the T5’s at 7:00pm and then the actinics go at 8:30pm.

I think that answers some questions if there are more please feel free to ask.
Jimmy

Rhodes19
03/03/2011, 08:37 AM
Thanks Rhodes,

although it's hard to see, but there are 11 fish, 26 sps frags, 4 lps, and an assortment of zoas, rics, andshrooms in the tank. Now it's a waiting game...

Sweet. :) It will be interesting to see them all grow out and how it will change the appearance of the tank. Nice coral list and I love your Lyretail Anthias.

Billabong
03/03/2011, 02:12 PM
Thanks,
where did you get all your corals from? Was it locally? Or did you order them online?

dwolson2
03/03/2011, 02:35 PM
Fantastic Frags!! FTW!( I was with him when He got a few of them)

Sisterlimonpot
03/03/2011, 03:07 PM
Sweet. :) It will be interesting to see them all grow out and how it will change the appearance of the tank. Nice coral list and I love your Lyretail Anthias.
You and me both, I just can't wait.

Those Lyretails were on sale at the LFS, buy 3 get 1 for free, so I bought 4 females. After getting them in the tank they fought for dominance to see who was going to morph into the male, a couple days later I was down to 3. Now, I have read before that when people get a lot of them they tend to dwindle themselves down to 3. So I chalked this up to what everyone else has experienced and excepted that the magic number was 3 in my tank as well. But 2 days later the 4th one showed back up a little battered and missing some tail, I instantly fed the tank and they all ate. As of now I still have all 4.

Sisterlimonpot
03/03/2011, 03:15 PM
Thanks,
where did you get all your corals from? Was it locally? Or did you order them online?

I got a few for free when I first got the tank up and running from some freindly hobbyist in the area. Then I was told to check out Fantastic Frags (local coral farmer), I was amazed with his selection and prices, so I bought a few to see how they would acclimate to my tank and they never browned out and PE was instant, so from then on I went to him for all my coral needs.

did you order them online?As a matter of fact he does have a website and does mail orders as well. Check out his site (http://www.fantasticfrags.com)

Rhodes19
03/04/2011, 06:45 AM
You and me both, I just can't wait.

Those Lyretails were on sale at the LFS, buy 3 get 1 for free, so I bought 4 females. After getting them in the tank they fought for dominance to see who was going to morph into the male, a couple days later I was down to 3. Now, I have read before that when people get a lot of them they tend to dwindle themselves down to 3. So I chalked this up to what everyone else has experienced and excepted that the magic number was 3 in my tank as well. But 2 days later the 4th one showed back up a little battered and missing some tail, I instantly fed the tank and they all ate. As of now I still have all 4.

Nice deal!! I'm glad the 4th one is doing well. It's interesting to watch the dynamics of a fish harem. :) I love anthias and would love to have some but I've read they need to be fed multiple times a day and may require additional needs that I can't do at the moment. And of course, the ones I like are expensive and I would hate to loose even one. I'll just have to follow yours for now. :D

Sisterlimonpot
03/04/2011, 07:57 PM
Nice deal!! I'm glad the 4th one is doing well. It's interesting to watch the dynamics of a fish harem. :) I love anthias and would love to have some but I've read they need to be fed multiple times a day and may require additional needs that I can't do at the moment. And of course, the ones I like are expensive and I would hate to loose even one. I'll just have to follow yours for now. :D

Yeah I know what you mean, they are a bit on the pricey side, even here in california. And feeding isn't a problem because I'm a bit of an over feeder anyway. I feed 2 or 3 times a day, once at 11:30, second after work and third right before the actinics are on.

No one can say that my fish aren't fat and happy. They can say that the are obese and lethargic though. :D

Rhodes19
03/05/2011, 02:46 PM
no one can say that my fish aren't fat and happy. They can say that the are obese and lethargic though. :d

lmao rofl!!!!

Jaxom
03/13/2011, 02:20 AM
Hey there Air Force, how's it going. I'm loving the FTS, it's gorgious. How much rock do you have in your tank now, your aquascape turned out great.

Sisterlimonpot
03/15/2011, 10:43 PM
Hey there Air Force, how's it going. I'm loving the FTS, it's gorgious. How much rock do you have in your tank now, your aquascape turned out great.
:)

Thanks Air Force!!! I can't begin to even guess how many lbs of rock I have in there, but I'll do my best. I do know that when I set it up in Wyoming I had about 1 lbs per gallon, but when I set it up here I might have left out about a quarter or more of it. So if I had to guess I would say there's about 80lbs in there.

Since I've been in this hobby, the suggestions of how much rock needs to go in the tank has been dwindling down. I remember when it was 2 lbs per gallon and then 1 lb per gallon, and now with what is known about biological filtration people are getting away with a lot less.

I'm quite pleased with the aquascaping. I had 2 objectives, I really wanted to allow for fish to cruise in and out of the rock work as well as have 2 separate mounds on opposite ends of the tank.

I'm still following your blogs over on reef addicts. keep them coming.

Jimmy

Jaxom
03/16/2011, 06:32 PM
Thanks, I probably will need some direction from you in the near future, I plan on building me a new stand to fit the sump I'm getting from Marc. It's going to be about 4" deeper front to back then the tank dimensions. Not sure how I want to cover it yet, so I want to pick your brain for some ideas. Thanks again.

Sisterlimonpot
03/16/2011, 11:12 PM
Thanks, I probably will need some direction from you in the near future, I plan on building me a new stand to fit the sump I'm getting from Marc. It's going to be about 4" deeper front to back then the tank dimensions. Not sure how I want to cover it yet, so I want to pick your brain for some ideas. Thanks again.

When ever you're ready fire away. I'll be glad to lend you as much advice as I can. In the mean time, for some design ideas check out this thread (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1355576)

Rhodes19
03/17/2011, 05:39 AM
That is one of my favorite threads. :) It always wants me to make another stand. :D

Sisterlimonpot
03/18/2011, 08:53 PM
That is one of my favorite threads. :) It always wants me to make another stand. :D

yeah, you and me both. I went through from the beginning and it really makes me want to build another one, but I need to find someone that needs one built.:twitch:

Rhodes19
03/21/2011, 08:30 AM
yeah, you and me both. I went through from the beginning and it really makes me want to build another one, but I need to find someone that needs one built.:twitch:

LOL!! Yeah, I might have to make a book case or hutch to get my fix. :D

Jaxom
04/28/2011, 09:57 PM
yeah, you and me both. I went through from the beginning and it really makes me want to build another one, but I need to find someone that needs one built.:twitch:
Wow hmmmmmmmmmmmmm might just have to take you up on that since I might be in California visiting family in June lol.

justin_g
04/28/2011, 10:50 PM
Wish I had all your tools!

Sisterlimonpot
04/29/2011, 02:22 PM
Wow hmmmmmmmmmmmmm might just have to take you up on that since I might be in California visiting family in June lol.

Well if you're serious shoot me a pm with deminsions and an idea of what you want. I was looking at prices of wood here in california and it is a lot more expensive, for that reason alone I haven't been doing much wood working.

Jaxom
04/30/2011, 02:34 PM
I'll have to see what kind of a deal on wood my brother-in-law can find for me, he's a contractor in the Stockton area. I'll shoot you a pm later.

Gandolfe
07/10/2011, 11:31 AM
Cost you $100 to make the stand huh? what about the $2000 in tools you needed to do that?

dwolson2
07/10/2011, 02:30 PM
If you knew sisterliminpot, you would know that his 2000 didn't cost him that. He is a came across a deal freak. Lol
plus, he can always use my tools if he doesn't have them.

Sisterlimonpot
07/12/2011, 01:22 PM
Cost you $100 to make the stand huh? what about the $2000 in tools you needed to do that?

That's definitely true, if I were to purchase all those tools just to build my stand it would be ridicules, it just so happens that my hobby/passion is wood working. Just from the savings on making all the pieces of furniture and various projects that I have made for myself has far exceeded the cost of purchasing the tools, not to mention that I have made a few pieces for friends and family that have alone, paid for my tools.

There are other alternatives, one if the benefits of being in the military is just about every base that I have been to has a wood working hobby shop that allows us to use their facilities and make just about any project we want, all you have to do is take a safety course allowing you to get familiar with the equipment and understand the inherent dangers associated with them. Even if youre not in the military you may know someone that has this equipment. So its really not too farfetched to save money on such an easy project.

Sisterlimonpot
07/12/2011, 01:29 PM
If you knew sisterliminpot, you would know that his 2000 didn't cost him that. He is a came across a deal freak. Lol
plus, he can always use my tools if he doesn't have them.He's saying that because I recently picked up a relatively nice variable speed wood lathe at a garage sale for a great price. However I didnt come by most of my tools that way, I have purchased new or refurbished from the manufacturer (which helps out a little bit on the pocket book).

Jaxom
09/20/2011, 06:44 PM
Hey there, long time haven't seen you post, hope all is well.

Sisterlimonpot
10/11/2011, 09:06 PM
Here's an update of my tank, these pics were from last month.

I finally have gotten a grasp on keeping alk and calc stable, I have started to see some great growth in my corals.



First a couple FTS:
http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/assets/f0a9d0df439a4fd59b7f762769049f13

http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/assets/aa28217688724800bade5bd6682c551f

http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/assets/b152636132db4893980cfb27f4cbf802

http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/assets/2745b66363474a87a36b364e355f639f

http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/assets/19d4baf49c184b4fa2208a85f934e9e3

http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/assets/ce24426a32b246059ed43ab5c964e264

http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/assets/9aff5401500c4b96bb1fd3b085099f45

http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/assets/886098d3b2354ecb93bed94a194145fd

http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/assets/7fbcb5d4b1f943baa327e992a04f40f4

http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/assets/6f13a803f0604a0bbec4b4693c526b74

Sisterlimonpot
10/11/2011, 09:06 PM
And my 2 clowns in the torch coral

http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/assets/57b69683fbcb45a09d3774bc3fb2cbee

http://api.photoshop.com/v1.0/accounts/7597f43bc1cf43e59b7b221c6f90495f/assets/5556d747b45943eb996b522ad4fbd8d2

Sisterlimonpot
11/05/2011, 09:52 PM
Here's an update of my 125.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/YtH4MlGbiWQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

NicksMixedReef
12/15/2011, 12:24 AM
I'm very impressed with your handyman skills! Stand and tank both looking schmik as.

SpencerG
12/15/2011, 11:01 PM
That is one nice, clean tank!

Sisterlimonpot
12/17/2011, 12:22 AM
Thanks guys, it certainly takes a lot to set aside time to keep everything looking right, I personally can't stand a dirty looking tank.

Jaxom
01/30/2012, 03:04 PM
Well, hope you guys had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, how's everything in sunny southern California? Give a shout out when you get a chance.

Playa-1
01/30/2012, 04:28 PM
Looks great ;) I'm going to build my next stand when the time comes.

nikecivic
02/12/2012, 04:02 PM
looks good jimmy! Any recent pics?

davocean
02/12/2012, 04:46 PM
Hey, I'm a carpenter as well and just wanted to say thanks for taking the time posting pics and showing the how too's.
I love seeing work from others in the trade, learning new tips or seeing designs, even just the furniture stuff.
Tank and cabinet both look great.

Sisterlimonpot
04/15/2012, 04:41 PM
Here's an update:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/X3rJB8UtEPQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Sisterlimonpot
07/22/2012, 04:45 PM
I know that it has been a while but here are a few recent shots of my tank
Right side:
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/sisterlimonpot/photobucket-1812-1342996686166.jpg

http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/sisterlimonpot/photobucket-2509-1342996746782.jpg

Left Side:
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/sisterlimonpot/photobucket-4987-1342996796607.jpg

Sisterlimonpot
09/04/2012, 04:58 PM
If it's not one thing it's another, I have been battling cyanobacteria for some time now, it has become a weekly routing to blow off all the rock with a turkey baster. I really didn't want to treat the tank with antibiotics to remove it, so I turned to Dr Tims products in hopes to get rid of this nasty infestation.

When I was at one of SFVR club meetings, Dr Tim was there giving a talk about aquarium test kits, but when the floor was open for questions it quickly turned to his products. A question was asked about cyano and he has a schedule of products that claim to get rid of this stuff. Another person in the audience spoke up and saying that it worked and he continues to have great success with it.

So a month and a half, two months later I contact Dr Tim(I know, I like to research and be sure before I jump in to anything) And because he doesn't allow anyone in his lab, I had meet him at a fast food restaurant where we sat in the parking lot discussing these products. And anytime I have the chance to bend the ear of an expert I take the opportunity, we talked about bacteria and it's many roles facets of life in and out of the aquarium. Very interesting to say the least.

Anyway, I bought an 8oz bottle of re-fresh and a 32oz bottle of Waste Away. Hoping that this will cure the cyano problem in the tank.

The schedule that he set for my 125 gallon is 3 separate doses 2 days apart of Re-Fresh at 2.6oz each, then 2 days later start with 1oz of Waste Away and if the tank doesn't cloud up 2 days later increase to 2oz, then 3oz and then 4oz. after that point set the dosing to 4oz a week from here on out.

The weekend before I started, I blew off all the cyano and this is what has grown back a week later. Dr Tim says to blow off as much cyano as possible before starting so I did so, only leaving 1 patch to see if it will erode away. I also took a pic of a patch of hair algae to see if it does anything to that.

http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w478/MASVC/276219b6.jpg
This is the patch that I am going to leave:
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w478/MASVC/28ea9be0.jpg

http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w478/MASVC/37fd80a4.jpg

http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w478/MASVC/57979ef0.jpg
Here's the patch of HA:
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w478/MASVC/6334cf3f.jpg

http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w478/MASVC/a0edc604.jpg

http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w478/MASVC/948c545f.jpg

http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w478/MASVC/81de48d8.jpg


Here's a 10 day follow up. After making it through the 3 treatments of the re-fresh, and 3 treatments of waste away, here is a pic of the one patch of cyano that I left alone.

This is before treatment:
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w478/MASVC/28ea9be0.jpg

and this is 10 days into the treatment.
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/sisterlimonpot/photobucket-22636-1346268142877.jpg

an obvious conclusion is that the cyano looks thicker and fuller than before and it appears to be pulling apart.

However what you don't see is that the places that I blew the cyano off of hasn't came back, this past weekend I would have been blowing patches like you see in the picture off from everywhere. and to be fair Dr Tim said that I should remove as much as I can before starting the treatment.

I'm hoping that progress continues because there are patches of cyano throughout the tank that I can't get to with a turkey baster, so hopefully in the long term it will all disappear.

So in conclusion it certainly appears that a dominant for of bacteria can starve out the food source for cyano. I will continue to update as I progress.

Sisterlimonpot
10/24/2012, 09:13 PM
quick pic
http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww254/sisterlimonpot/photobucket-12616-1351052763336.jpg

Reefnut2010
10/25/2012, 02:04 AM
Sister, your tank looks good. AND I'm about 3 yrs late on this, but your stand is great. You got the tools and the skill man !!!! Don't take this wrong, but get rid of that ugly canopy and build yourself one worthy of the stand. You know you can do it...lol. What lights do you run...t5s? Canopy looks real shallow.

dwolson2
10/25/2012, 06:46 AM
He has 4 radions in the hood. It used to be T5's. His canopy is nice in person(not sure why you think its ugly, but I can assure you its not)
Also, I doubt he would rebuild the canopy as he has a 300? Gallon tank in process right now.

Sisterlimonpot
10/25/2012, 08:10 AM
Sister, your tank looks good. AND I'm about 3 yrs late on this, but your stand is great. You got the tools and the skill man !!!! Don't take this wrong, but get rid of that ugly canopy and build yourself one worthy of the stand. You know you can do it...lol. What lights do you run...t5s? Canopy looks real shallow.

Thanks,

I really appreciate your comments, I havent been working with wood like I use to. This tank is almost done serving its purpose. Like Dwo has said I have a 300 in the works and Im not really focused on the aesthetics of the 125 tank anymore. I never liked the hood and it never fit the look but I never got around to changing it, it serves its purpose.

As for the lights yes I changed over to LEDs about 6 months ago and I must say I am extremely pleased with them.

Jaxom
12/31/2012, 06:09 PM
Hey Sister, hope you and the family had a Merry Christmas and will all have a Happy and prosperous New Year. When are you going to start documenting your 300 gal upgrade, can't wait to see what you have planned.

dwolson2
12/31/2012, 10:11 PM
He keeps toying with my emotions saying he is going to start setting it up in the garage... shortly... his shortly is too long

jeffmit
03/30/2013, 08:22 PM
what a beautiful stand! Nice craftsmanship!

I know it is a few years ago, but it I just found it and it is timeless!

Sisterlimonpot
04/17/2013, 07:46 PM
haha, thanks for the compliment. i think it's time for an update