MGDMIRAGE Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 I'm thinking LPS/Softies and some BTA Standard 15 AGA 24"x12"x12", But I cleaned up the silicone in front and removed the top but not for long as the top will be fitted with mesh for jumper deterrent system. Tank will be T5 driven for now 4x 24" ATI bulbs, perhaps some LED actinic strips too. Things to do: Paint back, add awesome contents. Fish will be two Purple or regular Firefish, 1-2 Pearly Jawfish, Tailspot Blennie, and a Mandarin which I will set up a 10 gallon barebottom tank to train it to eat prepared first. I will certainly keep up on filtration to accommodate any load. Current FTS 3/12/2013 2/22/2013 1 Link to comment
MGDMIRAGE Posted February 4, 2013 Author Share Posted February 4, 2013 My original plan was to replace the whole front pane with Starphire but I decided to just go with how it was. Once the back is painted from the inside you wont see any of the stuff on the back. I siliconed the heck out of the external overflow box because well I want that puppy to be solid lol. Link to comment
MGDMIRAGE Posted February 5, 2013 Author Share Posted February 5, 2013 I put the top on so you can see. This was no where near as easy as I had imagined it would be in my head. I had hoped to use some super glue gel to hold spots while I epoxyed but the superglue gel takes forever to set up on this surface and only proved to make things more ugly. I am not finished with it yet I had to get more epoxy. Next time if there is one I'm going to make sure I have some regular superglue lol. The gel only left me with some ugly spots of hard white chunks. 1 Link to comment
Belac Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 Its a neat idea for a top. I rahter like it. May have to do that on my next tank. 1 Link to comment
MGDMIRAGE Posted February 5, 2013 Author Share Posted February 5, 2013 Yeah I gotta get me a firefish now that I got a screen top! always wanted one but knew they were hardcore jumpers. Link to comment
Belac Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 Wonder what they think when they jump and hit a screen. 3 Link to comment
Acielot Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 Im not a fan of the clear back panel but the lid idea is ingenious. Link to comment
MGDMIRAGE Posted February 5, 2013 Author Share Posted February 5, 2013 No I'm painting it black soon I just need to mask it off since I'm painting the inside back to fully cover up the overflow box. Wonder what they think when they jump and hit a screen. My luck I'll come home to a bunch of firefish sticks hanging out of the net Link to comment
jlbzixxer Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 did you make that overflow? Link to comment
MGDMIRAGE Posted February 5, 2013 Author Share Posted February 5, 2013 did you make that overflow? Yep, the teeth however are built using a 3d printer that our local club president has. I simply used google sketch up for the teeth and sent her the file it is really cool. It has little clips on the back that slide right onto 1/4" glass and it fits nice and tight. Link to comment
got2envy Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 Sweet looking Shawn! This is gonna be good, I know how you roll I <3 the 15g size! I can't wait to set mine back up! Link to comment
jlbzixxer Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 Yep, the teeth however are built using a 3d printer that our local club president has. I simply used google sketch up for the teeth and sent her the file it is really cool. It has little clips on the back that slide right onto 1/4" glass and it fits nice and tight. thats pretty cool, its going to look nice once you paint the back Link to comment
MGDMIRAGE Posted February 5, 2013 Author Share Posted February 5, 2013 Sweet looking Shawn! This is gonna be good, I know how you roll I <3 the 15g size! I can't wait to set mine back up! Thanks Maria I shall try my best. I'm always looking for some different way of doing something. I'm only hoping I can resist to fill this one with sticks too lol. thats pretty cool, its going to look nice once you paint the back Yep, I'm shooting for Saturday got a lot of stuff going on and haven't picked up masking tape or Krylon yet. Link to comment
MGDMIRAGE Posted February 6, 2013 Author Share Posted February 6, 2013 Okay what shall I put in this thing? The plan was LPS/Softies but what are your thoughts? I would like to include some SPS as well, is that allowed? Should I go full out mixed reef? I have some interesting thoughts for a SPS/LPS/Softies setup and it may workout great. Link to comment
Belac Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 I am running a mix on my 20.Question for you. How did you cut that slot for the over flow. I understand the teeth are 3d printed. Just wondere about the actual hole. Link to comment
MGDMIRAGE Posted February 6, 2013 Author Share Posted February 6, 2013 Dremel and diamond coated cutting wheel. The wheel costs about $17(at Lowes), take your time cutting as with anything glass related take your time for the best finish possible. I rushed a cut once on a 5.5 gallon and the bit jumped and fractured the glass. Link to comment
jlbzixxer Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 Good to know will be drilling my first tank This weekend, hope goes well. Link to comment
MGDMIRAGE Posted February 6, 2013 Author Share Posted February 6, 2013 Good to know will be drilling my first tank This weekend, hope goes well. You will have no problem at all, just take your time and keep the area wet. I have drilled almost a dozen tanks now and I don't even use the plumber's putty to create a water dam but just make sure you wash the area and get rid of the water when it is completely white with glass dust. I've drilled a 2.5 gallon with a 1.5" bulkhead and 3/4" return and had no cracks and the one thing that made it possible was patience and liquid. Go slow and don't apply pressure, let the drill weight be enough or even take some of that away. Holes drilled fast risk having large chips on the inside or worse a crack. Also if your drill has a setting for torque make sure it is on one of the lowest if not lowest. Link to comment
jlbzixxer Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 You will have no problem at all, just take your time and keep the area wet. I have drilled almost a dozen tanks now and I don't even use the plumber's putty to create a water dam but just make sure you wash the area and get rid of the water when it is completely white with glass dust. I've drilled a 2.5 gallon with a 1.5" bulkhead and 3/4" return and had no cracks and the one thing that made it possible was patience and liquid. Go slow and don't apply pressure, let the drill weight be enough or even take some of that away. Holes drilled fast risk having large chips on the inside or worse a crack. Also if your drill has a setting for torque make sure it is on one of the lowest if not lowest. Thanks for the advise, in all the vids ive seen it seems like Alot of them apply a lot of pressure Do you come in at a 45 degree angle or just start flush with The glass ? Link to comment
MGDMIRAGE Posted February 6, 2013 Author Share Posted February 6, 2013 Start at the angle until you have a nice groove dug then slowly flatten the bit out. I don't think about it enough anymore and rush the starting process and end up getting the bit chattering a bit which you can see on this tank if you look at the return hole. Link to comment
Belac Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 Dremel and diamond coated cutting wheel. The wheel costs about $17(at Lowes), take your time cutting as with anything glass related take your time for the best finish possible. I rushed a cut once on a 5.5 gallon and the bit jumped and fractured the glass. Intresting. Guess I will have to pick up one of those. Link to comment
MGDMIRAGE Posted February 6, 2013 Author Share Posted February 6, 2013 They are pretty cool just make sure you wear gloves and eye protection, even a cheapy gas mask since the wheel throws glass dust. Link to comment
--chris-- Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 Thanks for expaining how to notch the glass...i was wondering. Looks like this will be a killer setup, following... Link to comment
MGDMIRAGE Posted February 6, 2013 Author Share Posted February 6, 2013 Thanks for expaining how to notch the glass...i was wondering. Looks like this will be a killer setup, following... Thanks. Yeah on larger tanks some places will do rounded cuts on the notch to prevent possible cracking later on. Link to comment
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