Withers Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 I'm in the brainstorming phase of this, and I'd like some opinions. Here's the design I've drawn up so far: The tank would sit in a frame that would support the mounting mechanism for the MH pendant. The frame would be simple to build, but the mounting rod wouldn't. I'm trying to figure out what the best material to use would be. Could PVC support that much weight? Would I need to use a metal of some kind? I could easily set this up so that the weight of the tank will keep the mounting mechanism from leaning forward, but I just need to figure out the type of material to use for the rod (or it could be flat, it doesn't matter to me.) Any suggestions? Link to comment
andykee Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 i would worry that the pvc would be prone to failure over time a. it isn't designed to be a load carying structure b. it is too britile c. over time, the heat from the halide may weaken the pvc i would look into that iron pipe they have at home depot they should be able to cut it to length for you there and thread the ends, which you could then use to attach any necessary fittings to btw: cool idea. i may use it in lieu of a hood on my 18 x 18 x 12 cube Link to comment
Withers Posted March 14, 2007 Author Share Posted March 14, 2007 I figured thats how it would turn out, but it would've been so easy to use PVC! Now I'll have to find a welder and someone who can bend a piece of steel for me, blah. I'll probably just walk around Lowe's sometime this weekend and see if there's anything thats already the shape I need, maybe I'll get some ideas Link to comment
andykee Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 Now I'll have to find a welder and someone who can bend a piece of steel for me, blah. why? like i said, home depot (or lowes) carries an iron pipe. it is in the plumbing section. they will cut and thread it for you, and there are iron fittings just like for pvc Link to comment
Withers Posted March 14, 2007 Author Share Posted March 14, 2007 I'm thinking that I'll need to have a metal plate that runs underneath the frame though, but maybe it won't have to be welded to the rod. That would be really helpful. Link to comment
proraptor2 Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 Naw man they sell all kinds of metal fittings for the pipe...Just buy some U brackets and screw them into the back of the stand to hold the pipe... Link to comment
Withers Posted March 14, 2007 Author Share Posted March 14, 2007 Maybe this'll be a lot easier than I'm making it out to be in my head. I need to get to a home improvement store! Link to comment
andykee Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 Naw man they sell all kinds of metal fittings for the pipe...Just buy some U brackets and screw them into the back of the stand to hold the pipe... or get a threaded flange with screw holes in it Link to comment
Withers Posted March 16, 2007 Author Share Posted March 16, 2007 btw: cool idea. i may use it in lieu of a hood on my 18 x 18 x 12 cube Let me know how it goes if you do. I thought the idea was pretty creative, it should be a good alternative to hanging the pendant. Link to comment
civicsit Posted March 16, 2007 Share Posted March 16, 2007 I love rimless cubes.....good luck btw. Link to comment
soundman Posted March 16, 2007 Share Posted March 16, 2007 I seem to remember somebody doing what you're talking about by using copper pipe and fittings. You would need a torch to solder the joints though. There's always metal electrical conduit pipe too. Link to comment
psidriven Posted March 16, 2007 Share Posted March 16, 2007 Depending on the weight of your pendant, you can use conduit piping. That's what I used for my PFO pendant, but is is very light since the ballast was remote. Just bend it to shape and you're good to go. Maybe some thing like ] so the bottom slides into your base and the top to hang your pendant. Link to comment
nano-paul Posted March 17, 2007 Share Posted March 17, 2007 Vic, Got your pricing together tonight. I will PM you in the morning. Link to comment
supernip Posted March 17, 2007 Share Posted March 17, 2007 I should be getting kickbacks for my advertising work! Why 20 though? that's an awkward length. I suggest you draw out that tank on the floor or build a mock model with cardboard. I know for me personally, I sometimes fall in love with a certain ratio or number but when I see the actual tank, I get buyer's remorse. Don't worry, np has great customer service. Im sure you'll be okay changing your mind a dozen times. I know I want at least two more tanks from him ;D btw, I would use wood for the whole thing. I think it looks classy. Or you could just go look up the thermal properties of the material you want to use, and it's resistance to UV light. Your tank will look like a giant version of my fw tank. I have an 18in cube, and it's pretty perfect btw. 2in won't make a huge difference. 6 might, but 2 won't. Just for your consideration last comment of the night: http://www.mcmaster.com/param/html/AboutPlasticPPFMaterial/ Link to comment
Bobalouy Posted March 17, 2007 Share Posted March 17, 2007 Home depot also has some cool square aluminum tubing that is pretty easy to cut and work with. Its usually in the hardware section. Link to comment
shag26272 Posted March 17, 2007 Share Posted March 17, 2007 what if you used schedule 80?? Im thinking about doing something likes this also Link to comment
Danyal Posted March 17, 2007 Share Posted March 17, 2007 couldn't you use copper pipe? iirc, it's like a metal version of pvc, you can get 90* elbows and 45* and t's etc and it's really easy to cut w/ a hack saw. Link to comment
Withers Posted March 18, 2007 Author Share Posted March 18, 2007 Vic, Got your pricing together tonight. I will PM you in the morning. Woot! I'm excited! Why 20 though? that's an awkward length. I suggest you draw out that tank on the floor or build a mock model with cardboard. I know for me personally, I sometimes fall in love with a certain ratio or number but when I see the actual tank, I get buyer's remorse. Thats the exact size of my sump for my 75, and I was just thinking the other day that it would look really nice as a nano. If I were to do anything different I'd probably go with a 24x24x12, but I may not have room for something that large in the spot I want to put it in. Link to comment
supernip Posted March 18, 2007 Share Posted March 18, 2007 i c i c. Form should fit function then. Good luck vic. I hope you are as happy with the glass as I am with mine. Link to comment
BruiseAndy Posted March 18, 2007 Share Posted March 18, 2007 Annealed copper could be bent to shape but would weaken and sag over time. Hard copper would work great (and look great IMO) but you'd need to solder the fittings and to make that look good without ugly drips takes time and practice. I would use 3/4" EMT and a find an electrician friend with a bender or if you want to get real fancy use 316L stainless and never worry about corrosion issues. Link to comment
andykee Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 vic, what thickness of glass are you using here? Link to comment
Withers Posted March 21, 2007 Author Share Posted March 21, 2007 It was going to be 3/8", but this project is going to be on hold for a while. I just found out I owe Uncle Sam $3,100. Link to comment
adinsxq Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 the definition of "cube" is.... Link to comment
andykee Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 It was going to be 3/8", but this project is going to be on hold for a while. I just found out I owe Uncle Sam $3,100. ouch Link to comment
nano-paul Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 Geez Vic, how do you owe them that much? Link to comment
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