MetaTank Posted March 31, 2019 Author Share Posted March 31, 2019 1 hour ago, This guy is extra salty said: If you didn’t have the filter in it... could’ve looked like a 120g If I were to build a matching wooden hood, it still will...lol 1 Quote Link to comment
MetaTank Posted March 31, 2019 Author Share Posted March 31, 2019 So I finally got around to finishing my Surface Skimmer mod...had to start by cutting the teeth Then I drilled a hole in it to squeeze a rubber suction cup into place. I put board inside while I drilled so I had something to press the drill bit up against, since it's really flexible plastic And then I popped it into the tank, and FINALLY leak tested while I tested out the surface skimmer! I think it's going to work out quite well 2 1 Quote Link to comment
MetaTank Posted March 31, 2019 Author Share Posted March 31, 2019 From a slightly different angle Quote Link to comment
asting Posted March 31, 2019 Share Posted March 31, 2019 Is that packaging of some sort? I'd be tempted to get some acrylic and try to fashion one. The problem with pico tanks is the filter intakes take up 90% of the height, and a box has to go all the way to the bottom. 1 Quote Link to comment
MetaTank Posted March 31, 2019 Author Share Posted March 31, 2019 6 minutes ago, asting said: Is that packaging of some sort? I'd be tempted to get some acrylic and try to fashion one. The problem with pico tanks is the filter intakes take up 90% of the height, and a box has to go all the way to the bottom. It's the box that a rolled up "aquarium cling" backround came inside of...lol... Upcycling at it's finest. I'm going to try to hide it in the aquascape, but there is enough room for a little sand under this box, and that's about it. Quote Link to comment
MetaTank Posted April 2, 2019 Author Share Posted April 2, 2019 On 3/31/2019 at 4:02 PM, Wingy said: Interesting idea. It seems to work well, even when the water level drops about 6-7 ounces it still functions Quote Link to comment
Wingy Posted April 2, 2019 Share Posted April 2, 2019 I may try something like that with a spare turkey baster. 1 Quote Link to comment
MetaTank Posted April 2, 2019 Author Share Posted April 2, 2019 1 hour ago, Wingy said: I may try something like that with a spare turkey baster. I have a spare piece of that plastic packaging, it will fold flat and slit into a regular envelope if you wanna try it out. Got a PO box or somewhere you don't mind strangers shipping things to you? LOL Quote Link to comment
This guy is extra salty Posted April 2, 2019 Share Posted April 2, 2019 Very nice surface skimmer Why didn’t you drill holes instead of cutting slots? 1 Quote Link to comment
Wingy Posted April 2, 2019 Share Posted April 2, 2019 Thanks. I'll take you up on your offer if I can't find any clear around here. 1 Quote Link to comment
MetaTank Posted April 2, 2019 Author Share Posted April 2, 2019 18 minutes ago, This guy is extra salty said: Very nice surface skimmer Why didn’t you drill holes instead of cutting slots? I wanted to make sure if there was any evaporation, the skimmer wouldn't run dry immediately. This can take about 7oz of evap with this design. I dunno, I guess holes didn't come to mind Quote Link to comment
This guy is extra salty Posted April 2, 2019 Share Posted April 2, 2019 I’m just curious about how you’re going to defend against the algae that will grow on that clear plastic. 1 Quote Link to comment
Clown79 Posted April 2, 2019 Share Posted April 2, 2019 Love the stand. You did a great job and the skimmer is really cool. 1 Quote Link to comment
MetaTank Posted April 2, 2019 Author Share Posted April 2, 2019 59 minutes ago, This guy is extra salty said: I’m just curious about how you’re going to defend against the algae that will grow on that clear plastic. Well, it takes about 5 seconds to take it out of the tank....so there's that, lol...I figure it may become part of the regular maintainance, or it may not be a huge issue. Either way. that is why it's easily removable. If I need to, I'll buy another bottle brush at the 99 cent only store...lol 2 minutes ago, Clown79 said: Love the stand. You did a great job and the skimmer is really cool. Thank you! I'm surprised how well everything is coming together so far. I really dig the proportions of the stand with the tank on it. 1 Quote Link to comment
Clown79 Posted April 2, 2019 Share Posted April 2, 2019 3 minutes ago, MetaTank said: Well, it takes about 5 seconds to take it out of the tank....so there's that, lol...I figure it may become part of the regular maintainance, or it may not be a huge issue. Either way. that is why it's easily removable. If I need to, I'll buy another bottle brush at the 99 cent only store...lol Thank you! I'm surprised how well everything is coming together so far. I really dig the proportions of the stand with the tank on it. It looks great. 1 Quote Link to comment
stevejo Posted April 2, 2019 Share Posted April 2, 2019 12 hours ago, MetaTank said: Thank you! I'm surprised how well everything is coming together so far. I really dig the proportions of the stand with the tank on it. Legitimately, the stand is my favorite thing in this contest so far. 1 Quote Link to comment
MetaTank Posted April 2, 2019 Author Share Posted April 2, 2019 7 minutes ago, stevejo said: Legitimately, the stand is my favorite thing in this contest so far. Wow, thank you so much! I'm really honored for you to say that!! There is SOOO much talent on this site, I'm amazed and humbled by everyones builds, aquascapes, DIY designs, and artistic talent! I really feel like an underdog, but I'm also more in this for the social experience. It's really nice to connect with all these like-minded people over such cool projects! Do we get ribbons for participation? LMAO 1 Quote Link to comment
MetaTank Posted April 3, 2019 Author Share Posted April 3, 2019 Speaking of stands...I have been on the fence about spraying this Polycrylic coating on the stand...But it really waterproofs things. And seeing as this is a saltwater tank, I figured it needed to be waterproofed. I was just scared I might mess things up some how and make it look terrible. But I finally took the leap Don't ask me where I found this 25 year old can, but it seemed to be fine...lol And after a test spray on a piece of scrap, I decided it was probably a good idea to waterproof the stand. Here's the test spray. The edges were masked when I sprayed it so I could see the difference between before and after So I decided it was good to go! And I masked off the magnets and removed the handle And luckily it doesn't seem to have changed the look of anything! But I feel WAY better knowing I have some protection against the saltwater in case I splash it at some point, which is inevitable 4 Quote Link to comment
billdeluz Posted April 3, 2019 Share Posted April 3, 2019 On 3/25/2019 at 1:57 AM, MetaTank said: Was at the 99 Cent Only store the other day, found a couple things. An aquarium cling for the back of the tank that is waaaay too big, I cut off a section of just plain gradient blue. Then, inspiration struck in all of it's Janky glory, and I decided I may want to fashion an overflow out of the clear plastic that the Aquarium Cling came inside of... So I cut it up, and in true Janky fashion, I superglued a bottom to it since I haven't bought any new silicone in 4+years And I forgot to make sure it would fit, which it does quite well! Now I just need to play around with flow and cut some slits/teeth into it. and drill a couple holes in the base to prevent the pump from running dry. Then just messing around with it to get it to skim properly, but I can wait for all that. Maybe a magnet to get it positioned better... If anything, I have more of the plastic that the cling came in, so I can always make another one or two of these boxes when I get silicone , and play with multiple different flows/styles Love this idea 1 Quote Link to comment
billdeluz Posted April 3, 2019 Share Posted April 3, 2019 On 3/27/2019 at 8:00 PM, MetaTank said: Did some stuff today. Got out the mitre saw for the first time in a while. Since seeing that beauitiful stand for someones tank in the contest thread, I cant stop thinking about stands. I remembered I had some old wood and got started Suffice to say, it's been a while, so I went through like an entire 8ft piece of wood trying to get the 45 degree angle set correctly on the saw...LOL But once I got the angle correct, things began to move a little smoother, and before you know it, I had something that was starting to resemble a stand... Then one last little push, and the frame is done! I recessed the top of the frame a bit, to help hide the black trim at the bottom of the tank. I'm just glad everything is square and it sits level...lol Now I just need to sand it, stain or paint it, and then panel the sides and back. Also thinking about a door for the front. I believe this mini tank may get an itsy bitsy sump when the competition is over...lol... I made a bootleg version of a stand for mine lol i just need the legs looks amazing 1 Quote Link to comment
This guy is extra salty Posted April 3, 2019 Share Posted April 3, 2019 18 hours ago, MetaTank said: Well, it takes about 5 seconds to take it out of the tank....so there's that, lol...I figure it may become part of the regular maintainance, or it may not be a huge issue. Either way. that is why it's easily removable. If I need to, I'll buy another bottle brush at the 99 cent only store...lol Well at least it’s easily removed, I just put mine in just wait until I get home 1 Quote Link to comment
MetaTank Posted April 3, 2019 Author Share Posted April 3, 2019 15 minutes ago, billdeluz said: Love this idea Thank you! It seems to work pretty well, to my surprise...lol 11 minutes ago, billdeluz said: I made a bootleg version of a stand for mine lol i just need the legs looks amazing Oooh I can't wait to see it! 9 minutes ago, This guy is extra salty said: Well at least it’s easily removed, I just put mine in just wait until I get home Yeah, easily removed, and probably end up cleaning it during a water change once a week if it grows a lot of algae 1 Quote Link to comment
This guy is extra salty Posted April 3, 2019 Share Posted April 3, 2019 1 hour ago, MetaTank said: Yeah, easily removed, and probably end up cleaning it during a water change once a week if it grows a lot of algae It’s like a algae reactor 😂 Quote Link to comment
MetaTank Posted April 3, 2019 Author Share Posted April 3, 2019 Just now, This guy is extra salty said: It’s like a algae reactor 😂 I really have my doubts about this, but like I said, should be an easy fix. Its smooth, and plastic, and easily removed. Shouldnt be hard to clean...lol Quote Link to comment
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