PEPPIE'S 4th BUILD

[Peppie]

I changed the original design. I was trying to re invent the wheel. The water going into the fuge section will be gravity feed. Water will pass thru a typical overflow vent to a lower water level in the fuge. The maxi jet will pull the water from the fuge chamber to the return chamber, Which will have a higher water level than the fuge, also higher than the DT. So I will cut in a typical overflow vent into the DT from the return. And gravity will take it from there.
The maxi sucks from the bott and pushed out the side.
Does any of this make sense?

 

[eww]

Oh so now you just arbitrarily make changes to your published blueprints and don't inform any of us, the building inspectors??? Wow that takes big ones...

In that case I guess things look correct... maybe. I think I am still questioning the flow direction through that maxijet. Are you saying that it will be pulling water in through your nicely adapted strainer and blowing it downward at the bottom of the return section? If so then we are on the same page and it was the unapproved change order that confused me.

 

[Peppie]

That change was do to (cause and effect theory) CAUSE it was easier to build. CAUSE it is a simpler design. CAUSE it will be easier to maintain and clean. EFFECTED better flow,EFFECTED simple logistics,EFFECTED less cleaning time.
I think I mentioned rethinking my tank design in a PM. I couldnt find the proper form to submit to the RF masses for the approval of a design change. Next time I will submit it on the 911EWW form.
I should have mentioned it before I showed the build. Your probably not the only one who is scratching their head.

PS. Ive noticed in the past when people submit a change order, it is DAYS before they get a notice to proceed. Im sorry I dont have that kinda time I only have 465 laps left to win this thing LOL

 

[eww]

Just submit your penalty of 3 beautiful wood stand doors and all will be brushed under the carpet. Next time don't forget to fill out the form in triplicate and submit it twice. I will crush your dreams in just a few moments so there will be no waiting for days.

All joking aside... I love the ingenuity you put into your builds. They are never the typical and always well thought out. Must be all that spare time and no two year olds whacking you on the head with tools you left laying there for just a moment.:moony::doh::fear:

 

[Peppie]

Well since I did not see a red tag on the shop door this morning I thought I would gain a couple laps.
I started by cutting the over flow slots in the right side panel. I will dress them up later.

Then I peeled the paper back for the glue joints

Next up, The Big Weld!!!

While I was waiting to glue the opposite side I dressed the inside corners

These corner pieces will (I hope) keep me from having to do a euro-brace. It will give me 1 1/2'' thickness on the corners and around the bottom.
The cabinet build will hide all corners so keep that in mind while looking at the next few pics of the seams. They are not perfect, but I am confident they will hold water.

Two very small voids

this seams is about the same.
Most of the seam looks like this

 

[Somethings Fishy]

looks good have you had alot of experience in acrylic?

 

[Peppie]

No not really. I did some research a while back before I built my first tank. I have built some smaller containers. I pretty much just jump right in there and give it a try. If you follow some basic rules, like square,flat,90deg.exact measurements. it is not much different from working wood. It seems it mostly boils down to very good edge prep.
Thanks

 

[TJL]

VERY NICE JOB, Dave. Been awhile since I checked it out, like the changes and should function well. Don't you just love all the acrylic statically charged shavings everywhere NOT ! I don't complain much about cleaning the shop of hardwood/plywood messes any longer after working with acrylic.

Now that your in the race (AND LEADING) I better get back to it! I've been buried in yardwork at home & cabin plus trying to finish window replacement (10 down 11 to go) THEN, I still have to tile the family room. I'm thinking that I need to have a 'Handicap' like.... no more power tools, work blindfolded for you and Gavin has to complete all work for Eric (with his guidance only). That should just about even the odds abit.

Cheers, Todd

P.S. Dave, when do you start coming up to Evergreen Speedway ???

 

[eww]

Gavin has to complete all work for Eric (with his guidance only).

I think Gavin will get ours done quicker than me at this point with everything else non-fish tank related going on right now. :smash:

 

[Peppie]

Thanks Todd,
I find the acrylic mess easier to deal with than the fine saw dust. I just open the doors and grab the air hose. And it dont burn my nose or make my eyes water as some hardwood does.
Sorry to hear your honey do list is growing. You should get an hour credit for every two hours spent on the Home Improvement list. Heres the kicker, payable once a week.
The race season has just started. There is a National Event there This year so I will have the motorhome there for a week. I think it is either the last week in June, or maybe July. I will get back to you on the dates. We can get together that week.
NO Handicap from me. I started this race 35 laps in the hole. And I had to build my tank. If I wasnt allowed to use power tools I wouldnt get my A-- off the sofa.
Better get crackin. I am about to see the crossed blue flags.

 

[Peppie]

BIG THANKS to Eric, He was nice enough to make time in his busy day to give me a much needed extra pair of hands. We glued the bottom to the DT today. The seams look great. Thanks Eric
I also had time to make some rock lifters. The tank will be bare bottom and I want to have good flow EVERYWHERE, so I came up with these.
I love building jigs. This one will keep the all the rods the same measurement

Water test this week

 

[Peppie]

OK, fair warning I am not really changing anything, but I have decided to add a closed loop system. Do I need a permit? Or is that the same as a change order?
I have been losing sleep trying to figure out how to hide the pump that would supply flow to the bottom of the tank. DDHHAAA. I have a QuiteOne 1200 @ 300gph. It can be external or submersible. So I hit the hardware store and got the parts to plumb it in.
Pics to come later.

 

[Krish]

Really nice work so far dude!!! Still tagging along!! eace:

 

[Peppie]

Thanks Kirsh, I know a bunch of you folks a watching, Fell free to speakup if you see anything that might not fly.
This is what I came up with as far as the closed loop,It is all 1/2''. I put the usual parts in there. Ball valves, unions, an extra return port just incase.

Needed to add 3 1/2'' to the bottom of the fuge so it will be at the proper height. This way I can be sure the fuge and DT are flush on the bottom.

Been gluing all the inside corner to the DT. I was a little worried about how they would glue in there. The weldon is like water so it wants to run to the lowest point. Having to get the glue on two different planes wasnt as bad as I thought. They glued fairly well.

The bench is full. Time to let things set awhile

 

[Peppie]

I decided to use top braces for the left and right hand sides of the tank. I will be good for the corners and will aid in the use of powerhead that have magnets rated for 1/2''. I cut slots in the brace to hold a 3/8'' thick piece of acrylic to attach the powerheads to. One on each front corner.

I cut the teeth for the overflow in the black acrylic for the black out wall and glued the black panel in place

I want to make sure I get minimal light in the DT from the fuge light on at night, So I thought I had better cover the corners on that side of the tank. I cut two 45deg on the edges of a 1/4'' piece of black. Sorry the pic is blurry but you can see the profile if you know what to look for LOL

It made this side look more finished

I dont want to hear a water fall from the return chamber to the DT so I made an angled trough that will extend into the DT water line.

I glued the clip on brackets to the skimmer overflow. I also added a 2'' half round tab to the bottom of it to hold a powerhead.

This will also show the return for the closed loop, this should help keep the bottom flowing

Water and flow test is up next.

 

[Somethings Fishy]

well done!!

 

[Peppie]

As Elvis would say "Thank You Thank You Very Much". I like it when I get into a mind set where I no I dont have to rush and I can take the time to get the small details included in any project. It makes a world of difference.

 

[eww]

Sweet progress Dave. I like all the fab work. I don't think you will have any issues with the seems on this one

 

[Peppie]

I am very confident the seams WILL hold up on this build. I am going to put water in it today. I''ll post some pics later

 

[TJL]

WOW, Fantastic !!! Dave, I think that you have waaaaaay to much fun just building the systems. I can't wait to see it up-n-running

Cheers, Todd