Aquarium Advice - Aquarium Forum Community - DIY Projects http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/ Have you built something for your tank or are you considering it? en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:42:13 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg Aquarium Advice - Aquarium Forum Community - DIY Projects http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/ Redirecting water ourlet on HOB filter http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f20/redirecting-water-ourlet-on-hob-filter-123486-new-post.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:45:14 GMT Hi,

I'm mainly keeping Cardinals in a 20 long with an AquaClear 50 HOB and am placing it in the back far right corner.

To encourage my schoolers to school I'd like to make a contraption that would divert the water from the HOB into a channel that would take the flow straight to the front glass and turn so it's enters the tank along the front glass from one end to the next.

The exit chamber of the HOB is pretty wide and I'm thinking i I can figure out a way to narrow that channel at the exit point, it would probably increase the force enough to do the trick.

Hanging the HOB on the side would be an easy alternative but I'd have to cut the all-glass canopy to accommodate it. Keep in mind too that the canopy is only 12" wide (including the plastic rear strip) and the HOB is 7" wide. Meaning to point out that the HOB would extend beyond the (un-used) middle hinge of the canopy.

I don't use the hinge because rather than lift the canopy open to feed I slide the whole thing (canopy and light hood) back to open the front. I do place my light hood on the portion that lifts up directly in front.

What do you think?

I've searched these DIY threads and could not find a previous similar venture.

Thanks ]]> DIY Projects selvan777 http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f20/redirecting-water-ourlet-on-hob-filter-123486.html DIY sump question http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f20/diy-sump-question-123410-new-post.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:57:20 GMT I have completed my new sump and am very happy with the results so far. As you can see from the drawing below I have 2 durso stand pipes in the sump and they are very quiet. :D I found that it is very important that the durso pipes are at the exact same height or one will draw all the water. I... I have completed my new sump and am very happy with the results so far. As you can see from the drawing below I have 2 durso stand pipes in the sump and they are very quiet. :D

I found that it is very important that the durso pipes are at the exact same height or one will draw all the water. I had to take into consideration that one had a larger diameter than the other as well.

I also like the fact that I can control the water flow in both the protein skimmer side and the refug side. In stead of pushing the water from the skimmer to the refug to the return pump.

The problem I am having is that the pipe leading to the refug side is creating a lot of micro-bubbles. I installed a “T” on the end to prevent stirring up the sand, but this didn’t help with all the bubbles.

I don’t really want to cut back the pipe so that it is above the water lines…I’m afraid of the splashing. But if that’s what I have to do, so be it.
I don’t know maybe if I put a sock on it?

Any suggestions?
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]]> DIY Projects IAmDaryl http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f20/diy-sump-question-123410.html PVC, Plastic or Glass DIY Tank Cover? http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f20/pvc-plastic-or-glass-diy-tank-cover-123380-new-post.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:52:42 GMT Hi,

I bought a tank that I want to use for SW fish. It's a semless 72 gallon bowfront. The hood is not working though (I was ripped off, bought it 2nd hand). I can't find a fitting hood because I believe the manufacturer doesn't exist anymore (MJ Baolai).

I thought about tracing the top and getting either PVC or plastic (easier to cut and do at home) but some people say glass is better.

The main goals are to decrease evaporation, stop dust from entering, and prevent any fish from jumping out. I'll add lighting later.

I'm open to recommendations, please.

Thanks ]]> DIY Projects NuevoFish http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f20/pvc-plastic-or-glass-diy-tank-cover-123380.html 29G Viquarium? http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f20/29g-viquarium-123346-new-post.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:41:23 GMT Considering turning an empty 29 I have into a half aquarium, half vivarium. Not really sure where to start though. I am thinking I want the water to be around 10-12" deep with several species of aquatic plants, and have some terrestrial area for some bog plants. Maybe a waterfall to tie it together. Maybe a canister filter to provide filtration and lifting power for the water feature?

I really don't even know where to start - has anyone seen any good threads or articles out there to build a viquarium? I have seen a lot of vivarium stuff, but most of them only have a little tiny pool of water. ]]> DIY Projects fort384 http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f20/29g-viquarium-123346.html 100 gallon tanks 72 x18x18 http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f20/100-gallon-tanks-72-x18x18-123193-new-post.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:34:15 GMT anyone know who makes good quality 100 gallon tanks would like to know I reside in PA anyone know who makes good quality 100 gallon tanks would like to know I reside in PA ]]> DIY Projects jft http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f20/100-gallon-tanks-72-x18x18-123193.html DIY CO2 Reactor http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f20/diy-co2-reactor-123179-new-post.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:11:07 GMT Hey I was wondering what you guys thought of the CO2 Reactor I built. I drew it in paint, and it is currently installed in one of my tanks. Sorry for the poor paint skills, anyways do you think it will work? Hey I was wondering what you guys thought of the CO2 Reactor I built. I drew it in paint, and it is currently installed in one of my tanks. Sorry for the poor paint skills, anyways do you think it will work?
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]]> DIY Projects th08tu http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f20/diy-co2-reactor-123179.html DIY Refugium http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f20/diy-refugium-123087-new-post.html Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:03:09 GMT Hello, I am in the planning stages of making a 10 gal sump/refugium for my 55 gallon SW tank.

I do not want to do any drilling for this to work, I was planning on using a 'U' tube gravity feed line (of what diameter I do not know). First compartment to house my Reef Octopus BH-100 and heater. Second compartment is to house some LR and chaeto and hopefully thousands of pods, and finally third compartment would just house the return pump.

Now I have about 4' for the pump to work against, and am not really sure as to what strength pump I should be looking for. Secondly, to avoid flooding my apartment, what measures can I take if godforbid I lose power (especially with a gravity fed intake)? Also, I was under the impression that pods liked really low water flow, and macroalgae likes high water flow. What sort of happy medium can I achieve in order for all of the above to be happy? (With only a 10 gallon tank I think having an extra compartment in there would make things pretty cramped.) ]]> DIY Projects Dan XVI http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f20/diy-refugium-123087.html Multi tier stand - 2x4 strength? http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f20/multi-tier-stand-2x4-strength-123029-new-post.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:36:53 GMT Hi, I am building a multi tier aquarium stand using 2x4s. The verticals are 2x4s. The horizontals are also 2x4s that are notched into the verticals and then screwed in. The horizontals are placed so that the wide edge faces you (the stronger way). The shelves are 48 inches wide(the... Hi,

I am building a multi tier aquarium stand using 2x4s. The verticals are 2x4s. The horizontals are also 2x4s that are notched into the verticals and then screwed in. The horizontals are placed so that the wide edge faces you (the stronger way).

The shelves are 48 inches wide(the verticals are 48 inches apart). The front and back horizontal 2x4s are 15 inches apart. The shelves are 22 x 48 and made of 3/4" plywood.

Two shelves.

My two questions are:

1. Are the 2x4 horizontals strong enough to support a 40 or 50 gallon tank?

2. Do I need to seal the wood in order to prevent water damage?

Thanks!! ]]> DIY Projects Greeny http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f20/multi-tier-stand-2x4-strength-123029.html Sump Project http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f20/sump-project-123009-new-post.html Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:31:06 GMT This is my first sump project for 165gal community tank.
I'm looking for advice. Please help me to create perfect sump.
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]]> DIY Projects telepw http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f20/sump-project-123009.html slate cave question http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f20/slate-cave-question-122834-new-post.html Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:27:35 GMT I am putting together a large slate cave in my new 55 gal. tank. I was wondering if anyone had a suggestion for what type of adheisive to use? I need it to be strong and safe for the coming inhabitants. The finished cave will be approx. 30 in long x 12 in tall x 6 in wide + or - and made... I am putting together a large slate cave in my new 55 gal. tank.

I was wondering if anyone had a suggestion for what type of adheisive to use? I need it to be strong and safe for the coming inhabitants.

The finished cave will be approx. 30 in long x 12 in tall x 6 in wide + or - and made from black slate.

If anyone has any other advice feel free to post too ]]> DIY Projects sliderfish http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f20/slate-cave-question-122834.html Modify Protein Skimmer w/ External Pump http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f20/modify-protein-skimmer-w-external-pump-122832-new-post.html Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:03:44 GMT Hello, I have a Coralife 125 skimmer which is three years old. I use it as a hang over the back skimmer. I have no sump. Recently, I have noticed that it raises the temp of the water by a couple of degrees at most. Perhaps the motor/powerhead that drives it is going bad. My question is...has... Hello, I have a Coralife 125 skimmer which is three years old. I use it as a hang over the back skimmer. I have no sump. Recently, I have noticed that it raises the temp of the water by a couple of degrees at most. Perhaps the motor/powerhead that drives it is going bad.

My question is...has anyone modified a protein skimmer to use a pump that sits outside of the water so as to avoid raising the temp of the water?

It looks rather easy. But that could be deceiving. ]]> DIY Projects ranvan http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f20/modify-protein-skimmer-w-external-pump-122832.html polyurethane foam in aquarium http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f20/polyurethane-foam-in-aquarium-122822-new-post.html Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:44:44 GMT hay guys......... i wonder if i can use polyurethane foam in my costume made background ...and is it safe to the aquarium and fishes........does the water get poisoned by this kind of materials???? hay guys.........
i wonder if i can use polyurethane foam in my costume made background ...and is it safe to the aquarium and fishes........does the water get poisoned by this kind of materials???? ]]> DIY Projects longbrro http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f20/polyurethane-foam-in-aquarium-122822.html Got the Overflow http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f20/got-the-overflow-122803-new-post.html Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:11:40 GMT Hi Guys I got my overflow (I ditched the direct siphon method as it had too many down sides that the members pointed out and went with the recommended overflow) today for my DIY sump project and piped it out. Here are some pics of my concoction, pardon the bandage on the bulkhead, I cracked it... Hi Guys
I got my overflow (I ditched the direct siphon method as it had too many down sides that the members pointed out and went with the recommended overflow) today for my DIY sump project and piped it out. Here are some pics of my concoction, pardon the bandage on the bulkhead, I cracked it 8O but the fix will work. Which way should I put the wye pic 1 or 2?



]]> DIY Projects InfernoST http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f20/got-the-overflow-122803.html any ideas? http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f20/any-ideas-122785-new-post.html Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:31:51 GMT ok, so im just in this mode of thought right now where im dying to build something fun... looking back in the forums (WAY BACK) i found this thread... i want to build something like this... any ideas for background, aqua-scaping, etc? Im just curious how i would go about starting one of these... ... ok, so im just in this mode of thought right now where im dying to build something fun... looking back in the forums (WAY BACK) i found this thread... i want to build something like this... any ideas for background, aqua-scaping, etc? Im just curious how i would go about starting one of these... This would probably be in a 55g tank, i know it would be cramped, but i was thinking of maybe doing a waterfall on one end of the tank and having it flow outwards towards the other side... thanks :)
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums...ank-13135.html ]]> DIY Projects mfdrookie516 http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f20/any-ideas-122785.html DIY co2 + flipper = white growth on the flipper bottom http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f20/diy-co2-flipper-white-growth-on-the-flipper-bottom-122683-new-post.html Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:32:16 GMT Hi guys, anybody uses DIY co2 in combination with flipper ? I have problem with white growth on the bottom of the flipper, which tends to choke bottom part so, only 1 big bubble each time is released. Is there any way how to avoid the growth or make it slower ? I was thinking of driving co2... Hi guys,

anybody uses DIY co2 in combination with flipper ?

I have problem with white growth on the bottom of the flipper, which tends to choke bottom part so, only 1 big bubble each time is released. Is there any way how to avoid the growth or make it slower ? I was thinking of driving co2 through extra bottle and water so the growth will be in the bottle outside and not inside of flipper, but not sure if it would help.

I am anyway amazed, that such a big bubble almost disappears until reaching the top. Its just hard to count and doesnt look good. I found SAEs very often suck from small holes on the flipper. Seems they like the white stuff.. A pity they can't go in. They would eat it all. ]]> DIY Projects ing_monkey http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f20/diy-co2-flipper-white-growth-on-the-flipper-bottom-122683.html