onux20 November 7, 2008 November 7, 2008 I am finally going to tackle a frag tank. But before I can do it I am looking for a way to get
dtfleming November 7, 2008 November 7, 2008 that or get some emt tubing and make a hanger and mount it to the stand.
reefmontalvo November 7, 2008 November 7, 2008 A simple "L" shelf bracket that you can get a Home Depot. They are real cheap and even have the holes pre drilled. And I'm not talking about the old gray ones. They have real nices one that you can paint any color.
onux20 November 7, 2008 Author November 7, 2008 (edited) buy a hanging kit to hang it from the ceiling Living in a rental so I dont want drill/poke holes in the ceiling. Good idea though. Thanks. that or get some emt tubing and make a hanger and mount it to the stand. ...or some wall brackets and... well, you get the idea. Looks like I am heading to HD this weekend and see what I can do. Thanks to all for the advice. I not that handy so I may be asking a few more questions about this. Thansk again. Ron Edited November 7, 2008 by onux20
onyx November 7, 2008 November 7, 2008 Here's a simple PVC mount that I built for around $10. I simply connected and glued the PVC parts, then painted it a satin black. It's been working perfectly for about eight months now.
Origami November 7, 2008 November 7, 2008 Here's a simple PVC mount that I built for around $10. I simply connected and glued the PVC parts, then painted it a satin black. It's been working perfectly for about eight months now. Nice, clean look, onyx.
onux20 November 8, 2008 Author November 8, 2008 Here's a simple PVC mount that I built for around $10. I simply connected and glued the PVC parts, then painted it a satin black. It's been working perfectly for about eight months now. Ooooooooo, thats nice!!! It looks like I have a weekend project. Two questions How did you attach the pvc to the stand? How did you attach the chain to the pvc? Drill through then washers and screws? Thanks for the idea. Ron
reefmontalvo November 8, 2008 November 8, 2008 I hope you didn't use your knee asa stand to drill that PVC. LOL That was an old joke from a certain thread.
onyx November 8, 2008 November 8, 2008 (edited) Thanks for the nice words. Ron, Below are some photos to show you a little more detail. It was simple to do, I just used a pvc floor brace to hold it up and wedged it together between the back of the tank and wall. I did it this way bc we are moving the tank to another spot, where I will make a more secure and long lasting setup. I did not want to tear up the wall. I'm sure you could use some clamps or brackets to secure the pvc directly to the back of your stand to make it secure. I just didn't go that route yet. Close up of the top. I just drilled small holes through the pvc and screwed in the eye brackets and secured the chain with an S hook. View from the side. View of the bottom support. Again, this tank is only here until I tile the floor and put it in it's final place. Edited November 8, 2008 by onyx
reefmontalvo November 8, 2008 November 8, 2008 (edited) Thanks for the nice words. Ron, Below are some photos to show you a little more detail. It was simple to do, I just used a pvc floor brace to hold it up and wedged it together between the back of the tank and wall. I did it this way bc we are moving the tank to another spot, where I will make a more secure and long lasting setup. I did not want to tear up the wall. I'm sure you could use some clamps or brackets to secure the pvc directly to the back of your stand to make it secure. I just didn't go that route yet. Close up of the top. I just drilled small holes through the pvc and screwed in the eye brackets and secured the chain with an S hook. View from the side. View of the bottom support. Again, this tank is only here until I tile the floor and put it in it's final place. Looks pretty sound and stable. You don't have little kids in the house, that could pull on any one of the cords. Plus what type of bulbs are you running? Edited November 8, 2008 by reefmontalvo
onyx November 8, 2008 November 8, 2008 No kids, just a bratty gf When I move the tank I am going to run the cords through the wall into a "fish room" or sorts. For now, I just wanted something out of the way. I am running 2 x 150w MH Phoenix 14k bulbs with Reef Optix III fixtures and Ice Cap ballasts.
reefmontalvo November 8, 2008 November 8, 2008 Also some lead shot bags would help as a back up in the event the stand was to be shifted. You can get them at any local scuba shop.
onux20 November 8, 2008 Author November 8, 2008 Thanks for the pics. I am going to ziptie to banister behind tank (see pic). Should be stable and not an eye sore. Will photo project and post. Thanks again. Now all I need to do is setup the top off system. (read: trash can, tubing, and pump)
onyx November 8, 2008 November 8, 2008 Cool man, you're welcome. Goodluck with the project and def post some photos of how it turns out.
walter November 9, 2008 November 9, 2008 (edited) Thanks for the nice words. Ron, Below are some photos to show you a little more detail. It was simple to do, I just used a pvc floor brace to hold it up and wedged it together between the back of the tank and wall. I did it this way bc we are moving the tank to another spot, where I will make a more secure and long lasting setup. I did not want to tear up the wall. I'm sure you could use some clamps or brackets to secure the pvc directly to the back of your stand to make it secure. I just didn't go that route yet. Close up of the top. I just drilled small holes through the pvc and screwed in the eye brackets and secured the chain with an S hook. What size is that pvc? 1/2"? Edited November 9, 2008 by walter
reefmontalvo November 10, 2008 November 10, 2008 Onyx, do you run any type of night lights for thetank to simulate moonlight for your corals?
onux20 November 10, 2008 Author November 10, 2008 Okay, in my excitment to have a project that I could actually complete, I forgot to take pictures. It was not too exciting. I have yet to cut a straight line using a PVC cutting tool. The black paint helps hide that...i hope. The only addition to the original plan are some end caps to hide said angled cuts. The light hanging device and lights are in place. The tank is full of salt water and eggcrate origami is complete. I placed a few rocks in to start the cycle. I will take some pix tonight or tomorrow. Thanks again , onyx. I still need to figure out a topoff plan. It needs to be baby and cat proof since it will sit on the floor next to the tank. I am thinkig a small trash can with a lid and a hasp to keep out curious cats and little girls. i will keep you posted. Ron
onyx November 11, 2008 November 11, 2008 Onyx, do you run any type of night lights for thetank to simulate moonlight for your corals? Not yet, though I have thought about snaking some through the PVC for a cool effect. I would like to have nightlights, as I think they make the tank look nice, but honestly I have been so busy with moving into our new place when I built the PVC stand I just wanted it to be done and functional.. thinking it would only be there a few months. Nine months later it's still there Thanks again , onyx. Ron No problem man, I'm glad to hear it helped. Congrats on getting it complete, and would love to see some photos when you get the chance. The endcaps sound like a great idea to make it a more finished look.
walter November 11, 2008 November 11, 2008 I tried this and it didnt work. My Tek 6 light is too heavy. I need to find either another option or something to brace the vertical PVC. Cant find a stud near my tank. Afraid of the lights coming through the drywall into the tank. Any suggestions?
onux20 November 11, 2008 Author November 11, 2008 I tried this and it didnt work. My Tek 6 light is too heavy. I need to find either another option or something to brace the vertical PVC. Cant find a stud near my tank. Afraid of the lights coming through the drywall into the tank. Any suggestions? What about a metal rod(s) inside the vertical? Not sure if it is cost effective. Also not sure if diameter of the metal would closely match that of the PVC. It seems you would need to strengthen the portion of the tube between your last anchor point and the top elbow. OR a brace between the wall and the base of the vertical, perpendicular to the vertical. (L-shaped) The idea here is the extra piece would limit or counter act the (force) weight of the light trying to treat the whole thing like a teeter-totter. Two caveats: I did not do so well in my statics and dynamics class in college! I am definitely no structural engineer so you may want to ask some others what they think. Just some ideas. Ron
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