Origami July 23, 2012 Share July 23, 2012 Origami is right in that with the continuous wall it's a bit of a challenge getting the mag float set. But it can be a fun game of just timing the tank currents and catching the inside part it as it goes by. Duct tape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveoutlaw July 24, 2012 Author Share July 24, 2012 I wasn't planning on using a mag float so no game for me. Are the acrylic inserts for the Kent long hangle scrapers any good? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallreef July 24, 2012 Share July 24, 2012 they are okay,,, but the edges bend when you apply alot of pressure...I have to keep re-sanding them down, lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
epleeds July 24, 2012 Share July 24, 2012 What's the small hole in the wall under the tank for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveS July 24, 2012 Share July 24, 2012 (edited) I wasn't planning on using a mag float so no game for me. Are the acrylic inserts for the Kent long hangle scrapers any good? I used a mag float frequently to get the softer stuff, which I suspect would have turned harder over time. I suspect you'll want to have one too. I just left it on the pane all the time in the corner. The Kent scrapers aren't great but without a front access panel, they are the main option on the front by the sand. I don't know how long your arms are but it's hard to get enough pressure as you may be using just your fingertips. The red inserts are good when they are new and the edge is sharp. Coraline algae is basically medium/fine grit sandpaper so once you use them for 5 minutes the plastic edges get rounded off and dull. This means you need to apply more pressure which is tough from just the end of a 1'-2' pole. Ugh, now I'm getting flashbacks. I think I need to go scrape some algae off my glass tank with a mag float and metal blade. Edited July 24, 2012 by DaveS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBVette July 24, 2012 Share July 24, 2012 Dont worry dave, I made that tank pay for it being a royal PITA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveoutlaw July 25, 2012 Author Share July 25, 2012 Ok, progress is slow. I've bee working on the main light. The internal ballasts went bad so I had to switch to an external ballast. Plus, the transformer for the fans was bad so I had to replace that. I went from this mess: Fraken-light To this sexy beast I'll be mounting the light tomorrow and should have the tank filled as high as it can go before I plumb the sump in. Baby steps, but I'm getting there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surf&turf July 25, 2012 Share July 25, 2012 Ok, progress is slow. I've bee working on the main light. The internal ballasts went bad so I had to switch to an external ballast. Plus, the transformer for the fans was bad so I had to replace that. I went from this mess: Fraken-light To this sexy beast I'll be mounting the light tomorrow and should have the tank filled as high as it can go before I plumb the sump in. Baby steps, but I'm getting there. Wow, nice work!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami July 26, 2012 Share July 26, 2012 I wasn't planning on using a mag float so no game for me. Are the acrylic inserts for the Kent long hangle scrapers any good? They work, but you really have to get leverage to apply the pressure needed to remove hard deposits. The longer the handle, the harder it is to get good pressure on the glass. Also, like others have mentioned, you have to keep putting an edge on the blade with sandpaper if you want them to last. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveoutlaw July 28, 2012 Author Share July 28, 2012 Ok, light is up but a little too close to the top of the tank. I'm going to have to figure out a way to raise the light up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallreef July 29, 2012 Share July 29, 2012 HHRRMMM yeah a bit close... but looks good! can you cut the cables on both sides? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveoutlaw August 2, 2012 Author Share August 2, 2012 Ok, got the bottom of the stand finished (a couple more side pieces still need to go on). But, this is enough for the sump to go in!! Now I can plumb it!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incredible Corals August 2, 2012 Share August 2, 2012 Nice! Love the tiles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimlin August 2, 2012 Share August 2, 2012 what is the purpose of the egg crate at the bottom of the tank? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveoutlaw August 2, 2012 Author Share August 2, 2012 what is the purpose of the egg crate at the bottom of the tank? Something for the rock to rest on........gives a little traction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimlin August 2, 2012 Share August 2, 2012 hmm. maybe i will do that too. thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveoutlaw August 3, 2012 Author Share August 3, 2012 Getting the plumbing in place: Sump is under the stand and ready for final plumbing: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surf&turf August 3, 2012 Share August 3, 2012 Nice!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveoutlaw August 4, 2012 Author Share August 4, 2012 ok, progress has been made!! Steve Velasco (and others) helped me figure out that I had the main drain of my Bean Animal overflow too high - so I completly took off the the stand pipe in the overflow box and have it draining directly into the bulkhead. I need to start mounting ballasts and raising the lights a bit, but I had to give the lighting a trial run: And I still have to finish the tiling and caulking of the stand bottom. I'm hoping for some decent weather tomorrow so I can start planning out my rock structures........I may even get some rock in the tank!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveoutlaw August 11, 2012 Author Share August 11, 2012 First attempt at rockscaping........it's harder than you think trying to do it from the back when you can't see!! Front Back I'm thinking it's a little too busy. I may try to make it more open. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
epleeds August 12, 2012 Share August 12, 2012 Nice. I can't believe you already have rock in it. I am still on the plumbing. I haven't even looked at my rock yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incredible Corals August 12, 2012 Share August 12, 2012 I think the rock work looks great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surf&turf August 12, 2012 Share August 12, 2012 I think the rock work looks great. +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hbh August 12, 2012 Share August 12, 2012 Rockwork looks nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nbgen12 August 12, 2012 Share August 12, 2012 Pretty good first shot at the rockwork without being able to see from the front side lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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