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Yesterday I went downstairs to do something creative, I don't remember, maybe trim my ear or nose hair and I noticed the carpet around the tank was damp. The tank is in a closet and has sat in this spot, on this home made stand since 1979. I didn't think the tank was leaking because this has happened a few times before. I removed the items from the closet, things like the Super 8 movie projector that we needed to view our wedding movies in 1974, a "dial" phone and an 8 track tape player. If you don't know what any of those things are, Google them and grow up some more.

Inside the closet there was a puddle. There was also a fish in the puddle, a wrasse that I have been looking for, for a week or so. Unfortunately the puddle wasn't deep for the fish to still be alive. Anyway, where is the water coming from? I crawled under the tank, and on my way I checked out the bottom glass of the tank with a flashlight to see the amphipods scurrying away from the light. I think some of them were doing the Macarana. Then a drop of water falls on my bald head and makes a noise. If you are bald, you know the noise. I get to the far stand leg and see that it is extreamly rusty. This is not a surprise because a few years ago I noticed it and bolted another leg to the tank to support the weight. Those legs are made of "Kindorf" which are galvanized steel building supports that we use in construction for everything. But even the heavy galvanizing on Kindorf will not stop rust forever.

The leg was wet and water was slowly oozing down. I removed the dead fish and got up (after hitting my head numerous times) Above the corner of the tank with the water I have my manifold for my Reverse Undergravel filter screwed to the wall. The thing has stand offs to keep it away from the wall but after so many years, salt built up behind it and the wall allowing a slow progression of moisture to run down the wall and leg. This probably has been going on for many years which is why the leg looks like it does. The opposite leg looks like the day I installed it.

I removed the manifold, which I don't ever remember removing and I made longer "stand offs" in back of it to keep it away from the wall and the rim of the tank. I also put a de humidifier in the closet to dry it up before I put all my "valuable" stuff back in. You never know when someone will need a Super 8 movie projector from the 50s

 

Here is the manifold as it was mounted over the tank. Water is pumped into it and it is split up into 3 tubes that come out the bottom to evenly supply water to all 3 UG filter tubes. (Stop laughing about the reverse UG filter)

 

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This is the thing removed from the tank

 

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And the rusty leg. The "new" leg is the one to the left of it. Someday I will have to empty the tank and install new legs, but I hope that day never comes.

 

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This was the wrasse. I really need to replace this guy and cover the spot that fish seem to enjoy leaping from.

 

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"Salt Creep and Rusty Legs" could be the name of the first reefing blues song.

^ one of the many uses for a 1900 cover..

Most people wouldn't know what that is. But they are useful for a lot of things, besides covering 1900 electrical boxes.

Here is my projector. I think it is the same one Columbus used to entertain his crew on his ride over here. The thing still works.

 

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Here is my projector. I think it is the same one Columbus used to entertain his crew on his ride over here. The thing still works.

 

That's pretty funny. My folks had one of these, with a bunch of old super 8 reels of amazing footage of when they lived in Africa. I remember as a kid getting so frustrated when the reels got stuck and started to burn or spot the film, and it had to be re-sat every 5 minutes. It's probably worth looking into having somebody put all those memories onto DVD for your grandchildren, I think it's reasonably priced for what it is to get it done.

(edited)

The thing still works and we still have all the 8mm reels from when my wife was a baby. It is hard to make calls on it and forget Twitter or Facebook. I can't even make call.

 

Yes, I do have some scissors, I don't know why I have so many either.

Edited by paul b

She get's mad when I use the scissors on the tank then they rust.  haha

 

I'm worried about getting into trouble with this scenario. I always rinse them off in freshwater and dry them. So far so good. I bought a measuring cup for my salt mix, and she seems to think it's for the kitchen.

 

The thing still works and we still have all the 8mm reels from when my wife was a baby. It is hard to make calls on it and forget Twitter or Facebook. I can't even make call.

 

Paul, if you need any helping sourcing something or somebody to quote the transfer, let me know. That kind of family history and memories are priceless, and would be easier preserved if converted!

(edited)

I think we converted most of the reels to DVD. I think so anyway. But thanks.

 

My workshop is stocked with all sorts of cool things. This is one side of one of my workbenches. I have a larger workshop in my garage for my mechanical things.

 

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I recently re built it with plenty of storage.

 

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This is the other side. The picture of the girl on the right is dated 1986, that is how long that has hung there so she is probably a Grand Mother now. The picture behind the band saw was from a photo developing studio I worked at (as an electrician)

 

Behind the rolling bench is a large belt sander

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Edited by paul b
(edited)

She is a Supermodel for sure. Otherwise I would not have her there for 30 years. I also have many pictures of my Daughter, wife and Grand Kids as they are the most important thing to me. I also have a picture of my Supermodel wife up there who was even a better looking Supermodel than that calendar.

 

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Edited by paul b

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