Tank Size

Hi Bruce - you should be able to get snowcrete (white cement) at any Builder's Warehouse, PennyPinchers or Built-It.... As for "white cement" as they might not know the term snow-crete.... White cement is extremely fine cement, and as the name suggests, is WHITE. You can then mix it with some aragonite (one small bag should suffice, depending on how much rock-scaping you would want to do).

Also - another comment - are you now going to move the plumbing at the top of your tank to the back-end? That it does not run below the Metal halides (if you choose to go this route). As the Metal halide could warm it up just a TAD too much, AND it would cause a tank-wide shadow....
 
jacquesb said:
Hi Bruce - you should be able to get snowcrete (white cement) at any Builder's Warehouse, PennyPinchers or Built-It.... As for "white cement" as they might not know the term snow-crete....
Click to expand...

Thanks Jaques, yes Ive phoned around and you correct in sayin that the DIY stores know it as white cement but I was not sure. Youve just confirmed, aragonit is this a fine play sand or what.

jacquesb said:
Also - another comment - are you now going to move the plumbing at the top of your tank to the back-end? That it does not run below the Metal halides (if you choose to go this route). As the Metal halide could warm it up just a TAD too much, AND it would cause a tank-wide shadow....
Click to expand...

Regarding the supply, I intend to us T5s, the return I want to mount as high as possible in the hood thus eliminating shadows. The reason for the return as I have it, is because the overflow section will be against a wall, thus there will be three viewing panes. If does cause a problem I will run it down the length of the tank.
 
Hi All

Thought I’d share my DIY support bracket with you all. As in my thread I intend to build my own sump and tank. So I went and purchased some glass to build a small sump for practice [400x200x300h]. Well my first attempt was pathetic. I started by silicon the sides to the bottom, which was not too bad, my problem started when I had to silicon the inside panes. There was silicon all over [see photos in the thread]. I then dismantled all and sat back and came up with a adjustable sucker support bracket design now christened TTC[the tank clamp]
“May be someone has already done this”
In any case I had some spare Perspex and cut two of 20mm wide but 200 and 70 long. Found some old suckers [the type on the toy guns]. I also cut 2 of 20mmx200mm and glued onto one side of both arms just to give it more body to drill a hole to accommodate the back end of the sucker.
I then drilled a 5mm x 20mm slot in the 70 long and glued the sucker to the body end. In the 200mm one I drilled a 5mm hole to take a M4 set screw with washers and a wing nut and glue the sucker to the body end as well.
I just finished my “TTC” now and it works like a dream .Now I first silicon the inside panes of the sump and then the outer ones much neater finish and not all that silicon everywhere. I will have to make another two for my sump, as the sides are much larger. But for now the practice run worked well.


56047cd83bb072ca.jpg
 
Very clever idea there Bruce, I could of done with a couple of those.
 
Quick Bruce patent the idea:thumbup:
 
Wow, thats a brilliant idea, mhhh my kitchen counter:D

Very nice sketch Bruce:thumbup:
 
jacquesb said:
Hi Bruce - you should be able to get snowcrete (white cement) at any Builder's Warehouse, PennyPinchers or Built-It.... As for "white cement" as they might not know the term snow-crete.... White cement is extremely fine cement, and as the name suggests, is WHITE. You can then mix it with some aragonite (one small bag should suffice, depending on how much rock-scaping you would want to do).....
Click to expand...

Is there a DIY thread that can help on how to build rock, Ive bought some white cement yesterday but just need a idea. If not Ill jump right in and see what happens then start a DIY thread.
 
i don't realy think that the pipes(PVC) accumulate alot of stuff.
I replaced myne (2years old) and there was little to be seen.
 
The reason I ask this question about the plumbing, if you look at post #240 the return runs down the center, and Jacques has indicated that a shadow will be cast and other problems. I’ve been giving this a lot of thought and came up with a idea of making a channel around the top of tank, which will also be the bracing. Thus channeling the return to the front of the tank. Still need to do a drawing but what do you guys think?
Another one I cant seem to find the threaded piece for the duroso at any plumbing store in Pretoria any one can guide me where to find the item. This is the piece with the nut and seal between the panes.
Oh yes and my white cemnet rock is comming along, but you will have to wait as I might post this as a DIY on th WIKI comp.
 
yip, do the chaneling this will be a better optoin then the pipe running threw the middle of the tank.(Mh will also melt the pvc if it is to close)

Lets se the new design bruce
 
Hi Bruce, a quick weather report from the Motherland - heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelp we're being blown away, storms all over the country, wind, freezing rain, some more wind, things are falling over, it's Armabloodygeddon i tell yer:(
 
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