DIY Project showcase!!

[NateHanson]

I thought it would be cool to have a picture gallery of all the DIY projects our members have done for their ReefTanks. Big and small, professional-looking and totally ghetto, let's just see the full range. It could be your kalk dripper, DIY skimmer, a sump you built or baffled, even something simple like a home-made glass scraper. Everything will inspire or impress someone. :)

Please post a picture of your finished product, and if you'd like to, include a brief description. Even if you've already posted it in a previous thread, please add it to this gallery so we have a easily accessible collection of as many projects as possible.

I'd prefer not to get into discussions of the projects here, so we don't lose the photo-gallery effect. Feel free to start your dedicated thread if there's discussion to be had about your project or someone elses. (Part of the purpose of this gallery is to encourage all the closet DIYers to start posting their Frankenstein creations for the rest of the group to see.)

So here it is, your excuse to show off your stuff. :D Enjoy!

Nate

[NateHanson]

I'll start it out with a powerhead stirred Kalk Reactor I built. It's gravity or pump fed with RODI through the lid to the bottom of the chamber, and saturated Kalk is pushed out of the second fitting in the lid (to the left). The very small powerhead is controlled by a digital timer, and stirs the kalk for one minute, three times per day.

[TBoisvert]

Here's my new DIY Stand and canopy. Lights are out, but it was the best pic I could get.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y25/tboisvert/stand.jpg

[NateHanson]

Great Tammie! That came out really nicely. :)

Keep 'em coming folks!

[Syris]

Here is my ghetto Kalk reactor....

http://www.wildbillreef.net/kalk.htm


http://www.wildbillreef.net/images/Kalk/2003_0328ac.jpg





And my DIY Carbon filter.....




http://www.wildbillreef.net/images/DIY/CarbonFilter4-29-2004.jpg

[SMS76]

DIY Canopy and Stand.

[NateHanson]

Love the toilet flange on your kalk reactor Bill! :)

Looking great folks, who's got more?

Here's a basic sump to keep things moving. It's a 55g in the basement. Drain is on the left there, and the skimmer sits over there now. 4 baffles then the return section with auto-topoff. Fuge is behind the return pump with a tilted baffle to prevent a waterfall.

Nate

[Liam]

How about this for a frankenstien creation :D

Its my DIY plankton and brine shrimp reactor

[Liam]

here it is in action

[spectrum]

Here is one of of my early reactors (now collecting dust in the cellar)

[spectrum]

And here is the behemoth I made for Armando , and JayG for that matter

[NateHanson]

collecting dust?! :eek: send it over here! :)
Great looking Ca reactors!

And Liam, your phyto farm looks like an ultra-modern bathroom lighting fixture. :) I hope that's not hidden back in your fish room.

[coolwater]

Wow U Guys Do Some Great Work

[_Eric_]

Nice thread NateHanson.

I will also add nice job everyone.

Here are some really old projects that I have done.
This will save you alot of money.
All this stuff can be picked up at your local RadioShack.

Parts on the list to get.
1__depending on the size of your tank (Example) I have a 75 gallon so I used 7 led's. Here is the part # 276-316, Blue 2600 MCD and the price of each led is $4.29

2__You need a power device t power up the led's
part # 273-1757, 4.5VDC/700mA AC-to-DC Adapter
Price of adapter $17.99


3__Next you need to get some 18g wire. This can be picked up any place.


4__next thing that is needed is a soldering gun and solder.


5__Next will be the project enclosure box, Part #270-1801
Price of the part $2.29

6__ Double-Sided Foam Tape


After you get all the parts its time to make it happen.
Drill the encloure box to the size of the led.Rember to drill a small hole on the side of the box so there is a place for the wire to come out.
Next is cut the lenth's of cable you need to use. Solder the led's to the wire. Follow this till you have all the led's you want to use.
Next is you need to plug the power supply in. Take your wire's that you connected to your led's and plug them into the power supply to give it the test.

Depending on how many led's you use you might need a resistor. (Example) 1 or 2 led's
Last is install them where you want them in the canopy.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/eric41177/CIMG0727.jpg
__________________________________________________ _______________________

This was not my idea but I thought it was great so I made one
Mag clip
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/eric41177/project.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/eric41177/project3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/eric41177/project_908.jpg
__________________________________________________ _______________

[_Eric_]

Canopys that I built for my 75
First one.(as you can tell..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/eric41177/oldcanopy.jpg
Second one
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/eric41177/side.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/eric41177/canopy_inside.jpg
__________________________________________________ _______________________

[_Eric_]

My do it yourself fuge.(Not my greatest but it worked)
Lighting..(Lights Of America from the Homedepot) 2 65w 6500k's
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/eric41177/CIMG0460.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/eric41177/CIMG0734.jpg
Then I made a canopy for it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/eric41177/CIMG1232.jpg
__________________________________________________ _______________________

[_Eric_]

My Auto top-off system.(At the time)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/eric41177/CIMG0684.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/eric41177/CIMG0685.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/eric41177/CIMG0687.jpg
__________________________________________________ _______________________

[Liam]

And Liam, your phyto farm looks like an ultra-modern bathroom lighting fixture. :) I hope that's not hidden back in your fish room.[/QUOTE]

LOL ,yeah when i lived in my apartment i had it on the kitchen wall.It was quite a conversation piece,needless to say everyone that visited thought i had mental health issues :D

[Pat H.]

Nice projects everyone! I'm getting inspired!

Here's pics of the largest DIY project I've done (and still in the works).
A 345 gallon plywood/glass tank and stand. 1" thick plywood, 100+ heavy duty screws, 1 gl epoxy paint, 3/8" plate glass and lots of silicone sealent!

[Pat H.]

Here's a couple more of the tank getting filled(if you could see behind the camera, you'd see my fingers crossed!) and acclimating the new lights.

[NateHanson]

That is so damn cool Patrick! I wish I had stayed with the tour for one more stop! That project really deserves it's own thread. I think we'd all like to hear about how you designed it, and what you learned.

Nate

[Pat H.]

Aw shucks! Thanks Nate! I'd be happy to share all. I'll PM you first before starting a thread about how to make it understandable(i'm not much of a writer).

Also, I thought those pics would come out on the page instead of as links. Did i do something wrong?

Thanks again, Patrick

[NateHanson]

Just attach one picture per post, and they'll show up in-text.

Nate

[The Jester2]

This is the stand and cover that I built for the 90g when I moved. 3 side viewing. It sits between by kitchen a dinning area.

[The Jester2]

I built both the suimp and the fuge for my old system (70G) I still use the sump for the 90, but I don't have room for the sump.

[The Jester2]

The wall/entertainment center is 24' long and 8' high. The right side has the 70g tank the sump and fuge fit nicely under the tank. I had 3' of dead space behind the wall so I had lots of room.

[NateHanson]

HOT DAMN Jordan! That entertainment/tank wall is tres nice! :D

Nice 90 stand too. What type of plywood did you use for the 90 stand? Figured birch? Where'd you find it?

[The Jester2]

Nate
The plwood is OAK. I just got what HD had in stock at the time I was rushed to get the stand done. I used to get my wood and plywood in Groveland at ESTY's lumber. They have a great selection of hard woods and plywoods. There is also a place in NH around the salisbury area but I can't think of the name off hand.

[Jim Tansey]

Stand, Canopy, & Calcium Reactor Cabinet.

[Jim Tansey]

Calcium Reactor (DIY).

[Jim Tansey]

Wood grill on canopy keeps things cool.

[Jim Tansey]

Co2 Controller

[mano1192]

WOW Jim thats a nice setup!

[nemogonecrazy]

jim how do you keep your water so damn clear.

[Ba19Ma88]

This is the back of the tank

[Ba19Ma88]

Running 2ea 250watt 10K's and 4 24" Vho's

[BigSmokeShowJOE]

Nice Ply. Tank!!!!!

[agent6473]

Here's an acrylic sump built to fit under the small stand of a 30 cube. It really maximized water volume in the small space. Drain in the back using SpaFlex with CPR bakpak hanging out the back space of the stand. 6 gallon fuge in the front with Lights of America 65w fixture.

[aweeks95]

here is my creation before i installed it

[aweeks95]

here it is up and running

[aweeks95]

my plumbing...

[nitrofish]

Ill I have to offer is some of the stands I have made.

[nitrofish]

this one was made for a friend who lives in cali, so I had to make it shipable, so I made detachable legs out of wood and steel tank platforms powder coated blue. it holds X2 55 gallon tanks

[nitrofish]

a hexagon tank stand

[nitrofish]

I got a little crazy with this one. it holds x6 40 gallon aquariums.

it lives at beacon aquarium now.

[nitrofish]

one I made for a really large tank

[go4broke44]

My 11gal DIY acrylic tank:
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b393/go4broke44/DSCN0330.jpg
Protein Skimmer:
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b393/go4broke44/DSCN0329.jpg
and DIY acrylic 1.1gal nano:
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b393/go4broke44/DSCN0347.jpg

[go4broke44]

tank and protein skimmer in action:
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b393/go4broke44/DSCN0351.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b393/go4broke44/DSCN0337.jpg

[NateHanson]

Nice work! :)

[Jim Tansey]

I make my own pipe clamps as I find it difficult to purchase ones that are both the required diameter and centerline distance I need. Take some scrap stock cut to width and drill the desired hole (Forstner bits give a nice clean hole), using table saw cut the bottom cut so that you end up with the desired dimension from the base to pipe centerline, make a second cut through the center of the hole and drill the mounting hole and two clamp holes.

Jim

[John K]

A link to my Ca reactor thread.

http://www.bostonreefers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=15245&page=3

[Michael Mota]

This shows my tank setup. the hood and stand were made by me using pine with 2x4 for a frame and some molding to finish it off

[Gina McReeferson]

Seems like I've been working on this for ten years(at least that's what the girl says!). She is 8' long 2' wide and 2' deep, about 240 gallons(the tank not the girl!). I built EVERYTHING, some things I even built twice(OOPS!). These are in progress pictures, in a month or two I'll post a finnished pic as a grand finale!

[Gina McReeferson]

Here is a newer one, not done yet....

Thats a twenty in the front of the stand. You can get a sense of scale.

[John K]

my reactor

[Duds]

nice job that looks sweet, calcium reactor right?
Duds

[John K]

Thanks, made it a year ago, learned how to post pics last night :)

Reactor, and reactor next to MRC reactor.

[TomD]

Great work everybody. I wish I could do stuff like this.

Dave I can't wait to see pics of that tank when it is done!

[Lawnmowerblennieman]

I know it's been a long time since some one last posted someting but I wish I could have you all in my basement working for me:rolleyes: . You all have great ideas. All I've built is a sump with a refugium in it.

Keep up the good work.

[NateHanson]

You all have great ideas. All I've built is a sump with a refugium in it.

Keep up the good work.

Yep, great to share ideas and get inspired.

Let's see that sump you made. There's something to learn from every project. Even sumps can be laid out in so many different ways. :)

Nate

[lawrant]

here are some pics of my recently added fuge. I used the proclear wet dry I already had as my sump and just added the fuge by putting a bulkhead from the box I built into the sump. The basic issue I had was that my 55s center brace makes the space underneath a whole lot smaller than it looks. You can't even fit a 10 gal under there .... I tried.:rolleyes: the clear tubing in the undertank pic caries the water from the sump into the fuge i keep it around 200GPH ....

[rocko stjean]

20 gallon tank to start. 11 inch section for skimmer, then the baffles, 8 inches tall x 12 inches wide. It was a nice and snug fit. The space between the baffles was 1 1\4 (or 5\4), I used scrap wood for spacers, 5\4 in between the baffles and under the middle one to keep it all even. Then its the refugium Area. Then the return section which is 4 inches wide and 8 inches tall. The baffle on the return section has 1 inch grooves in the top. Check out http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/sumps/glass/index.html
This is where I got the Idea! The funny part about the tank is that it was the 1st tank I ever had. I set that up with fw fish when I was 10. Now I'm now 23. Nothing is trash, right

[John K]

Here's my most reccent DIY light hood. It's 48" with 2 x 250W DE pheonix 14K, + 1 x 150W DE Ushio 10K, + 2 x 110W actinic VHO, + 4 x lunar lights (moonlights, 2 blue, 2 white).

[John K]

Over the tank, some lights on.

[John K]

Top view, showing fans. (3 x Silex 90 CFM. Virtually silent.)

[mkeyb]

based after a precision marine one 2 diffrences thou pm is 6" wide mine is 4" pm is 18" tall mine is 23" to make up width lmk what ya think:D

[phatbob]

I had a thread following the build of my canopy for my 29g tank. Unfortunately that entire thread was documented with a lousy camera phone. I finally got a new digital camera, so I thought I'd throw a few pics of the final product up here.

[phatbob]

....

[phatbob]

.....

[phatbob]

Small access door for feeding...

[phatbob]

Top open...

[phatbob]

........

[phatbob]

Wiring...

[phatbob]

That's all folks...

[NateHanson]

Very nice work! :)

[Jim Tansey]

Very nice work and an excellent design.

Jim

[Half Circle Fever]

Incredible creations everyone!

[rtc_reefer]

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r276/rtcamarata/Aquarium/KalkReactorPieces2.jpg

The separation between stages is a round electrical box!
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r276/rtcamarata/Aquarium/Kalk-StageSeparation.jpg


Working using a Iwaki MD 10r pump for stirring controlled by an AC III (4 10 minute cycles per day)

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r276/rtcamarata/Aquarium/kalkReactor.jpg

[NateHanson]

Very Ghetto! Clever use of available parts. I LOVE it. Great idea. Did you come up with the design yourself?

[rtc_reefer]

yup! My own design. It's made of 4" PVC with a 2" coupler so I can recharge easily. The lower chamber is the "mixing chamber" and is about 3 feet long. The upper chamber is the "settling" chamber and is about 3' long also. I initially put an entire can of lime in but believe that is can hold at least 3 cans.

[Pat H.]

My dual chamber reverse flow calcium reactor. Here's the thread http://www.bostonreefers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=59767
I hope this baby works! I'll post a pic of it in action in a few days.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e20/PHreef/DSC01858A.jpg

[Jeff.:P]

My 55g canopy
(2)-150w's MH w/ (2) 54w's 8" clearance, 3 angled pc fans.
The thread.
http://www.bostonreefers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=60185

http://www.bostonreefers.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=35369&stc=1&d=1204145892

http://www.bostonreefers.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=35370&stc=1&d=1204145937

[Rudy]

I have a more comprehensive build thread located somewhere in this DIY forum. But I saw this thread and though I'd post to it. Just about everything I could DIY I did, filtration room, plumbing, DT stand, sump, etc.

The set-up will be up and running for 2 full-years on December 13th.

230 DT

http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx158/RudyPT/Aquaria/230%20Tank%20Build/ONE014.jpg
http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx158/RudyPT/Aquaria/230%20Tank%20Build/ONE015.jpg
http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx158/RudyPT/Aquaria/230%20Tank%20Build/ONE016.jpg

125 sump/fuge in basement below directly DT

http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx158/RudyPT/Aquaria/230%20Tank%20Build/Aquaria001-Post.jpg
http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx158/RudyPT/Aquaria/230%20Tank%20Build/ONE0202.jpg

[alexzobi]

Pat

This is pretty much exactly what i was planning on doing for my next tank, but i was unsure if there was a special kind of epoxy i should look for and what silicone sealant to use. From my research, i've found that home depot carries a silicone made by DAT that claims to be aquarium safe. I was wondering how your tank is holding up and if you had any advice. Thanks!!

Alex

[John K]

Are you asking about Pat H's plywood tank? If so, he probably wont' see this as he broke it down and IIRC sold it not too long ago. If you click on his user name on one of his posts, there will be an option to e-mail. I'd try that as I don't think he's on the board very often anymore.

You can also search for a build thread in this forum by smcnally where there was some good discussion about epoxies for use on plywood tanks.

As for silicone, Nothing at HD or lowes is really any good for building stuff. Those are all sealants. You want an industrial grade adhesive. Momentive RTV100 series silicones are commonly reccomended and can be ordered from mcmaster.com or grainger.com

[Pat H.]

Pat

This is pretty much exactly what i was planning on doing for my next tank, but i was unsure if there was a special kind of epoxy i should look for and what silicone sealant to use. From my research, i've found that home depot carries a silicone made by DAT that claims to be aquarium safe. I was wondering how your tank is holding up and if you had any advice. Thanks!!

Alex

Hi Alex,

I used Sweetwater epoxy from Aquatic Ecosystems in light blue. It's a little pricey with the shipping cost, but worth it for the piece of mind.

My tank ran for about 5 years, then held all of it's seawater for another year or so before being emptied. A BRS member took the tank a few months ago and has told me it is now setup and running again. I never had leaks or any other problems with the construction of that tank.

I used 4 or 5 caulking sized tubes of All-Glass Silicone Aquarium Sealant. Worked perfectly.

Advice? Well, I used ordinary plate glass. If I were to do it again, I think I'd go for the iron-free (Starfire etc) glass.

Also, I would use nice plywood. Furniture grade, and as thick as you can afford. I used 1" thick. Some of the DIY online articles say to use just ordinary plywood. While it would probably be plenty strong enough, it would require much more finish work than the furniture ply.

I didn't use ordinary screws either. I used these http://www.mcfeelys.com/product/7050-CSP/7mm-x-50mm-Connecting-Cabinet-Screw
Very heavy duty. I put them every 4" all the way around.

Anything else just ask :)

-Pat

[Pat H.]

http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategories/3048/Sweetwater-Epoxy-Paints-1-Gallon/sweetwater/0

Here's a link for the epoxy.

[alexzobi]

Thanks all, sorry it took me so long to respond, but i have since set up a 50 gal. and thanks for the detailed description as to how you went about it. Not quite ready for the plywood tank. once i buy a house it'll be a serious project. however, i've still been researching and came across this stuff. i just figured it would save me the shipping costs as there's a sherwin williams about fifteen minutes from me that sells it.

http://protective.sherwin-williams.com/detail.jsp?A=sku-26213%3aproduct-6855

[aquafarmer]

That is an awesome island!!

[aquafarmer]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0cdmGM0fFdU/To0_BJDuVXI/AAAAAAAACBQ/Enyfs_noXF4/s200/IMG_2843.jpg
My first hexagonal cabinet and canopy. This is for a 45 gal hex.I made it without plans because - frankly - I couldn't wrap my head around the whole hexagon thing, and I couldn't make plans. As a result, the thing took forever to build, and I used a lot of screws!

The stand is 100% solid cherry, with solid cherry frame and panel construction. I used snap-closing euro hinges on the doors, and brass overlay hinges for the canopy lid, with cork all around so the doors don't slam. The finish is three coats of General's Arm-R-Seal oil & urethane blend, which is both a sealer coat and a topcoat. I rubbed the last coat with steel wool. This is a quick, nice looking, and water-resistant finish.

[Rudy]

Nicely done. It will showcase you living art well.

I have found with my projects creating plans, other than the basic idea, is often wasted time for me as creating detailed drawings, schematics, etc. is not my strength. I prefer to start with my idea and usually perform a good amount of trial and error (make corrections/adjustments) as I go. So long as you are willing to back-up a few steps and redo things a few times, it is not a problem. You are right, this usually results in a lengthier project and there probably is a more waste in terms of materials. However, the satisfaction at the end is nice.

Cheers, Keith

[carmen]

i try to make what i need can you send how to

[CoralJunkie]

my first try at a 40 gallon breeder stand, still need to finish the doors i ran out of wood after making one 81846818448184781845

[mtpkts13]

my stand! Mydoors and front trim arent done yet on the front, still working on the plumbing
85039
85040
my ghetto ass seams on my 20L sump
85041

[Pat02026]

Nice rimless!! The sump looks good too, nothing wrong with that! You'll be a pro next time you baffle a tank

[Intheflesh]

Nice stand and rimless! What are the dimensions of the tank? I am loving the low and deep look.

[mtpkts13]

The tank is 48x24x18, I liked the low long look too! Last tank I had was high and I didn't particularly care for the rock wall aquascaping. I figured this tank would give me a different option I think I'm gonna have to get a screen made for the top my son and I want the obligatory clown and anemone and I would hate to come home to a fish on the floor!

[mtpkts13]

heres my plumbing! Please excuse my Vans shoelace! Its a temporary fix till I get a proper hanger from work tomorrow:p
86045