First DIY: Tank Cover

Gujustud · 01-07-2004, 02:34 PM

Well I couldn't take it any longer, so I had to start my first DIY.

Just incase you don't know my background, I work with my dad, who own's his own CNC Machine shop. Its a small shop, mainly just the two of us work there. We've got 2 CNC machines (VMC) and a manual lathe, and a few other stuff.

Anyhoo, I'm also new to the whole reef thing, and if you're read any of my other posts, you'll know I just started off (or check my blog).

Well I noticed how much the water evaporates from the tank, and also the heat loss. So today, I made my own tank cover for the top of the tank (duh). I just installed it, however, as always, I made it a little too big. I've also gotta do some small modifications to it for the wires, and so forth, which I'll do tomorrow. All in the learning process

without the cover

with cover

cover on its own

more pics

Gujustud · 01-07-2004, 02:35 PM

I made some small modifications to the cover:

First I removed the small lips from the side slots where the cables were coming out of. Before I had to fish the cables for the powerhead thru the slot, and then if I wanted to remove the cover, I'd have to refish it thru again, which was lame.

before

after

You'll also notice I added a extra slot for the heater. At first I didn't put one in, because I didn't think the heater came up so high, but when I got home, it did, so I needed to make the extra hole for it to stick out of.

The next thing I did was remove the lip from the hole I made for my future HOT fuge. I did this for 2 reasons, space, and also you'll notice in the first pic, that it did crack when I initially made it, because it was too thin.

before

after

Cougra · 01-07-2004, 02:49 PM

Nice work you've done! I like the wave design you've put in there!

Welcome to the Sanctuary!

Gujustud · 01-07-2004, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cougra
Nice work you've done! I like the wave design you've put in there!

Welcome to the Sanctuary!

Thanks!

Yeah I really like the wave, it was a last minute thing. Now that I look at it, I wish I made 10 instead of 5. I would make smaller ones, but 5 on each side of the center support of the tank. Oh well...

Pro_builder · 01-07-2004, 03:01 PM

You did a great job, that is half of the battle to DIY'ing something. Figuring out exactly what you want the first time through.
Welcome to RS

mwrager · 01-07-2004, 03:14 PM

Well it looks good. I might add that you want to make it easy to remove. Because you will need to clean the salt off of it 2 to 3 times a week. Also you want to keep the cover as clear as possible and do not use any cleaner to clean the cover. That way the light can get into the tank. Also I would keep an eye on the temp. Most of us use a fan that blows across the top of the water to remove heat. The problem with the fan is we all have a problem with evaporation.

Gujustud · 01-07-2004, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mwrager
Well it looks good. I might add that you want to make it easy to remove. Because you will need to clean the salt off of it 2 to 3 times a week. Also you want to keep the cover as clear as possible and do not use any cleaner to clean the cover. That way the light can get into the tank. Also I would keep an eye on the temp. Most of us use a fan that blows across the top of the water to remove heat. The problem with the fan is we all have a problem with evaporation.

Thanks for the info. After the modifications I made, its extremely easy to remove the cover. I lift off the lights, and lift of the cover. It doesn't interfer with any of the cables now. I may have to cut open the round hole as well, so that if there is tubing that goes thru it, that it doesn't come in the way. But I'll probably do that once I start building my HOT fuge, skimmer, whatever.

See the two slots above? I made those to fit my hand, to lift up on the cover. There are 2 of these slots on both sides, so its really easy to lift up on the cover. The bigger hole also fits my hydrometer perfect to test the salinity every now and then.

I'm thinking about making another hole, and installing a computer fan on the top to blow air under, which will come out thru the various other holes, and the waves. This would keep air moving over the top of the water constantly, and to remove heat.

I found just wiping it down with hot water keeps it nice and clean, then once it dries, I rewipe it to remove any water marks, and its crystal clear.

Witfull · 01-07-2004, 05:09 PM

outstanding!!

jks1 · 01-07-2004, 08:33 PM

Very nice work!!

01-07-2004, 02:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
Gujustud Tunicate Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Richmond, BC, CA Posts: 10 View Gallery Karma Komment	First DIY: Tank Cover Well I couldn't take it any longer, so I had to start my first DIY. Just incase you don't know my background, I work with my dad, who own's his own CNC Machine shop. Its a small shop, mainly just the two of us work there. We've got 2 CNC machines (VMC) and a manual lathe, and a few other stuff. Anyhoo, I'm also new to the whole reef thing, and if you're read any of my other posts, you'll know I just started off (or check my blog). Well I noticed how much the water evaporates from the tank, and also the heat loss. So today, I made my own tank cover for the top of the tank (duh). I just installed it, however, as always, I made it a little too big. I've also gotta do some small modifications to it for the wires, and so forth, which I'll do tomorrow. All in the learning process without the cover with cover cover on its own more pics

01-07-2004, 02:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
Gujustud Tunicate Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Richmond, BC, CA Posts: 10 View Gallery Karma Komment	Modified I made some small modifications to the cover: First I removed the small lips from the side slots where the cables were coming out of. Before I had to fish the cables for the powerhead thru the slot, and then if I wanted to remove the cover, I'd have to refish it thru again, which was lame. before after You'll also notice I added a extra slot for the heater. At first I didn't put one in, because I didn't think the heater came up so high, but when I got home, it did, so I needed to make the extra hole for it to stick out of. The next thing I did was remove the lip from the hole I made for my future HOT fuge. I did this for 2 reasons, space, and also you'll notice in the first pic, that it did crack when I initially made it, because it was too thin. before after

01-07-2004, 02:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
Cougra Dragon Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 2,216 View Gallery Karma Komment	Nice work you've done! I like the wave design you've put in there! Welcome to the Sanctuary! __________________ Michelle Just because something CAN be done, it doesn't mean that it SHOULD be done!

01-07-2004, 03:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	You did a great job, that is half of the battle to DIY'ing something. Figuring out exactly what you want the first time through. Welcome to RS __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

01-07-2004, 03:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
mwrager Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gilbert AZ Posts: 1,068 View Gallery Karma Komment	Well it looks good. I might add that you want to make it easy to remove. Because you will need to clean the salt off of it 2 to 3 times a week. Also you want to keep the cover as clear as possible and do not use any cleaner to clean the cover. That way the light can get into the tank. Also I would keep an eye on the temp. Most of us use a fan that blows across the top of the water to remove heat. The problem with the fan is we all have a problem with evaporation. __________________ Mark Some days I realy feel old! http://www.reefsanctuary.com/Banners/RS_banner3.gif

01-07-2004, 08:33 PM	#9 (permalink)
jks1 Achilles Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 876 View Gallery Karma Komment	Very nice work!! __________________ John Tank: 29g glass Pumps: Mag5.0 return - (3) rio 100 PHs Lighting: (1) 150w XM 10K/(2) 30W actinics Equipment: Aqua C Urchin skimmer- CPR Fuge, Titanium Heater -Red Sea wavemaster Pro Tank: 210g 1/2" Acrylic, dual overflows, 75g glass sump w/ 20g fuge. Pumps: Mag24 return - (2) MAG24s running 2 closed loop systems. Lighting: (3) 400w XM 10K/(2) Custom Sealife 96w PC - 25w dimmable incandescent Moonlight Equipment: Aqua C EV180 skimmer - CR500 calc reactor - Titanium Heater - AquaLogic single Stage Temp Controller - Aquanetics 1/5Hp Chiller - Neptune sys aquacontroller

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