Finally joining the club

[rokit_armor]

great, thanks!

I got to messing with the pump today, it's a Little Giant 4-MDQX-SC. I may have to replace it though, it's pretty rusty, i can clean it pretty well, but I have to give it a bump to get it spinning after I plug it in. Any suggestions for a replacement in-line pump?

 

[Lusus_Naturae]

This might help - http://reefs.org/library/pumps/

 

[rokit_armor]

I got it to start on it's own for a bit earlier. Lubed the heck out of it, it spins really easy, just doesn't want to start spinning on its own. Does anyone have experience with the Danner Mag 18?

 

[rokit_armor]

Figured it out, the insulation on the start capacitor had deteriorated to the point where the wires were shorting. Had to cut an access hole out to repair it.

 

[rokit_armor]

Allright! Got it all rebuilt and functioning! No way to tell if it doesn't leak until things are set up.

 

[rokit_armor]

Re-sealing the tank, not too hard of a job. Problem is, front is all scratched up. Like, really bad. Only a couple I can feel with my fingernails. I must have had a piece of coral or something stuck in the sponge when I cleaned it all up. I have heard I can buff out minor scratches with cerium oxide or toothpaste, does this sound correct? Any other things I can do to get rid of scratches?

 

[rokit_armor]

What about the epoxy the auto glass repair guys use? Would that fill the big scratches and then buff out enough to hide them?

 

[suds1421]

I know this is late... but on your stand design, make sure the top "ribbon boards" (the ones over top of the posts) sit on top of the posts and are NOT layed flat but are on edge. They have MUCH more strength on edge and your aquarium will weigh near 2000lbs when filled with water, canopy on top. etc.

 

[rokit_armor]

Well since my vertical supports are 2x sandwiched, could I just sandwich the ribbon boards and lay them on edge as well?

 

[rokit_armor]

I need some lighting advice.
Should I get two of these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/36-T5-Light...ultDomain_0&hash=item43a9ba8569#ht_1627wt_952

or just one of the 48" versions?

I was also considering going cheap and putting in a few 24" 'shop light' t8 fixtures in the canopy.

This is just a community freshwater tank with 10 plants.

I sold our non-functional vehicle and should be starting the stand build this weekend (fingers crossed). I need to get a hold of an angle buffer and some cerium oxide to buff out the scratches and remaining mineral buildup. Then I need to finish re-sealing the tank, build my background, do the canopy and lighting, plumb it all up, ugh. I have to get the tank out of where it is; the in-laws garage; soon. They are moving Feb. 1st. They had a 29g setup I had been maintaining and would not be able to take care of it where they are moving. Had to 'adopt' their fish, my 47g bow is WAY overstocked now too! (5 angels, 2 8" dragon gobys, 8" I.D. shark, 2 albino tiger barbs, 2 red-tail sharks, 4 yoyo loaches, 6 platies, 1 guppie, 2 cory cats, golden gourami, paradise gourami, pictus cat, 9" plec and a 6" plec). ZOMG it's a frenzy. I can't wait to transplant them to the 200g. I hope they can all get along until then, the resident red-tail got upset and was chasing everyone around and was doing a dominance dance towards the new red-tail.

Ugh.

p.s. I have set up albums for both the bowfront and the 200g on my profile.