The insanity has begun... My 345 SA/CA Build thread
- Thread starter PDRed302
- Start date
Thank you everyone for all the kind words
Well, I have been a bit busy with stuff around the house since the cycle started, I need to get back on the ball and get the top finished up and the stand skinned and painted.
I got the pleco house built the other day and figured Id do a small update.
A shot of the deco stone with emergency exit (rear) cut complete:
Front door cut out:
I covered the inside of the rock and its exposed edges with GE silicone 1 and then sprinkled sand on all of the silicone area to give the inside and edges a sandy look (hands were messy, and I didnt take a pic). I then glued it down to a piece of slate tile using the silicone 1 covering the glue line with sand as well; went ahead and added a slate base to a plant I was adding to the tank as well.
Inside shot 1:
Inside shot 2:
Tank shot:
The tank is a bit hazy as it sits now but Im only 2 weeks into the cycle, so I guess it can be expected
More pics/updates soon.
Well, I have been a bit busy with stuff around the house since the cycle started, I need to get back on the ball and get the top finished up and the stand skinned and painted.
I got the pleco house built the other day and figured Id do a small update.
A shot of the deco stone with emergency exit (rear) cut complete:
Front door cut out:
I covered the inside of the rock and its exposed edges with GE silicone 1 and then sprinkled sand on all of the silicone area to give the inside and edges a sandy look (hands were messy, and I didnt take a pic). I then glued it down to a piece of slate tile using the silicone 1 covering the glue line with sand as well; went ahead and added a slate base to a plant I was adding to the tank as well.
Inside shot 1:
Inside shot 2:
Tank shot:
The tank is a bit hazy as it sits now but Im only 2 weeks into the cycle, so I guess it can be expected
More pics/updates soon.
Another small update:
I got my RGB 9w LEDs in the mail today, threw them on and got them lit.
I am already a huge fan, they come with a remote that adjust color and brightness as well as a timer feature. They were 19 bucks with free shipping (way cheaper than anything I found locally). Standard E27 hook up, and theyre plug and play.
Ebay link if anyone is interested:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290692012425?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
(Not trying to advertise here, just info for anyone interested, I am in no way affiliated with the seller.)
Mixing the colors is fun and I feel like I could play with the combos and aiming the lights for hours, just deciding which setup to go with for now (Im sure Ill change it 100 times)
Two of my favorites:
Green and blue:
Blue and light purple:
Again, thank you for all of your comments and thanks for looking.
I got my RGB 9w LEDs in the mail today, threw them on and got them lit.
I am already a huge fan, they come with a remote that adjust color and brightness as well as a timer feature. They were 19 bucks with free shipping (way cheaper than anything I found locally). Standard E27 hook up, and theyre plug and play.
Ebay link if anyone is interested:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290692012425?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
(Not trying to advertise here, just info for anyone interested, I am in no way affiliated with the seller.)
Mixing the colors is fun and I feel like I could play with the combos and aiming the lights for hours, just deciding which setup to go with for now (Im sure Ill change it 100 times)
Two of my favorites:
Green and blue:
Blue and light purple:
Again, thank you for all of your comments and thanks for looking.
Update:
Well, the top is done.
This took a little longer than expected. I ended up taking 2 weeks off from the build to get some other stuff done around the house. After that it only took a few hours to get the top put together and fit to size.
started by making a basic frame:
Then moved on to boxing in 73" x 24" on the frame. I ended up with some space for a shaded area, so I put it toward the front most edge of my tank, figuring that my big O Swamp thing would take the spot and be easier for me to see. So far so good, he took right to it.:
I ended up deciding to use overhanging 1"x at different widths to create the shelf for the top glass. Also you can see the 2"x2" used on the front and back for added strength, the tank does not have a cross brace, so I figured I'd add one at the same time as the top. After thinking about it a bit more I decided I didn't want a 72"x24" glass top, so I cut it down to a 48"x24" and a 20"x24".:
A shot from the top before the finish:
With temporary feet on waiting for sanding and finish:
Well, the top is done.
This took a little longer than expected. I ended up taking 2 weeks off from the build to get some other stuff done around the house. After that it only took a few hours to get the top put together and fit to size.
started by making a basic frame:
Then moved on to boxing in 73" x 24" on the frame. I ended up with some space for a shaded area, so I put it toward the front most edge of my tank, figuring that my big O Swamp thing would take the spot and be easier for me to see. So far so good, he took right to it.:
I ended up deciding to use overhanging 1"x at different widths to create the shelf for the top glass. Also you can see the 2"x2" used on the front and back for added strength, the tank does not have a cross brace, so I figured I'd add one at the same time as the top. After thinking about it a bit more I decided I didn't want a 72"x24" glass top, so I cut it down to a 48"x24" and a 20"x24".:
A shot from the top before the finish:
With temporary feet on waiting for sanding and finish:
I ended up deciding to use "Rubberize It" to coat the lid. Following the directions I wanted 24 hours between each coat, so it ended up taking 7 days to paint.
After waiting a week for it to dry, it still seemed a bit tacky, so I ended up holding off another week to place it on top of the tank. It has been very humid here (even though its 100 degrees outside it ended up raining twice the first week of dry time), so I contribute that to the 2 week dry time. I made sure to take it outside everyday after work the second week to let it get some sun.:
Day time picture after it was set on the tank:
Glass on:
...Hopefully I'll have a few tank shots on later tonight.
After waiting a week for it to dry, it still seemed a bit tacky, so I ended up holding off another week to place it on top of the tank. It has been very humid here (even though its 100 degrees outside it ended up raining twice the first week of dry time), so I contribute that to the 2 week dry time. I made sure to take it outside everyday after work the second week to let it get some sun.:
Day time picture after it was set on the tank:
Glass on:
...Hopefully I'll have a few tank shots on later tonight.
Beautiful, and liking the mustang in the background
Thanks
One of my first Hobbies, still alive and well; I've had that car since I was 17.