Upcoming project: Creativity, Form and Function.

FINWIN

Alligator Gar
MFK Member
Dec 21, 2018
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Washington DC
Ok, things are still moving along. Gunshot PVC is now fully painted and ready to go. I let cure a week then rinse. There will be minimal mesh at the bottom.

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FINWIN

Alligator Gar
MFK Member
Dec 21, 2018
5,152
8,233
188
Washington DC
The t-joints are now done and will be used as small caves. I had some leftover pvc sitting around (schedule 80 gray) 1 foot by 3 inches. It will make a nice tunnel cave.

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FINWIN

Alligator Gar
MFK Member
Dec 21, 2018
5,152
8,233
188
Washington DC
Those of you with good memory might remember this LARGE piece of schedule 80 gray pvc. It was originally painted in black plasti-dip but peeled some after the synos kept rasping on it. This also was used as a cave for my chocolate Bobo!

It's not quite where I want it...needs a bit more work with shadings. If you want to spend the money, large diameter pvc is the way to go for really big fish. I prefer the gray because you need far less paint/surface deco and the darker interior is more natural to the fish (looks better in the tank too). A lot pricier than the pvc 40 at large sizes though but a nice splurge if you have a big cichlid that loves caves. Interior diameter on this is 6 inches, length a foot.

As soon as I glue the intake stems on the powerheads the filters will be ready for testing. If I can fit a heater in the tops I'll do that too.

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FINWIN

Alligator Gar
MFK Member
Dec 21, 2018
5,152
8,233
188
Washington DC
Got thrown a curveball today. Project temporarily derailed due to material issues.

One problem solved and another popped up. The intake stems on the powerheads I was able to secure with washers. However an issue with the containers happened when I shook them loose of media dust that collected on the bottom. Underneath the base was one of those "Proposition 65" warnings about cancer causing materials. It only mentioned silica, but since the product is from China there's a good chance the glaze contains lead. So I'm not taking the risk. For those of you not aware glazed ceramic products in China often contain lead.

So the vases are OUT as filter boxes. I've already repurposed them as candle holders in my living room. Making chicken salad out of chicken **** like they say.

Funny how sometimes fate works. I was going to show the final assembly today before testing. So I'll be getting new containers. Will post updates.
 
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