The Planted Tank Forum - DIY http://www.plantedtank.net/forums Want to save yourself some money?? Discuss all your DIY projects or ask questions. en Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:00:05 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg The Planted Tank Forum - DIY http://www.plantedtank.net/forums DIY Drifitwood experiment http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/96888-diy-drifitwood-experiment.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:02:27 GMT Has anyone ever tried to make their own driftwood? I was thinking about trying and experiment...got some pretty nice woods behind my house and was thinking about cutting some roots and branches from an oak tree or a birch tree...and then trying different methods to see if I can emulate natural... Has anyone ever tried to make their own driftwood? I was thinking about trying and experiment...got some pretty nice woods behind my house and was thinking about cutting some roots and branches from an oak tree or a birch tree...and then trying different methods to see if I can emulate natural driftwood

the method that I think would work the best would be taking the roots, shaving/scraping/peeling off the top layer, cleaning them and then drying them in an oven before soaking them in a solution (havent thought about which type of solution yet) for a week and the seeing the end results...

I mean...what makes the driftwood sold in stores so special? ]]> DIY killacross http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/96888-diy-drifitwood-experiment.html Aquaponics http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/96797-aquaponics.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:26:19 GMT Hello everyone. I am an avid gardener and I currently harvest 60 heads of romaine lettuce per month, fresh herbs, and I have a few tomato plants. I would realyl like to setup an aquaponics system to use fish waste as the food for my plants. Essentially the tank water is pumped through a series... Hello everyone. I am an avid gardener and I currently harvest 60 heads of romaine lettuce per month, fresh herbs, and I have a few tomato plants.

I would realyl like to setup an aquaponics system to use fish waste as the food for my plants. Essentially the tank water is pumped through a series of grow beds. The plants in the grow beds soak up the nitrate/nitrites from the water in a purifying process before the water is returned to the fish tank.

My question is going to involve which fish to use. I would like to find something very hardy and that is a good pooper. :)

I'm not sure how to determine the ratio of fish/tank size to the ratio of plants being grown.

Does anyone know about aquaponics? ]]> DIY halfsour http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/96797-aquaponics.html How to make a bookshelf/aquarium stand? http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/96776-how-make-bookshelf-aquarium-stand.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:00:57 GMT Hello,

I have a computer desk that I don't really use and was wondering of replacing it for a bookshelf that can hold a 20/30 gallon long/tall. Instead of spending big bucks for one I was wondering if anyone has a blueprint/instructions on how to make one? I'm not really a handy man but I will do my best.

Thanks
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]]> DIY eiginh http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/96776-how-make-bookshelf-aquarium-stand.html adding center brace? http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/96768-adding-center-brace.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:37:22 GMT I'm doing a fill test on a 40 breeder and notice it is bowing in the center. I bought the tank as it is - it never had a center brace to begin with either. It is about 1/8 inch wider in the middle than the sides right now, but it was just filled so I'm gonna check it again in a bit. If it continues to widen I'm gonna be forced to add a center brace. Anyone have any insights as to the best way to go about this?
Gracias ]]> DIY DrinkTheYeastMix http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/96768-adding-center-brace.html Stand is too small....will this help? http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/96664-stand-too-small-will-help.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:57:33 GMT Not sure if this will solve my issue... My tank is without a stand, and i REALLY want to take next week to set everything up. But issue #1 is this: I have an extra stand in the garage but its 2 inches too shallow (1 inch on either side) Image:... Not sure if this will solve my issue...
My tank is without a stand, and i REALLY want to take next week to set everything up. But issue #1 is this:

I have an extra stand in the garage but its 2 inches too shallow
(1 inch on either side)


Is it going to be an issue to place two separate pieces of wood that don't span the length of the tank so there is something under the majority of the rim?


Since the rim is the only thing that makes contact with a stand is this a huge issue haveing about a 5 inch space between the pieces of wood? ]]> DIY DrinkTheYeastMix http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/96664-stand-too-small-will-help.html Need some advice on painting a MDF stand http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/96634-need-some-advice-painting-mdf-stand.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:08:04 GMT Hey all, need some advice on finishing my custom stand.
The stand is all MDF. I've read on here about using an oil-based primer, and I stopped by Home Depot today to pick some up. However, the guy behind the paint counter mentioned that there is a certain time frame after applying the oil based primer that water-based paint will stick to it, and if you wait too long the paint will just peel off. :confused: Is this a line of bull, or is there some accuracy to this? If its true, what time frame is it?

I was planning on 2 coats of Kilz oil-based primer, then 2-3 coats of paint. Do I need a sealer on top of that? If so, what's a good choice? Any advice on type of paint?

I'm also a paint noob. Any general advice for painting it? I'd like an ADA-like gray finish.
Some pics of the unfinished stand, which was built by a friend who is an amazing finish carpenter. (He swears this was "slapped together", but it looks pretty awesome to me!)





Thanks! ]]> DIY Indignation http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/96634-need-some-advice-painting-mdf-stand.html Rekord 120 DIY Tank Stand - Progress Thread http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/96558-rekord-120-diy-tank-stand-progress.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:01:15 GMT I've recently acquired myself a Rekord 120, to merge both the 60 and 40 Litre fishtanks into. It came with a cheap metal stand, that there is no way I'm using on laminate flooring. The cross section of the feet is so small that with 120-150kg on it, it would punch straight through the flooring and into the floorboards. Plus I want to hide away the external filter & air pump, plus make some space to stick my DVDs/Games into, and also all the associated fish care items.

I've took inspiration from many DIY tank threads & articles I've browsed throughout the internet, and am working to this design, with a few tweaks.


I'm using 75mm x 47mm (almost 3"x2") timber, as that was easier to acquire.

All the wood is cut to length, and I've spent a few hours this afternoon making the top and bottom framework. I've now run out of screws, so progress can't continue as of yet! Luckily, my sister doesn't live at home anymore, so her room's become the workshop for the construction process lol.

The left frame will be the bottom one, the right frame the top. As you can see, I've put a brace into the bottom one, and 2 braces into the top one. This was because I had a bit of extra wood left over, and figured I should over engineer it a little. I plan to sit the stand and the tank on some kind of foam, as the laminate flooring isn't perfectly flat, and obviously on the top to ensure the tank doesn't crack when full of water.

This shot shows how high the stand will be;


And this shot shows the TetraTec EX1200 external filter just about fits in there, with a little room to spare!


I've no idea on what external finish and internal arrangement to go for yet, I'll decide on that once I've got the frame made. ]]> DIY skinz180189 http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/96558-rekord-120-diy-tank-stand-progress.html Coralife flip legs using JBJ legs http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/96525-coralife-flip-legs-using-jbj-legs.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:24:29 GMT I ran across a thread about Coralife legs breaking, getting in the way of glass tops and just all around PITA. This search was a result of one of the legs breaking and my frustration of the light getting in the way of the glass lids. My JBJ ballast went out recently and got my sisters Coralife... I ran across a thread about Coralife legs breaking, getting in the way of glass tops and just all around PITA. This search was a result of one of the legs breaking and my frustration of the light getting in the way of the glass lids.
My JBJ ballast went out recently and got my sisters Coralife light. This was for a 48" fixture. My JBJ was the Formosa SS JD2.
I took the legs from my JBJ and took about 15 minutes to fit them on simply with two bolts.
Here are the pictures. They're pretty self-explanatory. Make sure you check the fitting on the light on the tank. My legs sat right on the edge of the light.
In case you didn't know, Aqualight (Coralife) I think has fixed this problem with these legs. I just had the legs available instead of paying $15+shipping.
http://www.marinedepot.com/Coralife_...MOFTLG-vi.html
Okay, pictures! If you have any questions I can post larger versions.
Heres the link for the set with more pictures. I just posted important pictures.
The Tank on Flickr

JBJ Formosa SS JD2 flip leg


The size would be 7/32 if you use the existing plastic thumb screw. I used a 3/16 drill bit.
8/32 x 1/2" Bolt
8/32 Hex nut


Inside Bolted


Flipped on the tank


Glass lid opens with no problems now for feeding.
]]> DIY Rohape http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/96525-coralife-flip-legs-using-jbj-legs.html Build a CO2 system? http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/96466-build-co2-system.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:59:01 GMT I have a 20 lb CO2 cilinder from a soda machine! (got it free!:icon_mrgr) I need some guidance on how to build a complete system! ( valvle, automatic on and off ) is it posible to get all the parts from home depot or lowes? I have a 20 lb CO2 cilinder from a soda machine! (got it free!:icon_mrgr)
I need some guidance on how to build a complete system! ( valvle, automatic on and off ) is it posible to get all the parts from home depot or lowes? ]]> DIY alexopolus http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/96466-build-co2-system.html To reseal or to not reseal,... http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/96457-reseal-not-reseal.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:19:08 GMT That is the question... That is the question...
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]]> DIY dempsec1 http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/96457-reseal-not-reseal.html DIY CO2 Forced Reactor, I think... http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/96376-diy-co2-forced-reactor-i-think.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:58:26 GMT Hey everybody, I am new here and looking to set up my 20 gallon from an aquarium with fish and a few plants, to a planted tank with a few fish. Anyways, I have a few questions about my setup so far as I am looking to do it right so here goes. The tank is a twenty gallon tall, with 2 inchs of... Hey everybody,
I am new here and looking to set up my 20 gallon from an aquarium with fish and a few plants, to a planted tank with a few fish. Anyways, I have a few questions about my setup so far as I am looking to do it right so here goes.

The tank is a twenty gallon tall, with 2 inchs of first layer latralite (I think thats how you spell it), with an inch of gravel on top of that.

I have a 15 W Fluora-glo bulb, which I was told by the LFS would be great, however I am sceptical.

I have filters with twice the amount of filtration need for the tank. i.e. 40 gallon filters for the twenty gallons.

Lastly I have a DIY CO2 setup with my attempt at a forced reactor which I included below.

Anyways any comments, ideas, and next steps would be great help! I have had the tank running for over 6 months and there are a few fish in it as long with a few plants. I would like to get these plants growing well before I start designing and spending money on more plants. I am not a beginner at fish keeping, however I am a beginner at the plants. I have done a lot of research so I think I know the basics pretty well. My main concerns with my setup right now are whether or no there is sufficient light, and whether my reactor is going to work. Thanks everybody! ]]> DIY th08tu http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/96376-diy-co2-forced-reactor-i-think.html ATTN: DIY junkies... metered infusion system: how to make custom water? http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/96354-attn-diy-junkies-metered-infusion-system.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:41:10 GMT Well, I'm hoping there are DIY junkies out there to help me. I imagine this thread will take a while to develop, as I'm starting with a concept and don't know too many specifics yet.

Here's the big picture I need help with.

I want to make hard water, using an infusion system to mineralize my existing water.

What I have is well water that comes out the ground:
  • essentially no mineral content (KH 0, GH 0)
  • highly infused with CO2 and therefore ungassed is pH 5.5-6 ish (outgassed it's 7.0)
  • nitrate content consistently in the 10 ppm range (farm runoff)

That water is then put through a treatment of metered, infused sodium carbonate (Na2Co3) to buffer the pH to around 7.0 (this, not outgassed)

The above treatment also results in tap water of KH 5 and I can measure the TDS but haven't done so yet, if need be.

So what I want to do is take from the treated water stream and treat again, to make a constant source of "hard" water that would run:
  • pH 7.2 +/- 0.2
  • KH 5-10
  • GH 5-10

The first treatment is done by infusion of a saturated sodium carbonate solution that is injected via peristaltic pump into the water stream. There is pulse water meter that feeds into an electronic control unit that tells the peristaltic pump when and how much to infuse into the untreated water stream. The peristaltic pump is adjustable pump rate and has to be hand calibrated such that the pulse rate specified by the pulse water meter, coupled with the adjustment on the peristaltic pump, result in the desired water parameters.

I want to do the same thing to add Ca and Mg (read: use a solution of driveway heat - calcium chloride - and epsom salts - magnesium sulfate...) to the water stream, hopefully. I'm thinking maybe a barrel of saturated Ca/Mg solution can be infused into the ALREADY Na2CO3 treated water to "make" custom, consistent "hard" water.

I'm imagining I need a peristaltic pump like the stenner on the existing system, a flow water meter, and electronic control unit. I need help picking them out.

I need help figuring out if I can make a barrel of feed solution that will inject into my Na2CO3-treated water to end up with the custom water described above.

I don't need to use the treated water if need be; I also have the option of using the untreated water as starter stock.

So, any takers on helping me brainstorm this? I can do plumbing and "stuff," quite well, just need help thinking through the hardware and chemistry.

For starters, I'm looking at this place for the DLJ-50 meter to use.

I'm thinking stenner peristaltic pump, plus some sort of pulse control module such as this.

Anyone want to help me with opinions? I'm open to ideas and sources!

Thanks to the brave souls who made it through my note, here. ]]> DIY greenisgood http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/96354-attn-diy-junkies-metered-infusion-system.html DIY c02 http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/96214-diy-c02.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:09:22 GMT Hi everyone:biggrin: I was wondering about c02,I saw it in the aquatic center and I know what it does,but it is way to expensive.How do I make a cheaper yeast and sugar c02 injector thanks chris:fish: p.s sorry if this has been posted a million times before me Hi everyone:biggrin: I was wondering about c02,I saw it in the aquatic center and I know what it does,but it is way to expensive.How do I make a cheaper yeast and sugar c02 injector



thanks


chris:fish:

p.s sorry if this has been posted a million times before me ]]> DIY newt767 http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/96214-diy-c02.html <![CDATA[Ideas for quick disconnect of 1/4" LDPE CO2 tubing?]]> http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/96185-ideas-quick-disconnect-1-4-ldpe.html Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:29:41 GMT The tubing is imprinted

1/4" OD x .170" ID POLY 048643-025585

I've traced it to being Low Density Polyethylene tubing.

It's rigid, milky white and supposedly good CO2 resistance.

I would like a mechanism to make quick disconnects inline in this tubing, because once it's on a barb, it's there forever, and I'd like to be able to disconnect my reactors from this tubing and take them away for maintenance. I could also use the disconnect joints around the check valves, for when I need to replace them periodically.

I found this, would it work? Looks like it even has a check valve built in.

Ideas, anyone?

Thanks ]]> DIY greenisgood http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/96185-ideas-quick-disconnect-1-4-ldpe.html Looking for Cabinet door source http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/96035-looking-cabinet-door-source.html Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:46:37 GMT I am building a stand and am looking for some cabinet doors.. Home Depot wanted $70 dollars apiece for them.. I need four and $280 is more than I have budged for the entire project. Does anyone here build cabinet doors? Looking for 4 raised panel doors.. 15 wide 30 high.. Any... I am building a stand and am looking for some cabinet doors.. Home Depot wanted $70 dollars apiece for them.. I need four and $280 is more than I have budged for the entire project.

Does anyone here build cabinet doors?

Looking for 4 raised panel doors.. 15 wide 30 high..

Any good internet sources?

All help and suggestions appreciated.

Thanks ]]> DIY 6t5Goat http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/96035-looking-cabinet-door-source.html