240gal garage sump/frag system TOTW 3-14-05

[Blackcap]

I think we got something here!!
This is a new 240 sump, that me, Saltydog and O2manyfish, put together Saturday.
Also check some pic at:

http://www.reefaquariumguide.com/for...5&pagenumber=1

[dattack]

Very nice!

What did you use to make that big of a circle in the acrylic? A router or a hole saw?

[Blackcap]

Saltydog(Jeff) cut it out with a router, he had some scrap 1inch acrylic in his garage, that was left over from the 300gal. that he DIY.
This is what we started with.

[Blackcap]

top off

[Blackcap]

cutting

[Blackcap]

the master piece!!!!
I've got more pics here:http://www.reefaquariumguide.com/for...7&goto=newpost

[Reefland]

That looks sweet after the modifications from the original picture. Is that going on your system? How much water are you planning on pushing through it per hour?

[Blackcap]

Two sweetwater pumps 5000gph each!!!
the garage right now is a disaster, we moved the sump from underneath the frame, everything is coming down, new countertop, 75gal, another 240 both will be for propagation.The display tank is inside the house, on the other side of the wall.

[dgasmd]

I see in the other thread you linked that you were buffing the inside of the tank. What did you use for it? I have an acrylic tank and has some scratches that I would hope to buff out when I take it down to move in 1 year. I certainly would like to avoid the by hand only job with the 2x2 pads athat come in one of the raimbow kits if I can help it.

[Blackcap]

dgasmd

I need to ask O2manyfish, what he used. His is the one polishing!!!

[o2manyfish]

How I polish.

The polishing is a *****. For heavy scratches I use a Black & Decker Mouse Sander. I start with about 600 grit. I haven't found smoother sand paper, then I use the Steel wool pad with the Novus #3 Acrylic Polish.

Once I have gotten the deep scratches out the tank is pretty hazy looking.

I now switch over to a 7" electic polisher. I have a sheepskin pad on it and then I cover that with a Terry Cloth Bonnet.

I use the the Novus #3 on the high speed until the tank is looking and feeling clean and smooth.

Then I switch to a fresh terry bonnet. I Now use this bonnet with the #2 Novus fine scratch remover. This usually goes very quick and pending on the size of my tank and how lazy/tired I am I will use the high speed of the polisher. This part is rewarding cause the tank really starts to look good.

The tank at this point should look absolutely stunning !!!. Then I pull off the terry cover and use the standard Acrylic polish with the sheepskin polishing wheel. Make sure you use the slow speed. This makes the Acrylic absolutely sparkiling clear and transparent.

Things to be cautious of -- Small tanks - with the small tanks you can't get the wheel all the way onto the sides or the corners of the tank.

If you polish on high speed without constantly adding polish to keep the pad wet it will burn the polish onto the arylic. This takes afew minutes of repolish the area.

Cheating ---- I have done the insides of three tanks with the water lowered and the fish inside. I have suffered ZERO losses when doing this. I am sure it's not recommended but it does work.

[dgasmd]

o2manyfish:

Thanks so much for the info. Can you post more info on the following items as far as where do you get them and the specific type so I can go and get them. I lack a lot of knowledge when it comes to power tool and such:

-600 grit paper
-Steel wool pad with the Novus #3 Acrylic Polish
-#2 Novus fine scratch remover

While you are polishing with the terry cloth and the sheepskin, do you keep it wet at all times? What do you use to keep it wet? Water or some polishing compound?

Sorry about the petty lame and simple questions, but I ahve no knowledge whatsoever in this department.

Thanks again,
Alberto

[o2manyfish]

DGASMD

The 600 grit sand paper you should be able to find at Home Depot or Lowes. If you can find finer sand paper (eg 1200 or 1600) and use those as well the smoother (clearer) your finish will be.

The Steel Wool Pad, is a pad that you can buy at Home Depot for the Black & Decker Mouse Sander.

Novus #2 & #3 Acrylic polish should be available at a good Aquarium Store. Also you can find it at any plastics store - Where you would buy your Acrylic.


When using the terry pads, I keep them moist with the polish.

Hope that answers your questions and gets you started.

The safest thing to do before you play with your tank is find a piece of scrap acrylic. If you have a local plastic store buy some scrap ( Not small pieces to hard to control).

Start with a clean new piece of acrylic. Then start with the most abrasive sandpaper you have, do some light sanding. Then start using all the material I have mentioned and see if you can make it crystal clear again.

Once your careful -- Head for the damsels.

Dave

[Blackcap]

This is what the garage looked today, all the sump skimmer were moved to the middle of the garage so we can start working on the counter top to accommodate the 240 sump, 240 propagation and a 75 gal, that I'm not sure what to do with it

[Blackcap]

Here's another

[dgasmd]

You can always turn that 75 into the salt mixing tub for water changes, a quarintine tank, or even a smal fish only set up hooked up to the main system.
Awesome work. Thanks again for the acrylic buffing tips.

[Blackcap]

Sunday noon

[Blackcap]

Just to be on the save side

[Blackcap]

Sump in place

[Blackcap]

5.000 gph each