diy 220+

[CarmenH]

I don't think they'll hurt, lots of cichlid keepers use actinics to highlight the colors. With this fixture, it's not like your plants will be deprived of light even if you don't count the actinics I'm sooooo jealous...

[DarkStorm]

lights showed up today feel like im putting together ikea.. lol
also stopped at big als and they sicken me, counted at least 30 baby fahakas in a 40 gallon tank nipping the hell out of eachother, some of them look like not been fed in weeks, i shall not return there and i let them know it.

[DarkStorm]

this is just a big fn headache. my other fx5 i ordered finally showed up, so i decided to start the plumbing, and lone behold all the fittings and tubing i bought don't fit as the fx5's use 22 mil and the 3/4 inch don't work. now i got to re-modify the in line heaters to 1" throw all the 3/4 inch out and find new fittings for bulkheads,i am so not impressed.

[J-P]

You can't get adaptors from the HW store? The further from the "out" of the powerhead the slaller the tubing you want to be so that it "pushes" harder.

[DarkStorm]

fun with >

used to weld acrylic ends on,

so there 22 inch tall 1.5 " return lines with 500 1 mm holes drilled around nice an even.

all i got left now is the modifications to the in line heaters, set the undergravel filter in place and transfer water /test all plumbing.
** I opted out of doing the 360 return spray bars cause really i didnt want to see any plumbing and with no trim on top it woulda been visible. once in place and everything works ill most likely hide the returns with plants or one them mangrove thingies.

[ghost_shrimp]

Be very careful with the methylene chloride. Its very toxic and is also a carcinogen (which means if it doesn't get you the first time around from organ damage, it may cause cancer months or years later).

[DarkStorm]

Be very careful with the methylene chloride. Its very toxic and is also a carcinogen (which means if it doesn't get you the first time around from organ damage, it may cause cancer months or years later).

prolly why im always ill, use it almost daily with work /acrylic fabricating. tho i do were respirator / well ventilated shop. is there any chance of trace elements that can harm my fish. the stuff evaporates in seconds i don't know how i could test the pieces i used it on.

on the bright side tank is finished I just need the girlfriend to decide on decor and its good to go.

[L!$A]

lights showed up today feel like im putting together ikea.. lol
also stopped at big als and they sicken me, counted at least 30 baby fahakas in a 40 gallon tank nipping the hell out of eachother, some of them look like not been fed in weeks, i shall not return there and i let them know it.

The Big Al's (Island Pet's now) store out here, they have a juvinile Mbu, and he looked very skinny. I got one of the guys who works there, and I got him feed the poor little guy! lol I was like "I have a Mbu and there's no way he should look like that!!!" haha so hopefully I've at least made one person aware... anyway back on topic, any new pics of the finished tank??

[DarkStorm]

no water in it yet need substrate decision. lights are sick tho. ill prolly have it up and running bye saturday ill just transfer all water from 150 to it swap over the filter medias and convince Jabba to get in a bucket
then ill post pics

[L!$A]

Haha convince Jabba into a bucket... should be interesting!!
I haven't had to move Kaleeko since he's grown.. I think we'll need a rubbermaid container to move him!! lol

Tell Jabba Kaleeko says Hello lol

[ghost_shrimp]

prolly why im always ill, use it almost daily with work /acrylic fabricating. tho i do were respirator / well ventilated shop. is there any chance of trace elements that can harm my fish. the stuff evaporates in seconds i don't know how i could test the pieces i used it on.

on the bright side tank is finished I just need the girlfriend to decide on decor and its good to go.

Wearing a respirator and good ventilation are good precautions. Just make sure your ventilator cartridges are rated for protection against organic vapors (the purple ones) and you change the cartridges out often.

I doubt the methylene chloride will harm your fish though. As you said it is pretty volatile and it should be all gone by the time you get around to filling your tank with water.

Nice tank BTW!

[DarkStorm]

well guys its all done
did 80% transfer of water got all my plumbing in.
circulation is fn sick.
moved all the inhabitants except my Jabba over and i must say i impressed myself with this build. i do need some more decor tho since this tank is so much bigger just cant find a filbert tree root any were, gf's shells from Mexico really make a neat effect and i cant believe how different the lighting makes everything "shimmer".
now to net my Jabba 8(

[Lil' Swimz$]

lol. Cool. I want to see some pics!

[DarkStorm]

wow i didnt need a net lol i put a 2 liter juice pitcher in there held a shrimp in front of it an she went right in lol ill put some pics up tomorrow when i get lights on.
yay im happy now to give away old 150 gal tank.

[MrHumphries]

wow i didnt need a net lol i put a 2 liter juice pitcher in there held a shrimp in front of it an she went right in lol ill put some pics up tomorrow when i get lights on.
yay im happy now to give away old 150 gal tank.

Wow, i would love a HUGE tank like that for Samson, PICS are a must

Don