Hop's downgrade to 300 gallons: A simple build thread

[tdwyatt]

Originally Posted by Hop

Once a week I nuke a cup of ro/di in the microwave and then let the air intake suck the water out of the cup to keep the airline going strong.

Just an aside, although it may seem counter-intuitive, cold white vinegar is a better solvent of calcium carbonzte than hot vinegar or boiling water. Calcium salt's solubilities have an inverse proportionality to temperture: although most ionic salts will dissolve more completely at higher temps (as well as sugars, etc.), calcium salts, in particular carbonate slts of calcium, dissolve better in cold solvents. Th presence of the concentration of CO2 has a larger impact though.

see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcium_carbonate

http://www.lenntech.com/Air-purifica...y-in-water.htm

http://www.ingentaconnect.com/conten...00003/art03063

[tdwyatt]

Originally Posted by Hop

Tight enough that I had to use a reversed clamp to spread the verticle support that holds the american DJ shelf... I'm guessing a tad over 1/4". I built it to be tight, but not that tight The only hard part of taking the whole thing down and cutting it shorter will be the caulk... But I need to recaulk some stuff anyways. I'll just plan on half a day of my vacation to get it squared away. I took some pics anyway, I'll put them up here in a bit.

I think a belt sander with 80 grit belts is in order...

[Hop]

Originally Posted by tdwyatt

I think a belt sander with 80 grit belts is in order...

It was thought about, but I elected it was not in the best interest of the room at this point

[Hop]

Originally Posted by tdwyatt

Just an aside, although it may seem counter-intuitive, cold white vinegar is a better solvent of calcium carbonzte than hot vinegar or boiling water. Calcium salt's solubilities have an inverse proportionality to temperture: although most ionic salts will dissolve more completely at higher temps (as well as sugars, etc.), calcium salts, in particular carbonate slts of calcium, dissolve better in cold solvents. Th presence of the concentration of CO2 has a larger impact though.

see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcium_carbonate

http://www.lenntech.com/Air-purifica...y-in-water.htm

http://www.ingentaconnect.com/conten...00003/art03063

Thanks for the read! It makes sense. I just followed the directions on the ER website. I do soak and clean the pumps about every three months in vinegar, but maybe I'll start adding this to my bag-o-tricks!

[leveldrummer]

less talk, more pics!! looking great so far, what does a ticket to ga and a case of beer cost? i gotta get you out here. lol

[Hop]

Thanks!

I'm not sure, but we can check expedia for a round trip beer and flight deal!

[tdwyatt]

Originally Posted by leveldrummer

less talk, more pics!! looking great so far, what does a ticket to ga and a case of beer cost? i gotta get you out here. lol

Heh! Plan it around the BBQ next year, I'll feed him as well and he can get to meet all the folks that come up for the BBQ...

3rd Saturday in May...

[Hop]

Originally Posted by tdwyatt

Heh! Plan it around the BBQ next year, I'll feed him as well and he can get to meet all the folks that come up for the BBQ...

3rd Saturday in May...

Hmmmm. We are trying to figure out how to get the kids to the Disney world/Universal typical American vaction next year

[thekid55]

hmmm hop that wet room is sooo sweet

[Hop]

Thanks again Kid Stick around for a few weeks! I'm hoping that the tank will be in and I can post picks of an empty glass box

[thekid55]

Originally Posted by Hop

Thanks again Kid Stick around for a few weeks! I'm hoping that the tank will be in and I can post picks of an empty glass box

an empty glass box i look at filled ones all day so works for me.
question now is acyilic or glass

[Hop]

The 190 will be glass... My rule of thumb is under 225-250, glass, bigger than 225-250 acrylic. It's just a personal choice with me that is not decided by anything more than my kids who seem to take great pride in seeing how far they can throw things

[thekid55]

what is the best way to clean acylic. seems like 225 would take alot of old gift cards to get the coralline off

[Hop]

I found that running a magnet cleaner (I have a tigershark) over the viewing panes 2-3 times a week and being really careful is the best way to keep it from building up. Then about once a month I would used scrapers I made from acrylic scraps to get the hard stuff off. Then about once a year I would use a magnetic scratch remover kit to buff out any fine scratches. I've only had one serious digger where my wife didn't see a snail on the magnet and put a deep 18-24" Z shaped scratch in my tank. It took some work to get that one out

As far as glass tanks, I do pretty much the same thing. Magnet scrubbers and large scraps of acrylic.

[thekid55]

il stick with the glass tanks!!!!