PDA

View Full Version : Design Input for stand/canopy?



Ram_Puppy
Sat, 24th Jul 2004, 11:31 AM
For my new 115 cube, I am flip flopping back and forth...

Gravity Fed Fuge or no?

I know the benefits as far as larger zooplankton getting into the main display, but I am worried about two things on opposite ends of the spectrum.

1) If it's a gravity fed fuge, worried about the lights heating it up to much, and worried about accessibility for servicing.

2) if it goes underneath, I am worried about it simply taking up to much space, or having to compromise on it's size. I want to keep a mated pair of mandarins, so the bigger the better to keep the pod population up.

I have also considered adding a grunge bed in the back of the tank, to give the pods more breeding area.... but have not settled on that, would rather have it in the fuge.

What are your thoughts, what would you do?

If I put it up top, I would probably use a 30 gallon aquarium, and use 4x4's coming up the back sides to support the canopy... another con, the gravity fed fuge will interfere with me getting into the display for maintenance, and having that problem in the extreme now with the hex and it's canopy, it is something I am eager to avoid...

Ram_Puppy
Sun, 25th Jul 2004, 08:55 AM
anyone?

::pete::
Sun, 25th Jul 2004, 10:49 AM
Above, for the gravity feed doesnt necessairly mean it has to be on top. You could have it off to the side with the water level slightly higher or do a "U" tube like here. (http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/aquariumdiy/a/aa041400.htm)

wkopplin
Sun, 25th Jul 2004, 11:14 AM
Mine is a gravity fed fuge and I would not trade it for anything.

Ram_Puppy
Sun, 25th Jul 2004, 11:29 AM
having it to the side is not an option, the tank will be sandwiched between a entertainment center and a wall. I really want to do a gravity fed fuge, but the cons right now outweigh the pros I think... unless I can find a way to overcome the cons...

::pete::
Sun, 25th Jul 2004, 01:22 PM
Can it fit on the entertainment center?

Ram_Puppy
Sun, 25th Jul 2004, 03:02 PM
no, the entertainment center is cheap, I wouldn't trust it, and the space isn't large enough anyhow.

z28pwr
Sun, 25th Jul 2004, 03:26 PM
Here are some ideas for the canopy

http://www.z28pwr.com/images/canopy.jpg
http://www.z28pwr.com/images/canopy2.jpg
http://www.z28pwr.com/images/canopy3.jpg

NaCl_H2O
Sun, 25th Jul 2004, 03:26 PM
How about the best of both worlds? Go ahead with your fuge underneath and keep it as small as needed. Then add a 10-15 gallon fuge inside your 115 cube hanging from the inside rim of the cube so that the fuge's water level is an inch or two above the level in your cube - that's all you need for the gravity feed. I am sure Dan could build just what you need. It could be long & skinny along one side, or whatever?

Just my $0.02 worth - Steve

::pete::
Sun, 25th Jul 2004, 06:18 PM
What are the dimensions on the 115 cube and will you be able to see just the front?

Ram_Puppy
Mon, 26th Jul 2004, 02:29 PM
the dimensions are 30X30X30 (internal) i think each face, externally, is 30 1/2".

Z28, I was thinking along the very same ideas for the stand and canopy, but rather than have a welded stand, I was going to have it made of wood, and have each 'face' of the stand detatchable, using door magnets to attatch...

but a metal stand.. hmm.. I have a friend who owns a metal working shop, I wonder if I could get a good deal from him on making the frame, would be a lot easier than building it myself, stronger too.