ylreefer
Active Member
Hi everyone. So, being stuck indoors just got to boring. I'm sure you've all found something to do with your tanks. This is my contribution.
I've always fancied trying out an ATS or an Algea reactor but just never managed to convince myself to part with the best part of $300 for one.
Finally decided to have a go at a DIY. I wanted it to look good as well as work. I enjoy working with acrylic and luckily enough that is something I can get here for a good price. So I picked me up some white, (of course you can use any colour you wish) and some clear all cut to size. With the clear side panels I used white vynal wrap to make a boarder which I applied before welding. (you could do this after completing the build in fact)
All holes were carefully marked and drilled out, edges sanded with 6 grades of paper starting at 240 grit upto 1600 grit. (don't flame polish any edges you plan to weld) I used a set square held in place to ensure the first panel went on true. This is the most important step when making anything like a box that needs to have a good seal on all sides. It's a small project so pretty easy to build by hand without any specific tools.
Plumbing is pretty self explanatory. Just using 15mm for the inlet spray bar and the emergency overflow, 20mm for the main drain which has a ball valve for flow adjustment. This will allow me to retain a water level inside the ATS which may help to cut down noise. (to be tested)
This particular design is made to be a specific fit for my needs, I.e pipeing direction and valves. If it was generic I would have probably installed a valve on the inlet to, but not needed in my case as its run from a manifold.
You could of course Tee off the inlet inside the ATS to run 2 screens should you require a larger surface area with almost the same foot print.
The lid is a flip top lid with acrylic hinges which work very well, (first time I've used these)
Lighting will be a mix of 440/660nm LED's which I have yet to source. Amazon do a perfect unit however they are currently not shipping these products. So I'll be on the hunt soon along with the mesh screen.
The ATS is made from 5.5mm acrylic all round using weld on 4 and took about 1hour to knock up once all parts were with me, which are all from local hardware stores.
OK guys well that's about it. I thought I'd share this pretty easy DIY project although it's not complete yet, you get the idea and maybe it will give your some ideas of what next to build.
I've always fancied trying out an ATS or an Algea reactor but just never managed to convince myself to part with the best part of $300 for one.
Finally decided to have a go at a DIY. I wanted it to look good as well as work. I enjoy working with acrylic and luckily enough that is something I can get here for a good price. So I picked me up some white, (of course you can use any colour you wish) and some clear all cut to size. With the clear side panels I used white vynal wrap to make a boarder which I applied before welding. (you could do this after completing the build in fact)
All holes were carefully marked and drilled out, edges sanded with 6 grades of paper starting at 240 grit upto 1600 grit. (don't flame polish any edges you plan to weld) I used a set square held in place to ensure the first panel went on true. This is the most important step when making anything like a box that needs to have a good seal on all sides. It's a small project so pretty easy to build by hand without any specific tools.
Plumbing is pretty self explanatory. Just using 15mm for the inlet spray bar and the emergency overflow, 20mm for the main drain which has a ball valve for flow adjustment. This will allow me to retain a water level inside the ATS which may help to cut down noise. (to be tested)
This particular design is made to be a specific fit for my needs, I.e pipeing direction and valves. If it was generic I would have probably installed a valve on the inlet to, but not needed in my case as its run from a manifold.
You could of course Tee off the inlet inside the ATS to run 2 screens should you require a larger surface area with almost the same foot print.
The lid is a flip top lid with acrylic hinges which work very well, (first time I've used these)
Lighting will be a mix of 440/660nm LED's which I have yet to source. Amazon do a perfect unit however they are currently not shipping these products. So I'll be on the hunt soon along with the mesh screen.
The ATS is made from 5.5mm acrylic all round using weld on 4 and took about 1hour to knock up once all parts were with me, which are all from local hardware stores.
OK guys well that's about it. I thought I'd share this pretty easy DIY project although it's not complete yet, you get the idea and maybe it will give your some ideas of what next to build.
