Help the 200 gallon Innovative Marine External Peninsula Thread

Mywifeisgunnakillme · Jan 1, 2021

Cleaned up the quarantine tank area. With some fish done with QT, and in the 20 gallon nano, i reduced the number of QT tanks to two.

Also ordered a ten gallon innovative marine as a coral and invert quarantine-frag tank. That size fits perfectly in my home office next to the 20 gallon nano.

I was just looking for a controller board to house the 20 gallon nano display gear, but for a little extea money the alluminum stand on the 10 gallon will do that nicely with just minor additions like pvc foam board!

Ill put the acrylic auto top off tank under the 20 gallon nano and then controls to both tanks go under the 10 gallon.

flourishofmediocrity · Jan 1, 2021

Love the progress! Where did you get the anodized aluminum sheets? I'm thinking of going full 8020 on the canopy, but not sure what to use for the panels yet.

Mywifeisgunnakillme · Jan 2, 2021

My buddy who got me back into the hobby did a canopy with 8020 and it's sweet. He's waiting 'til the tank grows out before posting pics but it's a ridiculously nice system and tank. High end everything, even a gem tang, and amazing corals, lots of euphilia of all sorts and SPS higher up. I'll sneak a pic and PM u it.

The alluminum i got was from https://www.onlinemetals.com/en/buy/anodized-aluminum

I like the easy custom cut ordering.

Just a few pieces i got.

Ended up getting some High Density Polyethylene to cut up and use as a frame to mount the sheet aluminum on.

We'll see how my finish carpentry skills turn out there?! The poly was inexpensive so thought id give it a go. I have an idea in my mind and some decent tools so shouldnt screw it up too bad!

Next couple weekends will be work work, unfortunately, but come end of the month or February aiming to make some serious progress on the 200 gallon and all things reef!

Mywifeisgunnakillme · Jan 10, 2021

Big pile of goodies piling up just begging to be installed!

Latest edition is electronic light mount. Went with a rising stand up desk frame to hang from the ceiling. I should have about 20 inches from the top of tank to adjust the light assembly up and down with a prewired remote!

I

flourishofmediocrity · Jan 10, 2021

I love the way you think. How are you gonna secure it to the ceiling?

VikS · Jan 10, 2021

that is some top level thinking there. I ended up going with a tubular motor (meant for blinds, shades etc). Will see how that works. Costed about the same.

Mywifeisgunnakillme · Jan 11, 2021

VikS said:
that is some top level thinking there. I ended up going with a tubular motor (meant for blinds, shades etc). Will see how that works. Costed about the same.

Show me what you're doing with the blind/shade motor, would love to see! I think some stainless wire to raise and lower would be awesome, super low profile!

The desk stand idea i got from a video on "Parker's Reef." He's an Australian guy.

He didn't mount the rising desk frame from from the ceiling though, rather he had them behind his tank, hidden in a canopy above his tank, and they raised his lights that way; the lights were mounted on some aluminum rails that the desk frame raised. I think his ceilings would be too low to do it the way i am thinking.... But from the ceiling, i think it will look a lot more clean without the need for a cabinet to hide the mechanics and gear.

flourishofmediocrity said:
I love the way you think. How are you gonna secure it to the ceiling?

If you look at the reviews and pictures of it being install, it comes in pieces:

If i take these two main pieces:

My thought is i can just bolt those two piece directly to the ceiling joists with some pretty good size bolts. Luckily, herds of 2 x 4's twenty four inches on center are above the area for my tank to screw into...

Mywifeisgunnakillme · Jan 11, 2021

VikS said:
that is some top level thinking there. I ended up going with a tubular motor (meant for blinds, shades etc). Will see how that works. Costed about the same.

Motorized Raising/Lowering of Light Fixture

I'd like to build a way to raise and lower my light fixture electronically. I've searched and found some threads here but thought I'd start a new thread as nothing seemed to be quite what I was looking for. I stumbled upon this youtube video and it seems to be exactly what I'd like to build...

www.reef2reef.com

saw this in a search if you haven't... looks super cool! Defintely scroll to the last page, nice one there.

Smart RF Remote Tubular Electric Shade Blinds Motor CL845E-1517 RF Remote Tubular Electric Motor [CL845E-1517] - $196.80 : METechs sells Remote Control curtain rods, motorized roller shades, Electronic Keyless Door Locks, Industrial and home automati

Motorized Curtain Track, Electrical Curtain Rod, Remote Control Curtain Track, Remote Control Curtain System

www.metechs.com

or heavy duty:

Remote Control Heavy duty Tubular Electric Motor RF Remote Tubular Electric Motor [CL645E-3018] - $338.98 : METechs, motorized roller shades blinds, retractable golf impact screens, Electronic Keyless Door Locks, Industrial and home automation produc

Motorized Curtain Track, Electrical Curtain Rod, Remote Control Curtain Track, Remote Control Curtain System

www.metechs.com

full kit:

Large Heavy Duty DIY Retractable Golf Impact Screen Drive [CL645E-3018-Kit] : METechs, motorized roller shades blinds, retractable golf impact screens, Electronic Keyless Door Locks, Industrial and home automation products!, Save big on METechs Remot

METechs, motorized roller shades blinds, retractable golf impact screens, Electronic Keyless Door Locks, Industrial and home automation products! Large Heavy Duty DIY Retractable Golf Impact Screen Drive [CL645E-3018-Kit] - The kit includes a heavy-duty motor drive kit and a selected length 2...

www.metechs.com

and here:

A Smart? Aquarium in Taiwan... - Reef Central Online Community

A Smart? Aquarium in Taiwan... SPS Keepers

www.reefcentral.com

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1...?key=WUFia0ZyTktZdEpKSENteHlZSC1nY01meWhmU2RR
and dang!!:

don_chuwish · Jan 11, 2021

Very jealous of this tank! Wish I had room for it. Agree about the nice stand, eurobrace, no sump, etc.

Mywifeisgunnakillme · Jan 11, 2021

Okay--@VikS--you got me to switch up my plans! LOL!

The motorized blind kit: https://www.metechs.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=18&products_id=416635

59 inches long is perfect and this will allow me to raise the lights even higher towards the ceiling than the standing desk--almost to ceiling entirely. Also the steel wire is lower profile.... Holds 200 pounds, it's got remote control options, so that will work.

Canceled the standing desk order and $300 later--we're going to have a pretty similar setup! hahaha. Thanks man!

VikS · Jan 11, 2021

Mywifeisgunnakillme said:
Okay--@VikS--you got me to switch up my plans! LOL!

The motorized blind kit: https://www.metechs.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=18&products_id=416635

At 59 inches, this will allow me to raise the lights even more the standing desk--almost to ceiling. Also the steel wire is lower profile.... Holds 200 pounds, it's go remote control options, so that will work.

Cancel the standing desk order and $300 later--we're going to have a pretty similar setup! hahaha. Thanks man!

Yup, this is the one. I got this one specifically: http://www.metechs.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=19&products_id=416536
(need to add the rod separately, it shows up in customers also bought...)

I found this thread where someone actually used this and posted a lot of pics. Very helpful. (Post#22). https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/motorized-raising-lowering-of-light-fixture.383727/page-2

Mywifeisgunnakillme · Jan 11, 2021

VikS said:
Yup, this is the one. I got this one specifically: http://www.metechs.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=19&products_id=416536
(need to add the rod separately, it shows up in customers also bought...)

I found this thread where someone actually used this and posted a lot of pics. Very helpful. (Post#22). https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/motorized-raising-lowering-of-light-fixture.383727/page-2

What are you using for stainless wire and mounting brackets? Anything extra beefy? Or just what came with your lights? What's your light fixture again?

VikS · Jan 11, 2021

Mywifeisgunnakillme said:
What are you using for stainless wire and mounting brackets? Anything extra beefy? Or just what came with your lights? What's your light fixture again?

Just the one that came with the lights. I am using a Giesemann Spectra. It’s less than 40 pounds.

Spectra SE 72" Metal Halide T5 Fixture

6 Foot Giesemann Spectra 3x Single Ended Metal Halide x T5 4x80w Fixture Use either 250w or 400w Single Ended Metal Halide Lamps. Metal halide ballast sold separately. BRS suggests the Luxcore Electronic 250w or 400w Ballast. Giesemann has been known for making high-quality light fixtures...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Mywifeisgunnakillme · Jan 11, 2021

VikS said:
Just the one that came with the lights. I am using a Giesemann Spectra. It’s less than 40 pounds.

Spectra SE 72" Metal Halide T5 Fixture

6 Foot Giesemann Spectra 3x Single Ended Metal Halide x T5 4x80w Fixture Use either 250w or 400w Single Ended Metal Halide Lamps. Metal halide ballast sold separately. BRS suggests the Luxcore Electronic 250w or 400w Ballast. Giesemann has been known for making high-quality light fixtures...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Love it. Halides rock!

I think my light could be in the 100 pound range: Six kessils on aluminum rails, ATI 8 bulb fixture (60"), mounting gear to hold that stuff together, and then 6 or 8 inch trim around all the lights to match the same color trim in the same room and hide the light/reduce light spill...

But it seems 100 pounds or so is just fine... (although if it fails it could/would be catastrophic potentially!! lol)

VikS · Jan 16, 2021

Mywifeisgunnakillme said:
Okay--@VikS--you got me to switch up my plans! LOL!

The motorized blind kit: https://www.metechs.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=18&products_id=416635

59 inches long is perfect and this will allow me to raise the lights even higher towards the ceiling than the standing desk--almost to ceiling entirely. Also the steel wire is lower profile.... Holds 200 pounds, it's got remote control options, so that will work.

Canceled the standing desk order and $300 later--we're going to have a pretty similar setup! hahaha. Thanks man!

Did you get your order in? I wanted to hang mine tonight but it has no instructions and the motor did not work in the first go.

Mywifeisgunnakillme · Jan 16, 2021

I just got it tonight and have not opened the box yet. I bought this one, which might be a little different model: https://www.metechs.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=18&products_id=416635

The bottom of the page says:

"It is very easy to install: insert motor into one end of the tube and insert the idler to other end of the tube, install motor bracket and idler bracket to overhead structure, and hang motor tube assembly to the brackets."

So maybe something is wrong with your particular unit if it's not "very easy to install" and get working????

Is it the remote not working or the motor?

Try changing/adding batteries remote, and little things like that??

does it just plug into the wall? I see no 110 volt plug on the pics online...

VikS · Jan 16, 2021

Mywifeisgunnakillme said:
I just got it tonight and have not opened the box yet. I bought this one, which might be a little different model: https://www.metechs.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=18&products_id=416635

The bottom of the page says:

"It is very easy to install: insert motor into one end of the tube and insert the idler to other end of the tube, install motor bracket and idler bracket to overhead structure, and hang motor tube assembly to the brackets."

So maybe something is wrong with your particular unit if it's not "very easy to install" and get working????

Is it the remote not working or the motor?

Try changing/adding batteries remote, and little things like that??

Thanks, I got past the remote problem. I emailed them for the instruction manual and then responded back within 5 mins. I was pleasantly surprised.

Now the problem is that the motor moves but the pipe does not. I think I need to drill a hole in the pipe and somehow insert a cotton pin through the tail end of the shaft through the pipe. This will connect the pipe to the motor. (See pic of shaft.).