JCOLE's ACRO Dominant Build

JCOLE · Sep 25, 2022

Anyone have any good links to videos, pictures, threads, etc for large canopy builds? The canopy has been the one thing that I am not confident with right now as I don't have a complete plan on what I want to do.

I am tossing around the idea of using aluminum and skinning it, keeping the top open for heat, etc. Just looking for ideas.

BCSreef · Sep 25, 2022

Below is a photo of what I did with my canopy. Mitras will be mounted with spacers on the flat, slotted aluminum strip. I wanted to be able to adjust side to side, fore and aft along with angle. T-slots gave me the flexibility I wanted.

I also pasted some T-slot related links I had saved.

Shop | TNUTZ

Order processing is 5-7 business days

www.tnutz.com

6mm & 0.26

www.framingtech.com

Add-On Components | 80/20 T-Slot Profiles | Aluminum Extrusions

Components to add motion, pressure, gravity, or stanchions to your T-slot building project. 80/20 has everything you need to build your idea today!

8020.net

Show Us Your T-Slot Aluminum Stands !

I wonder if those up there on outside and these inside would be strong enough???

www.reef2reef.com

Options for electronic or manual light lift?

I've been searching for a way to lift lights above my tank. Anyone got some good ways/gadgets to do this?

www.reef2reef.com

T Slot Aluminum

I'm getting ready to build a bracket to mount some new lights to and I'd like to use a single 6' piece of t-slot aluminum. Where do most hobbyists buy it from that's affordable. Everywhere I've seen its the shipping that causes the price to high, and I didn't see any for sale locally. Anyone...

www.reef2reef.com

80/20 aluminum floating light fixture

Hey I am looking for some help to Build a floating light fixture from One end of the tank. I am looking to add a aquatic life T5 hybrid with some ecotech lights. So I know this would be heavy but I would have it anchored onto my steel stand but what kind of fitting should I buy? Or should I...

www.reef2reef.com

Extruded aluminum light slides... Like them?

The prices of aluminum have gotten so high from the COVID shortages and what have you that I'm having a hard time making myself pull the trigger on some of the equipment hangers and light racks I had planned. Granted, my tanks are on the larger side of normal but the material for the stands and...

www.reef2reef.com

What would you build with Aluminum Profile? Got any ideas you would like to see as products?

Got any ideas for aluminum profile products? Light mounts? Supports? Pedestals? We already offer stands but if you have improvements or features let's see them if you want to share.

www.reef2reef.com

Guide to DIY with T-Slot Aluminum

Guide to DIY with T-Slot Aluminum By Zach Friedrichs (@polyppal) T-Slot aluminum extrusion is an ideal material for building modern, strong tank stands and canopies. And it isn’t as difficult as you might think, essentially you are playing with a supersize Erector kit! Using simple fastening...

www.reef2reef.com

GBRsouth · Sep 25, 2022

JCOLE said:
Anyone have any good links to videos, pictures, threads, etc for large canopy builds? The canopy has been the one thing that I am not confident with right now as I don't have a complete plan on what I want to do.

I am tossing around the idea of using aluminum and skinning it, keeping the top open for heat, etc. Just looking for ideas.

I've tagged you into someone's build thread where they a garage bicycle hoist along with the thread post numbers.

JCOLE · Sep 30, 2022

BCSreef said:
Below is a photo of what I did with my canopy. Mitras will be mounted with spacers on the flat, slotted aluminum strip. I wanted to be able to adjust side to side, fore and aft along with angle. T-slots gave me the flexibility I wanted.

I also pasted some T-slot related links I had saved.

Shop | TNUTZ

Order processing is 5-7 business days

www.tnutz.com

6mm & 0.26

www.framingtech.com

Add-On Components | 80/20 T-Slot Profiles | Aluminum Extrusions

Components to add motion, pressure, gravity, or stanchions to your T-slot building project. 80/20 has everything you need to build your idea today!

8020.net

Show Us Your T-Slot Aluminum Stands !

I wonder if those up there on outside and these inside would be strong enough???

www.reef2reef.com

Options for electronic or manual light lift?

I've been searching for a way to lift lights above my tank. Anyone got some good ways/gadgets to do this?

www.reef2reef.com

T Slot Aluminum

I'm getting ready to build a bracket to mount some new lights to and I'd like to use a single 6' piece of t-slot aluminum. Where do most hobbyists buy it from that's affordable. Everywhere I've seen its the shipping that causes the price to high, and I didn't see any for sale locally. Anyone...

www.reef2reef.com

80/20 aluminum floating light fixture

Hey I am looking for some help to Build a floating light fixture from One end of the tank. I am looking to add a aquatic life T5 hybrid with some ecotech lights. So I know this would be heavy but I would have it anchored onto my steel stand but what kind of fitting should I buy? Or should I...

www.reef2reef.com

Extruded aluminum light slides... Like them?

The prices of aluminum have gotten so high from the COVID shortages and what have you that I'm having a hard time making myself pull the trigger on some of the equipment hangers and light racks I had planned. Granted, my tanks are on the larger side of normal but the material for the stands and...

www.reef2reef.com

What would you build with Aluminum Profile? Got any ideas you would like to see as products?

Got any ideas for aluminum profile products? Light mounts? Supports? Pedestals? We already offer stands but if you have improvements or features let's see them if you want to share.

www.reef2reef.com

Guide to DIY with T-Slot Aluminum

Guide to DIY with T-Slot Aluminum By Zach Friedrichs (@polyppal) T-Slot aluminum extrusion is an ideal material for building modern, strong tank stands and canopies. And it isn’t as difficult as you might think, essentially you are playing with a supersize Erector kit! Using simple fastening...

www.reef2reef.com

Looks great! Thanks for the links! I will reach out for help when the time comes.

JCOLE · Sep 30, 2022

GBRsouth said:
I've tagged you into someone's build thread where they a garage bicycle hoist along with the thread post numbers.

Cool! Thanks! That is a great idea!

JCOLE · Sep 30, 2022

Uv sterilizer plumbed in and running as of yesterday. This thing is a beast! Don't mind the wires. These are all temporary until the new tank is up and running.

Spent all week buffing out the tank. Tank is finally done. I am going to start filling up the tank tomorrow. It is going to take a week to fill up!

JCOLE · Oct 1, 2022

And so it begins!

jhuntstl · Oct 1, 2022

JCOLE said:
And so it begins!

Very, very exciting! Gotta love the clarity of that acrylic. I'm curious how you intend to clean the inside? I'm using a Magnavore 4ER on mine. It's worked really well with the acrylicare pads. Although, I got sloppy yesterday for the first time in 11 months...so I've got a sanding kit being delivered this week.

JCOLE · Oct 1, 2022

jhuntstl said:
Very, very exciting! Gotta love the clarity of that acrylic. I'm curious how you intend to clean the inside? I'm using a Magnavore 4ER on mine. It's worked really well with the acrylicare pads. Although, I got sloppy yesterday for the first time in 11 months...so I've got a sanding kit being delivered this week.

Uh oh. That isn't good. I hope it's awhile before I have to sand anything. That is my only concern with acrylic.

I am going to get the mighty mag cleaner with the algae bag. Heard great things about those.

jhuntstl · Oct 1, 2022

JCOLE said:
Uh oh. That isn't good. I hope it's awhile before I have to sand anything. That is my only concern with acrylic.

I am going to get the mighty mag cleaner with the algae bag. Heard great things about those.

Like I said, I got sloppy. Thankfully they aren't deep scratches, so should be a relatively quick fix. If you're diligent about making sure your pads are clean, you'll be fine. Not sure about the mighty magnet pads, but I don't recommend using pads over coralline. It can break up into fine particles and make very light scratches.

1ocean · Oct 1, 2022

love it.... I think I figured out why you had to buff a little of the inside of your new awesome tank...I saw you pic of the kids taking a swim...maybe they did it by accident

Tenecor Aquariums · Oct 1, 2022

JCOLE said:
Anyone have any good links to videos, pictures, threads, etc for large canopy builds? The canopy has been the one thing that I am not confident with right now as I don't have a complete plan on what I want to do.

I am tossing around the idea of using aluminum and skinning it, keeping the top open for heat, etc. Just looking for ideas.

We have large aluminum selections for the canopy, all you would need is the 30 mm >>>https://www.tenecoraquariums.com/collections/aluminum-t-slot

You will like the prices

Tenecor Aquariums · Oct 1, 2022

JCOLE said:
Anyone have any good links to videos, pictures, threads, etc for large canopy builds? The canopy has been the one thing that I am not confident with right now as I don't have a complete plan on what I want to do.

I am tossing around the idea of using aluminum and skinning it, keeping the top open for heat, etc. Just looking for ideas.

Also consider going with expanded foam PVC instead of wood. Much lighter. Waterproof. One design suggestion is a "fixed frame" canopy. Sits on the tank. No hinges. The panels are then attached to the canopy with magnets. All of them completely removable for unhindered 360 and top access. We can help you with this also.

JCOLE · Oct 1, 2022

1ocean said:
love it.... I think I figured out why you had to buff a little of the inside of your new awesome tank...I saw you pic of the kids taking a swim...maybe they did it by accident

I made it very clear to them to stay away from all edges and do not touch the tank. They were only in there for a second. There were scratches near the back as well where they didn't even go.

It's all good though. They came out.

JCOLE · Oct 1, 2022

Tenecor Aquariums said:
Also consider going with expanded foam PVC instead of wood. Much lighter. Waterproof. One design suggestion is a "fixed frame" canopy. Sits on the tank. No hinges. The panels are then attached to the canopy with magnets. All of them completely removable for unhindered 360 and top access. We can help you with this also.

Great idea. Sending you a PM now.

JCOLE · Oct 2, 2022

We're half way filled up. 500 gallons of RODI and mixing salt takes awhile.....

JCOLE · Oct 3, 2022

After making 300 gallons so far I realized it's probably a good time to clean out my mixing container. Gotta love Reef Crystals!

I have a 5 micron filter on the mixing container so it's not an issue. Still need to clean it though.

JCOLE · Oct 4, 2022

Almost there. He's not enjoying it as much as I am...

1ocean · Oct 5, 2022

I am following...gomna be me soon with a 600....the 300 will become more of a fish then reef so we can have butterflies and angels....the 600 will be our reef..

JCOLE · Oct 9, 2022

It's alive! Tank is up and running and connected to the existing system. I had to throw up two metal halides just for fun. I am in love so far! It's been a long time since I had halides. My kids came in and said "WOW, it looks like the ocean" The reflection on the floor and ceiling is amazing!