Making things that other people buy in this hobby..

What's the main reason you take on DIY reefing projects?

  • Save Money

    Votes: 141 34.7%
  • You Like To Make Things

    Votes: 152 37.4%
  • Necessity, you want it a certain way

    Votes: 93 22.9%
  • Time, you need it quick

    Votes: 7 1.7%
  • Other (please explain)

    Votes: 13 3.2%

  • Total voters
    406

revhtree

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DIY or Do It Yourself is pretty big in this hobby! Even so much so that we have a forum dedicated to the discussion of it! People build, make, create their own things for many reasons such as saving money, time, necessity, wanting something a certain way and many more reasons. So today let's talk about it!

1. What is something you've made or built that other people in the hobby pay for?

2. What's the main reason you take on DIY reefing projects?



Please feel free to share a link to your DIY threads here on R2R!

image via @Brian Goldstein
diy.png
 

Gtinnel

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I just 3d printed a knockoff version of the VCA Salinity Probe Stability kits. I'm sure it isn't as nice as the one they sale, but for the 20 cents it cost me in plastic I'm sure it will be good enough. I still haven't installed it yet though.

Almost all of my diy projects are to save money. It allows me to justify spending more on coral and fish.
 

Silvas

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I went with other, because it's really multiple of those things - to save money (though it sometimes ends up costing more, when it all goes horribly wrong lol) and because I like making things in some cases. And in some cases what I want isn't even available on the market (discontinued or never has been available)
 

Diesel 2021

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I recently turned my blue ocean skimmer into a refugium. It was an epic fail! It lasted about two weeks and the macro algae I put in it started to die and come apart and I wound up with little bits of it all over everything in the tank. Lesson learned on that one. Lol
 

Motown100

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I love to build and remodel. I drew up the plans and built my stand and canopy and did all the plumbing as well. Iincorporated the tank into my bar build this was a fun project and
20190305_065616.jpg
huge challenge for my first reef tank. Ilearned alot on this project. I would appreciate any feed back.
20190610_064658.jpg
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James_O

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After building my first stand I’m not sure I’ll ever buy another. It’s so nice being able to build something exactly how you want it plus it’s also a nice activity to keep the mind busy. Here’s the finish project:

6895C64A-9883-4813-AF0C-059E13A67C39.jpeg
That looks incredible, good work! I love the texture on the front and sides. Reminds me of waves. :D
 

slim425

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The control board is my favorite DIY project for the tank. I was able to customize it and make the most the limited space in the stand. Plus it’s great for hiding all those wires!

I also made a dosing pump stand out of the same material.
 

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fishface NJ

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That is such a cool insert in the door area. I have seen that at our Lowes. Would have never thought to use it that way


After building my first stand I’m not sure I’ll ever buy another. It’s so nice being able to build something exactly how you want it plus it’s also a nice activity to keep the mind busy. Here’s the finish project:

6895C64A-9883-4813-AF0C-059E13A67C39.jpeg
 

n2585722

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Wow! Nice job dude it Looks awesome!
Thanks, it took quite a bit of time. My saws are in the garage and in Texas that limits the amount of time it comfortable enough to work out there. Usually it is too hot out there.
 

Fish Think Pink

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Everyone is showing some amazing DIY work, but I've done something simple and cheap for my macroalgae in sump refugium. My $3.50 LED 5K lightbulb in its home improvement store clamp on worklight fixture does a great job growing red ogo.

Many thanks to @melev for doing the research so I could benefit:
 

Mastering the art of locking and unlocking water pathways: What type of valves do you have on your aquarium plumbing?

  • Ball valves.

    Votes: 48 48.0%
  • Gate valves.

    Votes: 54 54.0%
  • Check valves.

    Votes: 23 23.0%
  • None.

    Votes: 26 26.0%
  • Other.

    Votes: 9 9.0%

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