Reef Central Online Community - Many DIY Plans & Suppliers

Reef Central Online Community (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/index.php)

- Do It Yourself (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=3)

- - Many DIY Plans & Suppliers (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53387)

Many DIY Plans & Suppliers

ReefCentral's DIY Page - *Link Broken*

DBW's OzReef DIY page

If you have any plans that you would like to link to our DIY page or a good DIY parts supplier let me know.

Here is the link to search for things on RC - *Link Broken*

Oh where to begin...

Thanks for MSC, skimmer and PolySci links. I will get them added ASAP. :)

Here is a supplier for internal overflow boxes. www.wetdryfilter.com - *Link Broken*

Cheapest place I've found for diamond core drill bits
www.ameriglas.com

ricpan...Thanks for the links.

here is a good place to get decent priced general tools

http://www.harborfreight.com

and In case you dont like radioshack

http://www.hosfelt.com

:)

trutu...Thanks for the links.

Thanks KW for the links and the tip.

Whoa..... This should keep me busy for a near life time. Thanks Chris.

Minwax has an awesome color chart for all their products. Makes finding the right stain color easier.

www.minwax.com

How about adding the Beckett webpage?

www.888beckett.com

-Lee

snailman
what about adding a reef central page with list of suppliers for very specific items that get requests often on the DIY and general reef discussion page.

like bulkheads
large diameter acrylic tubing by the foot
needle valves

These items tend to get many "where can i get this" posts. I think we'd do ourselves a favor to set up such a suppliers list for commonly requested items.

With each vendor listing I try to give a note about them. So many places sell things like bulkheads that it would be a huge database not a list and would be a real job to setup. When someone wants a bulkhead I just send them to [DIY] and there are several places there that sell them. the more specialized things are what need to stand out in the list like diamond drill bits becasue not everyone sells them.

For acrylic sheet (odd ends), tools and supplies I've always done well at Tap Plastics:

http://www.tapplastics.com/

For Bay Area folks there is one right off Mowry in Frement that has an odd-n-ends bin where you can get 1/8,3/8, 1/4 and 1/2 clear, blue and black acrylic pieces. 8^) You would be surprised what I've patched and built using said pieces and thick acrylic glue. :D

PPS Don't forget Toyo 4", 30db, 75 CFS fans from Fry's Electronics for $16 a piece. What a steal.

Scott

looking for diamond bits???
Try looking at ceramic tile tools and you might find some better prices! happy hunting

For plastic propellers for DIY reeftec clones:

Octura Models, Inc
7351 N Hamlin
Skokie, Illinios 60076
847-674-7351

Model 1250 R ( 50mm Right Handed 2 blade prop) $1.15 each

4.00 $ shipping for orders under 80.00

no minimum order

Won't take visa, so you have to mail them a check or arrange COD

Is there a thread that i could find that could give me some ideas on building a DIY R/O D/I unit? I believe that i can build one cheaper than the cost of a new one. I have an idea on how they work just need some help. Any info would be great.
Thanks!!!

MH ballasts cheap.

http://www.1000bulbs.com/

For low cost, quiet fans:

www.alliedelec.com

I believe the most popular model is the 50cfm Orion OA109AP-113TB or the OA109AP-113WB. At $13.50 each, you can't beat them.

Glass Grinding Brass tubes

Cheaper alternative to Diamond Bits if you have a lot of holes to drill.

Information here:
http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...threadid=87270

But found out that Aquatic Ecosystems has them too.

For 1 3/4" search for GB6, see the related items for the powder and clay.

PlumbingSupply.com

most common items are just a few cents more than savko. but they have some uncommon fittings that i didn't find at savko.

for example, they carry a 1.5" FipxMip street elbow. just what i needed to fit in 1.5" bulkheads w/o adapters.

www.plumbingsupply.com

they're also fast shippers too :D

nomex for thermal protection

To protect your canopy or spacers from scorching due to the heat generated by your bulbs, try using a strip of nomex between your reflector and canopy/spacer. You can find nomex at McMaster Carr: www.mcmaster.com

To ALL:

Here's another DIY website:
http://www.kingvinnie.com/aquaria/diy/

I love these little gizmo's -
http://www.cyberguys.com/templates/s...sp?T1=121+2550

David

Where can I get venturi valves for DIY skimmer?

For a moon light, you can use a blue rope light.

For lighting, check out:

www.ahsupply.com

thanks for all the great links!

Laurie

Need source for nylon hardware

OK all you DIY'ers - I'm hunting for a source for nylon hardware - nuts and bolts - but I need panel nuts rather than regular nuts.

I've found some at

http://www.plasticnutsandbolts.com

but they don't have what I need. Also tried

http://www.microplastics.com

and they don't have it either. Both sources have splined panel nuts, which are perfect, except I need to use a No. 8 bolt/nut rather than a 10.

Any other options for suppliers or manufacturers of nylon/plastic hardware?

Thanks in advance,
Blue

Here's one you may not have seen

This guy is the quintessential DIYer:

http://www.gizmology.net/index.htm

Info here on LEDs, pipe, & electrical/electronic circuits.

Here is a new schematic of my water top off system. Completely automated, but the RO/DI is not hooked directly to the sump.

Here is the run down:

What drives me here is total and complete paranoia of a flood. If you see a flaw let me know and I will address it and/or fix it. I think that it is bullet proof, but just in case.....

Parts:
3 30 gallon trash cans from Lowe's or maybe BJs--they cost about $15 each
1 pump
1 solenoid valve
2 kent marine float valves
4 bulkheads
10-20' of flexible hosing
1 timer
1 RO/DI system (maybe optional)
10-20' of 1/4 flexible pressure rated tubing

1. Fresh water: This is the automated part of the system. The water flows through a solenoid valve though the RO/DI system, then to the fresh water tank. The solenoid valve is connected to an electronic float switch in the fresh water tank. The electronic float switch has been fixed in place with a bulkhead fitting and some PCV fittings. I did not label the pump but it is the square box between the two lower cans. The pump is on a digital timer that turns on 5 minutes daily to refill to the top system. When the water in the the lower can lowers the electonic float switch opens to the RO/DI system. Notice: I have the water enter the fresh water can through a float switch just in case the solenoid gets stuck in the open position. This will keep the lower container from ever overflowing. I like turning on the pump daily so that the RO/DI system turns on for extended periods of time and is not constantly turning on and off. I collect about 4-5 gallons of water per day.

2. Gravity feed can: This can is fitted with a bulkhead and standpipe. Since the pump turns on for 5 minutes daily, I would overflow the gravity feed system very easily if the evaporation rate did not equal the fill up rate. Therefore the standpipe. When the top tank is full, water will just flow back to the frsh water tank in a loop fashion. The pump would be on for 15 minutes and it would not matter. The bottom of the gravity feed can is outfitted with a bulkhead that is reduced down to 1/4" tubing. This tube leads to the float valve in the sump.

Note: during normal operation the ball valve on the lower right is open and the left one is closed.

3. Salt water can: All this can has is a bulkhead fitting in the bottom and is connected to the fresh water can through a ball valve followed by a T. Normally this ball valve is in the closed position. There are two ways to fill up the salt water can. Firstly, open both ball valves and the water will equalize. The RO/DI system will stay on until both cans are full. Or keep the left ball valve closed and pump the water from the fresh to the salt. Since the fresh and salt are the same size, you can never overfill the salt--unless there is already water in it.

To make up salt water: Fill up the saltwater can. Move the plastic flexible line (from the pump) from the gravity feed can to the salt water can. Close off the ball valve to the fresh water (right) and open the left ball vavle. Turn on the pump and add salt. You now have a closed loop for the salt water make up. Leaving the pump on for a few hours warms the water up to 80F and makes the water homogeneous and warm.

I siphon water out of the bucket in my sump (where all the water returns from the overflows). At the same time I pump water back into the main sump.

The only failure point of the system is the float valve in the sump. If this failed, then I could endup with an extra 20 gallons of fresh water in the sump. But the more water that enters the sump, the more pressure will be on the float valve.

Final notes: Have had this system in operation in one form or another for 4+ years. In my old system, I did not have the ability to drain water from the gravity feed system back to the fresh water system. This led to numerous overflows. The can-over-can with standpip approach has been in operation since I moved over two years ago.

Hopefully this helps some one.

Just some less random thoughts.

ken

I got my Acrylic here: www.norvaplastics.com

I bought some acrylic on ebay from him. Then asked about some Acrylic tubing. He will sell it by the foot too.

Good guy to deal with.

Quote:

Originally posted by Doppler
Where can I get venturi valves for DIY skimmer?

Bump for answer

Ive been looking for weldon #3,4 and 16 and the places I've been to have said I need to place a minimum order. anyone know of a reasonable store for me to purchase inexpensive weldon?

go to tap plastics.com, I got 1 can at a time from them

Anyone know where i can get a strip heater to bend the acrylic that's 3/8 to 1/2 thick and will make 3/4 bends?

please give me a link if you know, or a place in so. Cal, thanks!

Agoog read on MH components for people who are just starting ..
http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/...hlighting.html

For a supplier, Aquatic Eco-Systems.

If you know what you need, they'll have it. If you don't know what you need, you'll still be able to find it.

just wanted to add a supplier lucite international basicly thats where all those plastics companys get thier acrylic from

Ok Guys I know this is mainly American but I'm on the other side of the reef in The U.K has anybody got any good links for this side of the world??
thanks

Empty tank at mo newbie starting out!! :)

I'm building a canopy for my 55 gal. 48x13x18. I want to mount lights and fans in the canopy anyone know where I can get plans on the best way to set this up my lighting is VHO tubes Any suggestions would be helpful Thanks

Here's some good DIY plans. Granted the site is about freshwater (cichlids), but there are still some good ideas and plans.

Cichlid Forum DIY pages

Anyone know a good place to get costum cut acrylic.

ok, read the entire diy area, but never saw anything about where to get glass...please inform the uninformed! thanx

Where is the best place to find 6" OD acrylic tubes 2' in length online?

TAMUREEF