The Reef Central Corner Club Thread

[L98-Z]

Hopefully someone here can help me with my corner tank. I'm in the process of determining how I want to set this tank up exactly. The sump(s) will be located in the basement and the chiller in the garage. The current problem I'm having is the canopy.

I bought a 92 gal corner tank with a stand and canopy already built. Simple design, but should look good once a coat of paint is on it. The issue is that it doesn't have doors at all. This isn't a big deal since the sump(s) and skimmer will be located in the basement, but it does present an issue when cleaning the tank or feeding.

So my idea was to set up to linear actuators that lift the canopy when I push a button. Okay... easy enough, except the mounting of these. The canopy is going to be holding 4 rather large heatsinks with LEDs and the wires associated with them. This tends to be a decent amount of weight. If I mounted two linear actuators across the rear of the tank/canopy, I believe that there would be either too much pressure on the canopy/stand or they may not be strong enough.

Any ideas on how to assist the linear actuators or a way to make this work easier? There has to be a way to lift this canopy without me manually doing it each time. A pulley/lift system is out of the question due to height of my ceiling. I simply wouldn't want a long cable like that visible at all times. I'm aiming for a very "clean" design system.

[L98-Z]

Ohhh... and the canopy with heatsinks...

[reefscape15]

WOW! I love the idea of the linear actuators! If you are planning on only using two, you will have to perfectly balance the weight of the canopy on the actuators, or you will likely end up bumping into it and toppeling the entire thing over. If the rear sides of your tank are up against a wall, or not too visible, you may be able to put two actuators on each side. I would mount the base of the actuator to the stand, and then mount the moving end to the canopy. You could put two up close towards the front edges and then two towards the back corner. You may need to add some bracing from the base of the stand to the top of the stand, but this would take the stress off of the glass of the tank and re-apply it down to the stand.

I really like the idea that you have, and if you can pull it off, you better log your success with lots of photos! Good luck!

[L98-Z]

Originally Posted by reefscape15

WOW! I love the idea of the linear actuators! If you are planning on only using two, you will have to perfectly balance the weight of the canopy on the actuators, or you will likely end up bumping into it and toppeling the entire thing over. If the rear sides of your tank are up against a wall, or not too visible, you may be able to put two actuators on each side. I would mount the base of the actuator to the stand, and then mount the moving end to the canopy. You could put two up close towards the front edges and then two towards the back corner. You may need to add some bracing from the base of the stand to the top of the stand, but this would take the stress off of the glass of the tank and re-apply it down to the stand.

I really like the idea that you have, and if you can pull it off, you better log your success with lots of photos! Good luck!

I was trying to figure it out while I was at work today. I'm thinking about using 2 gas shocks in the rear near the overflow. This is to "hold" the rear as the 2 linear actuators push at the corners. I didn't think about the balance issue, that certainly does play a part. The actuators are very strong, so that shouldn't be an issue either. Everything is against a wall, so worse case you pick around the side and see one. I'm not against that.

I do want to add some bracing to the canopy. The stand may need some as well, but it's better built than the canopy. I'll be sure to take pictures. Hopefully I can do it under $300. I already have a 12VDC marine battery that I use as a backup for the tank. It's on a charger so it won't hurt to use it once a day or so.

[reefscape15]

Sounds like an awesome idea. I think you will most likely have to use 3 actuators at the least. 2 at the front corners, and you could get away with 1 as close to the back corner as possible. I know that the stand will probably take the weight, but a little added sense of security definitely won't hurt.

[Misled]

So you guys don't think I fell off the planet.



One of my favorite chalices, Bazooka Joe.



Added a mystery wrasse over the weekend. My six line went into one of the powerheads and became starfish food.

[L98-Z]

Originally Posted by reefscape15

Sounds like an awesome idea. I think you will most likely have to use 3 actuators at the least. 2 at the front corners, and you could get away with 1 as close to the back corner as possible. I know that the stand will probably take the weight, but a little added sense of security definitely won't hurt.

I want to use gas shocks in the rear. If I measure them correctly, they'll lift when needed. Ideally, I'd like to have 3-4 actuators, but they're about $120 a piece. Of course, I haven't checked E-bay yet.

[boret]

I am getting out of the whole thing for a while guys!!!

My new job (I started a company!!) its taking me all over the world.
I am home right now (for only a week), and surprisingly, after almost 3 months away, the tank was doing great. I have to leave next week for another month and a half.

I was afraid I will get to this crossroad. I've been holding on to the tank as much as I can... but it is not doable if you are not home. So I posted locally my Breaking out the tank thread.

About 90% of the Livestock is gone and about 30% of the equipment has found a new home.

It is very sad, because it took me a lot of work and planning to get here but I have to be logical about it.

I will keep checking back here for time to time, and when I settle down I will start another one for sure.

It has been a tremendous pleasure to share the board with you guys!

[gawf4fun]

Boret,

Congratulations on starting a company! I've been there and you're right about the time and sweat equity required...just the sort of thing for which the luxery of sitting back and taking in a beautiful reef tank is most useful! However the travel certainly makes it more difficult to enjoy fully.

We'll miss your input and knowledge on the thread. Take care and good luck.

mark

[lotusstar]

Wow, Boret. Good luck to you. You've helped me out a lot and I appreciate it. Best of luck to you and your company. After my tank problems I tried to sell my tank, I was frustrated. Told my wife if it hadn't sold by my spring break I'd tear it down and rebuild. To make a few adjustments and hopefully have a tank that will sustain fish life, not just corals. I sold off all my corals and the 1 lonely fish, the lone ranger if you will that would not die.
I'm thinking maybe 1 of the problems that plagued my fish was stray voltage, I discovered my skimmer pump was leaking a little voltage. Not sure why that wouldn't affect my inverts or the one lone clown fish, but anyway, bought a new pump. It should be in sometime this week. Going to redo the aquascape, redo some plumbing things and rebuild. I'll post pictures next week when I get things back up and running.
Again, Boret, thanks for your help, you'll be missed around here. Best of luck!!!

[lotusstar]

Hey guys. Do any of you guys know off hand the size holes in the back of the 92g corner tank. I'm trying to order supplies to make a herbie overflow but can't remember the size and it'd just be a PITA to bust out the pipes to figure it out. So if any of you guys remember off hand that would be awesome.
Thanks!

[tangers]

they have 1" and 3/4" bulkheads

[lotusstar]

Hey tangers, thanks very much I appreciate it.

[zippodcr]

L98-Z - you could consider mounting the actuators down along the back sides of the stand, then use full-extension Heavy-Duty drawer slides mounted to 1x lumber to create slides. the actuator pushes the center 1x, which is attached to the canopy and flanked by two 1x firmly attached to the stand. that might guide it and if you try to balance the two LA on each side so the weight front-to-back is fairly neutral it shouldn't bind.

[L98-Z]

Originally Posted by zippodcr

L98-Z - you could consider mounting the actuators down along the back sides of the stand, then use full-extension Heavy-Duty drawer slides mounted to 1x lumber to create slides. the actuator pushes the center 1x, which is attached to the canopy and flanked by two 1x firmly attached to the stand. that might guide it and if you try to balance the two LA on each side so the weight front-to-back is fairly neutral it shouldn't bind.

That's not a bad idea at all. With the gas struts I was worried about getting it back down anyways. I'll certainly look into that idea.
Thanks.

I'm also trying to figure out how strong I want the linear actuators. 40lbs to 400lbs is all the same price and about the same speed ($120-$130) a piece...

First thought was instantly 400lbs... but 400lbs could cause serious damage if there was binding and I couldn't to have them push.

[L98-Z]

Finally bought the last of my LEDs. Now to wire them all up.

[jbird69]

A quick update on my 120 gallon corner.

I picked up my final fish to complete my stocking this weekend.

The new fish are a small powder brown tang, a melanurus wrasse and a pencil wrasse.

My fish list is now...

1 blue hippo tang 3"
1 yellow tang 3"
1 powder brown tang 3"
1 yellow coris wrasse 2"-
1 melanurus wrasse 2 1/2-3"
1 pencil wrasse 2 1/2"
1 royal gramma 2"
2 picasso clowns 1 1/2"
1 cleaner shrimp
1 harlequin shrimp

I know, its pretty heavy stocking. I'll keep a close eye on things and de-stock if necessary. For the momment everyone seems to be enjoying great harmony and swimming and eating very well.

Heres some pics











And a quick clip

[Michael]

Originally Posted by Misled

So you guys don't think I fell off the planet.



One of my favorite chalices, Bazooka Joe.



Added a mystery wrasse over the weekend. My six line went into one of the powerheads and became starfish food.

looking great, better every time i see it.

[Michael]

Originally Posted by boret

I am getting out of the whole thing for a while guys!!!

My new job (I started a company!!) its taking me all over the world.
I am home right now (for only a week), and surprisingly, after almost 3 months away, the tank was doing great. I have to leave next week for another month and a half.

I was afraid I will get to this crossroad. I've been holding on to the tank as much as I can... but it is not doable if you are not home. So I posted locally my Breaking out the tank thread.

About 90% of the Livestock is gone and about 30% of the equipment has found a new home.

It is very sad, because it took me a lot of work and planning to get here but I have to be logical about it.

I will keep checking back here for time to time, and when I settle down I will start another one for sure.

It has been a tremendous pleasure to share the board with you guys!

the very best for the future boret, good luick and hope you get another tank one day.

mike

[dutchbros]

jbird, your tank is looking great! the melanurus is awesome.

[reefscape15]

Jesse - The tank is looking pretty good, even though it wasn't quite what you had in mind. I like the looks of a mixed reef alot. I noticed that you put the ends back on your korallias. I have done the same with mine as well, and I think I like the more directed stronger flow as opposed to the very wide, somewhat gentler flow. Have you noticed a difference?

J - The tank is looking awesome! I too love the wrasse. I really like that Halmidea in there too.

Michael - still awaiting that pic!

[Misled]

Yea Jim, I did it more to keep the fish out of them. All it took was having my six line become sushi, and I figured might as well.

[jbird69]

Originally Posted by reefscape15

J - I really like that Halmidea in there too.

Yeah, I never knew I had it until I transfered tanks. It was growing behind the rockwork. No one touched it til I added the powder brown tang. And his grazing has perked the curiosity of the yellow tang. Now its getting chewed pretty regularly. But its also growing quite nicely.

[waldomas]

Anyone here run VorTechs on their 92s?

My display is tight against one wall, and a few inches from the other.
There is enough room on the "away" side to mount the vortechs.
I currently have one on that side but want to increse the flow and take advantage of the new echo programming.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

[flfireman1]

Originally Posted by waldomas

Anyone here run VorTechs on their 92s?

My display is tight against one wall, and a few inches from the other.
There is enough room on the "away" side to mount the vortechs.
I currently have one on that side but want to increse the flow and take advantage of the new echo programming.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

I was also planning on adding a vortech to my 92. As a matter of fact, I paid for a new mp20 from the RC selling forum but the seller scammed me and never sent the pump.....long story.
Anyhow I didn't know if the vortech mp20 was going to provide enough flow, since the tank is really only 36" at its widest point. I currently have 3 korallia 3's and 1 k-4. I was looking to replace 2 of the koralias with the vortech.
What new programming do the vortechs bring?
Eric