150 Gallon Build Thread ... From the Start

Looks great.

I don't know if it ever bothers you, but when I had a canopy, I didn't like it when I could see the light coming through around the doors. If that is an issue to you, you could use some kind of foam gasket around the doors. It might also cut down on any fan noise you might have.

I have thought a bit about that - but the light that "escapes" is not actually too bad. I may still entertain the idea of "sealing up" around the doors. Thanks Jason - appreciate it!

BTW - let me know when the next auction is ... could be cool!!
 
To isolate light, just use black tape, about 10cm wide. Fold one half to the centre-line of the tape so that you have a 'non-sticky' flap.
Tape this arount possible openings with the 'flap' overing them.
 
At least, you'd have small aluminium strips that cover/hold these cheap-man's tape-strips and keep the untidy part out of sight.
Don't forget the 45' Angle cut-off's and matching screws to make them a precise fit!

lol...Coy, you don't believe yourself 'mess with it' at any time now do you?

(btw, it's the same as those strips you'd put under a door to keep cold outside.)
 
I use 'pills/capsules', the ones you get with medicine inside that dissolve in your stomach.

I like them, you put them in once a month or 2 months, they have a 15cm advertised 'radius'.
Noticable on the plants in combination with added liquid media. I'd recommend it for sure. There's two types, stem and leave.
Not 100% sure, but they'd compare to the root tabs I think. Cant give you comparison though.

Brand I use is Ferka.

below a part of an email from them:
Aquatilizer is compose of all trace elements together with abundant potassium and also little nitrogen( not nitrate ). Somehow for serious tank keepers or one who need fourish plants, Balnace-K should be added.
Iron in Aquatilizer is enough to be absorbed by leaf.
Stemma is acomplete formular to be absorbed by root. By giving element into substrate which can be much more concentrate so we can expect for fast growing together with branching while less problem occur compare to liquid fertilizer and if you have rosette plant like echinodorus or nymphae, Rosetta is recommended.
Both Stemma and Rosetta have abunsant Iron in it.
End of quote....


Look up Ferka on the web, and find some of their display-tanks. Also, they've got a restaurant here in Bangkok with dozens of planted tanks, maintained with Ferka products.

my 2 cents...
cheers.
 
Nothing better for having had a root-canal treatment at the dentist than reading parts of this blog....lol
Anyhow, Coy, coming back on your 'freehand' not so perfect (got to rub it in one more time....ehheee) cut outs for the filter-intakes:

Over time, there might be trouble over there because of water. You did not paint those parts as far as I know. Did you consider using a small piece of U-profile aluminium, cut and bend them in a U-shape. Put some silicone in it and push that in?
That way, you avoid problems and it does not look "hand-cut on the fly".

Should be a 10-minute job for each cut-out and looks very well.
With 3 people you don't even have to take off the hood, just lift it with 2 persons, while 1 pushes them in.

Just an idea..
Cheers
Luc
 
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