The insanity continues..

[RussM]

A few more DIY acrylic projects...

A 16"x8"x11" display 'fuge for a fellow SDReefer:

http://reeftronics.net/pics/Son619fuge1.JPG

http://reeftronics.net/pics/Son619fuge2.JPG


A new probe holder... yeah, it is just a tad bit over-engineered, isn't it:D. But it was a good little project to try out some different fabrication and machining techniques. It's adjustable over a 14" range of probe height.

http://reeftronics.net/pics/probeholder1.JPG

http://reeftronics.net/pics/probeholder2.JPG

Before:
http://www.reeftronics.net/pics/probes-before.JPG

and after:
http://www.reeftronics.net/pics/probes-after.JPG


Lastly, a multi-chambered media reactor. Need a little GAC, fill one chamber. Need a lot of GAC, fill all four chambers. Or, use different type of media. Making the keyhole slots in the flange was a real challenge! "So why are the thumbscrews not on the top of the cover, and instead on the flange?", you might ask. Well, I screwed up and drilled some holes that were too large, that's why! ;) And I didn't feel like cutting another piece, so I just proceeded with an unconventional approach. It has no adverse affect on operations, and does give a more streamlined and less industrial look.

http://www.reeftronics.net/pics/media-rx1.JPG

http://www.reeftronics.net/pics/media-rx2.JPG

[Fine Fins]

very nice you should make more two of each

[DaveMorris]

Your garage must be full of acrylic shavings! So when are you going to launch the line of OctoCone skimmers?

[RussM]

I spent 4 hours cleaning the garage this morning. My 16 gallon shop vac was completely full,and I'd just replaced the bag a few weeks ago. I do enjoy all this shop work, but acrylic chips stick to EVERYTHING.

[RussM]

The OctoCone will be remaining a unique item for the time being... work is picking up, so am not likely to have time for anything even close to that complex.

[RussM]

BTW, water flow through the media reactor is sequential - down through one chamber, up through the next, down through the third, and finally up through the last chamber. This allows full flow through all media, eliminating the possibility of different flow rates through different types of media, which could happen if the flow was distributed to the chambers in parallel.

[barometer]

“The distance between insanity and genius is measured only by success.” Bruce Feirstein

.....and by this definition, you are genius :D Well done sir!

[RussM]

And another small project for an SDReefer... a top-down viewbox.

http://www.reeftronics.net/pics/viewbox1.JPG

Bottom view... the viewing lens is recessed slightly to reduce the likelihood of getting scratched; the holes in each corner vent air when used.
http://www.reeftronics.net/pics/viewbox2.JPG

[Techknowledgy]

I had no idea you are such a craftsman Russ. Sweet!

[Inkedforlife]

Very nice work!! Taking any fuge orders?

[Blaze]

wow man very nice work!

[SDguy]

Sweet stuff Russ. You gonna show off my little box too? BTW, I'll def need a custom carbon reactor for this new 60g.

[jrlafrance]

HEHEHE, Peter says he has a little box! :lol::runaway:

BTW, great work there Russ!

Sweet stuff Russ. You gonna show off my little box too? BTW, I'll def need a custom carbon reactor for this new 60g.

[RussM]

Sweet stuff Russ. You gonna show off my little box too? BTW, I'll def need a custom carbon reactor for this new 60g.
You bet! :D It's looking really nice. Probably will finish it tonight.

[RussM]

A preview of my current project... slot layout done in AutoCAD, printed on mylar film, 2 pieces being stack-routed.
http://www.reeftronics.net/pics/accboxpreview.JPG

[AlabasterEskies]

is that for peters environmental acclimation chamber?

[SDguy]

I prefer to call it the Michael Jackson bed chamber :)

[Blaze]

Peter that's dirty!

[RussM]

A 'fuge for Lotsafishies; I forgot to take a pic before I wrapped it up... doh!

http://www.reeftronics.net/pics/lotasfishiesfuge.JPG

[RussM]

Got a wrowdy wrasse? A bully blennie? Angelfish with attitude? Terroristic tang? Pesky percula?

Put 'em in the clink... the cooler... solitary confinement! :shocked:

Seriously... this is a fish acclimation/adaptation box.

http://www.reeftronics.net/pics/peteracclimationbox.JPG

The translucent (vice clear) top is to make it easier on fish that might not like being inches away from high-intensity lighting.

[KorL]

Got a wrowdy wrasse? A bully blennie? Angelfish with attitude? Terroristic tang? Pesky percula?

Put 'em in the clink... the cooler... solitary confinement! :shocked:

Seriously... this is a fish acclimation/adaptation box.

http://www.reeftronics.net/pics/peteracclimationbox.JPG

The translucent (vice clear) top is to make it easier on fish that might not like being inches away from high-intensity lighting.

Nice "Jail Cell"

[Blaze]

Dude that's like maximum security prison for fish.

[SDguy]

Perfect!!

[Nick_Kun]

wow. Amazing job russ. What did you use to bend the acrylic?

[RussM]

wow. Amazing job russ. What did you use to bend the acrylic?
I used a V-groove router bit & table-mounted router to make deep scores where I wanted each bend. One pass for the rough cut, then raised the bit about 1/32" for the final clean cut
http://images.rockler.com/rockler/images/33269-01-200.jpg
Then I carefully & slowly heated the acrylic on the opposite site from the grooves w/ a heat gun, then bent and clamped it over a wooden form the proper thickness. The acrylic bent rather nicely right at the grooves. After cooling, I filled the now-closed grooves with solvent cement just for good measure.

[SDguy]

You know you want/need one Nick, fellow fish *****!

[Blaze]

Peter I think we all want one.

[marineman1978]

very nice craftsmanship. That is pretty cool indeed!

[Nick_Kun]

you have mad skill russ.

[RussM]

you have mad skill russ.
Thanks. My best skill, however, is positioning finished pieces for photographing so the fewest flaws are visible. ;)

OK... besides a couple of cement bubbles, who can find the glaringly obvious (to me at least) flaw in Peter's acclimation box???

Barometer: You have 15 seconds, starting....... NOW!

[RussM]

Perfect!!
Ya think so, eh? See post #30... :hideeyes:

[DaveMorris]

Are the screws on the back on the wrong side? Shouldn't they be on the very back part of the bend?

[RussM]

Are the screws on the back on the wrong side? Shouldn't they be on the very back part of the bend?
Nope... they are on the back. That one sorta looks like it's goes all the way through, doesn't it?

[macawilial]

"OK... besides a couple of cement bubbles, who can find the glaringly obvious (to me at least) flaw in Peter's acclimation box???"

Fish don't have thumbs... therefore locking mechanism is overkill?

[RussM]

"OK... besides a couple of cement bubbles, who can find the glaringly obvious (to me at least) flaw in Peter's acclimation box???"

Fish don't have thumbs... therefore locking mechanism is overkill?
LOL... actually, I almost used a magnetic catch instead of the thumbscrew & keyhole slot.

Hint: front panel

[macawilial]

flux capacity missing?

Looks perfect to me!

[barometer]

LOL, I didn't know I was on a timer here :p

Maybe my brain is fried from too much slackin' yesterday, but I don't see anything Russ :confused:. Maybe I wouldn't have slotted that panel for better viewing, but I don't see that as an obvious flaw. I would think the locking lid necessary as who knows what kind of wild flailing fishies Peter will house in the slammer :rolleyes: BTW, the Manhattan project is on it's way ;)

[RussM]

LOL, I didn't know I was on a timer here :p

Maybe my brain is fried from too much slackin' yesterday, but I don't see anything Russ :confused:. Maybe I wouldn't have slotted that panel for better viewing, but I don't see that as an obvious flaw. I would think the locking lid necessary as who knows what kind of wild flailing fishies Peter will house in the slammer :rolleyes: BTW, the Manhattan project is on it's way ;)

Well, if MR VISUAL himself can't see it, I'll chill out ;)

One slot on the front is ~1/2" longer than the others.
http://www.reeftronics.net/pics/peteracclimationboxflaw.jpg


BTW, the Manhattan project is on it's way
My next skimmer will be powered by a microsingularity :crazy:

[barometer]

AHAHAHAHA! Nice Russ. You're right, that would KILL me if I had done it. You are good at picking that perfect presentation angle sir :D

[RussM]

You're right, that would KILL me if I had done it. It bugs me big-time, even though I know it's harmless!

[SDguy]

Oh gawd...thank goodness I didn't pay for it yet. If I wanted a piece of crap in my tank, I would have just shat in there myself, Russ.


:lol:


Well, if MR VISUAL himself can't see it, I'll chill out ;)

One slot on the front is ~1/2" longer than the others.
http://www.reeftronics.net/pics/peteracclimationboxflaw.jpg


My next skimmer will be powered by a microsingularity :crazy:

[RussM]

You're right, that would KILL me if I had done it. It bugs me big-time, even though I know it's harmless! And since I stack-routed the front and bottom at the same time, the bottom has the same longer slot, so it's a double-whammy!

[barometer]

Oh gawd...thank goodness I didn't pay for it yet. If I wanted a piece of crap in my tank, I would have just shat in there myself, Russ.


:lol::lol::lol:

[RussM]

Oh gawd...thank goodness I didn't pay for it yet. If I wanted a piece of crap in my tank, I would have just shat in there myself, Russ.:lol:

Darnit Peter... I just laugh-snorted CocaCola all over my keyboard!

[nahtanoj]

wow, that aclitainer puts mine to shame...gonna have to upgrade i guess.
great job.

[jrlafrance]

wow, that aclitainer puts mine to shame...gonna have to upgrade i guess.
great job.

Whoa! :shocked: This is a family site Jonathon! Watch your language!!

[barometer]

always with the mind in the gutter James :demon::p

[nahtanoj]

:lol: that's the last time i try to coin a device on here.

[RussM]

:lol: that's the last time i try to coin a device on here.
Acclimatainer, maybe? :p

[nahtanoj]

yeah, thought about that one, too much of a mouth full.

[SDguy]

Wow, just perfect!!

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p5/SDreefguy/IMG_4252_1.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p5/SDreefguy/IMG_4251_1.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p5/SDreefguy/IMG_4250_1.jpg

[RussM]

Wow, just perfect!!

I do believe I heard some "giggling like a schoolgirl" when Peter put it in his tank...;)

[barometer]

:lol: I bet you did.....darnit, I can't look away from the spot Russ :demon:

LOOKS PERFECT! :D

[SDguy]

Y'all be just jealous of my box :p

[DaveMorris]

Nice box Peter.

[ocean1]

Boy I could have used one of those last week. Russ you build the coolest stuff!! You really should do this for a living. I liked your reactor as well. The skimmer way cool just great products, ya got some crazy skill.

[RussM]

http://www.reeftronics.net/pics/brad_acclimator.JPG

Made for a guy on RC who saw Peter's and just had to have one too ;) - we're going global! (NOT)

The front, sides, and bottom are made from a single piece of acrylic (heated & bent). The lid is held in place magnetically. :)

The seam in the back panel is because I lined up my table saw to a stray pencil mark, and realized it about 5 seconds too late :curse::curse::curse:. Hence the butt joint...

[Techknowledgy]

Sweet. I am in awe at your skills!

[RussM]

Sweet. I am in awe at your skills!

Thanks, Roland. If you want to see my TRUE talent, you should stop by and seen how good I am at totally making a mess of my garage :)

[barometer]

Thanks, Roland. If you want to see my TRUE talent, you should stop by and seen how good I am at totally making a mess of my garage :)

:lol::lol::lol: I can attest to that. Sweet v.1.1.3 ;) Did you decide to leave the bottom panel whole or was it requested? btw, so far so good on the manhattan project :D

[Blaze]

hey Russ can you make one of those Skimmers that fits in the Back of a Nano Cube?

[RussM]

hey Russ can you make one of those Skimmers that fits in the Back of a Nano Cube?

I wouldn't want to even try, not having a suitable tank to test a design with. What size? If it's a 24g, check out Sapphire Aquatics (http://sapphireaquatics.com).

[Blaze]

nah its a 12g nano cube.