DIY Aquafuge... HELP!

[evoIX]

I understand the concepts and what is almost needed.
unfortunately, I am an IT geek not a plumber/handy man with years of experience with this type of DIY.
so sorry about the N00Bie questions.

What I don't understand is the piping portion. The rubber piece OR (PVC) that goes into the hole within the plexi. is there a specific name?

the only size acrylic sheets i can find at home depot are 3/32" .092 inches which is way too small. then cutting the 1/4" acrylic sheet...is a saw of some sort needed?
I also can't find the weld-on application required. I bought aquarium silicone. Anyone know if that application is good enough or just go find the weld on?


**I have a 55 marineland HOB filter which i will end up using as a backup fuge if i can't get this done** but i really feel the HOB complete refugium would be 10000000x more beneficial!

 

[redfishbluefish]

I can take a shot at a your questions:

SAW:  Plexiglass (acrylic) can be cut with woodworking tools.  Because you are bonding one cut edge to another flat piece of acrylic, a perfect straight cut is needed.  That is, a table saw, radial arm saw or circular saw with a straight edge is needed.  Use carbide blades and wear safety glasses.

WELD ON: Do not use silicone.  Acrylic does not stick well with silicone.  Weld On (or some other brand of acrylic cement), actually “melts” the acrylic forming a continuous bond.  Weld On can be purchased on line.

PIPING PORTION:  I can only guess that you are talking about bulkheads.  Screw-on fitting to allow water tight seals for piping passing through a flat surface.  Most LFS carry them…or could be purchased on line.

If you are not a DIY person, consider purchasing a HOB fuge.

 

[DaveK]

Since you don't have a lot of experience working with acrylic and the material is out of sight expensive, I recommend you get a small tank and modify that for your refugium. Yes, you will need to get a couple of holes drilled in the glass, but it's far less expensive and far less likely to cause problems, compared to building in acrylic the first time. Consider the price of say a 15 gal tank compared to a sheet or 1/2 sheet of acrylic, once you price the later.

PS - BTW, Good IT people can do almost anything. You are not perchance one of those luser (aka "starfish") types of IT people? (Just teasing)

 

[evoIX]

ha ITs can do anything. but unfortunately, it takes time to read and i'm good to go. the post was made before enough research and actually trying.


I deal with a lot of "common" people out there and make me utterly disrespect human intelligence. maybe 10% of all the people i have come in contact with have been as smart or smarter than half the IT population.

simply put ITs use a breakdown of analysis and able to compensate and try to find a solution more often. if not we will search the INTERNET to get our answers! yeah INTERNET!


i have heard plenty of common comments such as:

my computer won't turn on?
did you press the on button.

where is the on button?
ooo wait i found....i fixed it thank you!

(in my head)holy poopoo your a genius! wait a minute did i fix it or were you just half stupid?


random comments: i hate technology!
no, cause your dumb enough for technology to hate you!


why do users insist to ask why things happen?
cause your not going to remember half the things i tell you and the other half your not going to understand.
simple minded response after answering: oOooOo
thoughts: you just waited minutes of my life. can i have it back now? (hangs up call)

it sucks to be an IT. serve those who can't help themselves (for the simplest things)

can i retrieve e-mails i just deleted?
assclown then don't delete them in the first place



/end anger management


it pays. there's people that will never understand. don't cry to me if your one of those who have asked questions above. you've just been on added to my **** list! thanks!

**Edit:

Not sure what this has to do with a DIY fuge, but please watch the profanity.

 

[concept3]

where is the on button?
ooo wait i found....i fixed it thank you!

(speaking out loud) I understand how you could have missed the button, it's ok, it happens (congratulations on purchasing your new product?), enjoy.

random comments: i hate technology!

well, technology has its benefits, let me guide you so you can maximize your piece of technology/machine

why do users insist to ask why things happen?

for every action, there is a reaction. Understanding the problem/cause leads to prevention/cure .

simple minded response after answering: oOooOo

thoughts: I helped someone better themselves, awesome! (hangs up call)

it sucks to be an (insert profession here). serve those who can't help themselves (for the simplest things)

I find it easy and simple in building certain things for my tank, I don't think it sucks to be me, I try to help

can i retrieve e-mails i just deleted?

There is a possibility, have you checked the trash or deleted folder?



(back to the acrylic)

To make rough cut sizes: Take the acrylic piece you want to cut and score with a metal ruler (or similar straight edge) a few times with the tip of a small knife (a construction blade and holder works just as well too). Flip upside down and score the other side. Make sure it's deep enough. Take the whole piece and line up the edge of the scored part and line up to your counter top. Using a towel, press down firmly and quickly on theside you want cut. It will split along the scored line, creating a straight edged acrylic.

For smoother cuts, a fine toothed saw will work, a table saw or router will work better. Weldon is available at TAP plastics .com or US plastics.com


I think the thing you are referring to as the piece that goes in the hole in the plexi is a bulk head. It is used to keep the a water tight seal for plumbing.





most of the answers can also be found on the internet, but I too had to ask a fellow reefer in the beginning before attempting them myself.


Hope this helped, if not, disregard.

 

[qwik]

Go with a tank for your fuge , loews will cut the glass to size. Plastic glass molding(available at loews)for cut/sharp glass edges.Aquarium silicone for adhesion . In sump pump no reason for bulkheads .It will be easier and much cheaper for you to do it this way.
About $10-15 for tank,$10-15 for glass ,$5 for silicone,3$ for molding .

Rough cuts of acrylic/plexi will not bond together .

In sump pump will add heat but no chance of leaking bulkheads.

 

[evoIX]

merv, only those who think like that have not had to deal with those type of people in a day in and day out situation.

you will not find 1 IT analyst who will say they have not been outright frustrated due to the lack of common sense or ability with the human brain.




qwik. when you mentioned lowes will cut glass as in the plexiglass baffles and/or bulkheads holes? sorry got confused. most recommend using weld-on for baffles?

i pretty much got down how to get everything done. thanks for the information!

 

[concept3]

merv, only those who think like that have not had to deal with those type of people in a day in and day out situation.

I deal with a form of that all the time, everyday. I have been working as a retail manager for over 10 years, I actually just had a conversation today with an irate customer who wanted to return an iphone because it did not work with a stylus and was over their "customer remorse period" (now locked with a 2 year agreement). I explained the flow of electrons was needed to enable the touchscreen functionality of the phone (which she thought was cool just by knowing), and then we found a solution together for her issue with the contract (as much as it pained her), but I "broke it to her" nicely.

you will not find 1 IT analyst who will say they have not been outright frustrated due to the lack of common sense or ability with the human brain.

I have been frustrated myself, but I'm not an IT.....and I consider the common sense you're talking about as "lack of knowledge"...... However, My girl used to be an IT but is now an actuary at an Insurance company in California, I never had it that bad coming from her, sure she'd vent and be frustrated, but your remarks were a bit demeaning, even to myself (there's times when I call her now if I can't get my neighbor's router to work, or a program to install correctly, which I'm sure you are capable of fixing, and by all means I do not consider myself an idiot). I actually have another friend who lives in NY who thinks differently (or at least doesn't think that only 10% of the population he gets into contact with are at the same level while the rest are, well you know, you said it), but your IT job description (as funny as some of the comments were) sounded more like a helpline representative trying to get their product or service working

when you mentioned lowes will cut glass as in the plexiglass baffles and/or bulkheads holes?

They cut glass or plexiglass to size, they will not drill or cut bulkhead holes.

most recommend using weld-on for baffles?

I've used silicone in a glass tank with acrylic or plexiglass baffles, but glass on glass with silicone works better. Weldon for plexi to plexi

 

[evoIX]

navy>IT>helpdesk>SUN Admin>got out of military>Helpdesk

long time as an IT. Admin side of the house you don't have to deal with users. so it wasn't as bad but more brain teasing. unfortunately with the economy as bad as it is. we're on a hiring/promote freeze.

 

[qwik]

I have had them cut glass for me . They will not drill it . You can not mix glass acrylic . The silicone wont bond to the acrylic . If you use a in sump pump you dont need bulkheads/holes drilled .