Matt the Fiddler`s 185 Build (continued)

Well,
I am moving my move thread to here..
from here
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1667706
Shows you how long I have been out for..   all the chatter is here now      I will still try to keep that thread updated with pictures.
It started as a 150 planned, but the tank I found was a 185.
A couple of highlights from the build out in case you don't want to go to Reef Central  This is 4 months condensed into one post 










So, The first new additions are in QT, and hopefully will be getting some SPS soon?

 

it is a puzzle cut joint.
If you mean "pocket holes" where the cross brace wood is held on only with screws like a standard kitchen table.. be aware of those.. if the wood gets wet or it gets a lot of weight on it (it will) the weight goes directly into the screws... you don't want to have weight supported by screws. they will fail, but more importantly become loose with age and pressure- at some point in time- might be down the road a ways....
if you are referring to just wood planks resting on top of the legs... that is the #2 way.
puzzle cutting has a few major advantages, one being it is much more stable/ hard to get it out of line.  They become stronger with weight.  and you have more anchor points for the cross braces, and it evenly distributes the weight. - puzzle cut stands hold full weight on it's own with out the use of screws. The screws just help hold the wood in place.    I slightly (well, maybe more than slightly) overbuilt this stand- but I will be having some wave box style action, and don't want to even see the stand move a hair.   I will also be climbing on top the tank from time to time... want it to hold up to abuse.
A VERY good read-through is here.. http://bennett.com/blog/2004/01/bui...um-stand-2 that guy is an amazing craftsman.. Mine could have looked that good if I had a miter saw /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/biggrin.gif he did miters on 45 degrees, and puzzle cut the side planks- which I was going to do- but I opted a last minute change, and still to follow my original plans as closely as possibly, by just expand the 5' plank to a 2x6 rather than a 2x4.  I did loose some of the self strengthening.. but I think I gained more.
I did add some internal cross bracing (triangle support creation for lateral strength)  that I need to take a picture of..

 

grumble..

I have leaking current from something.. some powerhead... heater... I was getting a jolt.. but my mulitmeter is not coperating.. my multimeter made it look like my new Reeflo Dart was leaking- and i know that isn't the case.. and I can't replicate the readings...


will troubleshoot tomorrow

 

Ok, here is my problem..
I have everything on and plugged in..  getting less than 1 volt reading on my multimeter.  (my multimeter tests the ground I am using at 120)
should I be measuring amps?  my meter only goes to 200ma... which means something is faulty... but not constantly faulty....    rrrrrrr    my tinkering last night put it in a working condition...  I have to find that problem!!!!
now,   it could be a heater that was plugged in but not "heating element on mode"    and when that happens I get a spike and a jolt.
thoughts?   I am by no means an expert electrical engineer...   
by the way.    my acrylic tank runs a lot hotter than my old glass tank w/ higher surface to volume ratio..    it takes forever to dissipate any heat through that acrylic...

 

Well, I had a seam open up on the top of the tank yesterday.... 2/3rds of the back and one side... (sigh) so the tank was bowing quite a bit- I have 4 bar clamps holding that upper edge in place right now... so it is holding... and won't damage any more.

I hope (and B Rad thinks) we can get this repaired without draining everything. Pics will be posted tonight.

 

Yea.

I would probably look at building a brace around the back/ side out of steel before emptying the tank.

worst case senerio is I would empty, cut off the top 1/2" or so for a clean edge on top. flip the lid to use the clean top side, and treat it like a brand new tank getting a new top, just 1/2 inch shorter and 3 gallons less voluminous.

 

hey, if you look at my old link, there are pages and pages..


yes.. I haven't been updating it though....