RestlessCrow

Hey Tex... Just got an email from my aunt who is watching this project from where I'm hosting my pictures... She mentioned a "Family trait" of going like the devil on a project and then burning out... LOL Well.... I'm still in the "Go like the devil" phase.

I'm pretty much hitting a stopping point very soon until I can get the dang carpet down, so hopefully that will give me a break without the burnout part.

Although.... I've got this lift mechanism idea and spent an hour at the welding shop this morning pickin' my buddy's brain to see what size materials I'll need. He might swing by after he's off work to take a peek at what I'm doing.

RestlessCrow

Ok... I SWEAR this is the last photos for the day. Really!!!!!!! Here's a before and after. The before, is with the cheap hoods that came with the tank. I don't believe that they were the original ones, because there was a ballast installed under the stand. (But again.... it's what it came with.)

Two, 17 watt generic lamps that would come with a walmart package. (.41wpg)



And AFTER.... with the new custom hood, stained to match.... 6x32w T8's (2.31wpg)



I'm DONE for the day dangit!

Bunnie1978

THAT is awesome! You're quite the handy manny!!

RestlessCrow

Bunnie..... <evil grin> You don't know the HALF of it.... LOL

RestlessCrow

Well.... if you've been reading this journal so far.... you might have read about me being "transportationally challenged".... Well.... $750 later, and jumping over hurdles and through hoops.... I am no longer "transportationally challenged."

I arrived home about noon today clutching a little card that contained my regained freedom. After seven MONTHS of being on foot.... I get home.... and want to go for a ride.... But get this.... I don't have anywhere to go. Bummer. Soooo..... I did what any guy would do. I threw the dog in the car and went out for a cup of coffee... BECAUSE I COULD.

(Really.... this kinda DOES relate to the aquarium build...)

Well.... the other day I headed over to the fabricator's shop. I explained my whole "hood lift system" to him.... and he threw in his two (TEN) cents.... I also made the mistake of mentioning that I would LOVE a LED moonlight system... (I figured he just worked with METAL!) Well... I found out that he tinkers with electronics.... 45 min later after viewing two hundred electrical diagrams.... I walked out of the shop with four, eighteen inch pieces of steel, and four, twelve inch pieces, and one helluva earful about LED wiring.

Here's where the whole transportation issue comes into play.... I had NO where to go and was itching to drive... ANYWHERE.... and I saw the pieces of steel sitting on the work bench. And then it hit me! I need machine screws! So I fired up the 7.3L Turbo Diesel pickup, and drove one mile.... Yes.... One mile to the store and back.... Just to get eight screws, and nuts to match for this project.

Here's what I've come up with for the hood lift. There's a LOT left to do... countersink the screws so they sit flush.... and I still need to nail down the way I'm going to attach it to the tank.... but without further adieu, here is my new lid lift.

It doesn't look like it, but this is ten feet of 1"x 1/4" hot rolled steel:



The concept:



Bolted together:



Half extended:



And fully extended:



I MIGHT have it together and working by the weekend, but I have to drive down to Timonium Md. this weekend for work.... If I get it done before the weekend, I'll put pics up.... but if not.... you'll have to wait till Monday or Tuesday. Thanks again for reading, and remember.... I welcome questions, comments, and advice.... I'm bluffing my way through this, pretending to know what I'm doing. Like most things I do.... "I did it because no one told me I COULDN'T do it".

Bunnie1978

You could have saved alot of time.. I don't know about money.. with a piano hinge and prop. Hm.

Looks good though.

RestlessCrow

Hmmmmm.... Somehow earlier today... I responded to your comment.... but must've hit some wrong button or something because it never posted!

I could have used a Piano Hinge, but that would have been too boring, and I would've been blasted in the face with light when I flipped the hood up. I decided for the parallel arms so the light would still be directed down, and so that if I do have anything on top.... it won't fall off. Plus there's also that whole "Cool factor" when it lifts up that way....



And then there's the "I can't do anything with the tank until I get the carpet down" factor.... so I need something to putter with.... so I might as well make it the way I want it! (Carpet donations anyone? LOL)

giypsy

Thanks for posting the blow-by-blow of the hood build.
That project is still in my distant future.
Back to the fish-rack, have wood to sink.
Keep us posted.

Bunnie1978

That is neat how it lifts it up and over instead of out.

@giypsy - I installed a fish rack on my wall for 3 ten gallon tanks. It's so awesome! I got the parts to make the rack at Lowe's. Two pieces that install vertically on the wall into studs, one 6 ft shelf that they cut into three pieces for me, and the brackets to hold them. All together about $100. I couldn't buy 3 stands or the space for that, so I'm really happy with it.

RestlessCrow

Sorry for the lack of updates guys! The finance department has been in a pickle, and unable to procure financing for the carpet that must go down before 85 gal of water goes in, and I have been on the road for the last three weekends in a row repairing glass at antique shows. (Morristown, NJ Timonium, Maryland, and Syracuse NY.) (and I have GOT to get the radio in my truck fixed! Too much driving in silence) And oh..... Yeah. I'm no longer "transportationally challenged."

The only thing holding me up from installing the hood lift is gettin' my sorry butt over to pick up some longer screws for the tank attachment part...

The tank is set up and running in the garage and has a few Bluegill Sunfish occupying it until it is ready to be moved upstairs. (Figured I wouldn't waste any time so I'll use them to cycle the filters) I have topsoil out in my greenhouse mineralizing away..... and I SHOULD get my butt out and get some sand before it all freezes.... Things are progressing.... just very slowly.

I'll keep ya'wl updated.