This is an awesome design. Is that 3/4" pipe? Or, if you have a link to the exact union coupling you used, let me know! I can't find my old ones.
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What did you do to your tank(s) today?
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JayP
Valuable Member
Ha! The idea came from you. I originally wanted to switch from the 45° fittings that come with the ARC reactor to 90° and it was you that said the flat side of a standard 3/4 union could fit in the non-standard union ring of the ARC. Of course, it's costly to buy 3/4 unions only to waste 2 thirds of it but oh well, we like to spend money here, right? So yes, the pipe and all other fittings are 3/4. The only drawback is that if you want to reconfigure the ARC another way later on, you have to cut off the fittings to get the rings back. That's why you might also notice in the photo, I still have the 90° elbows I previously made, just in case. I bought a second reactor for the next 120cm tank so had 2 sets of rings. Also, silicone 16/22 tubing does fit snugly over the 3/4 barbs. One other thing; the 3/4 union flat side did have a slight edge around the center so rather than take chances it might not seal well on the ARC stock gasket, I sanded it down perfectly flat and smooth.
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JayP
Valuable Member
As if I didn't already have enough hardscape on the shelf! None of it was what I wanted for my upcoming mini Iwagumi though. The Hakkai just arrived. I think I shall call this scape: Asteroids
JayP
Valuable Member
The reactor is the Aqua Rocks Colorado acrylic reactor which is designed with that mount. It's a permanent part of the reactor itself. I just added the bypass.Love the mounting brackets!What are those, do you have a link?
JayP
Valuable Member
Me and Henry, the neighborhood rent-a-cat, building an aquarium stand on a hot Saturday afternoon. Henry was lookin to get some belly rubs on International Cat Day.
I just sold some plants to a guy (big bunch of blyxa i wrecken it ended up being about a $1 a plant lol, rotala, star grass, pearl weed, ludwigia super red, swords, val and a few other bits and pieces. ) I tried and mostly succeeded at keeping him away from the plants that need co2/higher light.
This guy is planting out a custom built tank 16 ft long, 6 ft tall, and around 5 ft deep. About a 3,400 gallon tank. He had a custom light built which cost him around $8K, 16 ft long, 3 ft wide which he says has the power of a chihiros rgb light.
Never mind the other dimensions, I think a 6ft tall tank would be a little challenging!
This guy is planting out a custom built tank 16 ft long, 6 ft tall, and around 5 ft deep. About a 3,400 gallon tank. He had a custom light built which cost him around $8K, 16 ft long, 3 ft wide which he says has the power of a chihiros rgb light.
Never mind the other dimensions, I think a 6ft tall tank would be a little challenging!
Did you get pics?
No, he drove 2 hours just to pick up some plants from me but good point though.
I'll message him to see if he can send me some pics. I'll post here if he does
JayP
Valuable Member
I hope it has a great deal more power than a Chihiros RGB light.
Added co2 to the kids 2.7 gallon shrimp tank. I have no self control whatsoever.
JayP
Valuable Member
More projects!
Noahspapa
Active Member
Kwyet
After every new tank—“This is my last one!”
Well, I was sliding my Week Aqua P120 back into place on my Dutch tank when I heard a cracking sound. It wasn’t the tank, thank goodness! The light bracket broke/came apart on one end and the light about fell in the water. I don’t even know where those tiny screws went. I had a new hanging light stand already waiting, I just didn’t want to deal with it until next month. Anyway, I spent the afternoon putting it together, and then found that the light wouldn’t fit between the 2 end pieces. I had to take off the ends of the light to get it to fit. It isn’t that noticeable, but have I done something dangerous? Will it shorten the life of the light?
JayP
Valuable Member
What kind of bracket are you using that the light wouldn't fit. Can you share a pic?
Kwyet
After every new tank—“This is my last one!”
JayP
Valuable Member
Ah, so this is your DIY stand? The ends being off is'nt a big issue. It's mainly just an aesthetics thing and helps keep a little dust out. Do you have any space at all now between the light ends and bracket arms. I don't have a P series, just M and L series and the end caps are flat. It looks like that end cap is much thicker. If I had one or exact dimensions, I could model and print a thin flat cap to take its place if you have the room.
Kwyet
After every new tank—“This is my last one!”
It’s a smaller version of the same kit I used on the 140g, plus the sturdier corner brackets that I used there. That’s what I thought about the end pieces, so thanks for confirming! There is only about 1/16 inch on each side, so it would probably be difficult to make something to fit, and the left side had the cord going through that piece too. I just slid that piece down the cord and out of site, but a new cap would have to snap around the cord somehow. It seems more trouble than it’s worth, but thanks so much for the offer!
JayP
Valuable Member
You could perhaps add some 1/2 or 3/4 spacers where the bars mount to your stand but then the top corners wouldn't mate as cleanly.
Kwyet
After every new tank—“This is my last one!”
Yes, I think I’ll leave it as is. The top corners are already stretched to their limit if I want the top bar to rest on the side bars without putting all of the weight of the light just on the corner brackets. Thanks for your help though!
