It's offical with this thread! 260 gallon build begins!

[iplumbsome]

Patiently awaiting my new overflow from Modular Marine.

 

[Kzguns]

all the polishing worked out good?

 

[iplumbsome]

all the polishing worked out good?

Jury is still out on my polishing abilities. Sanding was pretty straight forward. Even had to go down to 100 grit to get out some of the deeper scratches, but sanded all the way up to 2000.

I used the Novus products and found this process much more challenging than I anticipated. Plus I wish I would have ordered the big jugs of the stuff first after 3 separate orders of the 8 ounce bottles. I don't believe my struggles had anything to do with the Novus products but my technique.

My tank is deep (30") and not being a small dude and the small access holes on the top of acrylic tanks made doing the inside a pretty miserable experience. I finally mustered up the courage to get inside the dang thing even though I had a fear of not being able to get out. My wife had strict orders to not let the EMT'S cut the tank to get me out if I was overcome with fumes or had cardiac arrest. It was still hard to maneuver once inside and being in the trades for 25 years has done a number on my shoulders.

I used a couple different powered buffing wheels and pads. I tried foam, microfiber, and the lambs wool style. Didn't notice much difference in either.

No matter what I did I seemed to get a haze after polishing. If you looked straight through the acrylic it looked clear but if you looked in through the side and out the front it was hazy. I ended up calling a LFS about something else and happened to get their maintenance man (who does the polishing and uses the Novus products) and he recommended letting the polish dry on the acrylic before taking it off. Which I did the 3rd time and it seemed to help. He also recommended just filling the tank to see what it looked like full.

I filled it Friday night and everything looks good with the lights down in the room and a light above tank on, but in the morning (daylight peaking in) and also at night if you had strong lights on outside the tank there appears to be swirl marks all over. I just had a cheap 36" light above tank so not sure if this will all be moot once I have it under all the led's.

One of my house guest borrowed me his buffer (he is a car guy) and he thought maybe I used too high of an rpm. My thought was to go over the entire front again with the #3 going side to side and up and down to see if I could remove the swirls? Maybe this is normal for acrylic? No idea? This is my first.

 

[Kzguns]

Jury is still out on my polishing abilities. Sanding was pretty straight forward. Even had to go down to 100 grit to get out some of the deeper scratches, but sanded all the way up to 2000.

I used the Novus products and found this process much more challenging than I anticipated. Plus I wish I would have ordered the big jugs of the stuff first after 3 separate orders of the 8 ounce bottles. I don't believe my struggles had anything to do with the Novus products but my technique.

My tank is deep (30") and not being a small dude and the small access holes on the top of acrylic tanks made doing the inside a pretty miserable experience. I finally mustered up the courage to get inside the dang thing even though I had a fear of not being able to get out. My wife had strict orders to not let the EMT'S cut the tank to get me out if I was overcome with fumes or had cardiac arrest. It was still hard to maneuver once inside and being in the trades for 25 years has done a number on my shoulders.

I used a couple different powered buffing wheels and pads. I tried foam, microfiber, and the lambs wool style. Didn't notice much difference in either.

No matter what I did I seemed to get a haze after polishing. If you looked straight through the acrylic it looked clear but if you looked in through the side and out the front it was hazy. I ended up calling a LFS about something else and happened to get their maintenance man (who does the polishing and uses the Novus products) and he recommended letting the polish dry on the acrylic before taking it off. Which I did the 3rd time and it seemed to help. He also recommended just filling the tank to see what it looked like full.

I filled it Friday night and everything looks good with the lights down in the room and a light above tank on, but in the morning (daylight peaking in) and also at night if you had strong lights on outside the tank there appears to be swirl marks all over. I just had a cheap 36" light above tank so not sure if this will all be moot once I have it under all the led's.

One of my house guest borrowed me his buffer (he is a car guy) and he thought maybe I used too high of an rpm. My thought was to go over the entire front again with the #3 going side to side and up and down to see if I could remove the swirls? Maybe this is normal for acrylic? No idea? This is my first.

So on my classic car when i get swirl or fine scratches or haze i use this
Meguiar's 205 Mirror Glaze Professional Ultra Finishing Polish
I also use an orbital buffer with he recommended setting on the bottle and a foam pad of med to soft. This stuff goes on wet and off before it dries.

 

[iplumbsome]

So on my classic car when i get swirl or fine scratches or haze i use this
Meguiar's 205 Mirror Glaze Professional Ultra Finishing Polish
I also use an orbital buffer with he recommended setting on the bottle and a foam pad of med to soft. This stuff goes on wet and off before it dries.

Did a quick search on their website and wasn't able to find if it's ok to use on plastics.

The sander I used was orbital but not the buffer. I also had the habit of not holding the pad flat on the surface and using the edge frequently. I am thinking the edge pressure was cutting in also causing some of this.

If it'd be just the exterior I have to deal with its no problem, but I am assuming I have the same swirl marks on the interior.

Hopefully having water in there eliminates that issue. Kinda like when they say you won't see every scratch once it's filled.

 

[JBKReef]

Things are taking shape! Jealous of that room in the basement.

Refugiums are a hot ticket item right now, especially ones that are large enough to utilize for the triton system.

 

[iplumbsome]

Things are taking shape! Jealous of that room in the basement.

Refugiums are a hot ticket item right now, especially ones that are large enough to utilize for the triton system.

I had another area in the basement were I could have done a peninsula with viewing on three sides but the convenience of having my mechanical room behind me outweighed that. I was thinking long term also. Maybe a frag tank or a predator tank?

A few guys have brought up the triton system and honestly I haven’t had the time to put into researching that or the requirements yet. Not sure if you looked through the whole tread but I have a separate sump and refugium. I need to post some pics of the way my refugium is currently set up baffle wise. Doesn't really make sense to me and before it gets wet I'd like to hear others opinions on it and if can modify or improve upon it. I already have to do some work on the sump as I want to add filter socks.

 

[Will Milberger]

So far, so good!

 

[iplumbsome]

So far, so good!

Thanks! Definitely more work than anticipated.

 

[iplumbsome]

Like I said earlier I am planning on making some changes to my sump and before stuff gets wet I was wondering what you guys think of my refugium and if I should make changes to it. The water enters on the far left and as you can see that baffle doesn't go all the way to the bottom and it is lower than the next baffle.

When I filled it as you can expect the 2 left chambers became flooded and I am not sure what the first baffle is doing. Should I modify this?

Keep in mind I have a separate sump which I am leaning towards running 2 return pumps. (I have the 2 pumps already) One pump will return water to DT and the other was going to supply the refugium and my manifold.

 

[Fudsey]

How's the water going into the 1st chamber react going into the 2nd flow wise? You might get some real turbulent water in the 2nd chamber.

 

[iplumbsome]

How's the water going into the 1st chamber react going into the 2nd flow wise? You might get some real turbulent water in the 2nd chamber.

As of right now I was going to have a 1" pipe submerged. It will be coming from the pump return chamber of my sump.

 

[iplumbsome]

Just got my new overflow from Modular Marine. Those is going to look so much better that the twin towers I had. Makes all the effort of cutting them out worth it. Glad I spent the money and time to convert. #modularmarine

 

[iplumbsome]

Also have had the tank full for almost a week so I am assuming my hole patches are fine.

I sent my daughter a text yesterday telling her I needed to drain the tank soon so she should get her Betta's forever home setup. Her reply..."I am working all week. Put him in a cup!"

 

[Fudsey]

That's just plain mean.... ;Hilarious;Hilarious;Hilarious

 

[iplumbsome]

That's just plain mean.... ;Hilarious;Hilarious;Hilarious

Agreed, but it did make me laugh. After I thought about it for a bit I did buy it in a cup!

 

[CindyKz]

The build and bar look amazing, looking forward to watching it grow

 

[iplumbsome]

The build and bar look amazing, looking forward to watching it grow

Thanks! My "to do" list keeps getting longer not shorter.

 

[zieg9479]

Hey,
So what exactly did you find was best for polishing your tank?
I'm using a meguiars polish (not the same as mentioned above), and a wool drill attachment but I'm finding that I don't like the attachment and it's killing my cordless 20v battery. Also the acrylic is still hazy. I am considering the same polish or novus and going to harbor freight to buy a new orbital buffer.
So I'd be interested to get your thoughts.

 

[iplumbsome]

Hey,
So what exactly did you find was best for polishing your tank?
I'm using a meguiars polish (not the same as mentioned above), and a wool drill attachment but I'm finding that I don't like the attachment and it's killing my cordless 20v battery. Also the acrylic is still hazy. I am considering the same polish or novus and going to harbor freight to buy a new orbital buffer.
So I'd be interested to get your thoughts.

I used the Novus and was successful getting scratches out by the haziness seems to still be there. I talked to a tank maintenance guy in our area and he recommended letting the polish/wax dry on the surface before wiping off. That did seem to help.

I filled my tank and it seems clear enough, but if the tank lights are off and I have room lights on you can see swirls which appear to in on both the inside and out side. I wonder if I used too high of an rpm?

Before I fill the tank permanently I might climb back inside and go over it one more time by hand with the #2 and #3.