My DIY Acclimation Box

pumarjr · Apr 29, 2012

My attempt at an acclimation box. I still need to add the drain at the bottom. It's already been water tested and the lip holds it perfectly.

creefer · Apr 29, 2012

Nice! I like it.

Saltgator · Apr 29, 2012

Looks good.

revhtree · Apr 29, 2012

That is perfect! Details please.

REEFKEEPER10 · Apr 29, 2012

Put some holes in it for flow and it would work good for acclimating in tank.

Poseidon · Apr 29, 2012

Good work!

pumarjr · Apr 29, 2012

It's for slow drip acclimation. I just added the overflow tube made from r/o white water line, heated then bent to some kind of shape. I also reamed a hole in the bottom and installed the flow valve into it to control the flow of water. I will have 20 drops a min in/out. that should put me in the 1 to 2hr acclimation mark. Once the temp is equal to the tank using my temp probe, i'll know it's time to add the specimen to the tank.

pumarjr · Apr 29, 2012

Thx for the compliments. The build cost me $15 at HD. the acrylic superglue was $6 by itself, if I had had the glue, it would only cost me about $9 total. Cut the sheets out of 11x14x0.93 acrylic sheets. 2 of them. and two 1/4" flow valves from the garden section.

Reef Breeders · Apr 29, 2012

How did you cut the acrylic? I have never been able to score it that clean. looks awesome!

REEFKEEPER10 · Apr 29, 2012

They sell acrilyc glue at HD

pumarjr · Apr 29, 2012

Score it 10 passes med pressure, just like glass your just tying to scribe it. Once scribed, hold something against the back of the score and then snap with the cut. Snaps clean. Here in key west the do sell acrylic 2 part. I used a new glue tho made by loctite. It's really thin, dishwasher safe and worked perfectly and sealed the box without a leak.

pumarjr · Apr 29, 2012

The box is 8L x 4W x 5H.

REEFKEEPER10 · Apr 29, 2012

I will have to check here for it so I can make a overflow box. Thanks

revhtree · Apr 29, 2012

Looks like I might try as well. Looks fun!

JackoChang · Apr 30, 2012

Looks better than my critter keeper acclimation box, half the price too.

btkrausen · Apr 30, 2012

Looks great. Awesome job.

I was about to say put holes in it for flow, but you are using to drip acclimation, not social acclimation

rhibear · Apr 30, 2012

I've had trouble finding any kind of acrylic glue locally? Could you perhaps post a picture of the glue you used? Thanks

Troylee · Apr 30, 2012

Looks good... Just be careful with the glue you used it might come apart on ya and make a mess.... Acrylic is funky unless you use solvents such as Weldon 3 or 4.... Glue some scraps and let them sit over night and then snap them the next day.... See if the joint gives out or if it leaves some plastic.... You really want to use a glue/solvent that has mc "methylene choloride" that's the particular comment it Weldon that bites into the plastic and melts the pieces together... Super glue sticks to a extent but it's not something I would ever use on a pressure vessel... In a pinch you can use mek "metheyl Ethel keytone" but it's not really recommended either.... You can get glue off flea bay pretty cheap.... Use a solvent first like 3 or 4 and if you have a pin hole or leak 16 to seal it... Never use 16 by itself it is by far not strong enough to hold a pressure vessel together it's not if but when it will fail... Hth.