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phys 
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 Topic: New Light Housing for 150g
Posted: January 26 2017 at 1:18am |
hi allllll, So I got some new woodworking tools (toys) for Christmas so now I'm planning on stepping up my game on the DIY woodwork that surrounds my tank.
First up, I'm going to redo my LED light housing so it'll be nicer and work better for the space. It'll be a bit deeper to spread things out a bit and a bit taller to block light spill into the other part of the room. I need to revamp the wiring to make it a little cleaner looking also.
Here's the plan for the housing... a little more than 4 feet wide, about 10 inches front to back, at between 5-6 inches tall depending on the cut of wood I'm shipped. I'm hoping more toward 6 inches tall. It'll be a floating mount like my current setup. I'll be installing 5 fans to help the air flow over the LEDs.
I've ordered the type of wood already after looking around and I'll be doing a lighter colored wood instead of the dark, ebony stained wood I have now. I've chosen Limba Wood from western Africa (hopefully sustainably acquired). I plan on doing a high gloss finish with rounded edges for a smooth look. Here's an example of the wood but not the actual bit I ordered... lets hope it looks similar at least.
So wish me luck that I don't mess it up! Feel free to make suggestions or tips! I'll try to post pictures as I go, it'll probably take a few weeks to do it with the time I have available and the amount of work I expect to put into it, mostly into the finish. Later, I plan on adding cabinet doors and sides to my stand to help finish the look on it.
Edited by phys - January 26 2017 at 1:47am
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Krazie4Acans
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Posted: January 26 2017 at 6:41am |
Where's the pictures of the "toys"? You mention them and then post a picture of wood? 
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My ocean. 90g (yup, won it!), 40g, 28g, & 10g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water Tank Thread:
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phys
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Posted: January 26 2017 at 6:19pm |
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Oh just a router, table saw and router table... Nothing fancy enough for a picture I spose. Lol
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phys
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Posted: July 21 2017 at 4:29am |
So after several months of getting new tools, calibrating and alinging as well as learning how to use stuff and also waiting for wood to arrive, Im getting close to finishing the fixture. I hand planed the boards to get out twist and thickness differences and mitered the joints. I then routed the edges and next going to look for some other wood to fill in the end gaps here's a picture of what i have so far.  P.s. i found out tonight that it fluoresces under UV light!
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: July 21 2017 at 9:11am |
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wood that fluoresces?
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Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks:www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Reefer4Ever
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Posted: July 21 2017 at 10:21am |
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What kind of wood is that? It's gorgeous
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90 gal reef w/refugium
24 gal softie tank
11 gal nano anemone tank
5 gal fresh water
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phys
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Posted: July 23 2017 at 1:03am |
Black Limba. Hard to find with the grain I was looking for. Not the cheapest but not bad for pricing.
Yea! Wood fluoresces! I'll see if I can post a decent picture.
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phys
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Posted: July 23 2017 at 1:10am |
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: July 23 2017 at 7:34am |
That is awesome.  Makes me want to drop by after it's finished. It's been years since I saw your tanks. Reminds me of your amazing presentation to the club about fluorescence.
Aloha, Mark 
P.S. It was fantastic that you were available to help with the emergency water change for Ross Bagshaw's 180.
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phys
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Posted: November 03 2017 at 4:41am |
Finished! Took me awhile to do it, get all the tools, the wood, and learn how to do it all. I hand planed all the wood, routed the long egdes and used a miter joint on the corners. I ussd a smaller miter joint than the thickness of the wood to give me about a 1" inset corner to add some ebony ends. Couldnt power router thhe ends due to the ebony being too brittle. I had to round them with a hand block plane. Used some clear undercoat sealer and then a clear gloss top coat. Four fans and migrated the leds from the old setup to the new. Added a large 19 wire cable with connectors on top for easy removal if needed. 
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