DIY H.O.B. refugium [Archive]

Lynxer

03-02-2012, 01:09 PM

Well this time it wont be a tutorial..Mostly because i used some specialized tools while building this. Similar results could be acheived using acrylic and weldon.

I used clear PVC sheet, and trusty home made plastic welder. OH and about $2.50 in pvc plumbing parts.

Step 1:
Cut your material, beleive it or not.. this is clear PVC sheet. Notice the blue hue.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a133/bye_xbye/Img_120301183958.jpg

Step 2:
Put all the peices in front you and double check dimensions

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a133/bye_xbye/Img_120301184606.jpg

Step 3:
I love bending plastic. So of course i opted to bend the bottom/sides as one peice. Here is the jig.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a133/bye_xbye/Img_120301185326.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a133/bye_xbye/Img_120301190129.jpg

Step 4:
Heat both sides of the plastic evenly and slowly work it up to 90 degrees, a square is always nice to have.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a133/bye_xbye/Img_120301192304.jpg

Step 5:
Attach your front (or back haha) panel, leave the other side off so we can easily install the baffles.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a133/bye_xbye/Img_120301202718.jpg

Step 6:
Mark out were your baffles go.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a133/bye_xbye/Img_120301202735.jpg

Step 7:
Weld them in!

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a133/bye_xbye/Img_120301204218.jpg

Step 8:
Drill your plumbing holes, and attach your final side. Weld/tack the baffles to this panel were you can.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a133/bye_xbye/Img_120301212148.jpg

Step 9:
Enjoy your DIY fruits.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a133/bye_xbye/Img_120301212208.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a133/bye_xbye/Img_120301212229.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a133/bye_xbye/Img_120302002254.jpg

4445

MizTanks

03-02-2012, 01:42 PM

I'm interested in the specs and total cost. I just love to rub salt into my wounds :blackeye:(running the CPR aquafuge)

Lynxer

03-02-2012, 02:01 PM

I'm interested in the specs and total cost. I just love to rub salt into my wounds :blackeye: (running the CPR aquafuge)

Dimensions: 16" x 10" x 3.5"

Pump: 160gph jebo micro fountain pump

Inlet: 1/2" barb
Outlet: 1" PVC

Price depends on what you have. If you dont have a plastic welder you will need to go with acrylic and a type of weld on.

My price list:

Clear PVC sheet 1/4" x 2' x 3' Free (acrylic would be 20$, + weldon 15$)
2x 1" PVC elbo's $0.96
1x 1/2" PVC elbo $0.35
1x 1/2" barb to 1/2"thread elbo $0.70
1x 6" peice of 1/2" pcv $0.50
1 x 6" peice of 1" PVC $0.75

Jebo pump Free (15$?)

My total spent: $3.46

From scratch price: $38.46
w/ pump: $53.46

MizTanks

03-02-2012, 02:17 PM

I think I'm gonna throw up! I spent $139 on mine :doh::shake-head: Totally sucks if ya don't have the talent nor the means :( Very nice build Lynxer! :highfive3:

chazde3

03-02-2012, 04:46 PM

Yeah clear PVC is not cheap at all. We have some scraps laying around here at work so a small project cheap would be do-able for me. I have actually made a hang on fuge as well, but that was many years ago. Here's the link to my small build thread. DIY HOB Refugium Plans - Nano-Reef.com Forums (http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=152614&hl=)

Corvette Reefer

03-03-2012, 10:32 AM

Lynxer

03-03-2012, 12:29 PM

dang that's sweet! how exactly does that plastic welder work like how do you do that? i got a one running but its just a small filter box with rock and algae in it, that would be awesome to make! and veryyy nice job done on craftsmen ship!

If you look at the first picture under Step 3. That thing with the red and black hoses coming off of it.

Thats the welder.

It uses compressed air forced over an electric heating element. In a nutshell it basically melts plastic together.
With the help of plastic welding rod, you can join two peices of plastic together!

Lynxer

03-03-2012, 03:53 PM

Check out the video of this thing in action at my nano contest tank build thread!

>.<