coastal-shagg
Well-Known Member
A few of you have been involved in the 'black mealmine' thread i created a little while ago. I thought id post a proper build thread as i have a few questions i need ironing out.
Im building a 4 bank tower- Dimentions are 4ftL x 2ftD x 16"H for each enclosure. Im not exactly sure what im putting in it yet so i want to set it up so im not limited (apart from space) to what i can keep in there.
I have decided to go with formply from bunnings, from what was discussed in the other thread it seems like the better option to go with in the long run (more water resistant etc). I have constructed the tower and have placed an aquarium safe silicone bead along all internal joins within each enclosure. Im not the best carpenter (im actually a podiatrist) but i think it should be fine in the event of a spill.
I plan on installing 2 ceramic light fittings into each enclosure most likely on the right hand side and fairly close to each other ( one for a ceramic heat emmitor and the other for UV) and use white LED strip lighting to light the tank. Im also thinking of using a small blue LED as moon lighting for night lime viewing but will discuss that as time goes on.
SO far i have a few questions that im hoping you can help me out with.
I plan on placing vents on the sides of each enclosure to ventilate airflow etc but am wondering if there is a ratio that should be followed. what im asking is, how big should each vent be in relation to the size of the side wall? I dont want to make the vents to big so that the heat created just escapes out the vent on the hot side or to small that the air doesnt circulate of heat the tank (yea i plan on using a thermostat so it might not be an issue?)
Im going to install the ceramic sockets myself and have it all wired up by my brother in law (electrition) but have noticed that people have used a 'ceiling box' the same size as the socket as a spacer between the roof of the enclosure and the ceramic socket? It looks like they have used it to earth the wiring? Help With Wiring Light Fixtures My Question is, is this needed?
Ill be using the cowdroy plastic tracks with 5mm glass so that should all be fine. Ill put up a photo or two and put them up so you get an idea.
Thanks in advance.
Matt
Im building a 4 bank tower- Dimentions are 4ftL x 2ftD x 16"H for each enclosure. Im not exactly sure what im putting in it yet so i want to set it up so im not limited (apart from space) to what i can keep in there.
I have decided to go with formply from bunnings, from what was discussed in the other thread it seems like the better option to go with in the long run (more water resistant etc). I have constructed the tower and have placed an aquarium safe silicone bead along all internal joins within each enclosure. Im not the best carpenter (im actually a podiatrist) but i think it should be fine in the event of a spill.
I plan on installing 2 ceramic light fittings into each enclosure most likely on the right hand side and fairly close to each other ( one for a ceramic heat emmitor and the other for UV) and use white LED strip lighting to light the tank. Im also thinking of using a small blue LED as moon lighting for night lime viewing but will discuss that as time goes on.
SO far i have a few questions that im hoping you can help me out with.
I plan on placing vents on the sides of each enclosure to ventilate airflow etc but am wondering if there is a ratio that should be followed. what im asking is, how big should each vent be in relation to the size of the side wall? I dont want to make the vents to big so that the heat created just escapes out the vent on the hot side or to small that the air doesnt circulate of heat the tank (yea i plan on using a thermostat so it might not be an issue?)
Im going to install the ceramic sockets myself and have it all wired up by my brother in law (electrition) but have noticed that people have used a 'ceiling box' the same size as the socket as a spacer between the roof of the enclosure and the ceramic socket? It looks like they have used it to earth the wiring? Help With Wiring Light Fixtures My Question is, is this needed?
Ill be using the cowdroy plastic tracks with 5mm glass so that should all be fine. Ill put up a photo or two and put them up so you get an idea.
Thanks in advance.
Matt