FEB 16 DIY HOB Fuge Build workshop

How this will work. First, we toss around ideas for a build. (google diy HOB fuge) Then, once we settle on one that we like, we order the materials and participants pay for their stuff up front. You can certainly vary from the design we settle on if you wish. We'll build them all together in February at the meeting at my house. This is happening in February so we need to get to work researching. I've already found one that I like but will have to locate it again this eve and post it up here. I plan to use my mostly for a pod condo.

We have on request for an in tank refugium box. I think she'll check around herself but I will try to as well. Here are the ones I saw when I was first thinking of doing this for a meeting.

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/diy-projects-plans/diy-h-o-b-refugium-20349/

or we could do the aquaclear filter mod ones
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=726185

This looks simple for in tank pod condos.

http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f76/diy-pod-condos-92373-3.html

But, we need more than that if someone is going to be doing macroalgae growing so I'll keep looking.

I don't think we need a whole class on that inside pod holder/grower. That website made it pretty clear. I could bring a roll of that mesh to the Feb meeting and we could share. I had bought a roll to make filter cages for my pond, so I have plenty leftover.

I know we won't need a "workshop" for the pod condo but others might want a different style fuge for macro growing. Also, I want people to realize that this meeting is going to be more than just visiting and seeing someone's setup so I threw the word "workshop" on the end.

Holly is wanting something like this:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3621

That one would be nice. I could make it out of stained glass, but I think there's something bad about using copper foil tape and saltwater though. Hmmmm...
BTW my lionfish ate my nemo (lol) percula clown the other day. I was looking for the clown and couldn't see him, then I saw my lionfish's stomach. Oops. I won't need to feed him for a few days. Needless to say, the lion. is in solitary now. I moved everyone else to the 45 and he's over in the 20 until he outgrows that.

blennieluvr wrote:This looks simple for in tank pod condos.

http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f76/diy-pod-condos-92373-3.html

But, we need more than that if someone is going to be doing macroalgae growing so I'll keep looking.

3/8" Egg create works good too.

So, aside from everyone deciding what they want to build and coming up with a game plan, we could also use some rubble rock and macro algaes. Jim has some dragon's breath which is good and I can round up chaeto if we need it. Does anyone have rubble rock or maybe extra rock we can make into rubble?

I don't have any extra rock, but what about picking some up at the swap or the Mall shop?

I thought of that too but figured I'd see if anyone has any first.

I have a ton of rock don't I Cammie? And by the way did you get my pm??

The date has been set. FEBRUARY 16th! Mark it on your calendar!

Please let me know 1) if you are coming and 2) what you want to build (acclimation tank, pod condo or fuge) when you are here. On the way to the swap, we talked about JIm's suggestion to use 3/4" egg crate and that we could actually build boxes with a hinged lid that would hold rubble and/or macros.

Susan, thanks much for the offer for rock.

Aww... Another acrylic workshop and I am going to miss it. I'll be on a big boat sailing to the southern Caribbean that day. Have fun with the build and post some pics!

blennieluvr wrote: Jim's suggestion to use 3/4" egg crate

No 3/8"

3/8" I knew that.

It may not end up being acrylic at all. Most of us are thinking the egg crate box or bags make more sense for what we want to do. However, I know Deb wants an acclimation box and maybe that could be out of acrylic...maybe glass if we had it cut ahead of time. Does anyone have a recommendation? I figured glass would be cheaper.

Attendees that I know of:
myself
Jim
Holly
Jodi (pending work)
Deb
Sue
Susan
Nick

Glass would be cheaper, but also much heavier. If the bags would work for the refugium I'd go with the bags.

Jim, how do we do hinged lids on the egg crate pod condos? I am going to start getting supplied lined up.

Ok here you go Cammie, this is a quick version of the pod condo's i use to make to breed pods.
I use to make them out of 3/8" egg create but 1/2" will work to, and for BB refuge or sump I would put legs on the condo's and for refuge with rubble,sand or mud I would make a handle on it using heavy fish line so I could suspend it off the substance to make it harder for Predator's to get to my colonies.
I would usually fill my condo's half with Porous Rubble rock and macro, when my macro would grow out side the condo I would just put the condo in the main tank and my herbivores would clean the over hanging macro off with out threat to my pod colony and at night pods would venture out into the main rock work.

YES! This is exactly what I had in mind. Figures that it's something you have already done!

So, Jim is bringing the red macro and some egg crate.
I'll get some zip ties and epoxy and anything else we end up needing (more egg crate?)
Susan is bringing rock that we "rubble" up.

Does anyone else have egg crate they don't need? Does anyone have enough chaeto to bring a little extra for anyone who needs it?

Looks good. I can bring eggcrate. Are there tools we can bring to help cut the eggcrate? More cutters would make it go faster. I have a Dremel as well.

Oh Definitely bring any side cutters, egg create,heavy fishing line Ect.

I know I am overlooking, but where will this meeting be? I have a bunch of Cheato I want to give away. A ball the size of a basketball. Looking forward to seeing you all.

It's at my house, Nick. We'll plan on 1:00 till whenever and I'll pm anyone that needs directions. BYOB and I'll provide some grub.

Glad someone has Chaeto. I was in Fargo, yes Fargo, and they didn't have any Chaeto or pods. They did have a couple of chromis, and a good sale on 'shrooms and candy canes, so I got a few of those.

What size Condos do people want? I was thinking of pre-cutting sides out?
make things go a little faster and if want can get on to other things?