Journal Trying to make a high-end aquascape from scratch

[BigWave]

Used Kils primer and then this this on my stand for the top coat.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Krylon-Appliance-Specialty-6-Pack-Gloss-White-Epoxy-Spray-Paint-NET-WT-12-oz/1000459665#:~:text=Overview,null

 

[gjcarew]

Got the tank on the stand and everything leveled. I might end up replacing the doors as one of them was bowed, so they look really ugly from the side. No idea how that happened - maybe it got wet.

Anyways, that explains how I ended up with a slight twist in the stand despite everything being square -- the stock wasn't flat!

 

[Kwyet]

Looks great!

 

[gjcarew]

Ugh. Leak testing things today and my new Aqua Rocks Colorado Yugang reactor is leaking. I leak tested it before mounting it but maybe the head pressure wasn't high enough? Or maybe the tubing loosened the screw-on connector as I was installing?

It is a little concerning how relatively loose the connections are. I did like 4 layers of teflon tape and the threads still didn't feel particularly snug.

One pretty big design flaw is the fact that you can't easily remove the reactor it once mounted. Sure, I can take it off the back wall of the tank, but I can't reinstall it in the same place without first filling the screwholes with wood filler (or wood glue and sawdust) so it will actually stay in place.

 

[Kwyet]

I had that problem with the stainless steel one. Regular Teflon tape didn’t fix it, but this kind did.

 

[Jeff Miotke]

Ugh. Leak testing things today and my new Aqua Rocks Colorado Yugang reactor is leaking. I leak tested it before mounting it but maybe the head pressure wasn't high enough? Or maybe the tubing loosened the screw-on connector as I was installing?

It is a little concerning how relatively loose the connections are. I did like 4 layers of teflon tape and the threads still didn't feel particularly snug.

One pretty big design flaw is the fact that you can't easily remove the reactor it once mounted. Sure, I can take it off the back wall of the tank, but I can't reinstall it in the same place without first filling the screwholes with wood filler (or wood glue and sawdust) so it will actually stay in place.

Yea… had to do a ridiculous number of wraps…to the point where it didn’t look like it would fit in any more.

 

[techman81]

One pretty big design flaw is the fact that you can't easily remove the reactor it once mounted. Sure, I can take it off the back wall of the tank, but I can't reinstall it in the same place without first filling the screwholes with wood filler (or wood glue and sawdust) so it will actually stay in place.

I assume this is referring to the SS reactor? The acrylic version has this type of mounting hole.

 

[gjcarew]

Yeah, this is the SS reactor

 

[JacksonL]

View attachment 13558
Got the tank on the stand and everything leveled. I might end up replacing the doors as one of them was bowed, so they look really ugly from the side. No idea how that happened - maybe it got wet.

Anyways, that explains how I ended up with a slight twist in the stand despite everything being square -- the stock wasn't flat!

Beautiful stand! I am in awe of people who can work with wood so well.