Tale of a Farmer II - Construction of the Fish Rack

[Blue Whale]

Right, those who are following the thread, and interested in just the rack, focus on the rack cost, the electrical cost, the piping cost. I should think these are the basic costing that you will be interested. Now supposed you are able to get a custom rack, it really doesn't mean that you will skip the rest of the costing. It comes down to how you would want to utilise your rack.

Touching a bit on the lighting itself. CFL, what is CFL?
Compact Fluorescent Light, basically has a shelf life between 7,000-15,000 hours in current modern day designed for maximum efficiency. I have been using this since Year 2000 as House Lighting. It wasn't later that I decided to use it on a fish tank and it gives very good result. Now I know you would be worry about the halving of light intensity, I can tell you that it is not strong to the point like having a MH light but it is sufficient for the plant. It still depend on the wattage. For those who have your own argument on this, please try the light first. You should know to discount on the articles that you read.

Some of you might want to explore the LED option which has a higher initial cost than CFL but have lower running cost. Ha Ha...I do not think got people owned and test LED for 50,000 hours yet. But it just gives you a guideline or a rough idea just how long LED last. LED is about 3x times of CFL initial cost. So assuming you put 50,000 vs 45,000 they are still pretty close. Now what is the diff here? Running cost. Bill size wise, CFL would be higher than LED.

Here is a comparison chart which you might be interested to read up. But again, discount this article as it is not based on modern LED and modern CFL. Yes, I am asking you to not take the data in it's totality instead CFL are made different according to different brands and so is LED.
http://www.designrecycleinc.com/led%20comp%20chart.html

[tetrakid]

Actually LEDs are a dime for dozens. The LEDs themselves are dirt cheap. It is the electronic circuitry and other components that make it expensive.

Regarding using CFL for home, I have come across some reservations, and even on YouTube, about the harmfulness of high UV radiation on CFLs which can cause skin problems when exposed to it for long periods at close range. Any views on this?

[Blue Whale]

Actually LEDs are a dime for dozens. The LEDs themselves are dirt cheap. It is the electronic circuitry and other components that make it expensive.

Regarding using CFL for home, I have come across some reservations, and even on YouTube, about the harmfulness of high UV radiation on CFLs which can cause skin problems when exposed to it for long periods at close range. Any views on this?

I become charcoal like skin color tone due to my working condition which requires me to travel, but my nieces are white as snow. So the UV thingy I dunno where it comes from, which light spectrum are you referring to. Which Brand of CFL? At which wattage, generating how many lumen?

Please read up on CFL.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_fluorescent_lamp
The amount of UV generated is not consider harmful to human (Human Health in Wiki). Base on the earth rotation cycle, we are in fact inching towards the Sun slowly. Hence the UV exposure in wide open or even when you are at the bus stop waiting for a bus is even more intense than what a CFL would generate. My question is, got differences? In the early 90s, reports have already came out saying that one of these days human would have increased skin cancer issue. I think it's a matter of acceptance. We are currently in that era where skin cancer cases are starting to build up. The ironic thing is.....the pollution we generate is shielding us from the harmful effect but we get higher temperature swing. We human are like fish and the earth is like a fish tank. Change in water parameters, everyone starts to cry out.

[Blue Whale]

Back on the farm itself. Perhaps my eyes not good so I did not noticed the layer of green on the surface of water.
Looks like good potent stuffs here, the 4 endlers swarm in upon introducing it into the tank.

With the success of the first MA-1 for Algae, I decided to expand into another two tubs. So I will be culturing 3 tubs of it instead of the current one.
Of course, I would dose my regular stuffs like Flourish, FE, Potassium, Nitrogen, Trace, Phosphorous all from the entire Seachem series except Excel. At the start, I was using tap water, but after all the GC lessons, sharing and discussion, the subsequent top up was using aquarium water instead. Pretty rich in nutrients. Again, from my bamboo, I harvested some hydro pellets which are algae filled and put into the MA-2 and MA-3 separately. A bit of algae water from MA-1 supplement the rest of the water with some algae materials. That should do it.

Do you see the rack on the right, now below it is an air revitaliser so the rack would be swaying in circular motion. In fact, the algae water have a slight gentle swaying in circular motion as well. My guess is that the circular motion will help to promote the algae but this is my theory and MA-1 had been on this rack. Looking at MA-2 and MA-3, I am already looking at Greenish like water against the light, should have sufficient green materials inside.

[Blue Whale]

Construction of the air pipe.
One of the difficult portion which I consider. Because the turning of taps is very exhausting.

So begin the construction after the paint have dried. First, both ends must be tied with white tape before inserting into the respective joints.


So I am starting from the center piece of the piping. Looking good, Looking good....



And so the next piece is in as well at the side, this forms the bottom of the frame.



And wa-la! The bottom is completed at almost precise positioning.



And so the frame is completed.

[Blue Whale]

Okay, the drilling.
And this is where things start to get wrong as I lost my concentration.

First of all the black decker seems to be too weak to drill through, so bringing in the Big Brother of Drill.



And then I was drilling the top pole, thinking it was the bottom, and so double drilling occurs....:P

[Blue Whale]

So here we see some negative demonstrations.



And the last negative demonstration.



Quite bad right? So no choice lor....dismantle then saw a new pipe and replace the damaged one.





But this is not the only set back currently.

One I found my silicone gun, bad news is both tub of silicone dried up totally and harden, so I have to discard both tub of them.

Next, I found that the wiring that I previously do isn't up to standard, so expecting some dismantling and retying again later on. I can meantime do other things first, this I will leave it for a later portion.

Missing 3 taps, so I will search through my old stock to see if I still have spare ones lying around or not. If not, re-stocking at the LFS means I have to travel a bit.

[xXXXx13]

Maybe can get some putty and mend the unnecessary holes. Do up whatever drillings required and give another freshcoat. Should be looking good then

[Blue Whale]

Maybe can get some putty and mend the unnecessary holes. Do up whatever drillings required and give another freshcoat. Should be looking good then

Yeah...then the pipe will already been structurally weaken against pressure. No choice lah...discard. This is just one of thing you have to do even though it might be sayang (regretfully) to do so. Nevertheless, due to the lack of pipes I can start a bit of painting.

So moved to next phase, the modification of the water tank, with Styrofoam. Aaaaah....this is the part you all might want to look out for. For that, you'd have to wait until tomorrow...heh heh. Some of you already know I am quite skilled with Pen knife. Eddie would love that...ha ha. But No....a Styrofoam Cutter will be used. This presents more challenge. Here is a demo pict of what I have done with pen knife after attending Eddie's sharing session.

Look at the size and compare it to the pen knife. ^^Y

[felix_fx2]

Keep it up!

Filter. Go for totto.

He already has.... he maybe will invest further in another totto item.

[jamesneo]

....
DIY CO2
I believe I have 3x JBL CO2 DIY System under the desk. Need to consider which tank will actually needs it. My current mix allows 5-6weeks continuous operation at 24/7 but smaller tank might be a different story compared to a 2ft.
....



Very nice work with detail and neat.
Since you have invested quite a substantial amount of time and effort in this project, why not just invest a bit more on a C02 tank.
Just my 2cts.
Can't wait to see the end product.

[Blue Whale]

....
DIY CO2
I believe I have 3x JBL CO2 DIY System under the desk. Need to consider which tank will actually needs it. My current mix allows 5-6weeks continuous operation at 24/7 but smaller tank might be a different story compared to a 2ft.
....



Very nice work with detail and neat.
Since you have invested quite a substantial amount of time and effort in this project, why not just invest a bit more on a C02 tank.
Just my 2cts.
Can't wait to see the end product.

For a rack with many many tanks use a CO2 tank? Cannot lah...it really depends if I were to embarking on the shrimp journey or not.

[VSGenesis]

Actually if you have a few tanks then perhaps 2-3 can use the co2 injection so you can keep different type of plants while the rest non co2 tank injection. Just a suggestion.

If shrimp is not where you're going then perhaps all the talk conducted by uncle ron can put to good use. Go killi.

[Blue Whale]

Actually if you have a few tanks then perhaps 2-3 can use the co2 injection so you can keep different type of plants while the rest non co2 tank injection. Just a suggestion.

If shrimp is not where you're going then perhaps all the talk conducted by uncle ron can put to good use. Go killi.

Killi is no commitment then proceed. If like no time to take care, better not to proceed with it. But there are still others to consider. Like RO water, suppose I am going to keep hardy fish then I will not even consider RO water in the first place. I'd like it to planted, however, a new planted tank might emerged from within. I still trying to conceptualise each tank. In the process for a lookout for tanks as well.

[Blue Whale]

Principal armaments:



Front view:



Cutters and Paint, oh...these are bought over time not one shot go get all the stuffs. Certain things just stock up along the way. Only bring out for the bigger project.



Close up on the Art Knife.

[VSGenesis]

Killi is no commitment then proceed.

you mean have commitment then proceed.

How many tanks are we looking at here? Plants would be nice bro. Since you're growing plants seperately, you have a good supply. Looking forward bro.

[VSGenesis]

Eh!!! Michael!! Coincidence!!! Lol i just bought some styrofoam boards too. Haha

[Blue Whale]

you mean have commitment then proceed.

How many tanks are we looking at here? Plants would be nice bro. Since you're growing plants seperately, you have a good supply. Looking forward bro.

No no...no commitment in the secular world. Care-free, nothing to do, don't drink, don't womanised....roger? Like that can give the hobby more time.
Hmm....I don't think enough, I still growing some here. I should deploy my Golden Nana into the main tank for the time being....

Meanwhile, tub has been scrapped and left to wind dry first. I do not want to load up the silicone Sealant at this point, will do multiple sealing one shot so that it is not dry up later.

[Blue Whale]

Tuesday, I'd love to play idle tonight, but with the heat wave round the corner, I decided not to stop for a rest, maybe will work less a bit.

Okay, I have used the Styrofoam Cutter to cut out the basic shape of the Water tank.
Notice I keep all the extra styrofoams that are being cut out in a shoebox. (Where do you find a shoebox? Well, you have to keep it each time you buy a new pair of shoe)



The water tank is dried up at this point of time after washing. And so I can commence on painting the exterior. Interior will not be painted.



Okay, I mentioned bits and pieces of styrofoam are saved up. What can you do with them later?
A block of styrofoams if you stick it together using silicon, can be shaped into something else. You could emulate the rock surface. But some extra works will need to be done. As I do not have the materials for further processing, let's just leave it as it is for the time being.

[Blue Whale]

I was thinking what to write for tonight, then I remember VS and time to poison him and everyone alike.

Warning: Dangerous Sighting! Poison!!!!
Do not continue to read!

Scroll down if you cannot resist being poisoned...ha ha....


^o^/ I found this batch of Rocks at GC.



Top View please...