zjpeter's zoatope build

Where did you get the LED's?

 

i'm a little apprehensive about drilling this stuff, it's pretty flimsy. however i think that might be my only option.

as for the lights i got them from this guy; eBay Stores - 5STARSCOMPUTERCOM, 12V 15 LED Strip, 12V 9 LED Strip items on eBay.com pretty cheap and free shipping if you look around. you can get them with bare wire ends or with a dongle that fits into a 12v dc adapter he also sells.

 

sorry, it's been finals time for me so i've been buried in the books for two weeks (rocked out on them by the by), but i've got updates.

so, i didn't really know what i wanted to do for a return. i didnt want something bulky going over the edge of the tank and looking crappy. my solution was to dremel out a slit and slide a pressed nylon tubing through. the plan was good, the execution was not, i cracked the first tank so i had to buy and paint (and wait for it to cure) another tank. anyway, the drilling went smoother this time around. it took some doing, but i got a tube through the wall of the tank and siliconed it all in and braced it up on the back so there's no weight on the silicone. i also fabricated an "S" curve drain down the back to reduce and trickling into the overflow tray.

ok, long story short, here's the tank and light in its "final" position. the rocks are set but the scape will change with any frags i'm adding so i didnt spend too much time with it.

in the third picture you can see the 5 gal sump packed full with rock and chaeto with a 6500 bulb. it's normally hidden by a curtain by the door so it'll be out of sight.

for waterflow i've got a MiniJet 404 with adjustable rate from like 20-100 gph.

livestock is a few bumblebee snails and two sexy shrimp (if i can ever catch them from the DT...)

 

i like it im gonna follow some more

 

Joe, can you post up a pic of the plumbing?

 

i've got it all running right now but i'll try to get a picture of it tomorrow.

all i did was take a length of 3/8 nylon tubing and slit it open at a diagonal and then ironed it so it would stay open and not close up. then i siliconed the crap out of it. it's not pretty but it doesn't leak.

here's a vid! 720p if you feel the need

 

totally awesome.

personally, i'd lower the water line in the DT... looks like any bump or coral addition will over flow it...

 

done and done. it was making me nervous, too. i shimmed up the front end and that helped a lot. i kicked the desk a couple of times and then put my feet up and wiggled around to simulate everyday use and no problems

 

UPDATE: WE GOT CRITTERS IN THE ZOATOPE!

i've added a few dwarf cerith snails, several zoas, a ricordea and tiny sun coral. no luck on the sexy shrimp. they are in the DT to stay.

the light seems to be doing its job, everybody opens up and seems happy.

i've had one "flood". i lost a few cups of water. by the time i found the puddle it had stopped whatever it was doing. no clue what that was about but i've been turning the pump off when i leave for a long time. i run it all night and there hasn't been a problem again. who knows?

anyway, on to the reason you are all here, the pics!

 

oh, shoot i forgot the pic of the drain for tom. it's ugly, but it's quiet