March 2013 Project of the Month

[Willhopp]

Here is my entry (you can see it in its final position on my posts from last month here); it's an acrylic basking platform inspired by Joey's video he made for bending acrylic with a hand torch.



I went to my local Curbells Plastics shop and got a remnant of quarter-inch acrylic for less than $25. It was 48x36 (inches). I used a table saw to make the necessary cuts, then heated the acrylic with a hand torch, bent over a carpenter's square. I then turned the piece over and heated the top of the ramp where it meets the platform till it bent to the correct angle for the ramp.

I then bought one 12x12 tile from my local hardware store for like $5, the kind that's made up from little smaller tiles (or in this case, mini bricks), and I cut the strips apart so I could separate them further, allowing my turtle's claws and nails to grip them better on the ramp. I had some leftover silicone from the tank build and siliconed them to the ramp (yes, silicone works fine on acrylic for something this light, not for sealing watertight walls of aquariums).



The final piece was a welcome mat cut to size so that the turtle will have a grippy comfortable durable waterproof pad to bask on, plus it protects the acrylic. It works perfect and the turtle gets up and down it very easily. I also used a floor flange and a ceiling fan downrod to hang the basking lights above the platform.

[TioPinDePR]

March 2013 Project of the Month

I am submitting my 75 Gal DIY tank build currently located in the DIY Stands/Canopys section under My Stand!!

http://www.diyfishkeepers.com/forum/showthread.php?7115-My-Stand!!

[himie1969]

I am building my son a tank that will look like a lighthouse when I am done, I hope.
The tank will be 5 feet 4 inches tall, and 2 feet 6 inches across the base.
The tank itself will hold about 20 gallons of water.

[qwerk]

Remember people, you really want to sell your project, the more detail you provide the better your chances of winning. All members on this forum will be judging the best project presented.

[Divinehammer]

http://diyfishkeepers.com/forum/show...n-plywood-tank

I know it's not finished yet but I figured you get a good idea, of the build. and here is a video which shows some of the tank as well.

[qwerk]

2 Days left to get in your entries!!

[ggdh]

Hmm, why not my project?

The final result looks like this:



I have done the stand and it was my first serious carpentry work. It turned out to be rock-solid and with me on top (~95kg ) it doesn't even squeak. More pictures and description can be found here:

http://www.diyfishkeepers.com/forum/...Y-stand-(300L)

Also, under the tank is one of two DIY filters that I have build so far. It is acrylic tube filled with K1 helixes. If needed the filter can be changed into sand bed FBF. may actually try it soon. More details of the idea to be found here:

http://www.diyfishkeepers.com/forum/...anister-Filter