It Starts - again... - Page 3

goalcreas · March 23rd, 2008, 07:28 PM

OK what about today ;D

Dan Pellegrini · March 23rd, 2008, 07:37 PM

ughhh... well, it is still looking really bad... I have been wrestling with this huge clump of bolbitis/Anubias most of the day:

That is a 4ft plastic bin for reference. The thing was like 3 cubic feet... I ended up ripping it off the wood completely, and cutting it into smaller pieces. Problem is I did not anticipate needle leaf java fern and bolbitis being sooooo hard to arrange right once they are loose and in huge quantities. So I have spent the day dealing with the large plants first - then tomorrow if I can find time, I will do some Moss and Riccia borders and blend things in a bit. It is going to take some growing in to get the leaves on these ferns all pointing the right way and looking good.

I will post pictures of the scape when I am closer to something that makes some sense...

goalcreas · March 23rd, 2008, 07:42 PM

WOW, was that stuff out of your 72, or is it a new purchase?

Dan Pellegrini · March 23rd, 2008, 07:53 PM

out of the 72. I can't believe all the stuff that was in there. About 1/4 of it would more than fill up the new tank... You should have seen the stuff I pulled out of my 60-P

Needless to say there will be a lot of bolbitis at this next meeting...

ReefJones · March 23rd, 2008, 09:29 PM

Man Dan! Looking great buddy I love watching new setups go together, especially when they are setup so nicely like this one! If you dont mind a friendly suggestion, The rocks look good but one or two larger ones might look good in there with em... But it is totally up to you, it does look good like it is as well! Keep us posted!
Reef

Dan Pellegrini · March 23rd, 2008, 09:32 PM

thanks ;D i am trying to avoid large rocks in this one - as it seems that they just get buried in the plants over time - instead i am trying to create a rock effect that will still be visible after some crazy growth... it prolly won't looks too hot for a while - I plan on messing around with the plants until i find what i am looking for. my current plants just don't seem to be giving me what I want as far as options - good thing we have a meeting next week...

Dan Pellegrini · March 24th, 2008, 10:34 AM

Well - I kinda hit a wall yesterday... I just can't believe how HUGE the plants from my 72-gallon are. My bolbitis and Needle Leaf Java Fern leaves are around 14+ inches in length and barely fit in the new tank as is! I am just not used to having plants that are too big... and these aren't exactly like stem plants where you can just trim the bottoms off...

So now I am now completely rethinking my plant selection... I am going to drop by Pet's Inc today and see what they have... and will be banking on some great new additions for the meeting this weekend

wskurdahl · March 24th, 2008, 03:39 PM

you can always cut off the leaves and plant the ribosomes, they will take a little while to come back but it may be a good solution if they are to large.

Steve · March 25th, 2008, 07:47 AM

Any luck at Pets Inc. Dan?

Dan Pellegrini · March 25th, 2008, 08:02 AM

ya - I picked up a few plants there. The tank is a mess now, but the old tank is finally down and ready for a good cleaning ;D

Dan Pellegrini · March 25th, 2008, 08:39 AM

Well - I am one (very) small step closer to a solution with my reactor. Aqua Medic tells me that they do NOT have any different adapter sizes and that the threading on the barb pieces is metric...

So now I just need to figure out how to measure metric thread (is it just the space between thread?) and then go looking for a metric PVC fitting with a male threaded end and to a 16/22mm barb... of course I have no idea where something like this might be found...

goalcreas · March 25th, 2008, 08:57 AM

Space between the thread = pitch
you need the dia. of the plug.
Most bolts have many class of thread, but the common inch being NC and NF (course and fine), Metric taps just use a standard so the pitch is always the same for the diamater chosen, but this is most likely a pipe thread (tapered) and I am not familiar with any metric pipe threads. You might find that the hose barb is the only thing metric about it and the thread is actually NPT (national pipe thread) but if there are metric pipe threads here in the U.S. I bet if you get the dia. close enough (in MM) then you will find the thread pitch doesn't have but one choice.
I have a Machinist's handbook I can look up, but you might want to contact Mcmaster Carr to order online or go to Mcfadden Dale Hardware, they are off the 10 and 32nd st IIRC.

www.mcmaster.com

goalcreas · March 25th, 2008, 09:10 AM

Dan, looking back at the diagram, we can cut that hose barb off, drill a new hole and pipe tap it with a 3/4 NPT and put a standard inch hose barb in it's place.

You will need to measure the hole that your current plug fits into.
Make sure that if we drill a 59/64 (.9219) hole in the center where the barb is that it won't run out beyond itself.
Oh give about 1/8 inch past that for the threads.

Dan Pellegrini · March 25th, 2008, 09:13 AM

Thanks for the all the info!

I thought about doing that, but the lid piece is pretty thick plastic and there is not much additional room around the barb - and completely ruining one of these pieces is not an option. I will post up some pictures when i get home this evening.

goalcreas · March 25th, 2008, 09:14 AM

Oh, it wouldn't be anything that couldn't be fixed.