Warren

2nd 21st +1

But - put one 2m x 0.9m tank (weight > 1100kg) on it and it would break or fall over in the smallest earthquake...

I think that's a pretty good price given it was delivered finished and you had to do nothing but pay for it. I've made a steel frame myself for around $100 by collecting the steel I needed from the scrap metal yard. It took a while to get what I needed as I had to wait for suitably sized striaght sections to turn up. This cost $70 for a 2.4m x 0.6m x 0.9m stand made from 75x75x6 RHS. I estimated approx $30 of MIG wire and gas. It took 3 days to cut and weld and it didn't get painted. If the steel for your stand bought new was approx $500 then the $600 labour and powder coating component is very good given the time taken to make something like this.

It's not only the voltage that's important on these types of motors, it's the frquency. US uses 110VAC 60Hz. NZ uses 230VAC 50Hz. The 110V motor will burn out on NZ voltage. If a step-down transformer is used to drop the 230VAC in NZ to 110VAC to run the motor there are still 2 issues. As we use 50Hz the lower frquency will over-flux the iron in the motor as it's designed for 60Hz which will make it get hotter and could reduce it's life. As the shaft speed is not only voltage depandant as well as frequency dependant the impeller will spin more slowly therefore the flow rate will be reduced (flow rate is usually a cube-law of shaft speed (depending on the pump design)). 50Hz motors will likely have a different impeller design to pump more water at a lower shaft speed for NZ use. There are many things to check (which increases the risk). 25% saving in cost on an import isn't worth it if there are problems. You need at least 50% saving in total cost to make it viable - then you can buy another one to replace the faulty one if it fails and still be no worse off than buying one in NZ.

Uh, you've never been there then? 8) Sounds like a good move as long as you don't buy any real estate until the ground has been stable for a while... I'd also research the best area's to live. If you've already been living in Auckland you'll be used to the higher living cost already - Chch is probably cheaper than Auck but not by much.

Breeding data? :dunno: :spop:

It's a pity you can't make it! As you can see, some of us are already getting into 'Conference' spirit and there's still a day to go before we get there, arg!

Eh, how is discussing something that should be done before Conference 2011 'off topic' in the Conference 2011 topic? He's had all year to get the data in - would be good if people's efforts breeding their fish didn't go unrewarded... Yeah, Conference is always FUN!!!! :bounce:

Bring it!!

I am picking on him - I'll keep it up all weekend too. I'm really looking forward to conference this year as I missed it last year - picking on Wok is just a bonus!! :lol: 8)

Yup, trying to push something stinky uphill with a sharp stick eh? You never know, miracles can happen ............................................. ok, maybe not. &c:ry

Hows the breeding data update going there Wok? :yaw1:

:digH: :rotf: :sml1: :dunno: You have no idea what busy is. :roll: &c:ry It would be really nice if you just did it and stopped making excuses - I'll give you greif all weekend if you don't - and now you need to supply chocolate cake as well. Anything else you'd like to add :thup: I hope you make good chocolate cake, yum, looking forward to it...

Chocolate cake won't save you. I suspect you will need to do both - best get to it man, now you've created even more work for yourself.

Hey Wok, what are you doing posting here when the breeding scheme data isn't updated yet? Best you get it done before conference or expect to get some serious greif... 8) You will be busy tonight then eh?

+1 To leave the support out and keep the same strength it was providing by another means would require a very strong supporting bar with a curve in it so the weight of the tank makes it sit flat...

Actually, the poly thickness doesn't matter, as long as it's thicker than the highest point imperfection on the stand. The surface pressure on the ploy isn't enough to deform it other than on bits of grit or screw heads (small point loads). If it doesn't deform it's doing nothing to sort out uneveness in the base of the stand. 10mm would be fine and it costs less... Carters sells 2.4 x 1.2 building grade poly sheet at about $1 per mm of thickness.

HBAS tank crawl starts today at 1:00pm. Everyone will meet at the National Aquarium and we'll leave from there.

And what makes it even more difficult is there doesn't seem to be any data available as to which frequencies of light are needed most and in what relative levels and which plants need what. It means finding the right tube is guesswork to some degree. The best way is likely to see which types of tubes other people find useful and use those. The same could be applied for lumens/m² and depth - follow the success of others. Please, correct me if I'm wrong about the data for which plants need what light spectrums...

Get some no more gaps...

Dat no fishy...

I used 4' fluro's and only enough to supply enough light to see ok. You don't want too much light in a fishroom as it makes algae grow faster. You do want the lights positioned so you can still see well in the tank when you have your arms over the side. I made the mistake of putting the lights in the center between the rows of tanks and had to move them as I would block the light when standing in front of the tank - duh! :facepalm:

Crickey!! - I'm surprised there was anything left on the shelves!!

You also need to consider surface area as well as the depth. Then you are looking at the lumens/m² at the surface and can consider if it's high enough for the depth of the tank. Efficiency of reflectors must also be considered - is all the light making it to the surface of the tank or only 50-90%. Also, is the light evenly distibuted or significantly more intense in some areas (MH). I think all factors mentioned so far really need to be considered and yes, watts is a very poor value to go by given the huge range of lights, colour spectrums and efficiencies available now.

NAC3FC-HC 8) Power-con