csa/montana
Astro Ambassador
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 28626
Loc: montana
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Here's the beginning of recycling an aquarium that was destined for the landfill.
I am going to get a "velvet" type material & drape it over the base(s), so nothing but the meteorites will be seen.
I secured a "space" poster to the back of the aquarium, to get the theme going!
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
AstroTech 66ED / Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Tak LE 5mm B/TMB 3.2
7mm Pentax XL, 10mm Pentax XW
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
22mm Pan, 35mm Pan
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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Mike Sandy
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/29/03
Posts: 1096
Loc: SF Bay Area, CA
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Have you considered putting sand in the aquarium as a base for the display? It would give the meteorites a nice desert backdrop, and make them feel at home...... 
Edited by Mike Sandy (07/19/08 02:31 PM)
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csa/montana
Astro Ambassador
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 28626
Loc: montana
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No, I'll stick to something clean like cloth  After having had to remove all the gravel, I'm not going thru that again 
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
AstroTech 66ED / Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Tak LE 5mm B/TMB 3.2
7mm Pentax XL, 10mm Pentax XW
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
22mm Pan, 35mm Pan
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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Glassthrower
Vendor - Galactic Stone & Ironworks
Reged: 04/07/05
Posts: 14687
Loc: Hurricane Alley
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Very cool idea Carol! I think it's going to look great with the velvet in there. 
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csa/montana
Astro Ambassador
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 28626
Loc: montana
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Thanks Mike: The boxes on each end are for larger meteorites, when I can swing getting some! 
I'm pretty excited over this, it will be a nice display unit. I'm having a piece of plexiglass cut to fit the entire top, in order to keep it dustfree.
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
AstroTech 66ED / Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Tak LE 5mm B/TMB 3.2
7mm Pentax XL, 10mm Pentax XW
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
22mm Pan, 35mm Pan
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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edwincjones
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/10/04
Posts: 4423
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will you keep the meteorites in containers or display cases to protect them, or will they be exposed to air?
edj
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n w arkansas
Binocular, Solar, General Amateur Astronomy
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Glassthrower
Vendor - Galactic Stone & Ironworks
Reged: 04/07/05
Posts: 14687
Loc: Hurricane Alley
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Be sure to put some discreet packages of dessicant inside the aquarium to absorb any moisture trapped inside. Silica gel that craft stores sell for drying flowers works great - it turns blue when it's full of moisture, then you can bake it in the oven to "recharge it" and re-use it. 
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Michael Gilmer - Member of the Meteoritical Society & Collector of Falling Stars.
Galactic Stone & Ironworks - Buy/Sell/Trade Meteorites, Moon Rocks, Mars Rocks, & 35 different falls and types!
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csa/montana
Astro Ambassador
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 28626
Loc: montana
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The smaller ones like I have now, will all be in display cases. Only the large ones that I may be fortunate enough to get will not be in display cases; maybe later on though.
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
AstroTech 66ED / Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Tak LE 5mm B/TMB 3.2
7mm Pentax XL, 10mm Pentax XW
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
22mm Pan, 35mm Pan
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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csa/montana
Astro Ambassador
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 28626
Loc: montana
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Thanks for the suggestion Mike!
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
AstroTech 66ED / Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Tak LE 5mm B/TMB 3.2
7mm Pentax XL, 10mm Pentax XW
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
22mm Pan, 35mm Pan
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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LivingNDixie
Lord of Ferrets
Reged: 04/23/03
Posts: 15790
Loc: Hoover, AL
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Very neat.
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Preston
Celestron 11" Nexstar GPS XLT
Lunt LS60T/Ha 60mm f/8.33 (on order)
It’s not finishing something when your tank is empty that makes you a stronger person. It’s brushing yourself off and refacing the foe that defeated you with the same determination and willingness to fight that you had when you began your journey.
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csa/montana
Astro Ambassador
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 28626
Loc: montana
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Thanks Preston; I'm very happy, as it is on a nice wood stand with doors that has storage underneath; so if the aquarium was taken out, I wouldn't have had anything to put on the stand to replace it.
Best of both worlds!
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
AstroTech 66ED / Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Tak LE 5mm B/TMB 3.2
7mm Pentax XL, 10mm Pentax XW
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
22mm Pan, 35mm Pan
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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Talstarone
Vendor (Inner Planetary Products)
Reged: 09/12/06
Posts: 7593
Loc: Benson, North Carolina
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Exceptional Results Carol.Your transformation of the Aquarium is Amazing.
I am thrilled for you and what you have accomplished.Your collection already looks amazing even without the velvet material Carol.
But I can see with the velvet material and it would be amazing.Thanks for sharing this with us.
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Todd C.
Celestron NexStar 4SE(102mm F/13)Maksutov-Cass
Meade ETX-80AT(80mm F/5)Achro Refractor
Meade ETX-60BB(60mm F/5.8)Achro Refractor
www.innerplanetaryproducts.com
Meteorites and More....
"Outer Space at Down to Earth Prices"
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csa/montana
Astro Ambassador
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 28626
Loc: montana
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Thanks so much Todd; I'll be going into town Tues. & will pickup the material then. I'll post the "finished" pictures.
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
AstroTech 66ED / Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Tak LE 5mm B/TMB 3.2
7mm Pentax XL, 10mm Pentax XW
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
22mm Pan, 35mm Pan
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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Lost in Space
Vendor - Galactic Rocks
Reged: 11/14/04
Posts: 1703
Loc: North Carolina
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Gosh, Carol. Your aquarium project seems to be coming along swimmingly...  
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Ed
Televue TV76
Coronado SM60/BF15
Meteorite Collection
Member of IMCA - http://www.imca.cc
“A graduation ceremony is an event where the commencement speaker tells thousands of students dressed in identical caps and gowns that 'individuality' is the key to success." - Robert Orben
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csa/montana
Astro Ambassador
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 28626
Loc: montana
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Here is the Space Aquarium. 
It's difficult to get a good photo, as I have a 4X8' window on each side of it. On each side, toward the back, I have elevated places for a couple of larger meteorites I hope to have some day.
I will have a piece of acrylic cut for the top; right now, I just put a piece of carpet over it to keep it clean inside.
In the meantime, recycling is great!
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
AstroTech 66ED / Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Tak LE 5mm B/TMB 3.2
7mm Pentax XL, 10mm Pentax XW
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
22mm Pan, 35mm Pan
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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molniyabeer
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/08/05
Posts: 2061
Loc: Central Coast, California
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Looks good, Carol. And not having to dust them as much should be a nice bonus!
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Steve
16" Meade LightBridge (Beowulf)
10" Hardin DSH, StarMax 127mm Mak, PST H-a
Oberwerk 11 x 70 binocs, Tasco 10 x 50 binocs
Santa Maria Clear Sky Clock
Figueroa Mt Clear Sky Clock
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csa/montana
Astro Ambassador
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 28626
Loc: montana
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Thanks Steve!
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
AstroTech 66ED / Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Tak LE 5mm B/TMB 3.2
7mm Pentax XL, 10mm Pentax XW
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
22mm Pan, 35mm Pan
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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Talstarone
Vendor (Inner Planetary Products)
Reged: 09/12/06
Posts: 7593
Loc: Benson, North Carolina
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Beautiful Work,Carol.The Finished Product Looks Incredible.
Your collection looks to be growing well also.Keep us Posted as you add more specimens to your aquarium.
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Todd C.
Celestron NexStar 4SE(102mm F/13)Maksutov-Cass
Meade ETX-80AT(80mm F/5)Achro Refractor
Meade ETX-60BB(60mm F/5.8)Achro Refractor
www.innerplanetaryproducts.com
Meteorites and More....
"Outer Space at Down to Earth Prices"
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csa/montana
Astro Ambassador
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 28626
Loc: montana
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Todd, thank you! I'm so glad I found a use for the aquarium, it's on a nice wood stand, with an enclosed storage area. The Meteorites have found a perfect home!
I sure will post when I get some additional specimens.
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
AstroTech 66ED / Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Tak LE 5mm B/TMB 3.2
7mm Pentax XL, 10mm Pentax XW
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
22mm Pan, 35mm Pan
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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Dick Lipke
super member
Reged: 02/20/07
Posts: 115
Loc: Marine City,Mich.
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Thanks Carol for the aquarim idea for a display case.I was brouseing the web for a display case and could not bielve the price of them.I got a 20gal tank with stand for a fraction of the price of some of those display cases I seen.
The only frightening thing is all the room I have left in it.Now I'm wondering how should I should I make use of it and you know what that means!
Thanks again Carol 
Dick
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LX90 8",Cornado Max 40,Miyauchi 20x100 Bino's,and way to many eyepieces and filters,
Thousand Oaks 8" Ha filter
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zagami
super member
Reged: 08/22/08
Posts: 168
Loc: The Big Sky
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Hi All,
When I was a classroom teacher, I had a shelf full of my treasures on display, but rather than putting them in an aquarium, I put them under the upside-down aquarium. That way I could easily get to all the pieces when I needed them, I could tier the display, put lights on the top, and seal it 100% from curious fingers, dust, and even bumps (since the aquarium could move, but not move the display pieces. I used a 55 gallon tank that had a small crack in it. It worked perfectly unless one wanted instant and frequent access to the pieces, which I didn't.
Best,
Martin
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csa/montana
Astro Ambassador
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 28626
Loc: montana
|
|
Quote:
Thanks Carol for the aquarim idea for a display case.I was brouseing the web for a display case and could not bielve the price of them.I got a 20gal tank with stand for a fraction of the price of some of those display cases I seen.
The only frightening thing is all the room I have left in it.Now I'm wondering how should I should I make use of it and you know what that means!
Thanks again Carol
Dick
You are welcome Dick; as you said, the big drawback is all the space to fill up
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
AstroTech 66ED / Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Tak LE 5mm B/TMB 3.2
7mm Pentax XL, 10mm Pentax XW
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
22mm Pan, 35mm Pan
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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csa/montana
Astro Ambassador
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 28626
Loc: montana
|
|
Quote:
Hi All,
When I was a classroom teacher, I had a shelf full of my treasures on display, but rather than putting then in an aquarium, I put them under the upside-down aquarium. That way I could easily get to all the pieces when I needed them, I could tier the display, put lights on the top, and seal it 100% from curious fingers, dust, and even bumps (since the aquarium could move, but not move the display pieces. I used a 55 gallon tank that had a small crack in it. It worked perfectly unless one wanted instant and frequent access to the pieces, which I didn't.
Best,
Martin
Hi Martin; I'm able to "tier" mine at will with simply adding boxes under the material. I am having a piece of acrylic cut to fit over the complete top, yet light & easy to slide to reach in for access. It has a light that sits on top of the display/aquarium case. It is completely dust free.
--------------------
Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
AstroTech 66ED / Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Tak LE 5mm B/TMB 3.2
7mm Pentax XL, 10mm Pentax XW
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
22mm Pan, 35mm Pan
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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Glassthrower
Vendor - Galactic Stone & Ironworks
Reged: 04/07/05
Posts: 14687
Loc: Hurricane Alley
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|
I know someone very close and dear who can assist with filling up those aquarium displays..... 
--------------------
Michael Gilmer - Member of the Meteoritical Society & Collector of Falling Stars.
Galactic Stone & Ironworks - Buy/Sell/Trade Meteorites, Moon Rocks, Mars Rocks, & 35 different falls and types!
|
Talstarone
Vendor (Inner Planetary Products)
Reged: 09/12/06
Posts: 7593
Loc: Benson, North Carolina
|
|
Quote:
I know someone very close and dear who can assist with filling up those aquarium displays.....
Make that 2 people who could be a Great Help.... 
--------------------
Todd C.
Celestron NexStar 4SE(102mm F/13)Maksutov-Cass
Meade ETX-80AT(80mm F/5)Achro Refractor
Meade ETX-60BB(60mm F/5.8)Achro Refractor
www.innerplanetaryproducts.com
Meteorites and More....
"Outer Space at Down to Earth Prices"
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Dick Lipke
super member
Reged: 02/20/07
Posts: 115
Loc: Marine City,Mich.
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Thats what I did Carol.I bought a 24"X36" of plexaglass,cut a top,put a couple of kitchen cabinet knobs on the ends for lifting and will take the drops and see if I can make a couple of tiers for inside.
Now that I got a couple of volunteers to help me fill it up
all I need is a several volunteers to help me financially.
--------------------
LX90 8",Cornado Max 40,Miyauchi 20x100 Bino's,and way to many eyepieces and filters,
Thousand Oaks 8" Ha filter
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csa/montana
Astro Ambassador
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 28626
Loc: montana
|
|
Quote:
Quote:
I know someone very close and dear who can assist with filling up those aquarium displays.....
Make that 2 people who could be a Great Help....
 
--------------------
Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
AstroTech 66ED / Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Tak LE 5mm B/TMB 3.2
7mm Pentax XL, 10mm Pentax XW
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
22mm Pan, 35mm Pan
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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csa/montana
Astro Ambassador
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 28626
Loc: montana
|
|
Quote:
Now that I got a couple of volunteers to help me fill it up
all I need is a several volunteers to help me financially.
Send any extra Financial volunteers my way!
--------------------
Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
AstroTech 66ED / Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Tak LE 5mm B/TMB 3.2
7mm Pentax XL, 10mm Pentax XW
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
22mm Pan, 35mm Pan
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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