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View Full Version : 20g almost crashed--bummed out



nvision
05-07-2003, 3:29 AM
view the pics below for a good laugh.

i managed to pick up a 20g at petsmart for a mere $30, which i thought was a pretty good deal. dashed home and started to swap out my ten gallon in the bedroom--everything went smoothly until i started to fill up the new tank. at 3/4 full (with all the water from the previous tank), i was ready to start planting, until... hey, what's that tilt with the water line?

TOO HEAVY. the tank rests on a tabletop, a long board raised by two metal file cabinets on both sides. i've strategically placed the tank directly above the cabinet for best support, but at current water capacity, the cabinet was giving way--tilting laterally. it's quite frightening to witness metal structures bending in real time. after thoroughly stunned for a few minutes, i reduced the water to almost half. cabinet stabillized, HOPEFULLY!

so water at about half full, i had so much light escaping into the room that i had to mask the glass with vinyl, from the top to right below the water line. the result is kinda goofy. (http://www.jaudesign.com/aquaria/20g_hi.htm)

shouldn't have poked my nose into the store in the first place!

edit: oops, maybe this should've been in G.Freshwater topic.

djlen
05-07-2003, 8:26 AM
What is that in the corner next to the power head? Is that a bubble counter in the tank?
Len

punch
05-07-2003, 9:27 AM
I think thats the co2 reactor.

Pootspete
05-07-2003, 12:29 PM
What beautiful tanks. I love them all, especially your 5 gallon!

nvision
05-07-2003, 1:21 PM
yup, that's my home-rigged reactor with a rio powerhead. it does count bubbles, too.

but the tank... so 'inadequate'. :(

Pootspete, thanks. really, my tanks are nothing. check out the ones submitted for competitions, those are the ones you should really get inspired by!

punch
05-07-2003, 3:12 PM
I know what you mean! same with my tank. Its ok for me, but to enter into some of those competitions!! No way, Those are just so beyond the realm of my little ol tank:o
But I must say, yours is even better then mine, So... I'll aspire to get my tanks like yours and I'll be happy!

nvision
05-08-2003, 3:53 AM
oh thanks, punch. i bet your setup probably looks awesome! at least light-years better than a half-filled glass tank!! :p