View Full Version : Getting Serious This Time
Hello Everyone!
As a kid I grew up tending to a 10-gallon freshwater tank with mollies, guppies, and the like.
Eventually I 'graduated' to a 29-gallon tank with Cichlids, but shut it down a few years ago when we started the house renovation.
More recently I got the itch again and decided to go all out (at least all out for me). I bought a used 220 gallon setup from a local Craig's List seller (a good method to buy/sell local tanks by the way) and moved it to the garage until my wife and I could finish preparing the location for the tank.
We tore down the inner wall of what used to be a bedroom closet to open it up to our combined dining room and kitchen area.
The cherry wood cabinet sat a little low for my liking (I wanted to be able to stand and look straight into the tank), so I built a base platform out of 4x4's stacked two high and 'sandwiched' between 3/4" plywood sheets, top and bottom.
I was VERY tempted to go salt water this time, but I couldn't bear the thought of losing a tankful of expensive fish, rock, coral to my own ignorance of marine caretaking. Sooo, freshwater it is.
I've now got the tank in place, with just the plumbing and a few other things to tend to before I can get it wet - Can't wait! :dance2:
flapper12
12-31-2007, 7:08 PM
:welcome:Welcome to the AC, you should stop by the chat sometime. Thats awesome!!! Make sure you post pics when you're getting it set up. :)
jpappy789
12-31-2007, 7:26 PM
welcome to AC! thats one serious upgrade!
Rbishop
12-31-2007, 8:27 PM
Welcome to AC!
irishspy
12-31-2007, 9:57 PM
Oh, you must post pictures. :drool:
:welcome:
Sy229
12-31-2007, 10:54 PM
Thanks for the warm welcome. I have a few pics of the progress so far, more to follow with an actual aquarium in the shot!
Weezer
12-31-2007, 10:55 PM
Hello.........:welcome: Keep em comeing.........:)
martialtheory
12-31-2007, 11:25 PM
welcome! and omg! thats awesome! please show more!
bethkira2000
01-01-2008, 7:15 AM
Hello and Welcome, I know the trials of house revnovations, but form the pics it looks like a beautiful house, can't wait to see the house finished and the tank.
Hello Sy229! Welcome to AC!
Finally a picture with the tank in it! I took this one just this morning, we're getting really close now. Just need to add some matching crown molding along the ceiling and a little paint trim. We're finishing up just in time since the holidays are over and its back to work tomorrow :headshake2:
As far as the tank goes, it'll be awhile longer as I have to wait for some replacement parts for the UV sterilizer (lamp and crystal sleeve were broke when I got it), along with a 3d background that will need to be glued in. More to follow..
Mgamer20o0
01-01-2008, 8:13 PM
Welcome to AC.
AC Moderator Dudes,
I'd like to continue this photo journal as I do the tank build up, but forgive a newbie for starting it in the wrong forum. Could one of you assist by moving my thread to the appropriate forum..
Oh, and I've already learned a lot looking at some of the DIY posts - Great Site!
Thanks
I got the replacement parts in for my Aqua 40 Watt UV Sterilizer and its working now.
For anyone thinking about purchasing one, I highly recommending spending the few extra bucks to buy the optional "wiper wand". This is a simple pull bar assembly that allows you to do a quick cleansing wipe of the crystal sleeve that surrounds the UV lamp, without having to disassemble anything.
After seeing how fragile the lamp and crystal sleeve are (esp. on the longer models like my 40 Watt), the wiper wand option will pay for itself in piece of mind alone.
As my model came without the swipe option, I'll have to remove it from its perch under the tank, pull the sleeve out of the housing and carefully wipe it down to remove the mineral/dirt deposits. With the sleeve and lamp running about $50 each, I'll want to be real careful!
Last item on the wait list is the 3D background, which should be at my door in a few days. 'til then..
The Zigman
01-09-2008, 10:26 PM
Is your floor going to support the weight of that beast? I have jacks under my 125, and yours is bigger than that... just the weight of the water alone is close to a ton...
Just a heads up...
Is your floor going to support the weight of that beast? I have jacks under my 125, and yours is bigger than that... just the weight of the water alone is close to a ton...
Just a heads up...
Don't let the wood flooring fool ya - Ours is a typical Florida home-on-slab arrangement. The base I made out of the 4x4s actually sits on the concrete slab (no wood flooring).
But I appreciate the warning - I've still not fully weight-tested the homemade base, so I'll be doing incremental water fills and keeping one eye on the base and stand...
Returning from work today there was a huge package waiting for me. The 3D background came in! :grinno: Here's a teaser with Pixie (the devil cat) looking on:
FtwayneFish
01-11-2008, 11:36 AM
Welcome to AC, awesome tank. Great to have you here.
Squawkbert
01-11-2008, 12:54 PM
Personally, since there will be a view from ea. side of the tank (unless I misunderstood something), I'd not use the 3D background, and I'd stuff the canopy w/ T-5s & go (heavily) planted. That tank is actually big enough to grow some small swords & tons of stem plants.
Personally, since there will be a view from ea. side of the tank (unless I misunderstood something), I'd not use the 3D background, and I'd stuff the canopy w/ T-5s & go (heavily) planted. That tank is actually big enough to grow some small swords & tons of stem plants.
I share your concern about the view from the side, although only one side will actually show -the others against the drywall. I've been thinking about my options there - maybe something as simple as a neutral color 2D background for the back third of the glass, paint (if it's removable later?), or even a matching wood panel..
I plan to include some live and mostly silk plants, and eventually work may way into mostly live if I'm successful. Any suggestions on the best "newbie" plants to get things started (without special lighting or CO2 infusion)? I've seen several references/photo of java moss that looks interesting. Will this grow on a crushed coral substrate? (I know, I know - I have lots more reading to do here to catch up on..
boomerjr91
01-23-2008, 4:35 PM
any chance of an update? nice so far
any chance of an update? nice so far
Please check here for updates - I realized I'd been posting in the wrong forum - thanks!
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=139085
Bnoble
02-18-2008, 6:36 PM
welcome to AC..thats looks great,very kool idea! keep us posted!