20 Gallon - River Manifold Tank - Build Thread

[Bluntsalot]

This is my first post and thread on here, so let me start by saying Hello AC,

I have had this tank for 13 years it's a 20G 30"X12"X12" it's status was pretty run down. I built this setup in grade 5 and never really changed it since then, apart from replacing the substrate once. I have had my Paddle tail newt for 8 years living in the tiny aquatic section. I originally separated him from another tank because he killed his partner. I am well aware that these are substandard conditions for a paddle tail. After discovering that patchytriton labiatus are rheophilic, and doing some research on the topic I decided I would build a River Manifold Tank for him. I felt guilty for housing him in such poor unnatural conditions for so long, he is quite healthy considering there is no filter or water movement. The java moss definitely helped his well being. I was also itching to start a new project.

I understand that my tank is a bit short for a river setup but i decided to go for it. I have not found any examples of this setup specifically for paddle tails or a 20G 30" tank. So after some measuring and drawing up some plans I did some shopping today and bought everything for my new setup. I bought; a 24" LED fixture, pvc tubing and fittings, sponge, gravel, rocks, wood, new glass lid, power head pump and some other misc. items. Spent around 280 before darn taxes. So far I have gutted and cleaned the tank (now have a box of Pothos that I don't know what to do with), cut, burred, and glued my PVC tubing manifold, and painted the back of my tank black with some acrylic paint. The glass lid I bought was just just too large so I had to painstakingly file the top plastic portion of the tank to fit the glass. I will keep posting with updates.

Feel free to ask any questions and Please do comment!

Shoutout to MellowVision as he was an inspiration to make an account and sparked my creativity to start a new project.

[Rbishop]

Nice start.

[NB_Aquatics]

Looks good so far, keep us updated.

[platytudes]

That pothos would look great in one of those half barrel planters...

Beautiful guy! I've never thought of doing a newt setup before. Thanks, just what I need, another tank possibility to think about

[finsNfur]

Aww, he is so cute!

[mykidsmylife]

Wow...what a cool project. Glad you are giving the little guy such an awesome new home.

and that picture of him..oh my goodness..so much adorableness in one little critter.

This will be fun to watch.

[fermentedhiker]

I look forward to seeing how it progresses.

[Bluntsalot]

Thank you people! I'm waiting for the paint to cure so I will be back at it late night insomniac building.

[rufioman]

Subscribed. Pretty interested to see where this goes!

[OrQidz]

Looks good! he is adorable. I'm glad to see you are starting a new project for him!