150g Mbuna - Build Thread

[M. Boona]

Thanks for the compliments so far. Here are the pictures as promised.

Back of the stand with the front panel laying across it.

Side of the stand.

Canopy

It ended up taking three of us to move the tank - it was too heavy and awkward for just two people to move so my boyfriend's father helped us.

We ended up putting the tank in the back of an SUV and driving it down the hill around the side of the house and carrying it in through the sliding glass door in the picture. The ground was frozen in some spots and probably too slippery for three people to carry the tank down the hill around the side of the house safely and going through the house was not an option since the tank wouldn't have made it through some narrow turns and down the stairs without wreaking havoc on the walls! :nilly:

The tank was still heavy and awkward to move but the truck made it much easier!

And without flash.

 

[grannylvsfish]

thats going to be sweet!!!!!! whats the fish in the back ground?? they look awesome!!!!!

 

[M. Boona]

Thank you. They're mbuna - red zebras, cobalt zebras, yellow labs and albino greshakeis. We're combining the tank in the background and another 75g mbuna tank into the 150g.

 

[M. Boona]

Stand and canopy are dry so we brought them inside. We were going to setup the tank today but we noticed the silicone was peeling a little. We decided even though it's not leaking right now, we better reseal the tank because it's only a matter of time before it does start leaking. Because the size of the tank it would be a real pain to have to tank everything down and reseal it later.

Here's some pictures...

Where the silicone was peeling on the edges:

Time to reseal.

The silicone came off very easily and we were able to do the whole thing in about an hour.

Tank is an "All Glass Aquarium" and was assembled in July of 1992 so it was probably a good idea to reseal it. Probably the reason why the silicone was so easy to remove.

Cleaned off the edges with rubbing alcohol.

Silicone applied.

So now we wait 48 hours for the silicone to dry. Then we cross our fingers, fill it up and hope it doesn't leak! :nilly:

 

[Weezer]

Great updates...........

 

[mostlycichlids]

Sweet and the fish will be much happier in the 150g!

 

[Pittbull]

going smoothly so far keeping fingers crossed for you..

 

[Wyomingite]

Great job. Lookin' forward to seein' the stand and tank when finished.

WYite

 

[Rbishop]

Terrific work! Good decision on the re-seal.

 

[M. Boona]

Thanks guys.

We just filled up the tank and no leaks so far! We're going to let it sit overnight to make sure.

Quick question though... Our 150g is one of the older style AGA tanks without center braces. After we filled the tank we measured the corners and the middle. The corners are 19" and the center is 19 1/4" - so the tank is bowing out 1/4" in the middle. I'm almost positive all tanks do bow slightly when filled, I'm just checking to make sure it's not excessive. My gut feeling tells me it's fine but I'd rather check and make sure before going further. Any input is appreciated.

Also, I want to add that the tank was built in 1992 and the people we bought the tank from seemed to have it set up for a while. If the tank has been fine for all those years is this something we should worry ourselves over?