Daily log of my new 55 gallon South American Tank.

Bmeasure, i understand your concerns. I will take it slow with both the fuge and the fish. I will be starting out with just 12 cards, some old gravel and a cycled sponge for filtration. I never had a hair algae problem yet, but i guess i should never say never. another way to limit algae is to limit food.....back 5 years ago this spath filter was employed on an aquarium fish magazine article. The bioload was huge, large central american chiclids. It reduced the nitrates by like 70%!!!! Not only was it an amazing nitrate reducer, it was a good mechanical filter as well. I anticipate algae in the beginning, but once the plants catch up i am not too worried. Strong light and humid enclousure=fast growth. Hey this is a work in progress, we will learn as we go!!! I appreciate the advice and it wont go unnoticed!

slappy....my pic posted but not like some i have seen. theirs aren't thumbnails and they are larger.....if anyone else has any pic help please let me know
 
Well, then you would need to upload your pics to a web-host or your own webpage and link directly to them using the IMG tags.

PS...not sure if you're aware of this or not...just click on the thumbnails and you will get a 'full-size' pic.
 
Yeah, I know if you double click on them they become full size, it is just that the full size in text ones are more professional looking. I will make some drawings of my stand when i get a chance.
 
When you click on it and get the full size view right click and copy the propeties or copy from the address bar. Then click on the img icon and paste the address in.
 
nest week i will be back in cloudy michigan and the tank stand and hood construction will begin. I am still trying to figure out where I can get some good gravel at a resonable price ( i hate the painted aquarium gravel). I am going to construct my sump also........i will keep everyone posted
 
update

Well I got back to michigan and i got the flu. I have still managed to get some stuff done. Got the lumber, strip light, lightbulbs (2@6500K and 2@5000K both GE), some gravel and a bunch of screws and nails. I am going to attempt to post my stand design. Here is the parts list:

2x4 pieces (actual 3.5" by 1.5")
10@35"
4@49"
8@10.5"
Plywood 3/4" B/C grade
16.5"x49" top piece
13.25"x48.75" bottom piece
2@34"x16.5" for sides, could have used 1/4" but I have lots of leftovers
2@30"x15.5" for front doors (i just realized the only thing I forgot at Lowes was hinges for the doors!!)

My fieonce (sp?) bought tank but you can get it for about $80.

Here is the price breakdown:
2 6500K daylight bulbs from walmart=$10
2 sunshine bulbs 5000K from lowes =$13
23/32 B/C plywood (approx 3/4") =$28
2by4 metal braces 8 at 0.72 =$6
nylon washers for light strip=$2
4x3/4" WS (wood screws) for light duty=$3
5@2"x4"x12'=$20
1@2"x4"x8'=$3.50 (extra for insurance incase i screw up)
2x40w shoplight=$8
8x3" WS=$6.50
50lbs all purpose gravel (safe for aquariums...i will still do an acid test to see if it fizzes)=$3

total cost so far: $103

if buying tank $183

I am starting to build stand and it is quite challenging becase all 2x4's are slightly different (I even hand picked mine to get the staightest boards) I spent the extra cash to get "premium" peices. the regular grade stuff is absolutely junk. I would only consider premium at lowes to be standard stuff. The plywood was very nice.

When I get more built, i will post some construction pics. Due to variations in the wood thickness build the frame first and then cut the doors because there could be up to 1/4" differences!

So far my frame is at best 1/16" off and this shouldn't be a problem. I will keep everyone posted

stand.JPG
 
I might keep a log of this construction and submit it to aquarium fish magazine. They have done this for a reef tank but never in a freshwater tank. I would like to log it for like 6 months and then submit data and log. I doubt if they will accept it but I am going to give it a try. What do you guys think?

L
 
Aquaticplantdepot.com - Florida based. I've ordered from there many times in hot and cool weather and had no plant loss. Quality is very good.
 
Right now I am not seeing much interest in my on going thread. Is anyone actually reading this? It just seems like a waste of time if no one is getting anything out of this. I just figured that people would be interested in how to build their own stand, fuge, hood, ect....

And for anyone still interested here are a few more things that i learned:

When making a stand start with the top and bottom rectangular frames that will be in contact with the tank(49" long peice and 10.5" peices). Put a wood screw through all connections and then go back and install metal plates and secondary screws. Make sure that your top part of the frame (where the tank will be resting on) is completely level. My first frame (that will hold the fuge) was about 3/32" off. The second frame is absolutely perfect. I would almost suggest to make a frame to learn on and then build your stand
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom