New tank / platform ideas?

bitbot

bitbot

AC Members
Nov 10, 2008
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Sydney, Australia
[Re-posting this thread in this forum, where it makes more sense.]

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This is my 'new' Aqua Vital 620T. I'm not a huge fan of these tanks, but I was swayed because it was a cheap second-hand (Gumtree) pick-up which came with a big Eheim filter and heaps of extra stuff.

It's in great condition, and taller than I realised, as I thought it was a different model.

I'm thinking of running it without the overhead filter, and maybe even running it without the hood. I like the shape of the tank itself better than the hood.

Substrate is composted manure, potting mix and river sand.

I've planted some Echinodorus, Blyxa and an unidentified sword; rocks with flame moss are probably temporary.

Anyhoo, I'm thinking about leaving the tank half or two thirds full and putting in some sort of platform, and growing emersed plants on it.

Any suggestions on a good way to do this - materials, etc?

I would like it to cover about half the area of the tank, and be secure and reasonably easy to work with.

I guess the options are a platform hanging from the frame, something on stilts, or a floating 'turtle dock' kind of thing.

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i'd cut 1/2" wide strips of acrylic to length and adhere the flat side to the back wall, and also to the sides using silicone. The side supports would only extend from the back wall partway to the front. Then a sheet of acrylic the length but half the depth of the tank could rest on these. A fourth strip of acrylic cut to length could be siliconed to the front of the shelf to act as a retaining wall for substrate. You could use the space beneath the shelf to hide your heater, etc.

i feel this to be the most professional and clean looking way to do this, and it won't cost too much.
 
maybe build up rocks on the sides and back and put in potted plants...?
 
Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I liked _Ty_'s idea, but then I also really like the stuff on the Riparium site, although I would probably want to DIY something similar. Their tanks photos look great, although I'm not sure my plants will grow well enough to carry that look off.

Still undecided, but thanks for the links and ideas.
 
TY, are you sure about using silicone on acrylic ? I didn't think it would hold . I 've tried using silicone on acrylic before and it failed . Now silicone on glass is a whole different thing .
 
FISHSHROD said:
TY, are you sure about using silicone on acrylic ? I didn't think it would hold . I 've tried using silicone on acrylic before and it failed . Now silicone on glass is a whole different thing .
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That's interesting - I have had the same problem, but when I spoke to my local hardware, who are pretty savvy, they didn't think the acrylic would be the problem. I ended up chalking it up to my bad technique. This is after watching my DIY external filter explode in front of me, five minutes after fillling it with water!
 
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