Restoring 30-gallon Metaframe Tank

looks good you leaving it bare bottomed? just asking because you said you would be using planters. also love the metal rimmed tank and with you about just sealing the inside, this is what i try to do with my metaframed tank when there in good condition.
 
I finally made some more headway. I sealed up the tank bottom with a piece of 3/16" plate glass. It was pretty to silicone it in place.

15-viii-10-tank-iv-m.jpg


I fixed up the old rusty stand that I found with the tank with a coat of Krylon and repainting for the plywood top.

15-viii-10-tank-i-m.jpg


I would say that this stand was not built to the same standards as the durable old tank and it was pretty wobbly. I was able to stiffen it up some by taking 7" off the bottom of each leg with a hacksaw. I also worried about the strength of the weld in each corner, so I reinforced along the top edge on both ends with two lengths of 1X4 pine boards bolted in place.

Here is the tank post-leak test. Everything looks good so far.

15-viii-10-tank-ii-m.jpg
 
I got the tank set up with lighting and stuck a plant in there too. For now I am just using a single 24-watter HO T5. This ought to be good enough for a while so long as I stay with crypts and certain swords. It was easy enough to hang this light up anyway.

15-viii-10-tank-iii-m.jpg


I might consider upgrading to this hydroponics T5...

Pioneer JR II Grow

...that one might look pretty cool with the tank.
 
Nice start!
 
Hey thanks you guys.

Here's a quick update. I added some more plants. It's sword city in there. I think that there are seven different kinds of swordplant.

20-viii-10-tank-i-m.jpg


I need to figure out some kind of visual theme. I might consider a taller grassy plant (maybe a val?) for the background.
 
What is the last one back right - is that a sword? Love the leaf shape & color!
 
Hey thanks!

I am not sure about that sword on the right. I remember that I did put the label in there. I would have to open the planter again to check.
 
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