Some basic questions.
- Thread starter faldgan
- Start date
Well, I had the contractor come look at my ledge and he said it will not support the tank very well. It'd be OK for a while (less than a year) then it would start to sag. So instead I'm putting it in my office.
This means I have to build a stand for it.
I ended up getting two Eheim Pro II 2128's.
I'll upload a plan for the stand when I get it done.
This means I have to build a stand for it.
I ended up getting two Eheim Pro II 2128's.
I'll upload a plan for the stand when I get it done.
Tank here, stand nearly done.
I still do not have a working aquarium, things have been busy around here.
But in the time I've had I have done some work on my stand, since I need one now that the nook idea is out.
I've attached some pics of the stand I built, it'll put the top of the tank at just a little above eye level, perfect for viewing when standing.
I'm going to put a .45mm layer of rubber on top of the stand to prevent spillage from getting to the wood, but other than that do I need to do anything to make sure that the tank is not going to crack? The stand is very sturdy and as flat as possible. I can't see any deviation from total flatness using a 4 foot level, and I calculated that the maximum deflection due to aquarium weight will be less than .006mm as long as the floor under it is reasonably level (which it is).
I also supported up under the floor with 2 4x4 posts holding up a 4x6 beam, supporting the 4 2x12 joists that are under the tank.
The only things left are to finish on the tank are:
Add some trim to the top edge
Re-make the bottom drawer that I accidentally ruined today
Attach the drawer and door handles
Sand, stain and varnish it.
I'm assuming that if I keep it in a well-vented location, I can stop worrying about the chemicals from the varnish contaminating the water after about a week.
I still do not have a working aquarium, things have been busy around here.
But in the time I've had I have done some work on my stand, since I need one now that the nook idea is out.
I've attached some pics of the stand I built, it'll put the top of the tank at just a little above eye level, perfect for viewing when standing.
I'm going to put a .45mm layer of rubber on top of the stand to prevent spillage from getting to the wood, but other than that do I need to do anything to make sure that the tank is not going to crack? The stand is very sturdy and as flat as possible. I can't see any deviation from total flatness using a 4 foot level, and I calculated that the maximum deflection due to aquarium weight will be less than .006mm as long as the floor under it is reasonably level (which it is).
I also supported up under the floor with 2 4x4 posts holding up a 4x6 beam, supporting the 4 2x12 joists that are under the tank.
The only things left are to finish on the tank are:
Add some trim to the top edge
Re-make the bottom drawer that I accidentally ruined today
Attach the drawer and door handles
Sand, stain and varnish it.
I'm assuming that if I keep it in a well-vented location, I can stop worrying about the chemicals from the varnish contaminating the water after about a week.
Que
I wish I was a fish I wish.
In materials, I'm probably in $350 or $400 on the tank. The clear fir that I'm using for most of the trim there is expensive. 
The top center piece was almost $50 by itself.
I've been working on it off and on for about 2 months now. The frame went together in a day, but adding all of the trim has taken a long time.
A friend and I usually work on it together, we have probably put 80 hours into it total.
As far as stain, I think I'm going to leave it natural color, just darken it up some to match the rest of the woodwork a little better.
The top center piece was almost $50 by itself.I've been working on it off and on for about 2 months now. The frame went together in a day, but adding all of the trim has taken a long time.
A friend and I usually work on it together, we have probably put 80 hours into it total.
As far as stain, I think I'm going to leave it natural color, just darken it up some to match the rest of the woodwork a little better.
Current stand and tank setup
It's been a while since I posted here, but I thought I'd let you folks know what things are looking like for my setup.
I've finished the stand, it's looking pretty nice. Not perfect, but good enough for me.
I've decided to go ahead and go with a planted tank, and ordered two 36" Coralife Freshwater Aqualights from marineandreef.com. They should arrive on Friday.
My substrate is Flourite (9 bags!) and about 3" deep on average.
I still need to order a CO2 setup, right now I'm most fond of the Milwakee stuff for the price. http://www.aquabuys.com/miva/mercha...o2_regulator&Category_Code=i3&Product_Count=7
In my filters I have 1L of Seachem Matrix, the sponges that came with the filters and some filter floss.
The tank has been running at temperature for about 48 hours now and is just starting to cycle. (Ammonia == .5ppm, down from about .75)
Unfortunately I'm going to be gone all next week, so even if I get the lights and CO2, I can't put anything living (other than bacteria!) into the tank.
The first two pics are how it looks, the last picture is how cloudy it was when filling it up. I had already rinsed the gravel before I put it in the tank and had filled it up to about 50 gallons and emptied it 3 other times. You can see the horizontal lines of dirt on the tank where I had filled it to.
It's been a while since I posted here, but I thought I'd let you folks know what things are looking like for my setup.
I've finished the stand, it's looking pretty nice. Not perfect, but good enough for me.
I've decided to go ahead and go with a planted tank, and ordered two 36" Coralife Freshwater Aqualights from marineandreef.com. They should arrive on Friday.
My substrate is Flourite (9 bags!) and about 3" deep on average.
I still need to order a CO2 setup, right now I'm most fond of the Milwakee stuff for the price. http://www.aquabuys.com/miva/mercha...o2_regulator&Category_Code=i3&Product_Count=7
In my filters I have 1L of Seachem Matrix, the sponges that came with the filters and some filter floss.
The tank has been running at temperature for about 48 hours now and is just starting to cycle. (Ammonia == .5ppm, down from about .75)
Unfortunately I'm going to be gone all next week, so even if I get the lights and CO2, I can't put anything living (other than bacteria!) into the tank.
The first two pics are how it looks, the last picture is how cloudy it was when filling it up. I had already rinsed the gravel before I put it in the tank and had filled it up to about 50 gallons and emptied it 3 other times. You can see the horizontal lines of dirt on the tank where I had filled it to.
Uh, You aren't puting that sand in are you, that silica sand?? I certainley hope you aren't. Silica sand can be toxic for your fish. Is it pool sand? If it is, then check to see if it is treated. http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=114209 This link should tell you about silica sand, hope it helps!!!!!!! And by the way, that is B. E. A. UTIFUL stand. did you make it yourself? If so i will force you into slave labor lol. good luck!!!!!
