Kumar, it would be a pain at this point, but you should have added a piece of plywood or the likes to the top of that stand. Ideally you should have full perimeter support of the bottom.
Standard size 20 gallon community tank
- Thread starter kumar420
- Start date
Full perimeter support isn't really an option at this point, but adding a 1" plywood sheet under the tank itself shouldn't be a problem. If I wait a 2-3 weeks after the first batch of fish are added I can do a 90% wc, move the tank and place a piece of specially cut plywood (my buddy is a master carpenter, thank god for friends). Anything cheap I can do for the bottom of the stand? I'm a uni student and don't have much money or time at the moment (exams, grandmother's memorial and other stuff)
Sounds like a plan. Throw a piece of plywood matching the size of the stand top under that tank and you'll be good to go. That will support the whole tank. It really isn't a huge issue IMO, for a tank of this size, but over time, not having those sides supported could lead to leaks/breakage.
Sounds good. Also, as far as driftwood+bogwood goes, does anyone know a cheap online retailer who delivers to Ottawa, Canada? My local LFS all charge 30$ or more for a small piece, its utterly ridiculous. I don't think most of them even stock bogwood.
Should the size of the wood under the tank itself be the size of the stand or the size of the tank? I have about 3" of spare space on the stand, either side of the tank.
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Oh **** you already stated the size for the plywood under the tank. This 90 proof rye hits real hard, haha
aquabid is a possibility, we also have an ottawa-only classifieds site called kijiji. I tried looking for it on there before, but if I contact some of the tropical fish vendors maybe they might have some spare stock.
aquabid is a possibility, we also have an ottawa-only classifieds site called kijiji. I tried looking for it on there before, but if I contact some of the tropical fish vendors maybe they might have some spare stock.
Byron Amazonas
AC Members
To the pinkish/purplish/reddish plant, that I believe is Alternanthera reineckii, possibly the "Purple" variety. Needs good light and nutrients.
FreshyFresh is correct on the support. You need a piece of plywood that fits the top of the stand completely, or it can overhang a tad, so the tank frame is completely supported by the plywood. Tanks should never be placed on metal stands. There can be the minutest variation in the tank frame or the stand, and being metal there is no "give." Placing a sheet of 1/2 inch plywood or any particle board (you can sometimes pick up scraps at a lumber yard that can be cut down to fit) means the tank is then sitting on a surface that has some "give," and this prevents strain on the frame which of course leads to leaks and cracked glass.
Drain the tank completely before lifting it. The weight can cause the bonding to break. I did this once with a 29g tank, drained of water but with the substrate still in it (this is heavy enough), and with a helper I carefully slid the tank off the stand onto the plywood. This way you are not lifting the tank, which is what causes the silicon to break.
Byron.
FreshyFresh is correct on the support. You need a piece of plywood that fits the top of the stand completely, or it can overhang a tad, so the tank frame is completely supported by the plywood. Tanks should never be placed on metal stands. There can be the minutest variation in the tank frame or the stand, and being metal there is no "give." Placing a sheet of 1/2 inch plywood or any particle board (you can sometimes pick up scraps at a lumber yard that can be cut down to fit) means the tank is then sitting on a surface that has some "give," and this prevents strain on the frame which of course leads to leaks and cracked glass.
Drain the tank completely before lifting it. The weight can cause the bonding to break. I did this once with a 29g tank, drained of water but with the substrate still in it (this is heavy enough), and with a helper I carefully slid the tank off the stand onto the plywood. This way you are not lifting the tank, which is what causes the silicon to break.
Byron.
Alright so I've decided to do a 75% WC, put the remaining 25% into my WC buckets and slip the plywood under there- its going to have to wait until saturday or sunday though. Its not in any immediate danger of shattering is it? its only been up for about 10 days now- granted the guy I bought it off said he had it set up for a year before that, I'm assuming that it was on the same stand :S
Byron Amazonas
AC Members
I'll also be procuring some plant nutrients in addition to the fish waste and blackwater extract (all that vitamin B has to have some effect on the plants, doesn't it?)
not quite sure what nutrients to get at this point- something with phosphate and perhaps nitrate will be good no? I'm hoping my stock will be enough to negate the need for a c02 injector.
decided on:
12 rasboras
6 cories, either panda, julii or peppered depending on the store stock- may get sterbaii or another species depending on species+tank stock
1 blue ram at the end of the fish-adding period
one clown pleco-will provide a varied diet and several kinds of driftwood (assuming it is the appropriate species: Panaqolus maccus- no p. vittata or L038 in my community tank)
any ideas for additional fish/invertebrates? Will amano shrimp survive with these fish?
Edit: also placed a 20$ bid on some malaysian driftwood attached to slate. This is a good driftwood for my future clown pleco to snack on right? Also going to get some bogwood from ebay.
