It's the new year and that means a new project! I decided to recap my adventures over the past couple years in the hobby, more for me to view the progression.
My first tank was actually never stocked with fish. It was going to be a 5 gallon acrylic aquarium with glowlight tetras and neon plants. During my research process, I decided to use real plants and prior to stocking ended up ditching glowlight tetras since the tank was far too small.
5G Puffer Tank Journal
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/12-tank-journals/808978-5g-dwarf-puffer-tank-pic-heavy.html
My second tank was a 30G tall tank that was given to me by a coworker. I built that stand out of a couple 2x4s and scrap wood. It was a very budget build and ended up being a great learning experience overall.
Planted Community Tank Journal:
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/12-tank-journals/796650-planted-community-tank-adventure.html
My next tank was a 75g tank with a DIY overflow and 55g sump. There were a ton of hurdles and it was, again, quite the learning experience. I ended up running this tank until I realized I was going to move! So I set out to give away/sell everything I could. I had never built a full stand like that and it turned out alright, but I know I can improve moving forward.
75G with 55G Journal:
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/12-tank-journals/858145-freemans-75g-tank-rip-retired-sold-11.html
At the same time, I started a shrimp only 20g tank. I had previously housed my shrimp in my sump but wanted to put them on display.
Shrimp Stump Journal:
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/12-tank-journals/944458-underwater-shrimp-stump.html
After selling my 75g and all the plants, I still needed something! I set up the 55g sump as an all in one aquarium to house a few tiger barbs until I moved. I eventually brought this tank with me to my new house.
55G Tiger Barb Journal:
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/1...rb-species-tank-55g-diy-all-one-aquarium.html
That pretty much brings us up to speed. I’ve been kicking around the idea of a custom tank for a long time and it seems like the budget won’t be there for a few more years. So, in the meantime, I’ve been casually searching Craigslist for tanks. I stumbled upon an acrylic tank that met my requirements; 1- Large, 2-Cheap!
In comes a 125G (ish) acrylic tank. The tank measures approximately 72”x18”x24” (LxHxW). The tank is made from ½” acrylic with a 3/8” brace around the top. It had center overflows made from acrylic as well. The tank was quite dirty and will require a bit of work to say the least. But at less than $0.50 a gallon, it was a project I was willing to take.
I had it sitting upside down outside between a few chairs while I sprayed out some of the debris.
After that was done, it was time to start tackling those old overflows I don’t plan on using.
I taped the acrylic around the overflows just to give myself a visual indication more than protecting the acrylic. It took me awhile to sand these down.
Initial sanding out of the way and tape removed.
Wiped back. I’m not worried about the clarity here. I will cap the holes with 6”x12” pieces of acrylic held down with some Weld-on 16. Won’t be able to see them after the substrate is put down.
Here’s the tank full of sanding dust. I’ll clean it out some more, adhere the patches, and water test the tank.
I’m actually not sure if it will hold water yet. I imagine it will though. I plan on tackling a crack on the top center brace as well as the exterior overflow box.
The exterior overflow box will be something like this:
The idea is to cut a slit towards the top of the side of the tank and mount an external overflow box made from ¼” acrylic. I’ll have to support the PVC, but that won’t be an issue. I am still trying to work out a viable and pretty way to keep floating plants out of the overflow. Something I could not achieve previously.
If everything goes smoothly, and the tank holds water, I will be working on the stand in the next week or so. The plan is something similar to this:
I want to hide the side overflow with a cabinet of sorts. The stand will be about 40” tall, giving me approximately a foot above the sump to work in before I hit the 2x6” horizontal supports. I have a 55g and a 75g tank available for the sump. I am leaning towards the latter but it will require some work before being used as well.
The next couple updates should just be patching the tank, drilling the side overflow, making the overflow box, repairing the brace, and then testing the system. After that, I'll sand and buff the acrylic viewing panels, paint the sides that won't be visible, and start on the stand.
My first tank was actually never stocked with fish. It was going to be a 5 gallon acrylic aquarium with glowlight tetras and neon plants. During my research process, I decided to use real plants and prior to stocking ended up ditching glowlight tetras since the tank was far too small.
5G Puffer Tank Journal
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/12-tank-journals/808978-5g-dwarf-puffer-tank-pic-heavy.html
My second tank was a 30G tall tank that was given to me by a coworker. I built that stand out of a couple 2x4s and scrap wood. It was a very budget build and ended up being a great learning experience overall.
Planted Community Tank Journal:
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/12-tank-journals/796650-planted-community-tank-adventure.html
My next tank was a 75g tank with a DIY overflow and 55g sump. There were a ton of hurdles and it was, again, quite the learning experience. I ended up running this tank until I realized I was going to move! So I set out to give away/sell everything I could. I had never built a full stand like that and it turned out alright, but I know I can improve moving forward.
75G with 55G Journal:
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/12-tank-journals/858145-freemans-75g-tank-rip-retired-sold-11.html
At the same time, I started a shrimp only 20g tank. I had previously housed my shrimp in my sump but wanted to put them on display.
Shrimp Stump Journal:
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/12-tank-journals/944458-underwater-shrimp-stump.html
After selling my 75g and all the plants, I still needed something! I set up the 55g sump as an all in one aquarium to house a few tiger barbs until I moved. I eventually brought this tank with me to my new house.
55G Tiger Barb Journal:
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/1...rb-species-tank-55g-diy-all-one-aquarium.html
That pretty much brings us up to speed. I’ve been kicking around the idea of a custom tank for a long time and it seems like the budget won’t be there for a few more years. So, in the meantime, I’ve been casually searching Craigslist for tanks. I stumbled upon an acrylic tank that met my requirements; 1- Large, 2-Cheap!
In comes a 125G (ish) acrylic tank. The tank measures approximately 72”x18”x24” (LxHxW). The tank is made from ½” acrylic with a 3/8” brace around the top. It had center overflows made from acrylic as well. The tank was quite dirty and will require a bit of work to say the least. But at less than $0.50 a gallon, it was a project I was willing to take.
I had it sitting upside down outside between a few chairs while I sprayed out some of the debris.
After that was done, it was time to start tackling those old overflows I don’t plan on using.
I taped the acrylic around the overflows just to give myself a visual indication more than protecting the acrylic. It took me awhile to sand these down.
Initial sanding out of the way and tape removed.
Wiped back. I’m not worried about the clarity here. I will cap the holes with 6”x12” pieces of acrylic held down with some Weld-on 16. Won’t be able to see them after the substrate is put down.
Here’s the tank full of sanding dust. I’ll clean it out some more, adhere the patches, and water test the tank.
I’m actually not sure if it will hold water yet. I imagine it will though. I plan on tackling a crack on the top center brace as well as the exterior overflow box.
The exterior overflow box will be something like this:
The idea is to cut a slit towards the top of the side of the tank and mount an external overflow box made from ¼” acrylic. I’ll have to support the PVC, but that won’t be an issue. I am still trying to work out a viable and pretty way to keep floating plants out of the overflow. Something I could not achieve previously.
If everything goes smoothly, and the tank holds water, I will be working on the stand in the next week or so. The plan is something similar to this:
I want to hide the side overflow with a cabinet of sorts. The stand will be about 40” tall, giving me approximately a foot above the sump to work in before I hit the 2x6” horizontal supports. I have a 55g and a 75g tank available for the sump. I am leaning towards the latter but it will require some work before being used as well.
The next couple updates should just be patching the tank, drilling the side overflow, making the overflow box, repairing the brace, and then testing the system. After that, I'll sand and buff the acrylic viewing panels, paint the sides that won't be visible, and start on the stand.