So.... where should I begin..
I woke up this morning, and i remembered dreaming of an oasis..
Went to the store bought supplies to build it...
here are some in-the-process of buildin pics
Width: 29.1339" (74cm)
Height: 14.5669" (37cm)
Depth: 29.1339" (74cm)
Your tank's volume is approximately 12,364.2 cubic inches or 53.5 U.S. gallons, which is approximately 208.2 liters.
Just finished reading the whole thread so far. Wow what a journey. As others mentioned, I love how when you wanna do something you just do it. It has yielded quite the showpeice. I hope it all holds together strong. =)
This is one of the most interesting builds I've ever seen. I actually really like the look of the metal brackets for support. Gives it an almost industrial feel. You should think about building a new stand for it like the one hydrophyte did here: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=85748
That would look sweet! Anyway, great looking tank!
Oh and I've kept African Cichlids for almost 15 years on and off. Salt isn't necessary. And In fact I'd recommend against using it. These aren't brackish or salt water fish. They are fresh water. The only time I've ever used salt in a freshwater tank was to help combat disease (old school way of doing it). Just keep the pH right (your substrate should handle that with no problem) and give them lots of rocks and hiding places (their native lakes don't have much vegetation), and you can keep them happy and healthy!
What I appreciate the most is how you challenged the conventional 'rules of tank and stand construction. I'm always inspired when someone follows through on a vision creating it themselves.
I'm very much about pushing the envelope and experimenting in the hobby, this build is truly impressive.
what equipment ... no no need for anything... :flick:
kidding...
got a fluval filter running in the back but well hidden, and the main chamber is bellow.
the stand holds wonderfully since ive adjusted the levels. its strong on 8 legs. and honestly because of the middle seam, there's no way im making another stand and moving the tank. it would risk destroying the whole structure.
thanks so much all for your nice comments, i really appreciate it, you're like my biggest inspirations cuz i know how hard we all work on making the best our of our hobby.
im aware this tank is unconventional, the look isn't refined, there's metal n overloads of silicon allover, but the life inside of it is really coming
what's let to it's evolution? lots id say. water needs to become transparent rather than yellowish, once the wood stops leaking. the java ferns n moss cover some wood, need to find some round seashells for the left side where all the seashells are.. and add more fish !!
i sorta created two sides one it to acclimate at best all the variety of cichlids i got.. i know the jewel cichlid like some vegetation n wood, then some prefer just rocks n seashells as in the African river , so by doing this i can host a larger variety of fish.
so shortly will add more fish, stay tuned!!
Thats the view from bedside.. What a pleasure to wake up to !!
This tank keeps progessing into something even more amazing all the time. Love the scape with the DW looking to be rooted into the rocks you have set up. Makes my tank look like a GloFish tank haha.
A very original and beautiful scape, I love the mix of aquatic and terrestrial plants in the same layout. I'm sure the fish are more than content....keep up the good work
Ive not update for a lil while now. Was nothing really so interesting asides a lil ick outburst haha...
I got some new fish now, even one female about to have bbs I think. I've also added plants, which my fish dont eat! Probably because i feed them way to generously.. yeah I know they all got fat bellies.. haha... its just so adorable to watch them eat..
The water is clear also Finally!!! Like what 2 months later? lol...
Got 2 cat fish of an unknown genus, but I will add pics here bellow so you can guess what these fish are all.. I know i got many cichlid hybrids, I dont mind having them, they pretty as any pure breed ones. Also got a lil weird one.. Anyhow, here's pics that will speak for themselves!
My lil weird one!
New seashells all over
Right side of tank
Left side of tank
Cat Fish or something.. Got 2 like that
Lots of fat fellas
New Jewel Cichlid
Red Peacock,Jewe, And Labs
My First venustus, there a bigger one in the tank, and the dominant boss of the front of the tank.. fat n authoritary
I've got some new fish and no idea the names of em.. and my baby girl still holding eggs.. Told clerk at pet store I had a pregnant cichlid in the tank, he said here, let me show you how to squeeze eggs out n proceed with this situation.. i went like, Guy all is gonna b fine, I'll wait till she spits em out.. Seriously no way in hell im touching a fish especially not to squeeze out eggs lol...
Hmm asides that, plants aren't getting eaten at all, wohoo ! And all is well!
I think Takahasi Amano would probably have a heart attack looking at your scape. :hihi:
I happen to think it's very cool that you not only have broken the 'rules' of tank building, you tap danced all over the "Gold Rule" of classic perspective. You have a tank full of points of interest....and it all works!
Ummm....did you really put a 50 gallon tank (about 400 pounds of water/stuff by rough estimate) on an Ikea Lack table? I weigh about half that and I wouldn't dream of sitting on one of those.
}!!
I forgot to mention... I bought weeks ago a spotted African river catfish... just one.. to discover they refer to b a few..
So a few days/maybe a week actually.. i go buy a second one to make him a friend...
I mean it was a same looking spotted cuckoo catfish... till i get home n notice they ain't the exact same genus... Now i got two sad catfish hiding at opposite ends of the tank haha..
Are they ever gonna un-depress or socialize with each other?? Cuz.. It looks like the same.. but it aint the same catfish -- FAIL..
Just make sure to select Quality of Video for 720HD cuz otherwise it looks not so nice !!
So Ive also reopened my 10 Gallon tank to make it into a breeder tank for my upcoming bb cichlids.
Here's a Shot of it
And Finally My Paludarium is habitable.. Ive tested it for several dys with baby guppies.. everything went well.. so I rescaped n will use it as breeder tank also.. Will put in some better pics once water is clearer
Oh n those are the two lil fellas about to make me some hybrids.. Itungi Acei X red fin kadango
What exactly are u looking out to do ?
If any questions feel free to ask me as I know the way to whatever has been accomplished here without all the hassles Ive encountered along the way.. made too many mistakes to let someone else fall into them lol..
Wow! Spectacular aquarium. And, this was a great start to finish read. I would never, ever find the nerve to tackle something like this, but it does get me to thinking dangerous thoughts.
One question: when you were building these different tank versions, how many helpers did you have so you could move the monster as you built it? And, did you build it in place on the stand?
Hahaha... Im still sitting here and laughing this out...
Well helpers.... I had my two cats.. for psychological support.. And my two body builder arms for physical reinforcements... The rest is just magical powers lol
I got two stands for 10$ at ikea... When I tore down the 54g initial oasis... It was still on its stand.. missing one panel. Then i Put second one on the stand.. equalized both with ceramic pieces under the feet of the stands, cuz nothing from my floors to the actual structure of the tank was ever straight so I had to only rely on what my level showed n take it from there with estimations.. Then silicone did the rest of the work..
Im telling you.. if u dream of something u wanna make.. just do it.. visualize it n do it.. ur only true helper is ur willpower
Thanks everyone.. Here are some pics of fish I couldnt figure out what they were but have now sorta figured out.. but still nice pics of them
This one I dont even know who got her pregnant.. about to find out as shes like 1-2 days max away from spitting them out.
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