Thought I'd share my latest project. Decided to change out my ADA 90p for a GLA 120p aquarium. The tank is 48x18x18 so its 12" longer than the ADA90p. It sure will be a tight fit in my office with all the doors and windows. Why there are 5 just in the bedroom alone makes wall space a premium
Decided to use the Hydrophyte "raw industrial" stand design for my stand. So big thanks to him for posting this design. Instead of the red cedar Im going to be using poplar to match my shelving unit. So far I have the tank and the fasteners ready to go and just waiting on the wood and other equipment to arrive. Should be about a week or so.
That is going to be hell of a stand. I've used that style of corner brace many times and it is a very strong joint. But those pieces are not cheap if I remember correctly.
That's the best way to go. I stained my corner table, coffee table and tank stand the same color. Slightly different woods, but very similar when finished. I searched the color and it looks very nice. I'm excited to see how the hardware compliments the wood.
Are you going to assemble the piece, take it apart, stain it, and reassemble it? Stain the wood after cutting, then assemble? Or just stain it as one solid piece?
As for the surface skimmer, I had poor luck with my cheap surface skimmer I was using. That is probably of higher quality, but a dedicated unit does a really good job.
The level of I excitement I have for watching this tank develop is through the roof. Anytime I see a Mot tank journal thread, consider it an instant subscribe. Really looking forward to see the stand complete.
I think a lot of us are drooling for more pictures.
It seems pretty fragile. Honestly Im suprised it made it in one piece from overseas. Was just a bit of bubblewrap around it thrown in a box. The box was crushed....yet it made it so maybe not so fragile. The top and bottom ends of the skimmer portion are unfinished glass so its sharp edge but covered up with the acrylic. The one bend in the glass coming to the skimmer piece is pinched quite a bit which will restrict flow.
All in all considering how much it cost Im pleased so far....but its not even wet yet.
I have been running that same skimmer for a couple of weeks now and like it a lot. I have to play with the amount of trapped air under the top piece to get it working right but once set it runs all week til the next water change.
Sweet looking tank, can't wait to see the new scape. Thanks for the water prep advice in your other thread, that is exactly what I am doing as well, I am sure my tank will look like yours any day now. :icon_roll
Those skimmers work well, they don't really reduce flow, once the system is running the inflow pipes mostly run off of siphon, and your just adjusting at the bottom how much you want to skim the surface. One issue I had using them was the slits in the skimmer part are somewhat narrow, and tended to get plugged up quite easily, when that happened the skimmer would bob up and down and gulp air. I used a file and widened the skimming slits a bit and this solved my problem.
Bump: Just an update. I have all the equipment in but am waiting on the wood i ordered to come in.
Found that the ecoxotic hanging kit is 12" too short. It appears it is partly made out of Cablegrippers. I think i should just be able to get some longer wire and stops that can be crimped on and replace the wire that is too short.
Upgraded my GLA CO2 regulator with two more manifolds. Was a piece of cake to add them. Just unscrew two bolts. Line up the 3 manifolds. Put the two new longer screws in tight. Done.
Upgraded my GLA CO2 regulator with two more manifolds. Was a piece of cake to add them. Just unscrew two bolts. Line up the 3 manifolds. Put the two new longer screws in tight. Done.
Does this mean you will be adding more tanks? or are these going to be connected to some of your other existing "grow" or "holding" tanks that I assume you have?
When I still had my 55gal and was looking into glass intakes/outtakes I was actually looking at those glass skimmer type intakes but from what I read online they are a PITA. Also read that you have to constantly adjust it. Not sure if its true or not but keep us updated on how they actually function!!
Still waiting on the wood for the stand build. Supposed to come in tomorrow.
I did finish modifying the ecoxotic hanging kit. Bought new wire so I could lengthen it which I did by about two feet. Couldnt find the caps so ended up using sleeves. And while I was at it I added thimbles on the lower end so i have something to grip and pull to raise and lower the lights.
If you don't mind me asking, how much was the additional valves on your gla regulator. I maybe looking into this in the future. Pretty sure I have the exact same regulator you do.
Thanks and wonderful build as always.
Wood arrived for the stand. Inspected it and then stained it. Should have everything I need now to finish the build accept the space is currently occupied by my 90p. So that will be at least 10 more days until I have contest photos done. Im building a diy flash stand for the tank photos as well. Ill post some pictures of it when done.
Top 1 of 48-1/4" x 18-3/4" x 1-1/2"
Legs 4 of 3-1/2" x 3-1/2" x 36-1/2"
Short frame 4 of 9-1/4" x 1-1/2" x 3-1/2"
Long frame 4 of 38-3/4" x 1-1/2" x 3-1/2"
Middle brace 2 of 13-1/4" x 1-1/2" x 3-1/2"
Shelf 1 of x 16-1/4" x 45-3/4" x 3/4" (all corners notched out 3-1/2" x 3-1/2")
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