accordztech 55 gallon rescape update

accordztech · 02-24-2010, 01:38 AM

I guess with all the threads I have been making, I might as well start a tank journal.

Tank size: 60 gallon 4'x12.5''x24
Substrate: Top soil (not MTS) with green sand, kelp meal, bone meal topped off with Silica sand.
Co2: Pressurized 10 LB with GLA "choice" regulator :proud w/inline reactor
Filter: ~~Rena xp3~~ Eheim 2217 + 2213
Heater: In-line hydror 200watt heater
Lighting: Catalina aquarium 3x54 T5HO. 2x6500k 1x10,000k
Co2 Distribution inline DIY reactor
other coralife 9x uv sterilizer plummed into the 2213
Ferts: EI method-kh2po4, kno3 on one day csb+b on another day, everyday But water change day. Water change day, gh booster.

Plan: Planted tank with a grassy scape.

Fish: Im planning to do a nice school of rummy nose tetras of at least 25 and a nice school of corydora peppers. Also for a cleanup crew I want a few ottos and possibly some CRS.

This is my first big tank, I usually kept small tanks and had a 12gallon JBJ that I got planted but its just to small to have a really nice scape, and I like fish swimming around.

current stock
8 Rummy Nose Tetras
6 Glow Light Danios
3 Big nerite zebra snails
1 Otto
3 Loaches (botia?)
3 SAE
10 Peperd corydoras
3 Panda corydoras

More updates towards the end of the thread

**AzFishKid** · 02-24-2010, 01:40 AM

Sounds like a great setup! How bout' some pics?

!shadow! · 02-24-2010, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AzFishKid

Sounds like a great setup! How bout' some pics?

i'm with ^^ anyways, what type of set-up where you planning on making by the way?

accordztech · 02-24-2010, 01:43 AM

LOL you caught me in the middle of making my thread lol...NO PICS FOR YOU

This is my DIY inline reactor. I purchased the reactor from HEINEKEN357 but he had 3/4 fittings and I had 5/8 I also had spare 3/4 tubing and 5/8 tubing. I had to a little bit of searching but I got the adapters to work. I also integrated my inline heater into this setup. Ill put the clamps on when I purchased them even though its a super tight fit.

**AzFishKid** · 02-24-2010, 01:44 AM

^ Nice DIY.

!shadow! · 02-24-2010, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AzFishKid

^ Nice DIY.

^^ keeps beating me to the posts :P *points gun to your head* GIVE US MORE PICS!

accordztech · 02-25-2010, 07:03 AM

Wow in my other tank I used to run my co2 into the power head. almost immediatly after i put my reactor for this new tank on the old one (to make sure it was ok) it started peraling immediatly. I never got my plants to peral in that tank.

I found a little issue with the silicone in my 55 gallon today. It doesnt leak, but it seems that the silicone on the bottom wasnt complete.

accordztech · 03-02-2010, 05:44 AM

ok update!

I been struggling finding a better tank, every tank I got had a big silicone seal problem until today.

I picked up a 60gallon today that was only 2 inches higher than my old one, looked beutiful and very nicely built. Got store credit for the other one, so that company is the company im going to buy all my fish from (125 bucks worth!)

I took the day to fix my stand and cut my YOGA mat. I didnt like how the tank was smaller than the stand. It was made for a 60gallon long which I didnt want to pay 250 for (paid 109 for the 60gallon tall). So i bought a sheet of MDF that was damaged. I got the 4x8 sheet for 18 bucks and didnt have to worry about the damaged part because I had enough wood. I raised the tank 1.5'' so that the top of the tank sits flush with the whole stand. IMO it looks much better and BIGGER

OK for you guys who just likes pictures here you go!

Here is my top soil im using that I got from a nursury

...as you can see almost no ingredients, this is what im looking for

Here is my substrate ferts! Greensand, bonemeal (not shown), kelp meal, and soil. Going to top it off with silica sand from home depot (not shown)

here is the yoga mat I got from SportsChallet. Perfect size and I cut it with a razor blade, very pliable, and black!

and pictures of the Mat.

...should curl out in a day or so

I got so much done today, hopefully tonight Im going to order my utricula graminfolia. My wallet is a little empty though

OverStocked · 03-02-2010, 07:01 AM

Why so many 90 degree bends in the reactor. That will seriously reduce the flow of your pump/filter.

accordztech · 03-02-2010, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by over_stocked

Why so many 90 degree bends in the reactor. That will seriously reduce the flow of your pump/filter.

there is only 2 bends, thats how I bought it. It doesnt really kill the flow that much.

Craigthor · 03-02-2010, 01:04 PM

Hope that MDF is sealed up well as if it gets wet it will probably start to soften. Also it looks scary sitting on the stand like that, the 2 ridges on either side of hte tank.

Craig

accordztech · 03-02-2010, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craigthor

Hope that MDF is sealed up well as if it gets wet it will probably start to soften. Also it looks scary sitting on the stand like that, the 2 ridges on either side of hte tank.

Craig

You really think so? I would think the yoga mat would cover it. This is a picture of the MDF under the yoga mat. Its 2 3/4'' pieces on top of eachother. As you can see the tank was smaller, gives it a cleaner appearance. But I am open to suggestions

accordztech · 03-02-2010, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craigthor

Also it looks scary sitting on the stand like that, the 2 ridges on either side of hte tank.

Craig

...and whats scary if I may ask?

OverStocked · 03-02-2010, 08:31 PM

Since the mdf is really only filler, and not a structural element, it should be ok. MDF is useless, in applications that it can get wet. Sealing it is almost impossible. If it gets wet(and it will...) it will swell, and rot, and become really nasty.

Craigthor · 03-02-2010, 08:34 PM

Is the tank being supported by the MDF or the tank stand itself? Also what is under the MDF is it solid or open? Hate to see the MDF get wet and tank move or crack. I prefer Ply or solid wood for that reason

Craig

02-24-2010, 01:38 AM	#1
accordztech Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,764	accordztech 55 gallon rescape update I guess with all the threads I have been making, I might as well start a tank journal. Tank size: 60 gallon 4'x12.5''x24 Substrate: Top soil (not MTS) with green sand, kelp meal, bone meal topped off with Silica sand. Co2: Pressurized 10 LB with GLA "choice" regulator :proud w/inline reactor Filter: ~~Rena xp3~~ Eheim 2217 + 2213 Heater: In-line hydror 200watt heater Lighting: Catalina aquarium 3x54 T5HO. 2x6500k 1x10,000k Co2 Distribution inline DIY reactor other coralife 9x uv sterilizer plummed into the 2213 Ferts: EI method-kh2po4, kno3 on one day csb+b on another day, everyday But water change day. Water change day, gh booster. Plan: Planted tank with a grassy scape. Fish: Im planning to do a nice school of rummy nose tetras of at least 25 and a nice school of corydora peppers. Also for a cleanup crew I want a few ottos and possibly some CRS. This is my first big tank, I usually kept small tanks and had a 12gallon JBJ that I got planted but its just to small to have a really nice scape, and I like fish swimming around. current stock 8 Rummy Nose Tetras 6 Glow Light Danios 3 Big nerite zebra snails 1 Otto 3 Loaches (botia?) 3 SAE 10 Peperd corydoras 3 Panda corydoras More updates towards the end of the thread Last edited by accordztech; 09-11-2011 at 07:49 AM..

02-24-2010, 01:40 AM	#2
AzFishKid Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (106/100%) Join Date: May 2008 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 6,251	Sounds like a great setup! How bout' some pics? __________________ ••• P H I L I P ••• "Because fake plants would be weird and sad." -Bsmith "This isn't a hobby, this is a way of life." -Da Plant Man Bucephalandra "and friends" Collection

02-24-2010, 01:44 AM	#5
AzFishKid Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (106/100%) Join Date: May 2008 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 6,251	^ Nice DIY. __________________ ••• P H I L I P ••• "Because fake plants would be weird and sad." -Bsmith "This isn't a hobby, this is a way of life." -Da Plant Man Bucephalandra "and friends" Collection

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

02-24-2010, 01:43 AM	#4
accordztech Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,764	LOL you caught me in the middle of making my thread lol...NO PICS FOR YOU This is my DIY inline reactor. I purchased the reactor from HEINEKEN357 but he had 3/4 fittings and I had 5/8 I also had spare 3/4 tubing and 5/8 tubing. I had to a little bit of searching but I got the adapters to work. I also integrated my inline heater into this setup. Ill put the clamps on when I purchased them even though its a super tight fit.

02-25-2010, 07:03 AM	#7
accordztech Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,764	Wow in my other tank I used to run my co2 into the power head. almost immediatly after i put my reactor for this new tank on the old one (to make sure it was ok) it started peraling immediatly. I never got my plants to peral in that tank. I found a little issue with the silicone in my 55 gallon today. It doesnt leak, but it seems that the silicone on the bottom wasnt complete.

03-02-2010, 05:44 AM	#8
accordztech Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,764	ok update! I been struggling finding a better tank, every tank I got had a big silicone seal problem until today. I picked up a 60gallon today that was only 2 inches higher than my old one, looked beutiful and very nicely built. Got store credit for the other one, so that company is the company im going to buy all my fish from (125 bucks worth!) I took the day to fix my stand and cut my YOGA mat. I didnt like how the tank was smaller than the stand. It was made for a 60gallon long which I didnt want to pay 250 for (paid 109 for the 60gallon tall). So i bought a sheet of MDF that was damaged. I got the 4x8 sheet for 18 bucks and didnt have to worry about the damaged part because I had enough wood. I raised the tank 1.5'' so that the top of the tank sits flush with the whole stand. IMO it looks much better and BIGGER OK for you guys who just likes pictures here you go! Here is my top soil im using that I got from a nursury ...as you can see almost no ingredients, this is what im looking for Here is my substrate ferts! Greensand, bonemeal (not shown), kelp meal, and soil. Going to top it off with silica sand from home depot (not shown) here is the yoga mat I got from SportsChallet. Perfect size and I cut it with a razor blade, very pliable, and black! and pictures of the Mat. ...should curl out in a day or so I got so much done today, hopefully tonight Im going to order my utricula graminfolia. My wallet is a little empty though

03-02-2010, 07:01 AM	#9
OverStocked Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (76/94%) Join Date: May 2007 Location: SoDak Posts: 10,732	Why so many 90 degree bends in the reactor. That will seriously reduce the flow of your pump/filter.

03-02-2010, 08:31 PM	#14
OverStocked Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (76/94%) Join Date: May 2007 Location: SoDak Posts: 10,732	Since the mdf is really only filler, and not a structural element, it should be ok. MDF is useless, in applications that it can get wet. Sealing it is almost impossible. If it gets wet(and it will...) it will swell, and rot, and become really nasty.