Big Tank, what would you do?

[somewhatshocked]

I can't wait for this tank to get going! The height is going to be awesome once you find the right piece of wood.

Have you considered reaching out to Tom Barr (plantbrain here on the forum) to see what kind of Manzanita he's got on-hand?

[Meganne]

small first step. the glass is cleaned. quite please how clean it did come though not perfect.
it is outside, filled and given some time to asure there are no leaks.
there is a water line I cant quite remove about 3 inches from the top. the black rim is so thin the water level can not be hidden. though the scale shadow does not show much I dont think it will take anytime for it to look obnoxiuos an fear I wont be able to keep it nice looking. I think I will frame out a nice collar/top so I can keep the water line hidden.

[Azarakiah]

Originally Posted by Meganne

small first step. the glass is cleaned. quite please how clean it did come though not perfect.
it is outside, filled and given some time to asure there are no leaks.
there is a water line I cant quite remove about 3 inches from the top. the black rim is so thin the water level can not be hidden. though the scale shadow does not show much I dont think it will take anytime for it to look obnoxiuos an fear I wont be able to keep it nice looking. I think I will frame out a nice collar/top so I can keep the water line hidden.

never heard of them refered to as a collar, or a top. as far as i know, most ppl call them a canopy. anyways, use hydrocloric acid to get rid of anything staining the tank, works wonders. also called muriatic acid, they use it for pools not sure what else. it will work wonders for you. get a like 60 dollar painr brush from home depot and use that to wipe it on ur problem areas. use gloves if ur to scared to mess with it, and respirator, safety glasses. works wonders. and dirt cheap.

[Bruce_S]

Neat thing about a tank like this is that the fish will really get a chance to stratify - you can _have_ two or three schools at different levels of the water column!

Those turquoise rainbows are pretty sharp! One of my favorite features of rainbows is that their colors _don't_ settle down - they flash from blue to orange to yellow to green almost the way cuttlefish do.

~Bruce

[Meganne]

Azarakiah, I didnt know what to call the rim..doh! it must have been late, lol. but I had not thought of muratic acid! thanks!

Bruce the more I plan the more I am liking it. and I am very intriged with the schoold of fish at differnt levels.
I got the monster wrestled into the house and figured out where it would go...this was no small feet in of itself!

[2wheelsx2]

You can also use vinegar and a razor blade to remove the calcium deposits from the water line.

[zoo minsi]

think i would use jungle vals for a back ground and pack the substrate with crypt. Add some massive crazy piece of would and attatch java fern and anubias to it. On the stocking side i would get a nice shoal of cories and some hatchets for the top with altums taking up the middle of the tank.

[Azarakiah]

Originally Posted by 2wheelsx2

You can also use vinegar and a razor blade to remove the calcium deposits from the water line.

acid still works better hands down, used 10 year old saltwater tank from someone on craigslist, had it down to mint condition in less than 30 min, acid literally melts it away. just rinse it off after, no scrubbing needed. very harsh if u accidently inhale it though. takes ur breath away. i used it at work to get barnicles and rust of of boat propellers. works wonders im telling you. just dont put it on aluminum and let it sit. works very well for anything protein based like calcium build up. takes rust off steel like nothing too

[Azarakiah]

Originally Posted by Meganne

Azarakiah, I didnt know what to call the rim..doh! it must have been late, lol. but I had not thought of muratic acid! thanks!

Bruce the more I plan the more I am liking it. and I am very intriged with the schoold of fish at differnt levels.
I got the monster wrestled into the house and figured out where it would go...this was no small feet in of itself!

i meant to say 60 cent paintbrush form home depot, not 60 dollar lmfao. just one of them cheapo wooden ones that are complete junk to paint with use one of them for the acid so u can put it where u need it and dont waste any

[PaulG]

This is what I'd do.

A) A wall of java fern and anubias, completely filled.

OR.

B) Make the most of that height and show off some bulb plants and vallis. They look great when they're given the chance to really stretch.

And ditto on filling with fish who will utilise all levels of the tank. Bottom dwellers, mid section and surface dwellers.

[Meganne]

Originally Posted by 2wheelsx2

You can also use vinegar and a razor blade to remove the calcium deposits from the water line.

did that and the CLR...still have calcium shadows and lines.
picked up the muratic acid today..have a date with it tomorrow.

because of the depth of the tank I have decide not to plant the substraight, all plants will be on the wood.

[Merth]

Definitely take precautions with that acid it really is caustic but does work wonders...love using it to clean concrete. I wouldn't get any on the silicone either

[Meganne]

I think I have the glass as clean as it is going to get. the muratic acid did the trick, dodgy stuff to work with!
there is only the faintest bit of water marks left and I believe with the tank full they will fairly disapear.

I been picking up bits of wood along our waterways and have come up with this thus far. the larger piece is about as thick as my wrist. I think(hope) this is looking like roots from different trees reaching for the bottom.
what cha all think?

[Meganne]

well the grandkids where here for the weekend and that bit of wood ended up in the firepit roasting marshmellows!
the next morning we hiked the local waterways and just wait till you see what we came home with

[Meganne]

am I the only one having issues with photobucket?
I cant open up mine, all I get is a spinning circle...as like it is busy.