if you are looking for dark substrate the black flourite has finally been released... just need to hunt around to find a supplier. Looking forward to seeing pics as you progress.
Dream tank is sitting on my dining room table PICS!!
SCROLL DOWN FOR PICS
Well, I went and picked up my dream tank, a 90g with black trim and black silicone. Im building a stand, a diy hanging canopy, a diy inline heater, and using mostly existing equipment. However I need to make sure my heads on straight.
Go get a beer, its a long post! :bounce: :bounce:
Filters:
I have a 2213, and a 2215 - enough or Should I look for something else?
Im going to use my existing diy inline reactor, and use a diy inline heater. As for GW control I have a diatom filter.
Substrate:
Ive got 5 bags of flourite, half of its mixed with small pebbles. This is what I used in my 29s. I dont think its enough.. besides I was considering going with aqua soil / power sand. If I do go with as and ps, Will I need to dose heavily? SMS is another possibility - I have a store local Im going to check it out tommorow, I might just try this first. I like flourite, I just dislike the color - Its too light for my dining room. Ive used eco complete and dont want to use it again. Is aqua soil that much better than sms or flourite?
co2:
I have co2 equipment already. Ill be using one of my exisiting jbj regs with three way manifold. diy inline reactor. and a 20lb tank.
Lighting:
I currently have 2x 2x55 watt ah supply kits which are coming from my 29s. I plan on growing dwarf sag as my foreground with some java moss on slate. Im mounting these in my diy hanging wood fixture about 8" above the tank. I can easily add more kits to my fixture If I cant get decent light down low.
The stand:
Im pretty good with wood working, as far as the stand goes... I should keep all wood sitting on wood. The top horiztonal braces will all be 2x6, vertical and bottom horizontal supports will be 2x4s screwed together. Im covering the top with 5/8" plywood. What about putting foam down? Ive heard of this done, but never done it on my other tanks. I plan on using some oak waynes coating for the exterior with wood trim going up the plastic tank trim. I plan on having hinged doors on the sides of the stand, and a liftoff door in the center. Questions: Whats the best way to make the cutouts for my doors? I have a circular saw, jigsaw, and manual mitre saw. Should all trim be cut at 45* - I read somewhere that I should do a smaller angle.
Driftwood:
Last bunch of driftwood I got from ebay, any particular seller anyone has purchsed from and had a good experience?
Fish:
Ive got some rams currently, but plan on keeping something else in this tank.
Plants:
Ceratopteris thalictroides (Water Sprite)
Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Green'
Hydrocotyle leucocephala
Hygrophila corymbosa 'Siamensis'
Hygrophila difformis (Water Wisteria)
Hygrophila polysperma 'Rosanervig'
Ludwigia repens
Microsorum pteropus 'Windelov'
Nymphaea lotus 'Red' (Red Tiger Lotus)
Nymphoides aquatica (Banana Plant)
Sagittaria subulata (Dwarf Sagittaria)
Taxiphyllum barbieri (Java Moss)
Vallisneria americana var americana
This is what I currently have. I plan on keeping more later, once I get a little more time to spend on the tank.
Dosing and maintenance:
Im planning on building my second auto doser, using small powerheads and containers of ferts connected to a oh so awesome custom timer that will allow the pumps to run for a few seconds every day.
Sorry for the long winded post, I just need some ideas and suggestions / corrections. My main concern is the stand and substrate. More than likely Ill be switching to a t5 tek around xmas time.
Well, I went and picked up my dream tank, a 90g with black trim and black silicone. Im building a stand, a diy hanging canopy, a diy inline heater, and using mostly existing equipment. However I need to make sure my heads on straight.
Go get a beer, its a long post! :bounce: :bounce: Filters:
I have a 2213, and a 2215 - enough or Should I look for something else?
Im going to use my existing diy inline reactor, and use a diy inline heater. As for GW control I have a diatom filter.
Substrate:
Ive got 5 bags of flourite, half of its mixed with small pebbles. This is what I used in my 29s. I dont think its enough.. besides I was considering going with aqua soil / power sand. If I do go with as and ps, Will I need to dose heavily? SMS is another possibility - I have a store local Im going to check it out tommorow, I might just try this first.
I like flourite, I just dislike the color - Its too light for my dining room. Ive used eco complete and dont want to use it again. Is aqua soil that much better than sms or flourite?co2:
I have co2 equipment already. Ill be using one of my exisiting jbj regs with three way manifold. diy inline reactor. and a 20lb tank.
Lighting:
I currently have 2x 2x55 watt ah supply kits which are coming from my 29s. I plan on growing dwarf sag as my foreground with some java moss on slate. Im mounting these in my diy hanging wood fixture about 8" above the tank. I can easily add more kits to my fixture If I cant get decent light down low.
The stand:
Im pretty good with wood working, as far as the stand goes... I should keep all wood sitting on wood. The top horiztonal braces will all be 2x6, vertical and bottom horizontal supports will be 2x4s screwed together. Im covering the top with 5/8" plywood. What about putting foam down? Ive heard of this done, but never done it on my other tanks. I plan on using some oak waynes coating for the exterior with wood trim going up the plastic tank trim. I plan on having hinged doors on the sides of the stand, and a liftoff door in the center. Questions: Whats the best way to make the cutouts for my doors? I have a circular saw, jigsaw, and manual mitre saw. Should all trim be cut at 45* - I read somewhere that I should do a smaller angle.
Driftwood:
Last bunch of driftwood I got from ebay, any particular seller anyone has purchsed from and had a good experience?
Fish:
Ive got some rams currently, but plan on keeping something else in this tank.
Plants:
Ceratopteris thalictroides (Water Sprite)
Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Green'
Hydrocotyle leucocephala
Hygrophila corymbosa 'Siamensis'
Hygrophila difformis (Water Wisteria)
Hygrophila polysperma 'Rosanervig'
Ludwigia repens
Microsorum pteropus 'Windelov'
Nymphaea lotus 'Red' (Red Tiger Lotus)
Nymphoides aquatica (Banana Plant)
Sagittaria subulata (Dwarf Sagittaria)
Taxiphyllum barbieri (Java Moss)
Vallisneria americana var americana
This is what I currently have. I plan on keeping more later, once I get a little more time to spend on the tank.
Dosing and maintenance:
Im planning on building my second auto doser, using small powerheads and containers of ferts connected to a oh so awesome custom timer that will allow the pumps to run for a few seconds every day.
Sorry for the long winded post, I just need some ideas and suggestions / corrections. My main concern is the stand and substrate. More than likely Ill be switching to a t5 tek around xmas time.
1 - 20 of 42 Posts
For a DIY inline heater, you might want to get those heyco cordgrip adapters.
Also, you will want the water to flow in from the top of the heater, the unheated water contacting the area with the thermosensor. The water should then pass down to the heating element.
Since your tank has a trim, foam padding is not necessary for your stand, but it should be used if you do find slight misalignments or surface dents. Nothing is perfect!
Also, you will want the water to flow in from the top of the heater, the unheated water contacting the area with the thermosensor. The water should then pass down to the heating element.
Since your tank has a trim, foam padding is not necessary for your stand, but it should be used if you do find slight misalignments or surface dents. Nothing is perfect!
Knaveto : Yes I have heard about the black flourite, does it cost more? Im still researching the ada stuff.
tropicalfish: I have 5 hayco cordgrips sitting on my work bench, one of them is already in my housing. I still need a smaller cordgrip for the temp probe of the viaqua stainless steel heater. I might be switching to some jager heaters. I think a 250w should be fine.
Any ideas on the filters?
How about the lighting? Last I read about lighting a deep tank - you needed a lot of watts. I think the 4x55s should be sufficent? Im also going to use two 13 watt red bulbs for night viewing, and make some led moonlights for fun.
Is my stand being way overbuilt? I should have a detailed CAD drawing up in the next week
tropicalfish: I have 5 hayco cordgrips sitting on my work bench, one of them is already in my housing. I still need a smaller cordgrip for the temp probe of the viaqua stainless steel heater. I might be switching to some jager heaters. I think a 250w should be fine.
Any ideas on the filters?
How about the lighting? Last I read about lighting a deep tank - you needed a lot of watts. I think the 4x55s should be sufficent? Im also going to use two 13 watt red bulbs for night viewing, and make some led moonlights for fun.
Is my stand being way overbuilt? I should have a detailed CAD drawing up in the next week
As I always say, if its not the only thing left standing after a tornado, it's not built strong enough.Is my stand being way overbuilt? I should have a detailed CAD drawing up in the next week
I think its entirely over built. However - As I stated to my fiance earlier I want this to be aquarium stand builing 101, now how to dump 90 gallons of water on your floor 101. I fear the hard parts cutting out for the doors, and making, then mounting them level :0
Nelson
4
Corner pic of first leg attatched.
Another stand shot.
Two screws wondering the meaning of their life
This is what happens when you build a stand in your home theater room.
I had two of my engineer buddies make sure my design would work well. So lets hope their educations stuck
So far the only hiccup Ive had was having the first leg be out of square to the bottom platform....
Once I get my SMS Im going to wash it, then soak it in a rubbermaid tub. I need to find some driftwood! My fiance thought I was nuts wanting to buy $60 of "plain old wood" on ebay.. Then I took her to the LFS and said lets buy this then :0
Ill hopefully be done with it tonight, Then I need to put the floor in, a top plywood sheet, locate some styrofoam (Im pretty sure I need this as the stand isnt 100% perfect on the top) Get my waynes coating put on, cut my trim, stain and seal. The inside is going to be painted white and sealed up. The floor in the bottom will be sealed completely. Is it possible to plumb my 2215, and 2213 into the same intake, and lilypipe? Im nervous about making the doors, cutting the openings, and hanging them level. I might just have someone else make the doors. Anyways, I gotta get back to work, Still have three pcs to fix and my new logitech harmony 720 remote to play with
Alright my stand is almost finished. I still need to add my waynescoating, trim, stain, and hand rubber finish before I can do that Im gonna hookup electrical in the stand.
Im planning on testing the stand tommorow, I figure my 90 gallon will tip the scales at 1,000lbs. I figure four of my larger friends sitting on it will work Once thats out of the way Im going to put my tank on it give it a fill and see what happens.
I want to place foam underneath the tank, Im not sure what kind, what thickness or where I can find it. The surface of my stand has some small minor imperfections. Pics comning shortly.
before I can do that Im gonna hookup electrical in the stand.Im planning on testing the stand tommorow, I figure my 90 gallon will tip the scales at 1,000lbs. I figure four of my larger friends sitting on it will work
Once thats out of the way Im going to put my tank on it give it a fill and see what happens.I want to place foam underneath the tank, Im not sure what kind, what thickness or where I can find it. The surface of my stand has some small minor imperfections. Pics comning shortly.
5
I didnt fill any further due to the gaps between the stand and tank, Plus I need more shims!
Theres about 4 spots where the tank isnt touching, One of them I can slide 13 peices of paper under. It looks to be a combination of the plastic not being level, and a spot where the plywood is a little thin.
Holy braces batman!
Again, the other side of the stand.
I think I have 1-1/2lbs of screws in the stand. Total finished cost breaks down as:
$36 for waynes coating (will also make my canopy with this)
$17 for 2x4's
$4 for 1x2s
$15 in screws, and dowels
$15 for plywood
$2 for caulk
$7 for a giant thing of wood glue, 1/3 used
$2 in finishing nails
$30 in trim
$22 for two 7' tall shepards hooks, (for hanging my lights)
$7 paint
All the sheet wood was cut at the store.
I did purchase a compound miter saw for this project. Along with a new 4ft level, new drill bits. And some other goodies.
Some of my cuts using my old mitre saw were not the right length, so I used wood shims to fix the gaps. Its extremly sturdy, I had 5 250lb guys sitting on it, While I tryied making it wobble, or flex. Guess thats what happens when Three engineers help design and build it
Im still nervous about my doors. I have no Idea how to cut the openings in the waynes coating, or how to trim, and hang them properly. I have a dremel, with the cutting adapter. I might try that. Anyone who has done doors on a stand - any advice?
1 - 20 of 42 Posts
