[DiabloCanine]

I lost a Heckel when it got caught between the filter plumbing and glass so I looked for a way to get all that crap out of the tank. Finally decided to drill my tanks and move all equipment under the stand. My 55 gallon was the first experiment since it would be the cheapest to replace if we broke it. We drilled 4 holes in the back of the tank, 2 on each side of the tank for ¾” bulkheads. Why 2 sets of bulkheads? Two reasons:
1. My stand has a bookcase in the middle which leaves 2 small compartments for equipment.
2. I wanted to use 2 Fluval 304 filters to ensure good flow to both sides of the tank since I would be using a reactor and external heater.
Inside the tank was a Won Titanium Heater, Milwaukee SMS122 Probe, A SCWD Utube Attachment which I used as the outlet for the Fluval 404, and a PentAir Aquatics Customflo Water System which served as the inlet plumbing for the Fluval 404. Here is what the stand compartments looked like before we drilled the tank.

Old RH Side

Old LH Side

The RH side of the stand now contains; CO2 cylinder w/Regulator, Hydor 301 External Heater, Fluval 304, plumbing and electrical.

Heater and Plumbing

More Heater Plumbing

Picture of the RH side

The LH Side of the stand now contains a DIY CO2 reactor with the SMS 122 PH probe installed inline, Milwaukee SMS 122, Timer for Moonlights, Timer for Icecap Ballast, Fluval 304, plumbing and electrical.

DIY CO2 Reactor I made, you can see the PH probe (the black plug with the wire going to it) and Fluval plumbing.

Milwaukee SMS 122 PH Monitor/Controller and Digital Timer for Moonlights

Picture of LH side (the Digital Timer for the Icecap Ballast is on the RH side).

Picture of LH side with Fluval 304 installed.

Picture of both sides (please excuse the flash).

Tank Rescape (please excuse the flash).

New inhabitants

ALF Caves

Everything is working great! Initially, was not to sure about the probe in the reactor since I could not find any previous reactors built with PH probes inline. Well it works, works great as a matter of fact. Only problem I have is the Discus are looking at the cories like they are food.

We will be drilling two more tanks in the near future. I will take pics of the drilling and bulkhead installation to post.

Special thanks to RMC for drilling the tank and helping do the set up. And another special thanks to RMC for babysitting my Heckel and Snakeskin while this tank was in work. And one more special thanks to RMC for the rest of the Discus, the awesome Corydoras Aeneus Peru-Gold Stripes, and the beautiful Albino Long Fin Ansistrus Bristlenose.......DC

 

[rrguymon]

Looks great. I need to do something like that. I need to get off my behind and build me a decent stand first. hah. Could you show more detailed pictures or explain how you got your SMS prob in the plumbing and how you seal it and remove it to calibrate it if needed? I hate that floresent yellow thing in my tank. haha

Rick

 

[yoink]

Dang, I just missed the new discus. They look great and the tank looks awesome, even more so in person.

 

[DiabloCanine]

Looks great. I need to do something like that. I need to get off my behind and build me a decent stand first. hah. Could you show more detailed pictures or explain how you got your SMS prob in the plumbing and how you seal it and remove it to calibrate it if needed? I hate that floresent yellow thing in my tank. haha

Rick

When we do the next one, I'll slow down and take pictures of the whole process including build-up of the reactor.....DC

 

[DiabloCanine]

Dang, I just missed the new discus. They look great and the tank looks awesome, even more so in person.

Yes, but you can come by to see and feed them whenever you want. I forgot to give you some plants I had for you in my endler tank and shrimp nanos. Did you get the new tank set-up? The glosso we planted is hanging tough.....DC

 

[yoink]

The plants you gave me filled it up nicely. It's ready to go and waiting on the shrimp to come in. Thanks again.

 

[rrguymon]

I am concidering discus too. I need to start reading your posts and learning what I can about keeping them with plants. I have tons of questoins on discus but its off topic here so I will wait. Haha.

Rick

 

[Brian A]

what did you use to make those caves?

 

[landlord]

Tank Rescape (please excuse the flash).

got any update pics of this, im interested on how this tank is progressing, looks good!

 

[DiabloCanine]

I did not make them, got them from RMC. If you want some, let me know. You still need to meet him, he lives down 31 a little. You still got my number?.....DC

what did you use to make those caves?

 

[DiabloCanine]

got any update pics of this, im interested on how this tank is progressing, looks good!

The tank is doing well, still recovering from a major munch by a bunch of spixi babies. I am growing out several dozen rams in it now....DC

 

[crazie.eddie]

Nice tank.

What's the dimensions of those caves? I'm interested in them as well, since I can probably use them for my plecos.

 

[DiabloCanine]

Nice tank.

What's the dimensions of those caves? I'm interested in them as well, since I can probably use them for my plecos.

Plecs love them, actually have wars in my 110 over a cave. I think I can still get some, PM me......DC

 

[Hoppy]

What is this plant? It looks familiar, but I can't remember what it is.

 

[DiabloCanine]

What is this plant? It looks familiar, but I can't remember what it is.

Anchored Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia azurea)

 

[Hoppy]

Thank you! That is a nice looking plant, but I see it is considered a noxious weed. Is it a typical stem plant?

 

[DiabloCanine]

Thank you! That is a nice looking plant, but I see it is considered a noxious weed. Is it a typical stem plant?

PlantGeek.net - Eichhornia azurea

 

[Brilliant]

Couple of Q's....

Whats an ALF?

What type of Discus is that in the second pic all the way to the left?

 

[DiabloCanine]

Couple of Q's....

Whats an ALF?

Albino Long FIn Ancistrus

What type of Discus is that in the second pic all the way to the left?

There is a turq, 3 snakes, and a heckel in that pic.....DC

 

[Gatekeeper]

DC,

I noticed you have your pH probe for the SMS controller above the CO2 entry port in the reactor. Wouldn't this give misleading values since the CO2 is concentrated in the reactor? I would think you would want it either below the CO2 port...OR... to get a real good TANK reading, i would have put it on the long PVC stand you built to make the turn for the hydor on the right hand side of the cabinet.

What are your thoughts and experience on this thus far?