Javascript Disabled Detected

You currently have javascript disabled. Several functions may not work. Please re-enable javascript to access full functionality.

Movin on Up...

Started by Guest_jblaylock_* , Dec 08 2008 12:45 PM

Next

Please log in to reply

57 replies to this topic

#1 Guest_jblaylock_*

Guests

Posted 08 December 2008 - 12:45 PM

I've been looking for a bigger tank (who isn't) and I found a heck of a deal on Criagslist that I couldn't pass up.

DAY ONE

Here the tank as it was when I picked it up.
Posted Image

Stand

Tank - after cleaning out 100lbs of gravel
Posted Image

Canopy/Lights - there were 3 dual lights on this...that's alotta light.
Posted Image

I decided to do a good rebuild on this while it's apart. Saturday night I painted the stand/canopy. I replaced the lights, now there's 2 dual lights and I only plan on using 2 bulbs. I also cleaned the glass and resealed the side seams.

End - Day One
Posted Image

Back to top

#2 Guest_jblaylock_*

Guests

Posted 08 December 2008 - 12:48 PM

DAY TWO

I replaced all the hinges on the stand and canopy. I added handles to the stand doors and repainted the trim on the tank. I put it all into place for a photo.
One light stopped working, I need to take it back to Lowes and get a new one.

Posted Image

Still to come.
Plexiglass to cover the lights
Addition of Lunar Lights
Rocks/Driftwood
Filter/Powerheads
Water
Fish.....more fish

forgot to mention...not a bad deal for $75, plus rebuild investment.

Edited by jblaylock, 08 December 2008 - 12:49 PM.

Back to top

#3 Michael Wolfe

Board of Directors

North Georgia, Oconee River Drainage

Posted 08 December 2008 - 01:57 PM

I also cleaned the glass and resealed the side seams.

What does this involve? I am just curious. I have stripped all the silicon out of a few tanks, and re-done them. Is this what you mean by "resealed", or are you doing some, less involved process?

Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. - Benjamin Franklin

Back to top

#4 Guest_pmk00001_*

Guests

Posted 08 December 2008 - 02:51 PM

Tanks looking sweet, keep us posted, I like tank journal threads like this.

Back to top

#5 Guest_jblaylock_*

Guests

Posted 08 December 2008 - 04:08 PM

What does this involve? I am just curious. I have stripped all the silicon out of a few tanks, and re-done them. Is this what you mean by "resealed", or are you doing some, less involved process?

I actually just added silicon to it. It appeared as if there was still a decent seal on it, but the edges had broken down, so I put a nice bead of silicon down and spreaded it out nice and smooth. I bought one of those 'caulk' spreaders from Lowes, those make it clean and look nice.

Edited by jblaylock, 08 December 2008 - 04:11 PM.

Back to top

#6 Guest_CATfishTONY_*

Guests

Posted 08 December 2008 - 07:06 PM

I actually just added silicon to it. It appeared as if there was still a decent seal on it, but the edges had broken down, so I put a nice bead of silicon down and spreaded it out nice and smooth. I bought one of those 'caulk' spreaders from Lowes, those make it clean and look nice.

Cylce that tank and filler up! looks good i hope you add some shiners in it. tony

Back to top

#7 Guest_UncleWillie_*

Guests

Posted 08 December 2008 - 07:31 PM

Josh, looks great. You just showed how with a bit of effort, an old used tank can be something beautiful in justa few hours. Great find, and good luck getting her how you want her. Keep up posted on your progress.

Back to top

#8 Guest_jblaylock_*

Guests

Posted 08 December 2008 - 09:24 PM

DAY 3

Day three progessed slower than I wanted. I forgot to take back the light to Lowes, but I did get my powerheads in the mail. I added gravel and a piece of driftwood. I could use a little more gravel, but I think what I have is okay.

Gravel Bed & Driftwood
Posted Image

Dual Powerheads
Posted Image

Tank bottom @ the end of Day 3
Posted Image

I'm a little unsure of the placement of the driftwood. It looks really good where it is, but I'm thinking if it was a little more vertical it would add height to the tank. What do you guys think?

I had planned on getting the large rocks in the tank today, but I forgot that I threw away my wire brush and I don't have anything to clean the big rocks with. What all kinds of filters do you guys use? I'm thinking of buying a Eheim Classic Canister or a Filstar XP3 Canister, any suggestions?

Day 4 plans:
Clean/place large rocks
Replace canopy light
Add 10-15 gallons of water (I'm going to fill it slow to check for leaks)

Back to top

#9 Guest_ashtonmj_*

Guests

Posted 08 December 2008 - 09:55 PM

Personally I think people don't think 3-dimensionally as much as they should. I would expirement with the placement of the wood in many places. It can not only provide cover but can be used to create hydraulic refugia if it is placed closer to the powerheads. The same goes for substrate. The typical front to back gravel sloping upwards is boring. I like to create humps, throw in a boulder or two, etc. As far as the amount, many of us, especially Todd Crail, have documented the benefits of 5+" of substrate with a sand base. If you are using two fairly large powerheads why not take advantage of them instead of adding one more cost and electrical outlet. Attach sponge filters to the bottom of them. You've got mechanical and biological filtration. Yeah canisters provide tons of surface area and break things down internally great, but they aren't exactly cheap. For the cost of one canister filter you could get your two sponge filters and a fairly large power filter, like an Aquaclear, and stick a big carbon bag in it for chemical filtration.

Back to top

#10 Guest_schambers_*

Guests

Posted 08 December 2008 - 11:08 PM

I run Eheim Classics on several of my tanks. I love them. My advice is to get the biggest one you can. With a stream tank you don't have to worry about there being too much current from the outflow, and you won't have to clean it as much.

Back to top

#11 Guest_jblaylock_*

Guests

Posted 09 December 2008 - 08:03 AM

I run Eheim Classics on several of my tanks. I love them. My advice is to get the biggest one you can. With a stream tank you don't have to worry about there being too much current from the outflow, and you won't have to clean it as much.

This is the setup I've been leaning towards. I'd like to get one that would filter a 125.

Matt, the problem with experimenting with the wood is that it will float and it would be much much easier to get it in, buried under the gravel before the water goes in. As far as the gravel goes, it's about 2 1/2in deep now, and I'm thinking about getting another 25lb bag today. That's a good idea to make hills, slopes/etc with the gravel. I am adding some large rocks today to create structures for the fish, but I may try to shift the gravel around.

What is a sponge filter? Is this just simply a sponge attached to the intake of the powerhead either directly or by a tube?

Back to top

#12 Guest_ashtonmj_*

Guests

Posted 09 December 2008 - 09:07 AM

Here's a random thought I just had when looking at your tank. If it is not attached to a base, why not make the driftwood, or another piece, appear to be overhanging? Get some stainless steel wire and lash it around your tank brace.

Back to top

#13 Guest_jblaylock_*

Guests

Posted 09 December 2008 - 09:17 AM

Here's a random thought I just had when looking at your tank. If it is not attached to a base, why not make the driftwood, or another piece, appear to be overhanging? Get some stainless steel wire and lash it around your tank brace.

It is attached, because it will float. But, explain what you mean by overhanging and how to make that happen...that sounds interesting.

Back to top

#14 Guest_ashtonmj_*

Guests

Posted 09 December 2008 - 09:47 AM

Um...Overhanging, as in hanging from above or appearing like it is a rootwad sticking out of the bank and into the water. Take a piece of driftwood that is not attached to anything and wrap steel wire around it and the brace of your tank to secure it. Heck take some java fern or anubis and tie it to the log with some fishing line or green sewing thread and it will look like live branch that fell into the stream.

Back to top

#15 Guest_jblaylock_*

Guests

Posted 09 December 2008 - 08:00 PM

Ok, I'm running two Aquaclear 50 powerheads. I need a way to to direct the flow of water coming out. The aquaclear 30 and 40 have things to move the direction of the water coming out, but the 50 and up do not, and are not interchangable. I need to move the powerheads higher in the tank but keep the water flow running low. Anybody have any ideas? I guess I could get some small plastic pipe and use elbow pipes to do it, but I'd like to keep it clean looking.

Back to top

#16 Guest_jblaylock_*

Guests

Posted 09 December 2008 - 09:29 PM

Day 4 Update:

Day 4 was a near bust. Still no water in the tank (still don't know if it will hold water...eek) I cleaned and added the large rocks for cover/structure to the tank...near final position. I also added a solid black background. I began my DIY sponge filter but it isn't working out as.......smoothly as I wanted. The sponge I bought had a hole already in it, and the hole is a little too big and doesn't fit snug. However, it is a good size. Also, in order to use it I need to move my powerhead up the tank, as addressed in my last post. I guess tomorrow I will buy some pipe fittings to make that work. I'm going to try to find some different sponge tomorrow also.

Then to add insult to injury the new lamp I bought doesn't work. I'll have to take it back tomorrow. Anyways, here's some photos.

Filter Tube - I drilled holes after this pic
Posted Image

Sponge Filter to attach to the powerhead
Posted Image

Rocks

Rocks - cave like structure
Posted Image

Full Tank

To Do:
Sponge Filters/Powerheads
Real Filter - Eheim Classic (Probably)
Replace Lamp
Lunar Lights
Water
FISH!!!!!!!

Back to top

#17 Guest_jim graham_*

Guests

Posted 09 December 2008 - 09:37 PM

Day 4 Update:

Day 4 was a near bust. Still no water in the tank (still don't know if it will hold water...eek) I cleaned and added the large rocks for cover/structure to the tank...near final position. I also added a solid black background. I began my DIY sponge filter but it isn't working out as.......smoothly as I wanted. The sponge I bought had a hole already in it, and the hole is a little too big and doesn't fit snug. However, it is a good size. Also, in order to use it I need to move my powerhead up the tank, as addressed in my last post. I guess tomorrow I will buy some pipe fittings to make that work. I'm going to try to find some different sponge tomorrow also.

Is your foam fish safe? I bought some regicell foam that looks a lot like your foam and it killed fish in less than 6 hours.

Back to top

#18 Guest_jblaylock_*

Guests

Posted 10 December 2008 - 12:01 PM

Is your foam fish safe? I bought some regicell foam that looks a lot like your foam and it killed fish in less than 6 hours.

It better be, it came from a fish store and it's premade for some filter.

Back to top

#19 Guest_BenjaminS_*

Guests

Posted 10 December 2008 - 01:33 PM

Everything looks great so far! I use a Fluval 405 filter for my 75 gallon and it works great. You should try to get some willow moss to grow in there. you could try java moss but I find it doesn't grow well in fast flowing water.

Back to top

#20 Guest_jblaylock_*

Guests

Posted 11 December 2008 - 10:25 AM

Day FIVE:

Day five was a rush to get a few things done before and after church. I achieved my goal of getting the sponge filters in and ready and the new light installed. I'm ready for water but I won't be back home until tomorrow night. I don't want to put water in it and not be there to monitor it incase it leaks. Anyways, here's the filters. I buried about 1/4 of the sponge under the gravel and capped the end of the tube. I also painted the elbows after the pics so that it's all black. I'm also going to add some rocks to help conseal the filters, but not cover them.

Filter 1
Posted Image