Movin on Up...
#1 Guest_jblaylock_*
Posted 08 December 2008 - 12:45 PM
DAY ONE
Here the tank as it was when I picked it up.
Stand
Tank - after cleaning out 100lbs of gravel
Canopy/Lights - there were 3 dual lights on this...that's alotta light.
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
#2 Guest_jblaylock_*
Posted 08 December 2008 - 12:48 PM
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.
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.
#3
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?
#4 Guest_pmk00001_*
Posted 08 December 2008 - 02:51 PM
#5 Guest_jblaylock_*
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.
#6 Guest_CATfishTONY_*
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
#7 Guest_UncleWillie_*
Posted 08 December 2008 - 07:31 PM
#8 Guest_jblaylock_*
Posted 08 December 2008 - 09:24 PM
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
Dual Powerheads
Tank bottom @ the end of Day 3
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)
#9 Guest_ashtonmj_*
Posted 08 December 2008 - 09:55 PM
#10 Guest_schambers_*
Posted 08 December 2008 - 11:08 PM
#11 Guest_jblaylock_*
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?
#12 Guest_ashtonmj_*
Posted 09 December 2008 - 09:07 AM
#13 Guest_jblaylock_*
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.
#14 Guest_ashtonmj_*
Posted 09 December 2008 - 09:47 AM
#15 Guest_jblaylock_*
Posted 09 December 2008 - 08:00 PM
#16 Guest_jblaylock_*
Posted 09 December 2008 - 09:29 PM
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
Sponge Filter to attach to the powerhead
Rocks
Rocks - cave like structure
Full Tank
To Do:
Sponge Filters/Powerheads
Real Filter - Eheim Classic (Probably)
Replace Lamp
Lunar Lights
Water
FISH!!!!!!!
#17 Guest_jim graham_*
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.
#18 Guest_jblaylock_*
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.
#19 Guest_BenjaminS_*
Posted 10 December 2008 - 01:33 PM
#20 Guest_jblaylock_*
Posted 11 December 2008 - 10:25 AM
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
Filter Installed
Filter with tube 1
Filter with tube 2
Filter from the rear
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