1.8m tank

[wito-zn]

Howsit people.

I want to build a 1.8m by 600 by 600 tank and have started drawing up plans for the stand (will post pics of plans when I get it right.) and was wondering if anybody from drubs has built a tank themselves would maybe give me some help when I am busy building. Not help as in help me build the tank just help as in come and have a look at my progress and tell me what I am doing wrong and what I could do to benefit the tank and fish I will keep in it. I am a newbie so it is of course my first time building a tank. I will def get the glass cut by a glass company and will then fit it to the stand. Please help. The build won’t go on until I can sell some of my old hobbies stuff so until then I will post the plans and will defiantly appreciate the help I receive. My plan was to build a 1.5m by 600 by 600 but I decided if I am going to build a tank I might as well go broke, if you get what I mean. I have tried researching on Google but it doesn’t come up with what I am asking. I would like to know what I would need lighting wise for a planted tank and filter wise coz I am going to keep Oscars. I would also need help concerning a hood for the tank I have sort of an idea for the base cabinet. I am going to bolt wood to a metal frame just for visual appeal. All help will be greatly appreciated.

Steve

[speedz]

your best option is to build an internal filter into the tank, works great!

Check this link out

http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/diy-aquarium-projects/35793-plans-diy-internal-filter.html

[Dolphin]

Steve, 1800 x 600 x 600 is quite a big tank for someone new to tank building to start with...

not sure what you mean by fitting the glass to the stand...

This size tank requires no less than 10mm thick glass all round with top and base re-inforcing.

I'd really advise you to get someone who knows how to build tanks to do this for you or buy a ready made one or even look around for something used in good condition and then perhaps customise it with the built in filter etc...

www.garf.org (http://www.garf.org) has some good diy pages for tank building, stands and cabinets...

[carl p]

check out marine aquiriums site in their DIY area theres a post made by a engineer.

the other thing is, second hand tanks are dirt cheap, search google for SA and you will find loads of them this is maybe the fastest and posibly cheaper way

[wito-zn]

I have been shopping around and will still shop around for a second hand tank. New one's are just way to expensive. My father in-law is an engineer and he is assisting me with build of the stand. I have a plan to help with support of the tank itself. I can’t remember the name of it but it is an L shape metal, I am going to weld that from half way of the stand to the top of the glass on all four sides and then on the top I am going to make a brace that will be welded to the L shape metal which will support the top of the tank. I will then put wood in front of the metal braces.

[Donny]

i have a 1.8 x 900 x 900 tank on a stand made out of 50 square tubing ... braced in the middle with addtional legs

[speedz]

that is a huge tank! i take it that its for sale?

[butcherman]

If you wanna build the tank that big go for it. just research it properly.
ie Glass thinkness and bracing etc.
also get a definate idea of where your going. what heaters your going to use, what filtration your going to use, the type of lights, substrate etc. a mistake will be costly.


your best option is to build an internal filter into the tank, works great!

Check this link out

http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/diy-aquarium-projects/35793-plans-diy-internal-filter.html

I'd rather go with a Sump with a tank like that i think a side filter would spoil the tank. plau with a sump you can hide all your equipment there leaving a great area in the main tank for display purposes only.

[Kuhli Loach]

butcherman - can not agree with you more - a sump filter would be the way to go with such a big tank.

[small_fry]

i have 2 internal builtin filters on my 2m tank and the water is pristine. just remember to put 2 holes in for the waterflow into the filter, otherwise your pumps are going to run dry as not enough water can get into the filter. also make sure that the last 2 compartments are completely sealed.

[butcherman]

i have 2 internal builtin filters on my 2m tank and the water is pristine. just remember to put 2 holes in for the waterflow into the filter, otherwise your pumps are going to run dry as not enough water can get into the filter. also make sure that the last 2 compartments are completely sealed.
but all the equipment is in the tank with a sump all the equipment is hidden away in the sump

[small_fry]

nope....if you design the internal filters with materials that block out the eyesore that equipment produces, the only thing you see of the filter is the water inlet and piece of pipe that sticks out the top coming from your pump. if i had to close up the glass of where the filter is, then you dont see any equipment what-so-ever or even know that there is a filter......

[speedz]

i've also seen tanks where the internal filters are not visible at all, and the material they use to block off the filter have reflective properties. When i first saw this i was easily fooled into thinking the tank is actually bigger than it appears.

[small_fry]

yeah i dont like the ones that use glass to cover the internal filters as i feel its not fare on the fish...especially the aggro ones...always flaring at their own reflection, swimming into the side of the tank thinking its bigger....i use normal leather grain (black plastic that hoods are made out of).