My first "big" tank - 100L

Hi all,

this is my work in progress.

I've built the tank (bracing was added post-photo - maybe a bit overkill?):

Dimensions: 900 x 410 x 300mm - 5mm glass



And am busy with the 3D background:



More pics to come as I progress further :bigsmile:

 

Nice looking tank - looks like the bracing could be a bit of an overkill ... better safe than sorry.

3D backdrop looks good. You going to make the back of the backdrop the filter compartment?

Later Ferdie

 

I used that tool...went for a very safe factor + bracing...so I guess it's super-duper safe now Last thing I want is 100-odd Liters of water on my living room carpet!

Not yet. Maybe one day. I'm a newbie at this "serious-fish-keeping-stuff" so I'm going with a HOB filter for the moment. I plan on moving on to better things one day, but I need to take it one step at a time.

 

Looking good there DesertConvert.
Very nice background. How did you make it?

 

" HOB filter" - I love these ... nice big open cell sponge on the front of them .. add some ceramic media in the pot and you are good as gold.

Later Ferdie

 

Hi Khalid...basically some styrofoam, silicon sealer, a knife, a tapemeasure, a little creativity and lots of patience I'll do a bit of a how-to with some pics here when I have a bit more time...this weekend maybe.

They seem the best bang-for-buck filters. Less intrusive than the internals, and cheaper than the externals. Maybe I'll look into a sump one day, but for all its benefits it does appear to be more challenging to install as well as "clunkier".

 

i like it! and better safe than sorry and i'm sure you gonna appreciate that peace of mind later!

that back-ground is a stunner, you really should post a "how to" thread on it, also if its styrofoam, how will you keep it from floating to the top ?

 

Nice DIY @DesertConvert

Will be interesting to see how that bg looks when fitten. Will you be covering with epoxy or leaving the cement on and painting it?

 

Very very nice- keen to see how your tank develops!

 

Yes, it seems huge. What is the water displacement in litres?

 

nice tank. looking good. HOB's are nice but i rather spend a little more and get a cannister, but if you already have the hob then i guess go with it

 

It's pretty big - displacement (a conservative estimate) is approx. 20L.
3 Thin layers of cement weigh it down quite well, and unless I have a brainwave I'll probably use my new favourite compound - Aqua Silicone Sealer. If it can hold my tank together it'll probably hold the polystyrene down. I don't plan on changing the background with my water changes, so I don't mind gluing it down.

@ryanj252 : I was thinking of using some sort of penetrating sealer (saw it on a YouTube video - 4 months later it was still holding well)

 

Hi DesertConvert,

Wow what an awsome idee, can't wait to see the tank up and running.....

 

awesome....can see MTS on its way here.....with posts about bigger bigger bigger and more lol

gooooood job

 

Can someone please take me out of my misery and explain what MTS is?

 

Multiple tank syndrome

 

Hmmm, yes, I confess I have already thought about it! :blink1: But I will need to give it a bit of a gap, else my wife might skin me alive. She's already complaining that all I think about (or have thought about for the past few weeks) is fish! :bigsmile:

 

Now we can trully say Welcme

 

Don't worry we are in the same boat, my wife also complain all the time. What they don't understand is that there are always things to do in the tanks......

 

My wife don't complain at all even though I think at times it does bother her a little. I got her a african grey so now she does not mind that much.

P.S do not get them african greys unless they can truly spend a lot of time with them. What I meant is that give her something to do when you stare blankly into your tank.