MonsterFishKeepers.com - DIY Projects and Ideas http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/ Discussion for DIY Projects and Ideas. Post here whenever a light bulb comes on in our heads. We can all benefit from the shared knowledge. en Thu, 20 Jun 2013 08:14:48 GMT vBulletin 1 http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/images/misc/rss.png MonsterFishKeepers.com - DIY Projects and Ideas http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/ 1500 gallon concrete tank http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?544756-1500-gallon-concrete-tank&goto=newpost Thu, 20 Jun 2013 01:54:25 GMT Hello all,

I am going to be building my first house within the next couple years. I want to have a large concrete wall tank for some peacock bass and rays (15'x4'x4'). I am trying to figure out as many of the details as possible so that I can budget properly and know how to continue. I have several questions that I was hoping you guys could help me with. I have drawn a basic diagram of what I have been thinking of doing. I want to able to access the tank from the front and back. I plan to have overflows on both sides of the tank and to put media inside of them. I also plan to use a drip system on this tank. The drip system will come from well water. I plan to have a holding compartment on one of the sides of the tank to heat the water from the drip system before it enters the tank. When too much water accumulates in the tank it will leave through a pipe in the large sump under the tank and run into the yard.

1) Is concrete the a good insulator? I am not sure how to heat such a large tank, and I want to make sure that I am not losing too much heat through the concrete. I am pretty sure that I want the tank to be concrete because I want it to last many years and be durable.

2) Where should I place the heaters to get the best results and use the least energy?

3) Would you guys recommend using UV sterilizers as another source for filtration?

Click image for larger version.  Name: 1500.png  Views: 11  Size: 30.0 KB  ID: 924764


Thank you for any advice.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version.  Name: 1500.png  Views: N/A  Size: 30.0 KB  ID: 924764  

]]> DIY Projects and Ideas bigbenb http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?544756-1500-gallon-concrete-tank Laguna Max-Flow pump http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?544738-Laguna-Max-Flow-pump&goto=newpost Thu, 20 Jun 2013 00:03:52 GMT I know alot of MFers uses the Laguna Max Flo pump for their sump or wet dry system... now i just got mine today and i know there is a mount for the motor to sit up right.. how do you set your motor up right in a sump situation where the cage isn't needed for the pond setup?? where to buy that mount or how do you do you secure it so it's up right or you just use a 90` right at the motor head?? what you use to damped the motor from vibrating in the sump glass?? ]]> DIY Projects and Ideas soupa2 http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?544738-Laguna-Max-Flow-pump Has anyone resealed a 300+ gallon glass tank http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?544730-Has-anyone-resealed-a-300-gallon-glass-tank&goto=newpost Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:30:30 GMT Recently I was offered a 300 gallon glass aquarium due to it springing a leak. I know how to break down and reseal a tank, but I am (as would be expected) a bit nervous about trying it with somthing this size. The idea of moving this thing, building a stand, and setting it up just to have it... Recently I was offered a 300 gallon glass aquarium due to it springing a leak. I know how to break down and reseal a tank, but I am (as would be expected) a bit nervous about trying it with somthing this size.

The idea of moving this thing, building a stand, and setting it up just to have it leak again seems almost to be a deal breaker, but not quite. I'm a teacher, and this tank would be the perfect compliment to the twin 220g I already have in my classroom, but the idea of having a tank failure in the classroom is a bit worrysome as wel.


... so whats the point of this post?

I'm just looking for anyone with first hand experiance resealing a tank this size (96 x 24 x 30) or bigger for encouragment / discouragement and possibly a link to a build thread for 300 plus glass aquariums

I used the search function, but found mostly smaller tanks

Thanks ]]> DIY Projects and Ideas Kogo http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?544730-Has-anyone-resealed-a-300-gallon-glass-tank My 1st salt tank with 1st DIY stand - 240g http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?544700-My-1st-salt-tank-with-1st-DIY-stand-240g&goto=newpost Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:43:13 GMT Here's my 1st attempt at a salwater tank. This is a 240 acrylic 8x2x2 on a 36" stand I built and a 75g glass tank for a refugium. Here are some pics from near start to up and running.


Name: tank frame.jpg Views: 57 Size: 71.5 KB
Name: tank frame 2.jpg Views: 51 Size: 38.9 KB
Name: tank frame 3.jpg Views: 51 Size: 36.9 KB
Name: stained stand.jpg Views: 51 Size: 65.6 KB
Name: 240 in place.jpg Views: 51 Size: 56.4 KB
Name: tank filled.jpg Views: 50 Size: 55.2 KB
Name: Salt 1.jpg Views: 50 Size: 47.6 KB
Name: Salt 2.jpg Views: 50 Size: 54.4 KB
Name: Salt 3.jpg Views: 49 Size: 44.2 KB
Name: Salt 4.jpg Views: 51 Size: 62.6 KB
Name: Salt 5.jpg Views: 49 Size: 70.9 KB
Name: Salt 6.jpg Views: 49 Size: 59.9 KB
Name: Salt 7.jpg Views: 49 Size: 43.8 KB
Name: Salt 8.jpg Views: 53 Size: 61.1 KB
Name: Salt 9.jpg Views: 49 Size: 73.9 KB
Name: zoa - blue death.jpg Views: 49 Size: 86.4 KB
Name: foxface and firefish.jpg Views: 49 Size: 71.7 KB


Thanks for looking,
David
Attached Images
                 
]]> DIY Projects and Ideas diveriter http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?544700-My-1st-salt-tank-with-1st-DIY-stand-240g 800 gallon plywood catfish tank http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?544671-800-gallon-plywood-catfish-tank&goto=newpost Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:33:17 GMT So after 2 years of trying to decide I finally started construction on my monster tank, thanks to my RTCxTSN, flathead, and blue outgrowing their tanks.

Dimension's are 8'x4'x45". Framing, plywood and prep are done. Three 30 gallon trickle filter sumps are built and now Im ready to start waterproofing. After much thought, I am going with Ames Blue max.

I still need to get glass(not cheap).
Here are a few pics....

Sent from my DROID RAZR using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version.  Name: uploadfromtaptalk1371637955451.jpg  Views: N/A  Size: 77.4 KB  ID: 924442  

Click image for larger version.  Name: uploadfromtaptalk1371637991231.jpg  Views: N/A  Size: 76.5 KB  ID: 924443  

]]> DIY Projects and Ideas tbinchrist http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?544671-800-gallon-plywood-catfish-tank Weld-on #40 and #42 http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?544585-Weld-on-40-and-42&goto=newpost Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:55:11 GMT Tried to start one of these threads a long time ago and no one seemed to believe me about the quality of this glue and its purpose in the aquarium industry. I am more than glad to know people are now catching on and following my advice and practices of using #40. I know some people are probably... Tried to start one of these threads a long time ago and no one seemed to believe me about the quality of this glue and its purpose in the aquarium industry. I am more than glad to know people are now catching on and following my advice and practices of using #40. I know some people are probably tired of hearing about it but I've been getting a lot of p.m.'s about this product and how to use it. #40/#42 is the only glue anyone should be using to repair an acrylic tank, it is 30 times stronger than weld on #4 and 60 times stronger than #16 (this information is provided by the weld-on company themselves not me). It is a two part epoxy that is simply mixed and applied. #42 is #40 being sold in the smallest "kit" they make, it pre mixes for you like when you buy an epoxy from home depot in the plastic tubes. If you have an acrylic tank chances are it was built with #40 in the first place. A lot of people build with #4 or #16 and it is good for small applications like when using 1/4",3/8",1/2" if your good lol.... I've built many acrylic tanks with #4 and #16 for years but still reinforce the inside of them with #40 to prevent any crazing or seam popping down the road. Tanks 15-20yrs old came "stock" with #40 tip and poured on the inside of them and I really don't understand where this practice was lost on tanks being sold today. My opinion is newer tanks are being made cheaper and newer builders just don't know about the product or are making more profit by using cheaper acrylic cements. #40 first and foremost can be used to weld together any thickness of acrylic with crystal clear seams. Its second purpose is using it for inner reinforcement that looks similar to silicone on the inside of a glass tank. #40 can prevent and repair any seam "crazing" or separation. Any used acrylic tank I buy, I take the time to reinforce them with #40 just to never worry about them lasting for my lifetime. I have tanks over 20yrs old that were made this way and there still going stong today. That's enough backstory I guess lol, anyone with questions about the product or how to use it feel free to ask here. Also feel free to post pics of the work/repairs you've done with #40 to help out the rest of our community. Boring read I know, but it will help a lot of us. i'll get some pics together of tanks ive done with it and the "tip and pour" method of reinforcement. Some people may think reinforcing tanks is "overkill" but it sure helps me sleep sound at night and I honestly prefer the look of it on an acrylic tank. #40/#42 can also be used to "butt joint" two pieces of acrylic on end next to eachother to make longer lengths of acrylic. That's how strong it is. #40 is comprised of the same chemical properties of the acrylic itself. It is more or less liquid acrylic. Just the same as what they mix when casting sheets of it. ]]> DIY Projects and Ideas wednesday13 http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?544585-Weld-on-40-and-42 <![CDATA[6'X2.5'X2' Indoor Pond]]> http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?544508-6-X2-5-X2-Indoor-Pond&goto=newpost Tue, 18 Jun 2013 01:23:59 GMT I'm planning my first diy tank/pond. I'm planning on putting it in my living room to replace my coffee table. It'll have glass on top with a gap between it and the tank for air circulation.

I don't want to run any external filters so I was thinking of running 2 Whisper 100's into 4 AZOO foam filters.

I'm not sure on sealing the plywood. I like the idea of using a liner but I don't want folds in the corners. Are there any manufacturers out there that make liners that are moldable like shrink wrap or something of the sort? If not I'll just go with fiberglass & epoxy.

I'm not set on stocking yet but I was thinking about 2 butterfly koi and maybe some other non tropical fish as I won't be running a heater. My house stays 68-72° in the winter and 77-82° in the summer. I'm totally open to other stocking ideas so long as they won't freeze during the winter.

Let me know what advice, thoughts and ideas you folks have.
Thanks in advance.

Sent from my mind to my fingers to my phone to the MFK servers to you ]]> DIY Projects and Ideas Curtis Rouse http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?544508-6-X2-5-X2-Indoor-Pond Auto Water Changer http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?544489-Auto-Water-Changer&goto=newpost Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:43:39 GMT So, my Festae pair has surprised us all and are on their second spawn since March. Looks like Im going to have quite a few fry around, so I've decided to setup a pair of 4' 120's connected to a 55 gallon can that will be setup as sump......2 pumps, 2 socks with hangers, bio in the bottom. Setup will be in the garage which is great for spills and noise, but terrible for heat here in Orlando during the summer. Tanks can get up to 88-90 easily

Chiller would be one expensive option, but it almost seems like an auto water changer/top off setup might be a better option. Regardless of the heat, fry will need clean water all the time and I have a water supply close by. Pressure regulator, drip emitter, supply line to the tank or sump....still have to deal with the chloramines with a carbon filter of some kind, but supply side seems pretty straightforward.

Is there any reason I can't just cut a hole close to the top of the sump and run a drain hose out to the garden? All the "extra" water would end up in the sump anyways because of the overflow/sump design of the system and my garden is about 3 feet from the sump location. I tend to overthink things so this seem too easy lol, but even in the worse case scenario my garage and driveway get a little wet if the hose got plugged up, but the tanks would be no worse for wear as there would still be freshwater going in.

This is all hypothetical of course, but why wouldn't this work? Thanks in advance! ]]> DIY Projects and Ideas Jc1119 http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?544489-Auto-Water-Changer Found good replacement for 1.5in rubber collars http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?544451-Found-good-replacement-for-1-5in-rubber-collars&goto=newpost Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:14:48 GMT I just redid the plumbing on my system and I used a bunch of those black rubber collars but was worried about using them as they say not to use them in any pressured application. They are only good for 4PSI I found. I'm using 2 Reeflo Hammerhead and the lines are running about 4PSI with clean filters. The pressure goes up to 30+ as the canister filters gets dirty.


So, for peace of mind I'm replacing all the rubber collars on the pressure side of the pumps with sections of this braided hose that fits perfectly over a 1.5in PVC pipe.


http://www.lowes.com/pd_35778-104-RB...ing&facetInfo=

I know having all PVC fittings is even better, but these hose fittings are very convenient, especially in my particular setup where I have piping running through registers into neighboring rooms. They also are great right at the pump for vibration and sound deadening. THis vinyl hose is good for 70PSI, so no further worries!

outer diameter of 1.5PVC= 1.9 in inside diameter of this hose= 2.0 in ]]> DIY Projects and Ideas spiff44 http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?544451-Found-good-replacement-for-1-5in-rubber-collars silcone and acetone http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?544280-silcone-and-acetone&goto=newpost Sat, 15 Jun 2013 23:58:46 GMT I know lots of us glue tanks and stuff.. does all use acetone clean out the glass first then silcone it?? if so do you worry about the chemical of the acetone?? I know lots of us glue tanks and stuff.. does all use acetone clean out the glass first then silcone it?? if so do you worry about the chemical of the acetone?? ]]> DIY Projects and Ideas soupa2 http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?544280-silcone-and-acetone DIY Fish food Help! What tool to use? http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?543990-DIY-Fish-food-Help!-What-tool-to-use&goto=newpost Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:30:05 GMT DIY fish food is going to be a small project i wanna do myself for fun. But I have attempted before but had gone through2 blenders making the project incomplete and a failure. But I wanna try it again! I was wondering... Should I use a Food processor? or should i go try another blender... The... DIY fish food is going to be a small project i wanna do myself for fun. But I have attempted before but had gone through2 blenders making the project incomplete and a failure. But I wanna try it again!

I was wondering... Should I use a Food processor? or should i go try another blender... The blenders i ahve used before started smoking and smelled extremely bad burning smell prob from motor....

Ingredients I will try this time. It is similar to Monster Peacocks.

Daily multi vitamins (supplements for enough nutrition)
carrots (color enhancer, fiber)
peeled shrimp (color enhancer, filler, low grade protein)
cheap fish fillets (high grade protein, filler)
garlic powder (immune system booster, parasite cleaner/preventer)
Whole wheat flour (starch to keep all ingredients together, added fiber)
Oatmeal flour (quaker oats just blended into a powder, added fiber and protein)
freeze dried blood worms (more attractive flavor... not for nutrition)
Freese Dried Crickets (added protein and for more atttractice flavor)

:screwy: also I have this idea. I go fishing ALOT. especially at sea... So i catch fish all the time. some i throw back, some i keep..
But a fish i recently found that maybe worth keeping is the famous fish treated as trash here in NJ. The Sea Robin. I have tried to eat this fish before... Its not that bad in my opinion... Its white meat, and SeaRobins (aka gurnard) are omnivores... eating seaweeds and mostly crustateans. Is it a good idea to use this fish meat as a filler as well?

Stock: (everything is still small, and i still have plenty of store bought foods. This is just a fun project, a test run for when my fish are giants)

Arowana
2 Clown knives
3 Clown Loaches
1 Large high fin pleco (15 inches.)
2 Oscars
1 ID shark
1 Endli Bichir (9 inches)
1 Blood Parrot

All fish excluding the Pleco are pretty small. ]]> DIY Projects and Ideas Jesseliu13 http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?543990-DIY-Fish-food-Help!-What-tool-to-use <![CDATA[125 Gallon FW "next to bed build"]]> http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?543941-125-Gallon-FW-quot-next-to-bed-build-quot&goto=newpost Thu, 13 Jun 2013 01:53:59 GMT Hi all, very new here, just wanted to share my build and see if any1 has any tips/ideas. My friend gave me his 125 gallon tank that he no longer wanted. I share a house with 4 roomates and had limited choices of placement, but I already knew where it was going. Next to my bed! haha! So to start I... Hi all, very new here, just wanted to share my build and see if any1 has any tips/ideas. My friend gave me his 125 gallon tank that he no longer wanted. I share a house with 4 roomates and had limited choices of placement, but I already knew where it was going. Next to my bed! haha! So to start I built a light hood, It did not have one. I used 1/2" pine from home depot and put it together during a couple of lunch breaks at work (wish i had pics of this but I don't). I sanded and stained, then clear coated it, also no pics. I have 2 large handles from work so I can remove the lid with ease. Next I needed a new stand, for 2 reasons. 1; The old stand was crappy looking and I didn't want to trust it with 1000lbs of fish tank on top of it. 2; I needed a short stand so that the bottom of the glass would be flush with the top of my mattress. I used 4x4 and did some bracing with 2x4s. I used 6"x1/2" lags to secures the ends into the long 4x4s. I also braced the crap out of this thing with aluminum angle/flat brackets from work (80/20 type stuff). Drove 96 2"x3/8" lags and staggered all of them and the brackets so I do not have too much metal weakening my lumber. This thing is rock solid. Spray painted the stand flat black. Finally cleaned the tank and moved this set up into my room, but so far this is as far as I have gotten ($). I have purchased an Aquatop CF500-UV but I have not set it up yet. I also have a 2 bulb 4' flourescent fixture I have yet to mount in the hood.

Next step is to buy gravel, fake plants, build a rock formation for an eel I want to live up by the head of my bed . Oh, and eventually fish haha. Slow project but its coming along!

IDEAS? TIPS? WANNA SEE MORE OF SOMETHING? LEMME KNOW!

-Condor
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version.  Name: photo.JPG  Views: N/A  Size: 1.17 MB  ID: 922703  

Click image for larger version.  Name: photo copy.JPG  Views: N/A  Size: 1.65 MB  ID: 922704  

Click image for larger version.  Name: photo copy 2.JPG  Views: N/A  Size: 1.39 MB  ID: 922705  

Click image for larger version.  Name: photo copy 4.JPG  Views: N/A  Size: 821.9 KB  ID: 922706  

Click image for larger version.  Name: photo copy 3.JPG  Views: N/A  Size: 1.75 MB  ID: 922707  

]]> DIY Projects and Ideas Condor13 http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?543941-125-Gallon-FW-quot-next-to-bed-build-quot Acrylic thickness on a tank.. http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?543716-Acrylic-thickness-on-a-tank&goto=newpost Tue, 11 Jun 2013 10:28:31 GMT Is 1/2" Acrylic the correct size to use on either a 72x24x24 or 72x30x24? ]]> DIY Projects and Ideas Mudfrog http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?543716-Acrylic-thickness-on-a-tank 300 Gallon Build - A Bit of Overkill? http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?543677-300-Gallon-Build-A-Bit-of-Overkill&goto=newpost Tue, 11 Jun 2013 01:43:44 GMT Saw this tank build on Koiphen. http://www.koiphen.com/forums/showthread.php?126529-8-long-300-gallon-freshwater-going-in. Seems a bit overdone. LOL! Must be nice to have money. Saw this tank build on Koiphen. http://www.koiphen.com/forums/showth...water-going-in.
Seems a bit overdone. LOL! Must be nice to have money. ]]> DIY Projects and Ideas joe jaskot http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?543677-300-Gallon-Build-A-Bit-of-Overkill DIY overflow problem http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?543600-DIY-overflow-problem&goto=newpost Mon, 10 Jun 2013 12:27:50 GMT So, I just set up a 6 tank system running on a sump, and one of my overflows keeps losing siphon every 10 minutes or so, any ideas on why it's doing this? I figure it's letting air in some how but I have no idea how or where :screwy: ]]> DIY Projects and Ideas Lgw http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?543600-DIY-overflow-problem