Guppy Wall idea
- Thread starter rickkoehler
- Start date
How did DIY ever get translated into "buy it instead of build it"? In my book, Doing It Yourself is where the reward and satisfaction is at. And doing things with and for your kids is priceless.
Q: What will Ricks daughter learn from the Plasma Fishtank experience?
A: I love Daddy's money.
Q: What will Rick's daughter learn from helping her dad build her fish tank?
A: 1. Daddy loves me, here is the proof.
2. Memories, memories, memories.
3. Building stuff with yer pop is really cool.
Q: What will Ricks daughter learn from the Plasma Fishtank experience?
A: I love Daddy's money.
Q: What will Rick's daughter learn from helping her dad build her fish tank?
A: 1. Daddy loves me, here is the proof.
2. Memories, memories, memories.
3. Building stuff with yer pop is really cool.
I've seen the plasma tanks, and I don't want one. Besides, I was hoping to build a tank, not buy one, because I like building things. I've never built a fishtank before, but this sounds like a good one to start with as acrylic is rather easy to work with.
As to the plywood back, yes, it would be stronger and cheaper, but wouldn't it be more of a leak risk than an acrylic back? From what I'vr read here, a properly bonded acrylic tank is effectively one piece of plastic because the joints are bonded together at the molecular level as opposed to being held together with an adhesive.
Upgrading the back to 1/2" sounds like a good idea though, and I had planned on using fender washers on the lag bolts, sorry if I didn't mention this before. I don't want to mount a shelf under it if I can avoid it, but if I need to, so be it.
As for filtering, I'll admit I don't have a good idea what to do yet. Given my experience with fish (I've had fish for 10+ years, but not since I've had kids) I know that keeping a 20 gallon tank like this filtered will require that I have the inlet and output seperated to creat a good flow in the tank. Also, the oxygen level in a tank like this will require some assistance due to the lack of surface are. Right now I'm thinking about using a sand base and some live plants to help with the filtering and oxy, does anyone have some suggestions?
Thanks again!
Rick
As to the plywood back, yes, it would be stronger and cheaper, but wouldn't it be more of a leak risk than an acrylic back? From what I'vr read here, a properly bonded acrylic tank is effectively one piece of plastic because the joints are bonded together at the molecular level as opposed to being held together with an adhesive.
Upgrading the back to 1/2" sounds like a good idea though, and I had planned on using fender washers on the lag bolts, sorry if I didn't mention this before. I don't want to mount a shelf under it if I can avoid it, but if I need to, so be it.
As for filtering, I'll admit I don't have a good idea what to do yet. Given my experience with fish (I've had fish for 10+ years, but not since I've had kids) I know that keeping a 20 gallon tank like this filtered will require that I have the inlet and output seperated to creat a good flow in the tank. Also, the oxygen level in a tank like this will require some assistance due to the lack of surface are. Right now I'm thinking about using a sand base and some live plants to help with the filtering and oxy, does anyone have some suggestions?
Thanks again!
Rick
There are small (3-6 gallon) eclipse style tanks that have a small biowheel filter that is long and skinny, with pickup at one end of the (small) tank and output at the other. Use one of those at the top, and run a wall down the inside of the tank about 2" from the outside wall where the pickup will reside, with a gap at the bottom of the tank. This will force all the water to cycle thru from the bottom (don't want no-flow zone in opposite corner).
I'd do it out of acrylic, and also build a shelf for it to sit on, where it just happens to look like it is on the wall.
I'd do it out of acrylic, and also build a shelf for it to sit on, where it just happens to look like it is on the wall.
I dont think you can get away with no support underneath,I know acrylic tank stands usually support the whole bottom,as opposed to glass tank stands just support around the edges.
The plywood back is a bad idea no way to bond it to the acrylic as strong as the acrylic can bond to itself.Unless you build a plywood tank with just a front window.
The plywood back is a bad idea no way to bond it to the acrylic as strong as the acrylic can bond to itself.Unless you build a plywood tank with just a front window.
Sounds like you've got a good handle on things.
I would rather build it myself, than by it too.
If you do have to support it underneath, maybe you could just use a 1/4" metal angle or dowels in the studs so it keeps them hidden.
As for a filter, a sponge filter and small powerhead on one side should work along with w/c's .
Everybody, thanks for all the help. I'll have to draw this one up and post some pics for further discussion, but it looks like I'm headed in the right direction. It contiues to impress me how much everyone here wants to help.
Thanks again, from me and my daughter.
Rick
Thanks again, from me and my daughter.
Rick
agh, hope i didnt get here too late, i got some ideas
bubble wall, along the back, with long leafy plants in front, creats a nice display, and the guppies will poke in and out of the plants
and a long skinny filter, or a under gravel that is modified (finally a good use for a UG)
kinda hard to explain
are you gonna construct the tank before attaching it to the wall?
6inches doesnt leave much clearance to bolt it through the back of the tank to the wall
bubble wall, along the back, with long leafy plants in front, creats a nice display, and the guppies will poke in and out of the plants
and a long skinny filter, or a under gravel that is modified (finally a good use for a UG)
kinda hard to explain
are you gonna construct the tank before attaching it to the wall?
6inches doesnt leave much clearance to bolt it through the back of the tank to the wall
OK, got to work and started playing with this design. Here's kinda-sorta what I'm thinking about.
The lag bolts are through the back, above the waterline. Yes, it's going to be built, then hung on the wall, probably with a shelf. As for filtration, I'm still figuring that one out. I don't really want a UG since this is going to be a 10 year olds tank, and I want it low maintainence, but also resiliant enough to handle kids and overfeeding.
What's a bubble wall? Just a really long airstone along the back of the tank? Sounds interesting.
Rick
The lag bolts are through the back, above the waterline. Yes, it's going to be built, then hung on the wall, probably with a shelf. As for filtration, I'm still figuring that one out. I don't really want a UG since this is going to be a 10 year olds tank, and I want it low maintainence, but also resiliant enough to handle kids and overfeeding.
What's a bubble wall? Just a really long airstone along the back of the tank? Sounds interesting.
Rick
