Looking to expand my new hobby, advice needed.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
J

jhan

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 8, 2008
17
0
0
Southern California
Hi,

I'm looking to expand my new hobby and have a few questions:
  1. I will be building my own stands and canopy. I like to know what brand/ type stain/finish people use. I don't plan on re-seal/re-finish every few years, and the easier to put on the better. If I want to paint it, what type/brand paint to use?
  2. The plan is to have a nice show tank in the house, and keep the other tanks in the garage or patio. Is garage/patio safe?
  3. Is it better to get a big tank and use dividers (if I want different types of fishes) or just multiple tanks butted together?
TIA.

Oh, and most importantly:
For those who are not married, better buy everything you want before hand, because it will cause you alot more after. :WHOA:
This "expansion" has already caused me more than what a 1000 gallon acrylic tank would, and I haven't even started yet!
 
welcome. 1.
I'd probably just use Minwax stain/varinish, comes in one can and is easy to apply. just use an old rag.

2.paint. not sure. most likely, an oil-based paint would penetrate the wood better than anything else

3.I'd personally use seperate tanks. its probably less expensive (for the price of a 110 gallon tank you could get three 55 gallon tanks, for instance). I also just don't really like the look of a divided tank. that's just my personal opinion, though.

there is a "Do-it-yourself projects and ideas" forum on this site, under General Aquaria discussion. you could get some great advice for building stands and canopies from those guys.
 
separate tanks. Some fish have been know to break through dividers and wipe out other fish.

I would be careful with drafts in the garage and patio. And i'd be careful with too much sunlight in the patio.
 
i used a blockbuster card to apply a super thin layer of silicone to the top of one of my stands... i have no idea if it does anything or not since theres a tank sitting over it but its also how i plan to seal my canopy (inside only) once i get around to building it... and since the lumber is sitting in livingroom i should do that tomorrow..
 
fyi... paint/stain first then silicone.. its common sence... but ive somehow managed to let that one slip past me twice now...
 
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