New Tank for the Sliders!

[hermeticcharm]

120gl oceanic reef ready with two overflows. It came with the tank, stand, and the sump filter +accessories all for $300. Pretty good deal I think. The guy said it is in perfect shape but if anything did go wrong I could call him.

Just in the process now of cleaning and testing it. My plans for it though are to build a custom canopy with a built in above tank basking area so I can fill the tank all the way up.

Pictures below...I am guessing this sump is a trickle filter? Had a question, the wheel thing housed inside the sump itself, I have no clue what that is. I am gonna be getting all new media for the filter, is that wheel thing something I need to change and what is it?

 

[snakeguy101]

That wheel thing is used for biological filtration. It is much more useful for fish but it is up to you whether you should keep it or not. I would focus more on the mechanical filtration but it looks like you have room for both in the sump.

Do you have an idea on how to make the basking area yet? There was a thread not too long ago about a lady that made some really nice acrylic basking areas. I will try and dig that thread up.

 

[snakeguy101]

here it is:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=347579

 

[hermeticcharm]

Cool thanks. I might have a canister filter running in addition to the sump so I might just fill the sump with bio media. I'm still in the brainstorming stage for the basking area, gonna do everything nice and slow and make everything perfect instead of just trying to throw the turts in there.

 

[snakeguy101]

Cool thanks. I might have a canister filter running in addition to the sump so I might just fill the sump with bio media. I'm still in the brainstorming stage for the basking area, gonna do everything nice and slow and make everything perfect instead of just trying to throw the turts in there.

That is a good way to go about it. Keep us posted and good luck!

 

[jeffers]

for the basking area i would use that center brace as part of it just put some fake grass over top of it and then build a ramp going down into the water from each side. after that just take two peices of acrylic and run them on the front and back a little ways and you are all set.

if my center brace was that big i would do the same thing as im getting ready to do an ATBA myself

and i tell you what from looking at it again connect the two overflow skimmers to the center brace also so its like a T as your going to have to put a lid and something around them anyway so the turtles wont get out. then you might as well make a full top out of acrylic and wood that goes up about 7" or so.

just some ideas though as im sure you have your own lol. good luck and cant wait to see more. im either doing a full top or half top on mine though havent decided yet either but will show you as soon as i finish.

 

[hermeticcharm]

I couldn't find a way to edit my original post so I'll just put it here.

Update: Here is the frame for the ATBA so far. Still have to add the plexiglass to the front, add some holes in the back for the canister filter, waterproof it to avoid rotting from moisture, and make it look nice. Also gonna add some little pieces on the corners to make sure it doesn't move or anything.

Also, still have to build the actual basking platform of course.

I might make a DIY thread on how to make everything after it's all done.

 

[HPIZZLE]

looks cool. cant wait to see it done, that tank has petential to be boss.

 

[hermeticcharm]

Well it's been about a year and this project is finally coming together! Heh. Winter hit, then busy with work yadayadayada.

Okay, so I finished the custom ATBA. Cleaned the stand up a bit and added some to it though it still needs doors and trim. I also added a custom 3d background. Then I set the tank up and started cycling it working out the kinks along the way. I decided for the basking area, after trying a few different set ups, to go with using the middle brace. The first idea I had to do half the tank just took up way too much room and I figured it would make maintenance awkward. For the basking area itself I cut some eggcrate to size and then broke up some cork bark filled it out and zip tied everything together. Bare spots were filled in with moss and it turned out great!

I would still like to maybe do the T idea and have the cork bark extend across the back covering the overflows. I'd also like to find something nicer for the background and sides of the ATBA. I also need to upgrade my lighting pretty bad. Other than that I just need to grab some plants and driftwood and I will be all set.

Now for the pics!

Installing the 3d background:

Tank Shots:

And a video:

[video=youtube;3XsS4Jf3YIs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XsS4Jf3YIs[/video]

 

[Grundsau]

They look happy.