Yes.
I had them made to fit specifically in that shelf.
Because they are shallow, I was able to get away with 5mm glass and a single centre brace. Cut costs a lot.
Roach's Fishroom Nest
- Thread starter cockroach
- Start date
I had them made to fit specifically in that shelf.
Because they are shallow, I was able to get away with 5mm glass and a single centre brace. Cut costs a lot.
Worked on the 75 gal a little this weekend. It's not a monster tank but still not easy to move alone.
I had to use a lounge ottoman to be the extra hand. Won't spoil the surprise of the tank plan just yet. Over the next few days (2-3 weeks) I will work on the rest.
Moving the tank:
I decided to remove the back plastic film. I did this for 2 reasons, a. I wanted to see the tank without a background ( silly ideas of creating my own background - also can slip in a black plasctic board if need be, b. more pertinently, the front glass is scratched to buggery. The back has much less damage after being in service for over 15 years.
I also pushed the tank back a touch. I like having a little ledge in front of the tank as I do for the paludarium. However, I could not go back as far as I wanted due to the small clearance between tank top and shelf above. I used a beer can to make sure I had a spot wide enough for the essential tools.
Planning on some heavy rocks so added eggcrate.
Rocks and wood in.
But.....I had to pull the tank out this far to get them in. So there is no turning back unless I disassemble the tank again in the future.
Want to add some root feeding plants so made my own "aquasoil".
Put a bottom layer down, the added the soil to a laundry bag. Placed it in a raised growing bed.
I had to use a lounge ottoman to be the extra hand. Won't spoil the surprise of the tank plan just yet. Over the next few days (2-3 weeks) I will work on the rest.
Moving the tank:
I decided to remove the back plastic film. I did this for 2 reasons, a. I wanted to see the tank without a background ( silly ideas of creating my own background - also can slip in a black plasctic board if need be, b. more pertinently, the front glass is scratched to buggery. The back has much less damage after being in service for over 15 years.
I also pushed the tank back a touch. I like having a little ledge in front of the tank as I do for the paludarium. However, I could not go back as far as I wanted due to the small clearance between tank top and shelf above. I used a beer can to make sure I had a spot wide enough for the essential tools.
Planning on some heavy rocks so added eggcrate.
Rocks and wood in.
But.....I had to pull the tank out this far to get them in. So there is no turning back unless I disassemble the tank again in the future.
Want to add some root feeding plants so made my own "aquasoil".
Put a bottom layer down, the added the soil to a laundry bag. Placed it in a raised growing bed.
After a week long Independent Study Tour I had some time this weekend to work on the tank.
The anubius I put aside of the 75gal was not done with the intention of waiting this long. It floated around randomly and settled where ever. This means the leaves grew in all directions.
A few days in their new position and leaves will be looking normal again.
I went through a few iterations before deciding on a layout.
Nearly went with one of these two.
Ultimately went with this layout as I wanted a thicket of vegetation as well as an open area.
The anubius I put aside of the 75gal was not done with the intention of waiting this long. It floated around randomly and settled where ever. This means the leaves grew in all directions.
A few days in their new position and leaves will be looking normal again.
I went through a few iterations before deciding on a layout.
Nearly went with one of these two.
Ultimately went with this layout as I wanted a thicket of vegetation as well as an open area.
After the hardscape layout was decided the fun began.
I am not going wild on variety of plants but do want a lot. I also wanted a thicket of val grass. I have 2 kinds in my fishroom bit didn't like the corkscrew val for this setup so went with the longer thicker leaved one. I have random pots and tanks with single a 2-3 small plants that I will collect and plant throughout the week when I decide where exactly I want them.
I added a small piece of drift wood to the end of the foreground bottom branch so it did not end so unnaturally abruptly.
Water tested the super-glued hardscape. It held well. Filled the tank slowly then after a few days filled it to the top.
I went with a fine grade sand. This was the least white color I could find after searching for weeks online. There were many other color options but most of those had additives or actual soil in them. This came in for a bargain at about US$13/20kg bag. I got 2 bags. It was enough for this tank, and the bottom tank in the 3 tier rack.
To help them and and the other plants grow well, I added the aqua-soil and some fertilizer tabs and nutrient root tabs to the aqua-soil. I laid it around the base of the rock work as that is where I want to concentrate plant growth.
Once the soil was in and I had looked at it for a few days and was happy with it. I went to town gluing the plants. for the plants I have gone with:
Anubius lanceolata
Anubius barteri
Anubius barteri 'nana' and 1 or 2 other varieties
Anubius glabra
Bolbitis
Valis
I had so many small anubius left, probaby 15-20 pieces. I was toying with the idea and just gluing them to the glass on the right and making an anubius wall.
Will leave it this week and see how it goes. The filter is not up and running yet and only a wavemaker in it to circulate the water nicely. The filter needs to be be cleaned well, the fluid and bed filter needs to be rinsed and refilled with sand. Then I need to get new hosing and put it all back together again. I am still not sure where the pump will go. Like an idiot I did not plan this or the pipes. I am leaning towards DC pump fitted outside the tank.
Any guesses what the intended inhabitants are going to be?
I am not going wild on variety of plants but do want a lot. I also wanted a thicket of val grass. I have 2 kinds in my fishroom bit didn't like the corkscrew val for this setup so went with the longer thicker leaved one. I have random pots and tanks with single a 2-3 small plants that I will collect and plant throughout the week when I decide where exactly I want them.
I added a small piece of drift wood to the end of the foreground bottom branch so it did not end so unnaturally abruptly.
Water tested the super-glued hardscape. It held well. Filled the tank slowly then after a few days filled it to the top.
I went with a fine grade sand. This was the least white color I could find after searching for weeks online. There were many other color options but most of those had additives or actual soil in them. This came in for a bargain at about US$13/20kg bag. I got 2 bags. It was enough for this tank, and the bottom tank in the 3 tier rack.
To help them and and the other plants grow well, I added the aqua-soil and some fertilizer tabs and nutrient root tabs to the aqua-soil. I laid it around the base of the rock work as that is where I want to concentrate plant growth.
Once the soil was in and I had looked at it for a few days and was happy with it. I went to town gluing the plants. for the plants I have gone with:
Anubius lanceolata
Anubius barteri
Anubius barteri 'nana' and 1 or 2 other varieties
Anubius glabra
Bolbitis
Valis
I had so many small anubius left, probaby 15-20 pieces. I was toying with the idea and just gluing them to the glass on the right and making an anubius wall.
Will leave it this week and see how it goes. The filter is not up and running yet and only a wavemaker in it to circulate the water nicely. The filter needs to be be cleaned well, the fluid and bed filter needs to be rinsed and refilled with sand. Then I need to get new hosing and put it all back together again. I am still not sure where the pump will go. Like an idiot I did not plan this or the pipes. I am leaning towards DC pump fitted outside the tank.
Any guesses what the intended inhabitants are going to be?
