Rickztahone's Simple Bowfront Discus Tank (Journal)

[rickztahone]

You're very welcome. Everything is coming out really, really well. I'm definitelygoing to have to try that myself at some point.

It was pretty cheap actually. About $30 total.

[rickztahone]

Update, got the Lily pipes, Finally! All the way from HK. They are pretty large bulbs. Much larger than I thought, about fist size, lol. I really like them though. Unfortunately, after I installed the lily pipes I found out that the XP2 isn't working, . I'm not sure if it is the impeller or a gasket. I will have to troubleshoot tomorrow. BTW, does anyone know if xp2 and xp3 parts are interchangeable? I want to troubleshoot with the xp3 parts on the xp2, but don't want to mess anything up.

As always, on to the pics:

They were shipped very well. Great seller. these 2 sets came out to $85 shipped! Back when I had my 10g tanks I paid over $100 for acrylic ones!


Good sized bowl


On the tank, side view


from the inside side view


Trying to keep that clean look. From this point forward there will not be any additional items in the tank, except for the seeded air pump filter that Josie will be sending with the discus. It is to help my filter colonize bacteria.


another side view


Full tank shot


With the light box turned on. I thought I took one with the main fixture on but I guess I forgot.


You can see the grommets very clearly here. They really added a nice touch.


And lastly, put an LED light inside the stand. It came in handy when dealing with the filters today. Unfortunately, the culprit (xp2) wasn't cooperating, which means I couldn't run the bleaching today. grrrr...

Oh, by the way, further testing showed that my siphon system was a failure. It initially works and after a few seconds it will stop working. I believe I know what the problem is. I believe what is happening is that the air at the end of the pvc is actually filling up with air, and since the pvc is so wide, the air travels right up to the top of the siphon system and breaks the siphon. Generally, this wouldn't happen with a long hose because it is thin and the air can never climb up the hose, if that makes sense. So, I had to resort to getting a submersible pump. Luckily, I had one at my mothers house.

Just the LED fixture left and the fish themselves.

I also tweeked the temperature valve and now the water is coming out at a consistant 84F :-).

I can see the finish line...

[dkeef]

Most overdone elegant 50 gal in the world. Nice job rick!

[rickztahone]

Most overdone elegant 50 gal in the world. Nice job rick!

Says the person with the most tanks as a hobbyist in California

Thanks Dave.

After speaking to you guys I feel kind of dumb that I overbuilt the stand so much, lol. If I ever decide to put a 240 super duper tall on this stand, I will have no doubt it will support it.

[Argentum]

What's the lily pipes for?

[rickztahone]

What's the lily pipes for?

The only real point of the lily pipes is aesthetics. I did not want there to be unnecessary items in the tank like heaters and such. Obviously you need to have a filter, so I chose to try to hide those as well with lily pipes.

[Argentum]

The only real point of the lily pipes is aesthetics. I did not want there to be unnecessary items in the tank like heaters and such. Obviously you need to have a filter, so I chose to try to hide those as well with lily pipes.

It looks cool. so its just a transparent intake and return.

I suggest something different here, position the two intakes on one side and the two returns on the other, this way you will produce an even steady flow for the current.

With your current setup you have two opposing systems which will produce turbulence.

I don't really know if having a steady directional current is beneficial in any way or the opposite for turbulence, I always try to avoid turbulence

[rickztahone]

It looks cool. so its just a transparent intake and return.

I suggest something different here, position the two intakes on one side and the two returns on the other, this way you will produce an even steady flow for the current.

With your current setup you have two opposing systems which will produce turbulence.

I don't really know if having a steady directional current is beneficial in any way or the opposite for turbulence, I always try to avoid turbulence

Indeed, it is just a glass intake and return. Word of caution for lily pipes though, they get super dirty quickly. What I use to do with my acrylic ones was to dip them in a bleach solution for a few minutes every month or so.

With regards to the turbulence, they aren't directly opposing each other. As it stands, the filter on the left (XP3) has the return on the side closest to the front of the tank. On the opposite side, the filter on the right has the return on the side furthest away from the front of the tank. The flow isn't that great on the xp2 which will have the heater as well. Hopefully this will not be too much flow. The configuration you suggest would be too much hose under the tank and it just isn't something I would like to do. If, however, I see that my discus are not comfortable with this configuration, I can change it up down the line. I will deal with that bridge when I get there though.

[wild-blue-discus]

this is looking bad *** rick! love those white pipes!

[rickztahone]

Thanks Scott! In all honesty I kind of wish I would have painted the background white rather than the light box. The more I see the slightly blue hue of the leds, the less I like it. I will have to ser how it looks with discus in there though.

[wild-blue-discus]

that always easy to fix, you still going with hardscape? we are about to do a few videos on hardscaping

[rickztahone]

that always easy to fix, you still going with hardscape? we are about to do a few videos on hardscaping

Yes, but further down the line. Unfortunately, my original plan was to go with adults but the only APRT's I could find were 5.5", so I want to grow them out to about 6.5" or so before I do a hardscape. BB for growing out, as mundane as it looks, this is the best way to do it.

[rickztahone]

Awesome, sold a lens on ebay and I bought my LED fixture. It should be here in a few days. I bought the 24" one and plan to suspended a bit high to get better coverage. Keep in mind that I will never keep plants in this tank so high light output isn't needed. I did however want to have the sunrise/sunset effect which this fixture offers. It is this Aquatic Life LED Light fixture

Here are the specs for the one I got:
24-Inch Item #420284 fits Aquarium Frames between 23.5 Inches and 26.25 Inches - LED Complement: (13) 6K White, (14) 9K White, (17) 10K White, (3) Blue, (7) Red, (3) Blue Lunar LED's

Here are the specs for the other two sizes:
36-Inch Item #420285 fits Aquarium Frames between 35.0 Inches and 38.25 Inches - LED Complement: (21) 6K White, (21) 9K White, (24) 10K White, (7) Blue, (11) Red, (3) Blue Lunar LED's
48-Inch Item #420286 fits Aquarium Frames between 47.0 Inches and 50.25 Inches - LED Complement: (27) 6K White, (27) 9K White, (33) 10K White, (7) Blue, (14) Red, (6) Blue Lunar LED's

I'm more worried about the red channel, but we shall see how it goes. I'll post a little mini review after I've had it for a while.

[rickztahone]

Finally! Everything is finally done!
The xp2 had a bad impeller. I bought the impeller and it came in on Saturday. Ran 1:10 bleach to water ratio through the whole system. Emptied/Rinsed twice and used a whole lot of SAFE, lol.

The LED fixture should come in on the 15th. The discus will come in tomorrow. Can't wait!

Only the back lightbox was available for this pic


Sry for the bubbles. I checked pH and it was stable from one day to the next. They go away fairly quickly.

[MKD]

Very exciting and can't wait to see it up running.

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