300 Gallon Display Tank Redux

[calihawker]

Hey there Simply peeps! Well I made it back from Europe fairly well unscathed only to get sick for a week and then had tooth problems for another week but I'm finally feeling up to par and it's time (finally!) to get going on the rebuild/scape on my 300 gallon display tank. I feel so bad cause it seems the discus' crib has been neglected for so long, I went from heavily planted to lightly planted to bare bottom. Its been BB for a while and it seemed the fish were getting a little skittish with nothing to hide behind and that big unpainted scary bottom:shocked: they seem to have settled in and now I'm gonna jack up their world again but I'll try to make it as low impact as possible. I want to make this thread an ongoing build diary as I go along. Some of the things I'm changing, like lighting, I haven't decided what I'm doing yet so I could use some feedback from all you most knowledgeble folks.

The tank is a standard Tenecor plexi tank, corner overflows with a 30 gallon sump. I added a custom wet/dry tower that has a combination of biostars, floss and a ton of pvc ribbon. I have one xp3 left running that just has foam pads and that is on it's way out. T5 lighting fixtures, don't know if I want to keep them or not. I want the least wattage with the best shimmer effect. As some of you know, I'm a fan of automation and even though my wifes new cat dumped my aquacontroller into the water change barrel:flame: I will be getting a new one and will be doing fully automated water changes.

Here's the planted version. Not bad but I could never keep it looking that great. Way too much work.

http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr356/calihawker/Fish/DSC01463.jpg


The plan is to have a nice looking display. I have domestic discus so I'm not too hung up on making it a biotope or anything like that, just a nice looking display tank that is easy to maintain. I'm starting with a wood replica of the tank to be able to fit the background and make all the appropriate cuts for return lines and a clear path to the overflows and w/c setup. I want to have it exact because I don't want my 13 adult discus in a 60 gallon cube longer than necessary.:)


http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr356/calihawker/Fish/DSC00953.jpg

http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr356/calihawker/Fish/DSC00963.jpg


The first thing you see that's different is the background isn't like the aquaterra ones, this one is solid and square on the back side. It'll make it easier to glue it up for sure. It is currently 2 pieces totalling 96 inches and I need to cut it to fit between the overflows 83 inches. So here's the first major dilemma. It dosent fit:( I was hoping by cutting the 6 inches off each end it would fit but as you can see a lot more needs to be cut and I dont want to have to glue 4 pieces so I'm thinking about cutting the center piece out of the top of the tank, get everything in there then glue a support peice back in. Sound resonable?


http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr356/calihawker/Fish/DSC00978.jpg

http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr356/calihawker/Fish/DSC00989.jpg


I'm looking forward to a visit from my new friend herbicidal this weekend! Do a little brainstorming. I'll be using his method to raise the background up off the bottom as the tank is 29" high and the background is only 24" but the real hard part is going to be cuts for the return lines. Not looking forward to that one.

Thats it for now! Just one more pic of my baby goshawk supervising my efforts!

http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr356/calihawker/Fish/DSC00960.jpg

[Second Hand Pat]

Hey Steve, this will be a super tank and love the goshawk (wild or breeder and how old). Where did your background come from? I am doing 230 acrylic as I type and am currently cutting down my background.

[Dieselfool]

Subscribed.

[laborelch]

nice background! not so sure about cutting the center brace...

[calihawker]

Hey Steve, this will be a super tank and love the goshawk (wild or breeder and how old). Where did your background come from? I am doing 230 acrylic as I type and am currently cutting down my background.

Hey Pat, can't wait to see yours as well. The background came from Designs by Nature aquarium. I got a super deal on it but I've had to augment the color a bit. Not perfect bit I think it'll look ok.
The gos is captive bred, 35 days old today.


nice background! not so sure about cutting the center brace...

No? Is it just for support while there's water because I can make it stronger than it is now I would think. Thanks!


Steve

[Northwoods Discus]

Looks like you have to cut one or the other. If you need to remove the background for some reason then if you cut the brace you will need to cut the brace again to get the background out. I will be watching your progress as I have a project like this in mind.
Bill

[2075turner]

OOOOOH, it already looks good. Wish I could talk the hubby into doing something like this for me. Good luck with everything. I will be following :-)

[calihawker]

That's a really good point Bill, I'm gonna think on that one today.

Hey Evelyn, hope everything's well! What our spouses have to put up with eh? Especially with today's flood :(

Steve

[jcardona1]

Great looking tank. I definitely wouldn't cut the brace. That's holding your tank together. If it were my tank, I'd cut the background in as many pieces necessary before I hack the tank and risk any problems. Not only that, if you decide to sell this tank one day, you've pretty killed your resale value.

[calihawker]

Thanks Jose, I appreciate your input. I'm not concerned about devaluing the tank at all. If I'm ever done with this tank I'm done with the hobby and I would probably have no problem giving the thing away. I am more concerned about maintaining the structural integrity of the tank and I'm paranoid about cutting the background. The guy at Designs by Nature said to cut partially through from the back then break the rest so the cut is not a straight line. I'm visualizing this and seeing the whole thing fall apart. I guess cutting straight through would be ok. The krylon paint I've been using to augment color will help hide the seam.

Another development is this mornings flood. Stupid hose connections. :( I've had so many leaks and floods (soon to be corrected) that the wood stand just dosent look so solid anymore so I'm going to weld up a steel frame. Anyone with construction or design ideas with pics would really help. I'm a good welder but a lousy engineer. :)

Steve

[calihawker]

So I got confirmation from a fish tank builder guru friend of mine that I could cut the center then glue a brace back in. He said with the 1/2" acrylic it would probably be ok without the brace at all but add it just to be on the safe side.

The next issue is what side of the background to cut. I need to take about a foot off total so it could be taken equally from both sides or the whole thing from one side or the other. I've included pics so id appreciate your input. I'm leaning towards taking it all from the left.

Left side

http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr356/calihawker/IMAG0226.jpg

Right side

http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr356/calihawker/IMAG0227.jpg

Steve

[DLock3d]

Id actually say the right of the right side where it protrudes the most. Seems to me filters would have a hard time over hanging there and it wil take up more space in general.

[calihawker]

I did have a chance to read a number of posts before the forum got hacked, thanks crazyangels for you comment on the bracing. Totally agree and I will make it so. There was practically equal consensus on which side to cut, even here at home I wanted to cut the left side and my wife was firm about the right so we literally flipped a coin! Tails wins and the left side is now cut.

After reading some of the posts about peoples apprehensions with table saws I kind of wish I had taken a picture of the saw I used. I own a machine shop but my saw wasn't big enough so I went down to my buddies shop where they do HUGE parts and I put it on this horizontal automatic band saw that's big enough to saw my whole 300 gallon tank in half! It looked pretty cool. Shoulda had the camera.

I'm working on the terraces to raise the background and will post some pics tonight.

Cheers!

Steve

[Second Hand Pat]

OK Steve, now awaiting your pictures. When do you fill the tank? I am planning on tonight

[calihawker]

I'm still weeks away Pat. I have to build a new stand, get a tank setup to house discus, finish buffing scratches....

Can't wait to see yours!

Steve

[Second Hand Pat]

I posted some pictures for you. I remember now that you need to rebuild the stand.

[calihawker]

Got the terracing put in today and I'm not sure I like it. I need to raise the background 4" and I want to keep the sand bed as thin as possible. The problem I see is if the sand shifts it might expose the pink foam. I have some nice slate I might use for the back 2 inches.


http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr356/calihawker/IMAG0234.jpg

http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr356/calihawker/IMAG0233.jpg


Silly bird. You're not a fish! LOL!


http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr356/calihawker/IMAG0235.jpg


Steve

[jcardona1]

Very nice! What if you paint the exposed foam? That way if the sand moves, at least you won't see any pink. I did that with my Aquaterra background on a few joints. Took some Krylon Fusion spray paint, mixed 2-3 colors together in a small bowl to get the right color, then brushed it on. You can't even tell!

[calihawker]

Now see, that's exactly why I'm on this forum! :) Great call Jose, thanks!

Steve

[Second Hand Pat]

Steve, I like it too. Paint the form white or the color of your sand. My critters are constantly getting in the way. Is that the goshawk baby? It has sure grown.

Another suggestion is once the background is in place and you are postioning your wood. Place a branch or two in front of the seam to disguise it if you find it noticable.

[Darrell Ward]

You can cover the foam with Envirotex 2 part epoxy finish mixed with sand. Mix with sand, pour it on, and spread it out. It's save to use in tanks, as reefers use it to create "faux" sand beds this way. Sprinkle more dry sand on top before it dries to create a rough surface on top, so your final layer of sand won't slide off. Here's a link...http://www.creative-wholesale.com/Envirotex%20Lite.htm

[Second Hand Pat]

Great idea Darrell. You are one handy dude and Steve, I would suggest not using epoxy to glue your wood to the bottom. Drill holes epoxy sinkers in them like Darrell suggested in my thread. You make need to move that wood for various reasons, cleaning, catching fish, need a change or whatever.

[David Rose]

Best of luck with your project... makes me want to do a makeover now...LOL

[ZX10R]

You can cover the foam with Envirotex 2 part epoxy finish mixed with sand. Mix with sand, pour it on, and spread it out. It's save to use in tanks, as reefers use it to create "faux" sand beds this way. Sprinkle more dry sand on top before it dries to create a rough surface on top, so your final layer of sand won't slide off. Here's a link...http://www.creative-wholesale.com/Envirotex%20Lite.htm

My brother did this in his acrylic tank on the bottom. He didn't want to see the bottom of the tank if the sand got moved around so he mixed sand and epoxy and put a thin layer on the bottom then after it dried he cover it with sand. I have seen it since then and if the sand does get moved you can't even tell.

[calihawker]

That's definitely what I'm going to do thanks! Now back to building the stand :)

Steve

[Darrell Ward]

That's definitely what I'm going to do thanks! Now back to building the stand :)

Steve

I forget to add, make sure your sand is completly dry when you add it to the pour on finish. Water will make the finish milky looking, and affect curing times.

[Ezekiel]

I love that Bird. Cant wait to see the tank filled with it.

[Herbicidal]

Hi Steve! Just found your thread. I have not been able to spend much time here lately. It was a real pleasure seeing your home, Discus, tank, Goshawk, etc! Let me know when you think you're doing the tank/stand move and I'll try to help so long as it's on a weekend. :) BBQ? :p

Looks like folks have given you some great advice too. :thumbsup:

[grindman620]

Jeeze........this is an amazing project here. Keep the pictures coming!@!

[Assassynation]

Any update?

[Second Hand Pat]

Steve had to step out of the hobby for now.

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?92534-Saying-goodbye-to-the-hobby-(for-now)&highlight=

[rayluc]

nice build, sorry you got to get out.