Michigan Cichlid Association

Pics and Video => Tanks and Room setups => Topic started by: LoveTheFishies on December 20, 2013, 12:48:51 PM

Title: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: LoveTheFishies on December 20, 2013, 12:48:51 PM
So I'm getting close to getting my show tank set up.  Thought I'd post some before, during and after pix.  Also, Steve inspired me to make a background to hide all the filter hoses, heaters and so forth. 

Here we go.   :D
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: LoveTheFishies on December 20, 2013, 12:50:05 PM
Couple more
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: LoveTheFishies on December 20, 2013, 12:51:28 PM
Background.  They are shaped more like overflow covers.  Only going on the ends so you can see through the long sides.
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: LoveTheFishies on December 20, 2013, 12:52:38 PM
Whittling away.
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: LoveTheFishies on December 20, 2013, 12:53:52 PM
I think they are starting to look pretty good.  Just change up the shade and lightly apply alittle more each day.
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: Steve on December 20, 2013, 12:55:16 PM
Looking very good! That foam gets everywhere when ya start shaping it doesn't it ;D
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: LoveTheFishies on December 20, 2013, 01:02:31 PM
Yep, up the nose, in the ears.   :o
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: Regalblue on December 20, 2013, 03:30:29 PM
Gonna be nice!
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: Ogre44 on December 20, 2013, 06:19:18 PM
Those are some realistic rocks you've created.
Kudos, they're gonna look spectacular.
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: lilscoots on December 20, 2013, 06:24:35 PM
I skipped to the end and had to go back to figure out if those were real of fake, nice work.
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: greg y on December 20, 2013, 07:38:02 PM
I love the sink under the tank, awesome :-)
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: LoveTheFishies on December 20, 2013, 10:42:15 PM
I love the sink under the tank, awesome :-)

I think thats going to be my favorite feature.  Plus the pillars will hide all the cords and hoses.
Got the doors today.  They will match the doors in my kitchen.
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: LoveTheFishies on December 20, 2013, 10:46:22 PM
I skipped to the end and had to go back to figure out if those were real of fake, nice work.

I was a little skeptical at first.  Was very happy the way they were looking.
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: jcunningham0295 on December 22, 2013, 12:23:28 PM
Very nice.  Great work.
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: LoveTheFishies on December 22, 2013, 05:02:18 PM
Thanks everyone.  The stand is getting it's final coat of finish.  They the doors have to be installed.

Then put the backgrounds in and let them cure.  Hopefully have it filled up for 2014.
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: four_by_ken on December 27, 2013, 09:07:05 AM
Excellent work!!!
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: rcombs on December 27, 2013, 10:54:38 AM
Awesome Build. UPDATE UPDATE
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: LoveTheFishies on December 29, 2013, 09:39:32 PM
The floor by the tank is getting refinished.  It's almost done.  Getting hinges for the doors, they should go on this week.  The "backgrounds" are getting pond armor, then they can be siliconed in place.

Have the light, fx6 filter, hydro sponge 5 running to get seeded, heaters, lids, gravel, electrical outlets, bar sink installed.  Several large pieces of holey rock and wood "cooking" in other tanks.   Have about 12 fish ready to put in.

Getting excited.  If I don't have to work, I'll hit the auction.    ;D
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: LoveTheFishies on January 02, 2014, 03:14:15 PM
First coat of Pond Armor on.
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: Ogre44 on January 02, 2014, 03:53:30 PM
I didn't realize how big that set of stones is until I was the feet in the bottom picture.
They look great.
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: LoveTheFishies on January 08, 2014, 10:02:47 PM
All the doors are on.  Hope to get the end/rock work siliconed in this weekend.   :D
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: eden2020 on January 09, 2014, 09:29:08 AM
I have to say that you see a lot of tank set-ups of various styles and so many end up looking great, but then you see a set-up like yours with the level of detail to the cabinet and surround that goes above and beyond. That cabinet and build so far is fantastic. I am confident that anyone would love to have what you created. Excellent work. Beautifully done.

-Marc
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: Steve on January 09, 2014, 06:40:07 PM
Lookin' very nice 8)
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: LoveTheFishies on January 09, 2014, 09:19:22 PM
Thanks.  I'm getting excited.
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: LoveTheFishies on January 10, 2014, 06:33:56 PM
Filling up the tank to clean it out and do a final leak test.  Then if it looks good, silicone the backgrounds in this weekend.

Having some supervision.
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: LoveTheFishies on January 11, 2014, 10:10:29 AM
Filled and emptied successfully.  Minor modification to one of throw covers so the filter tubing fits better.
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: LoveTheFishies on January 14, 2014, 01:52:45 PM
Making a custom outflow for the fluval fx6. 
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: LoveTheFishies on January 23, 2014, 10:40:10 PM
Backgrounds in, WATER IN, FX6 running, hydrosponge V with powerhead, 2 heaters working, aeration bar bubbling.

Minor issue with light.  One of the lights tripps the gfi.  Runs fine on regular outlet.   :o.  I'm having a electrician/friend look into it.  May be a bad ballast.
 ;D :D :) 8) ::)

Fish moved in today.  They seem happy.

Here are a couple pix.
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: LoveTheFishies on January 23, 2014, 10:43:59 PM
Couple more
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: Steve on January 24, 2014, 01:44:44 AM
Looks good. Nice looking fish as well 8)
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: Ogre44 on January 24, 2014, 08:00:12 AM
Looks nice.
Can we get a whole tank shot, please?
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: LoveTheFishies on January 24, 2014, 02:17:25 PM
Will post more pix off my regular camera.  My cell phone died (it doesn't swim evidently). 
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: Ogre44 on January 24, 2014, 02:36:27 PM
That seems to be a common fault with modern appliances.
Looking forward to more photos.
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: lilscoots on January 24, 2014, 10:45:09 PM
Just curious, why'd you go with gravel?  You're missing half the fun of africans, the sand sifting part.
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: danielratti on January 24, 2014, 11:20:14 PM
If I remember she didn't care for sand with her pleocs and it didn't look as natural.
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: LoveTheFishies on January 25, 2014, 10:29:24 AM
I put sand in one tank and hate it.  Shows all the fish poop.  The fish can move this around too.  They have excavated areas under the rock 1-2 inches deep and 4-6 inches wide.

Here are a couple more pix. 
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: Ogre44 on January 25, 2014, 01:04:56 PM
Phenomenal!!
You can really see how big it is with the chairs and everything for scale.
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: LoveTheFishies on January 25, 2014, 06:48:24 PM
Thanks.  Will post more pix when the fish start coloring up again.  They are a little scared now from the move.
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: rcombs on January 27, 2014, 06:29:52 PM
That looks bad a$$. IMO it would look cool if you did a wrap for the pillars outside of the tank to look like the rock work you made for the inside. Thats just what I would do. Make it look like the fish were "in the room." Love the location.
Title: Re: 195 gal Show Tank
Post by: LoveTheFishies on January 27, 2014, 09:58:34 PM
The fish are starting to get used to the new digs.