Michigan Cichlid Association

General Category => DIY => Topic started by: Steve on December 09, 2016, 09:04:36 PM

Title: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on December 09, 2016, 09:04:36 PM
(http://imageshack.com/a/img922/5541/Apw7Pj.jpg)

Will be starting 2017 off the right way, with a new huge tank project for the office/shop. Just got this 240g Acrylic tank tonight from Stan which will be a new home for my big haps which are outgrowing their 75g tank. Plans include knocking down the wall between the office & shop to make it one large room where all my tanks can be seen from anywhere in the room. Continuing the ceiling and floor so it all matching, repainting walls to match etc etc. Will be doing a stand and canopy build, 3D background and custom backlighting like I did on one of my other tanks years ago. Plus lots of little projects to it. Tank is in really good shape but since it is going to be a few months project I may just go ahead an buff the whole thing out so it is 100% scratch free since I will have plenty of time.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: jcunningham0295 on December 09, 2016, 09:54:16 PM
Awesome.   You will make it look awesome as you always do.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on December 10, 2016, 10:10:55 AM
Thanks Josh. I'm looking forward to getting started on this one quite a bit. I swore off "big tanks" ever again after that 265g leaker a couple years ago, but the fact this one is acrylic changed my mind about ever doing a big tank again. No worries about this one leaking and if it ever did years down the road then much easier to fix. So this tank has my enthusiasm for big tanks renewed again 8)
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Regalblue on December 10, 2016, 01:22:51 PM
VERY happy to see this tank in your hands.  Gonna turn out awesome!
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: kodyboy on December 10, 2016, 10:32:56 PM
Very very nice:)
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Rob S on December 12, 2016, 09:56:42 AM
Awesome--those Haps are going to love being in the monster tank.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: danotaylor on December 12, 2016, 10:14:10 AM
Is it finished yet? C'mon Steve, quit being a slacker. We're waiting 😜🤓😂
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on December 17, 2016, 08:37:29 PM
(http://imageshack.com/a/img922/9449/muf1yX.jpg)


Here's a quick sketch of what I am thinking about doing. I want to build it so I have two smaller tanks on both sides (thinking 29g's) with no fish in the 29g tanks, but a mountain 3d background in each, with plants and then each one having a white sand waterfall with an air powered sandfall going off the center of the mountain in each. So the main tank is flanked by dual waterfalls on each side. Then the main tank will have a full 3d background with some cold cathode cave lights like I did on that other tank I had years ago.

As of now this is the plan. Probably start right after Christmas.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Phish on December 18, 2016, 06:13:44 PM
Can't wait to see the final product I will definitely follow this thread.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on December 26, 2016, 07:29:45 PM
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img921/7184/ArdaAi.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img922/5117/1rwpV1.jpg)

Well it is officially after Christmas so not being one to rest on my laurels I started work on the big 240g tank build project. First thing was to tear down the wall that divides the office from the shop. 6 hours later....bye bye wall.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: danotaylor on December 26, 2016, 09:55:51 PM
So where did the 75 bemeba tank end up?
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on December 26, 2016, 10:05:27 PM
Right now I moved it into the shop, about 8ft to the right in the pic. It will end up out in the main area once it's all done.

BTW moving a 4ft tank with 10g of water still in it by yourself....sucks! TISS HEAVY!!! lol
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on December 28, 2016, 09:59:30 PM
Well got a bit more done over the past day or two. Now that the wall is down I was faced with the ugly perforated board ceiling that was left in the one section of the shop. So got all that ripped down and started staining the boards to continue the wood ceiling so it is all uniform from one end of the room to the other. Still have more of that to do but got a start on it now. Also started on painting the back wall to match the rest of the walls. Still a ton to do but go a decent start on it at least.

 (http://imageshack.com/a/img921/861/bOwiGM.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img921/5449/taEOTn.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img923/4276/5RAN89.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img921/897/0GViUk.jpg)
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on December 29, 2016, 09:41:08 PM
Another full day of work in the books. I must be getting old because these projects wear me out more than they use too that's for sure. Most of the walls painted and some things moved around just to see a basic idea of where I want everything. With my OCD I must have moved every bit of furniture 10 times tonight. It'll all have to be moved out again soon when I start working on the floor. Originally I had planned to do the dual 20g xtra high side tanks with waterfall(sandfalls) in them on each side of the main tank (you can see the one tank on the left of the main one in the pic below). Now I am thinking I may decide to do them built into the stand itself under the main tank to save a little room. Last thing I want is for the room to look cramped, I want it to be open and free flowing so gonna have to play around with the idea of where I plan to put those two tanks still.

(http://imageshack.com/a/img923/2843/5H0qTb.jpg)
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: kodyboy on December 29, 2016, 11:41:59 PM
Looking awesome already!  I can't wait to see the final project.
By the way what brand of led light did you get? I got a 6 foot one years ago but it kind of sags in the middle.  Is your led light rigid and built well? Is it 6 feet long?
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on December 30, 2016, 12:03:38 AM
Scott I have been using the ones off ebay on about 4 of my tanks now the past couple years. Can't beat the price and they are actually really nice lights. They do sag in the middle over time but just go to Lowes/HD and buy a short section of 1/2" square acrylic and put that in the center and it prevents it from sagging then and isn't noticeable under the light.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: danotaylor on December 30, 2016, 12:31:24 AM
Looking good Steve...you're a man on a mission...can't wait to see the end result mate 👍🤓
What kind of LED' s do you use and how many lumens are they?
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: kodyboy on December 30, 2016, 12:54:30 AM
Thanks:)
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on December 30, 2016, 12:43:09 PM
Danny the ones I use are 10000k full spectrum LED fixtures here http://www.ebay.com/itm/96LEDs-0-5W-LED-Light-Full-Spectrum-for-48-60-Aquarium-Fish-Tank-Plant-FOWLR-/262206394024?hash=item3d0cb80ea8:g:DPoAAOSwJcZWe4Ot that places changes the prices quite often and if you keep a watch on them usually you can get the 4ft model from them for about $25 and the 6ft model for about $50. They are really low profile and pretty nicely made as well. I've had the one fixture for probably going on 2 years now and no problems. It's on about 10hr per day as well.

Here's a pic of the 6ft model over my frontosa tank

(http://imageshack.com/a/img924/1885/zYMRfi.jpg)

(http://imageshack.com/a/img921/1629/SKgLBm.jpg)
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: jcunningham0295 on December 30, 2016, 03:57:28 PM
Looks awesome Steve.  Can't wait to see the final product.  Here are some LED lights I am switching too.

http://m.ebay.com/itm?itemId=281892429332&varId=580868632829
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on January 02, 2017, 08:59:05 PM
(http://imageshack.com/a/img923/153/DrUF1S.jpg)

Little more progress on the 240g tank/remodel project. Put a Lowes gift card I got few weeks ago for B-day to use and got some more flooring with it today. Getting there slow but surely.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on January 02, 2017, 11:56:45 PM
(http://imageshack.com/a/img924/1951/N6a2AG.jpg)

Burning some midnight oil.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on January 05, 2017, 03:54:52 PM
Still a lot to do such as more painting, finish the ceiling, finish the trout wall border between the two colors on the wall, trim work, new light for the troph tank, and not even to mention the actual work on the 240g tank like building the stand and 3d background and all that. With that said though, definite PROGRESS over the past few days of burning the midnight oil. The basement shop/office has been an ever evolving thing over the past 12 yrs, but I think I like this version and the openness of it now that I torn the wall down the best.
.
.


 (http://imageshack.com/a/img924/5558/N7hbW4.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img924/4279/R8HBeL.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img924/323/rEkRPu.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img921/3672/ds7gtv.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img921/6840/MLhCJG.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img923/7194/XYspVe.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img924/769/Yeg9Uf.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img922/7028/6Yak3U.jpg)
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: kodyboy on January 05, 2017, 09:42:37 PM
I Like how much more open everything is Steve.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on January 21, 2017, 10:11:14 PM
Well got about 6 hours into the stand build for the 240g tonight. Still have a lot to do to it such as add center uprights and then doubling up 2x4's in between the upper & lowers sections etc etc. Building it so the vertical posts are supporting the weight and no weight on fasteners and such. About halfway there so far with it.
.
.
.
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img924/7592/uLJnQv.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img923/5955/yQ4S1d.jpg)
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: danotaylor on January 21, 2017, 10:44:49 PM
Looking great mate 👍🙌 So you decided to axe the idea of having a 29g at each end?
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on January 21, 2017, 11:01:37 PM
Yeah after getting the tank in place and furniture all where a wanted it, plus the troph tank near it I realized it was just gonna be too "busy" looking because it would have been about 10ft long. I've made some mental plans though and am now thinking of fitting one of the tanks dead center of the stand under it built in on a slide with HD tool chest drawer slide. Still playing around with things so not sure yet exactly what I will end up doing yet ;D
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on January 22, 2017, 05:39:17 PM
(http://imageshack.com/a/img924/7065/PJEN8H.jpg)

Stand is all done. Could park a full size truck on it without issue lol.Just have to put the piece of sanded plywood on top now and still have to skin it with nice furniture grade 1/4" sheeting but that and the finish work will come later.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: danotaylor on January 22, 2017, 06:18:55 PM
Good job mate...its gonna look sweet when its all done...does the tank need buffing or is it in good shape?
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on January 22, 2017, 06:50:17 PM
It's actually in great shape. One or two minor scratches and areas but nothing major at all. I got one of the Novus 1/2/3 acrylic kits for Christmas just so I can clean up the couple little spots anyway so it will be all clean and new looking.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on January 22, 2017, 07:33:50 PM
Oh baby!  ;D ;D
.
.
.
(http://imageshack.com/a/img921/5642/3la0YU.jpg)
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: kodyboy on January 22, 2017, 07:36:59 PM
Looks awesome!
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Regalblue on January 23, 2017, 08:03:11 AM
Great to see!!
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: danotaylor on January 23, 2017, 09:15:35 AM
Nice! Makes the 75 gal bemba tank look like a 40 breeder lol
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Rob S on January 23, 2017, 10:54:48 AM
Very nice. Big tanks rule, the possibilities are endless.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on January 25, 2017, 05:10:07 PM
Some before, during & after pics of buffing out the acrylic today using Novus 1/2/3 buffing compounds. Will probably buff it out again but looking pretty darn good even after just the first round of buffing.
.
.
.
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img921/3986/HVEW8K.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img923/3585/bAdUDh.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img924/3551/LkB2DN.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img924/7435/sSyhuF.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img924/6324/CPUd9Q.jpg)
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: jkeeler on January 25, 2017, 11:32:28 PM
Nice!  Coming together....you are going to have lots of room for fish.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: jcunningham0295 on January 26, 2017, 11:10:29 AM
Looking great as always Steve.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on January 26, 2017, 09:19:29 PM
Thanks guys....but I think I just might have some sort of mental issues lol. All that buffing and it did come out looking really good, but there were still some small/tiny scratches that I just could not stop staring at. I'd say once water was in it 99% of people would not notice...but I KNEW they were there lol.

So after I got done working on the auction tank 3dbg for the night...I broke out the 2000 & 1000 grit wet sandpaper and started the laborious job of wet sanding the entire tank down to make the whole thing look like new. Ran short on time but got one side wet sanded. Lots more sanding and then rebuffing again over the next week or so...

(http://imageshack.com/a/img923/1738/3MDTL0.jpg)
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on January 29, 2017, 10:00:45 PM
Well even though I buffed it all out last week and was "happy" with it, there were still a few small spots that were bugging me. So I decided to go ahead and wet sand the entire tank down with 1000/2000 grit and then rebuff it all out again. Just finished it up and couldn't be happier with the results because I know if I didn't do it now I would always regret not doing it when I had the chance.

 (http://imageshack.com/a/img924/3458/thIqD6.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img923/8337/AL7yvU.jpg)
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: kodyboy on January 30, 2017, 06:14:57 AM
Looks great!
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on January 30, 2017, 03:14:30 PM
Test filling right now, 90% full. Needless to say after my 265g nitghtmare a couple years ago my nerves are SHOT right now  ;D
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on January 30, 2017, 03:39:45 PM
(http://imageshack.com/a/img924/700/atlOid.jpg)

 Tank is 100% filled now so leak test in progress (fingers crossed :) If all goes well then I'll drain it down in a few days and start working on the 3D background for it.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: E.Y. on January 31, 2017, 08:33:02 AM
Looking good Steve! Can't wait to see the start of the background. 
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on February 05, 2017, 12:57:44 AM
Well came home today after dropping off some stuff at the auction and started right onto working on the background for the 240g build. I can say for sure that this background project will in fact be the death of me! lol. I'm doing it a bit different than any of the others I have done before. Making the rocks stick out anywhere from 1-2" all the way out to some full 6" thick rocks to really give it some nice 3d feel to the background. Adding some caves which I plan to backlite with blue cold cathode lights the way I did one of my tanks a few years ago. Also plan to do a full stalactite probably over to the left side. Having to carve the really thick 6" foam sections is much more time consuming than than any of the other background I have done before. I have a solid 10hrs of work into just what you see here today. And thats maybe what 15% done? uhg. I'm thinking I'll have around 100 hours into this one by the time it's all carved painted and sealed. Should be worth it though when done :)

(http://imageshack.com/a/img924/3069/U0HR1c.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img924/3079/8M9Bt8.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img923/854/T4RxLx.jpg)
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: kodyboy on February 05, 2017, 10:45:50 AM
Very cool, but a ton of work!
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on February 05, 2017, 10:59:38 PM
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img923/3572/WePsaZ.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img923/5796/RLzrwk.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img924/9555/DWc4WJ.jpg)

Another full day of work on it today. Still a VERY long way to go but starting to take shape a bit now.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on February 06, 2017, 11:14:42 PM
Another full day of work done on it today. Mucho progresseo'! :)

.
.
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img922/2694/hKvtO2.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img922/2509/qoOoOb.jpg)
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: danotaylor on February 07, 2017, 02:08:19 AM
Looks ripper mate 👍
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: kodyboy on February 07, 2017, 09:50:58 AM
Nice!
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on February 07, 2017, 07:32:11 PM
(http://imageshack.com/a/img924/2517/Rk5gIO.jpg)

You might be an aquarium/fish nerd when the answer to the question of "what are you doing tonight" is...."Oh not much, just building a stalactite/stalagmite for my tank"..lol
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on February 07, 2017, 10:51:56 PM
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img923/2574/aCBP1x.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img922/3927/iGEIDW.jpg)

I like the looks of it, but I know I'm just causing myself headaches down the road when I have to net a sick fish lol
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on February 08, 2017, 08:41:50 PM
(http://imageshack.com/a/img923/3474/fl0XBd.jpg)

Took just a tick under 50hrs of carving but finally all the carving and texturing is thankfully done. Next step I get to look forward to is probably another 20 hours of dryloking/painting/sealing. Probably take a break from it for a few days at least though before starting that stage.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: E.Y. on February 09, 2017, 12:39:31 PM
Wow.  Think you may have earned a small break.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Ron on February 09, 2017, 07:36:29 PM
For that one piece standing off by itself, have you considered what a PITA it might make removing any fish from the tank?

That's the biggest downside of my huge tank. I made a custom net to wall off a portion and keep the fish in a 80-100 gallon area when trying to net them out, but it takes a second person to hold this net piece in place.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on February 09, 2017, 08:36:52 PM
Yep made sure I had a plan for that before I decided to do it so I didn't cause myself too many headaches when time comes to net a fish ;) Cause you know it's not a matter of if, but when lol. I am going to mount (silicon'd in place) a 1" tall x 1/2" dia piece of acrylic round stock on the tank floor which will fit into a corresponding size hole drilled into the bottom of the upright column. Then the top of the column will simply be mounted to a 3" wide piece of acrylic which will span the left side top opening. I'll be using plastic screws for all the mounting of column to strip and strip to tank. So when time comes to net a fish I can just unscrew the two screws that hold the 3" strip to the tank top and then the column will lift right out off the 1" acrylic boss on the tank floor. Then just reinstall after I net the fish. Might end up having to push a little sand away from the acrylic boss to slide the column back down over it but it should be a pretty quick and painless process most likely.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: kodyboy on February 17, 2017, 10:56:32 AM
that is a cool idea!
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on February 17, 2017, 02:16:56 PM
Yeah Scott I knew I had to come up with something ahead of time because of some issues I had with another tank. A few years ago I did some small 6" tall rock columns in my 10g beta tank and I mounted them directly to the floor of the tank. Anytime I have to net the beta or cory cats from that tank it was a real pain and that was just a little 10g tank lol. So I knew I better come up with a plan ahead of time for this so I didn't lose my mind trying to net fish.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on February 19, 2017, 07:25:14 PM
Very slow going since it is so large of a background but spent the weekend getting the first of the 5 panels of the new tanks background painted. Decided to go with a bit darker of a look on this one than some of the ones in the past and really like the way it is turning out. Fish colors should really pop against it once done. One section done and four more to go :(

(http://imageshack.com/a/img923/9568/7hsEJm.jpg)
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Regalblue on February 19, 2017, 10:19:39 PM
Cool!  I'm liking the darker also
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on February 20, 2017, 10:38:49 PM
Up to about 80 hours into the background now but I do see the end in sight, at least far as the background goes. Finished up another full day of painting and now have all the paint work done. All that is left to do on the background now is to pull it back out and seal it with pond shield and then install it permanently and work on installing the blue cave lights. Then I can start on finishing the stand. Few pics of it currently. First pic is with just the camera flash then the rest are with the full spectrum LED tank lights on.

 (http://imageshack.com/a/img922/9981/LcMCYU.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img923/2576/mpC4Nd.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img922/5958/bCuH4C.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img923/592/OgcE08.jpg)
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: kodyboy on February 20, 2017, 11:57:31 PM
Looks awesome! Can't wait to see the fish in it and the back lighting
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Regalblue on February 21, 2017, 12:06:48 AM
Woah!!
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: danotaylor on February 21, 2017, 07:37:47 AM
Looks ripper Steve!
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on March 01, 2017, 09:06:08 PM
Well been about 10 days or so since I touched the tank. Long story short right after these pics I was moving a 20g tall tank one night and didn't see an edge chip on it,  as I sat it down I sliced my hand open really badly. So haven't been able to do any sort of work for the past 10 days now while it heals up. Looking really good now though and finally have the bandage off it so thinking I should be able to get back to this project as well as a 6ft 3DBG I have to finish soon. Hopefully be back to working on things this weekend with a little luck.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: kodyboy on March 02, 2017, 06:27:40 AM
Cone on!  Duck tape that wound and finish the project!  We all want o see it up and running with fish in it:)
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on March 02, 2017, 10:14:27 AM
Oh trust me I went through my share of duct tape over the past week ;) I know it could have used at least 8-10 stitches but not having insurance there was no way I was going to the doc. So I made due with gauze and tape.

BTW in case anyone ever wonder's...a product called New Skin HAS ALCOHOL IN IT LOL. I bought some of that stuff the night I cut myself to try to seal up the wound not knowing it had such a high amount of alcohol in it. I think I almost bit through my tongue when I put it on it burned so bad!
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: kodyboy on March 03, 2017, 08:03:58 AM
I was kidding........
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on March 03, 2017, 10:24:27 AM
I was kidding........

I wasn't  ;D If there is anyway to avoid going to the Doc, I'll find it lol
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: kodyboy on March 03, 2017, 04:13:42 PM
I understand.  That doctor cash could be better used for fish:)
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: E.Y. on March 06, 2017, 04:02:48 PM
Super Glue is the way to go. 

I used to live on a small island with no doctor.  At one point I dropped a large piece of glass on the top of my big toe. 

There was a surgeon who just happened to be staying at a resort about an hour from where I was living.  He and his wife used two bottles of glue to put my toe all back together.

He said it is the same stuff he uses now for surgery, and that the scarring is much less than if he had stitched or stapled me.  It also peeled of naturally as the wound healed.  Had to duct tape a grocery bag to my ankle every time I went in the ocean, but it healed nicely. 
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: GrizzlysDad on March 14, 2017, 11:45:50 AM
Super Glue was originally developed as a medical tool fot EMT's.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on March 20, 2017, 11:09:45 AM
After cutting my hand about a month ago I had to take a break from working on this project while it healed. The hand has been back to pretty much good as new now for about the past 2 weeks but during that downtime for some reason I just kind of lost a bit of the enthusiasm for working on this. I think stepping away from it plus this timne of year with spring just around the corner and rod orders starting to flood in I've been thinking more of fishing trips & outdoors than working on this.

The good news is since I started back on three other customer backgrounds about a week ago that finally rejuvenated my desire to get back onto this big tank again. So last night after stopping work on customer backgrounds for the night I pulled the background out of my tank and spent a while sealing it with Pond Shield Pond Armor. Later tonight I will be mounting it permanently into the tank now.

All sealed with Pond Shield and ready to install
(http://imageshack.com/a/img921/4341/wy6r2M.jpg)
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on March 20, 2017, 06:20:59 PM
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img921/7402/cxkaNY.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img924/4615/tfskcp.jpg)

Background is now all permanently siliconed into place and drying. Also got some large all plastic bolts and mounting the stalactites.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on March 21, 2017, 07:11:26 PM
Been busy the past few days bouncing between customer backgrounds, rod orders, and trying to fit in some progress on my own 240g project. Here is where it is at today. Buffed the front panel for a 3rd time, background & stalactites all sealed and installed for good now, mounted various silk plants for some greenery, cave lighting all set up and substrate is in. Probably be all the work for a while as I have rods and other backgrounds to finish but I hope to be back on it again in a couple weeks. Satisfied with the progress for now.
.
.
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img922/7899/dR0qpp.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img923/984/EWMGAN.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img923/6620/Vfk2gA.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img922/2330/OkvtpL.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img922/9581/FxJk9U.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img924/2916/qCXbvX.jpg)
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Regalblue on March 21, 2017, 07:22:12 PM
:drool:
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: danotaylor on March 21, 2017, 09:57:08 PM
Looks mint mate...well done...plants look great as well 👍
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on March 22, 2017, 09:56:15 PM
Had a stroke of genius tonight :) spent a bit of time trying to figure out how to best hide the 300w Jager heaters and was getting frustrated that I was not going to be able to hide them very well because of the length when I sat down at it hit me. The Stalagmite makes the perfect place to mount it to the backside of so it will be completely out of view, plus being right in front of the intake and return it will distribute the heat more evenly.

(http://imageshack.com/a/img922/473/g3M2Jo.jpg)
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: kodyboy on March 23, 2017, 03:35:01 PM
Looks awesome!
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on March 23, 2017, 04:42:16 PM
Thanks guys. Well I said it was gonna be a couple weeks till I was back at it but I just can't stay away from it. Trying to work a few minutes here & there on it between "real work" stuff. Managed to get the 2nd of the two 300w heaters ready today. Mounted it rigidly to the backside of a half round piece of sinking wood so it is hidden completely from view. Also bought some cheap impact resistant lexan and made some nice tight fitting covers for the top so I wouldn't have to deal with evaporation.


 (http://imageshack.com/a/img922/5682/CR7FA5.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img923/1263/GTGSlG.jpg)
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: kodyboy on March 23, 2017, 05:39:13 PM
I've always had plastic covers warp.  How do you avoid that?
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on March 23, 2017, 06:18:13 PM
1/8" lexan is pretty resistant to warping. Then LED's don't give off any heat so they should stay nice and flat. If it were T5's or something it'd be a different story most likely.

BTW just filled it with water and bringing the temp up. Found one of the two 300w heaters must be bad because it was giving off a small shock when I touched the water. Pulled it and and seeing how high I can get the temp with just the single 300w going. Most likely gonna have to replace the 2nd one though because I doubt one will get the temp past about 70  :-\


EDIT- lucked out and had another 300w heater in my spare parts bin. Back in business  8)
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on March 25, 2017, 11:02:19 AM
I still have to do all the finish work on the stand and build the canopy yet, plus finish the 20g x-tall tank with the sandfall that goes in the center of the stand under this tank. So still lots to be done, but as of last night it's filled, up to temp, and fish are in and happy. Water still has to clear up a bit more, but this morning I was able to sit and have my morning coffee enjoying the fruits of over 100 plus hours of work :)

Short video of the tank running with fish in it now...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDrdkagiJWg&feature=youtu.be

Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: danotaylor on March 25, 2017, 11:05:28 AM
Bloody ripper mate 👍
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: kodyboy on March 26, 2017, 03:23:04 PM
That is either one of or the best looking cichlid tank that I have ever seen! Awesome!
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on March 26, 2017, 03:46:43 PM
Thanks guys, not done yet but it's getting there slow but surely. Scott next time you are in the area stop by for a cup of coffee and check it out in person.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: kodyboy on March 26, 2017, 06:11:38 PM
Thanks, I will have to!  You are really close to work so I should be able to do so in a few weeks.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on April 01, 2017, 07:11:24 PM
(http://imageshack.com/a/img924/3782/REQhN5.jpg)

Decided on maple for the stand facing. I've done oak before on others and I wanted one this time that was more of an open grain to give it more of a furniture grade look to it. Stained with with special walnut stain and now have 2 coats of poly applied. Originally I planned to do a sand waterfall in the 20g tall tank in the center of the stand, but now I am kind of thinking of changing that and covering the whole front with this one piece since it looks so good and then add the doors on the ends of the stand for filter access. Might do some accents or something else on the front, not sure we'll see as I get more into it.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on April 02, 2017, 10:41:38 PM
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img924/7093/ZIJO51.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img924/4162/JK09zT.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img923/3523/Vi5bsO.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img924/6153/dEHs4l.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img924/6761/PzQTRH.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img924/7905/COevln.jpg)

Almost 4 months of work finally comes to an end tonight. Just finished doing all the finish work on the stand and canopy and am now I'm finally done with the 240g tank build. Was a long and tiring project with well over 200+hrs into building the background/stand/canopy and all the other little details but now I can finally sit down in front of it with a cup of coffee and enjoy my fish :)
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: jcunningham0295 on April 02, 2017, 11:17:43 PM
Awesome job Steve, that tank looks amazing!!!!!!
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: danotaylor on April 03, 2017, 12:07:35 AM
Bloody marvelous mate 🙌👍
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on April 03, 2017, 10:31:09 AM
Thanks guys. I never thought I'd do another big tank again after the 265g nightmare a few years back but I'm really glad to have something big like this to enjoy again.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Hari on April 03, 2017, 12:25:16 PM
Looks super awesome Steve! Great job:)
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: kodyboy on April 03, 2017, 02:32:07 PM
Looks awesome!!!!!
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on May 10, 2017, 10:14:30 PM
Been doing some work on the big tank tonight. Added some manzanita style branches which I took from a different tank I recently took down. Cut the ends flat and mounted them to the underside of the acrylic top so that they hang down into the tank to look like roots hanging down. Been up and running for about 2 months now and I added the 2nd fx5 filter about a month ago which has fully seeded now so even after almost 2 weeks nitrates barely even read 20ppm. By far my most enjoyable tank I have built. I enjoy my morning coffee in front of it just about every day.

 (http://imageshack.com/a/img924/9364/bqzFo0.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img924/1474/swW3Is.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img922/156/3PsHOG.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img923/9795/GKOg2k.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img922/5599/BxwKfm.jpg)
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: lilscoots on May 10, 2017, 10:25:37 PM
awesome.

also, i'm very jealous of your compressiceps, I had one with my all male tank and I'm currently growing out a bunch for a breeding group, in my top 3 favorite haps.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: kodyboy on May 13, 2017, 02:14:53 AM
Very nice. Love that fossi.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: danotaylor on May 16, 2017, 07:20:00 AM
Looks beautiful Steve...great place to start the day with a coffee...is there anything on your wish list you'd still like to add in terms of stock? How heavily do you plan to stock the beast tank?
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on May 16, 2017, 11:11:37 AM
Plan to add a number of new fish species once money is a bit better later this summer. Right now I am growing out a Male Venestus, few Y.labs and a dragonblood in a different tank. Also want to add a male VC10, Pheno, Electra, Livonstonii. Hopefully I plan to pick up some fish during our fall auction when that time comes.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on August 03, 2017, 09:39:50 PM
Been doing some work & few changes in the basement office/shop the past couple days. My 75g bleekeri/spotted silver dollar tank was just so hard to enjoy those fish since it was ground level under the 125g frontosa tank. So decided to move it. The trophs got a bit too aggressive and decided to get rid of them so they are gone and the 55g tank they were in is gonna be sold. So now have my 75g bleekeri/silver dollars moved over next to the big 240g tank.

 Moved the black stand which was part of the desk and then rebuilt a framework for the L shaped desk where the black stand use to be. Added some stained wood panels to the black stand as well as built a low profile canopy and a few other pieces so it matches the stand I made for the big tank. Then redid the stand under the 125g tank so it now as a 29g quarantine tank so I can still get some use from that area under there. As usual it's an ever evolving world in Steve-topia ;)

 (http://imageshack.com/a/img923/8112/fO9fw6.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img923/4567/nLYaXp.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img924/6717/A3fWVZ.jpg)
 (http://imageshack.com/a/img924/7215/8f0Wpu.jpg)
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: kodyboy on August 06, 2017, 01:39:46 AM
Awesome as always!
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on September 01, 2017, 05:36:22 PM
 
Couple new additions for the 240 show tank. Currently in QT for 3 weeks till I clear them safe to add to the big tank https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85VmDYb761U&feature=youtu.be
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: kodyboy on September 01, 2017, 09:08:28 PM
Nice pheno and t.reef.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on September 01, 2017, 09:41:44 PM
Thanks Scott. Got a real good deal on them so couldn't pass them up.

They will live in QT for the next few week, I learned my lesson last month. I bought an Oscar from a local shop and put him into my SA tank, dealt with Ich after that. No more/never again lol
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: kodyboy on September 01, 2017, 09:45:22 PM
Quarantine always makes sense....assuming you have the willpower to do it:)
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on September 01, 2017, 09:51:01 PM
Just one of them things that has to be done. I bought an oscar about 3 weeks ago from a place I use to trust. Stuck him right in my 75g with my 6 silver dollars and 8" bleekeri. 4 days later I had one dead silver dollar, 5 silver dollars covered with ich, and a bleekeri covered in ich. I treated and was VERY lucky to save all 5 silver dollars/oscar/bleereri. And honestly it was not the shops fault, for the ich, they have a business to run and turn over=issues. But I learned my lesson from that for sure about QT. Not ever gonna chance my main tanks health ever again. Everything goes QT 3 weeks these days.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: kodyboy on September 01, 2017, 11:30:48 PM
Sounds like a very good policy.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on September 21, 2017, 05:56:09 PM
(http://imageshack.com/a/img924/720/frDWg1.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img922/3476/HBQcLf.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img923/6053/Y342aF.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img923/558/LIKMuT.jpg)

The 240g is starting to look really good. Just added some fish I have had in quarantine for the past 3 weeks to it this afternoon. Added the Phenochilus, Taiwan Reef, and Venustus. Gonna see what happens to follow me home from the GDAS auction next weekend as well ;)
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: danotaylor on September 21, 2017, 09:35:53 PM
Nice Steve. Glad you got your Venustus. He's a nice looking male. Love the Taiwan reef, and always love pheno's as well. I didn't notice your fosso in the fts...is he still in there?
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on September 21, 2017, 09:45:57 PM
Quote
I didn't notice your fosso in the fts...is he still in there?

 :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( Lost him about a month ago. No idea what happened to him because he was doing great for 2 years then started getting a sunken belly and colored down one day. Next thing I know a few weeks later he was on his last legs. He wasn't getting picked on, wasn't any communicable illness or anything, just ones of those weird fish deaths for some unknown reason, I have no idea why. So needless to say I'll be on the hunt for a replacement over the next three upcoming auctions.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: kodyboy on September 21, 2017, 10:44:57 PM
Nice looking specimens:)
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: danotaylor on September 22, 2017, 07:32:43 AM
Mate so sorry to hear that 😢😢😢 I met a guy down here a couple months back who grows out and moves a lot of Malawi cichlids. I will msg him today and see if he has any fosso males 👍
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on October 06, 2017, 11:00:48 AM
Well the fun just never ends does it. One thing I have been meaning to do is fix one small spot where the background pulled away from the back side of the tank a bit not long after setting this up. There was a small opening created because a 30" tall acrylic tank bows slightly, so the made for a little spot where smaller fish sometimes could get behind the BG a bit. Yesterday when I turned the lights on a fish spooked which in turn spooked other fish and my 8" red fin borleyi stuck his head in the opening almost getting behind it. So after getting him free I decided to fix the problem so I would not have to worry about it any longer.

Trying to net 30 fish in a 6x2x30 tank with two small openings in the top is not as fund as it sounds lol. Even with two good size nets (one in each hand) and a divider to corner fish it still ended up taking me close to two hours just to net all the fish.

Everyone shoved into a small holding tank.
(http://imageshack.com/a/img924/8529/gPy54b.jpg)

Then came the real fun stuff. Getting everything out of the tank. Sounds easier than it is, but not very enjoyable to have to be on top of a step ladder reaching down into a tank trying to get all the decor out without hitting the front panel or damaging anything. Slow but steady and it was cleared out.

(http://imageshack.com/a/img924/651/OazDww.jpg)

All in all it took about a good six hours of work. Started about 7pm and finished up just before 1am. Thankfully it is done and now I don't have to worry about anyone getting back behind the background anymore. And as a bonus everything is now extremely clean

(http://imageshack.com/a/img924/5365/j5lgpc.jpg)
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: danotaylor on October 06, 2017, 04:17:08 PM
What a mission mate. Good on ya for gettin er done. Peace of mind is worth the effort for sure 👍😅
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: kodyboy on October 06, 2017, 05:22:32 PM
 Awesome tank!
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on October 28, 2017, 08:35:39 PM
Update time, have added a good number of new fish lately thanks in part to some of the people in MCA plus a couple of the auctions from a week or two ago. Finally got a species I have wanted for a year now (Modka White Lips) thanks to Mike & Toni, got a monster sized Dragonsblood from Cheri, and added some other really nice fish from some of the auctions. Stock in the tank is really looking good now. Have had to weed out a couple troublemakers, but now everyone seems to be getting along pretty well for the most part.

(http://imageshack.com/a/img922/9868/n8RObc.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img923/2218/HATrl8.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img922/9414/q1mVuZ.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img922/6166/VERhCU.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img924/9734/dl6Kiq.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img923/4724/lahcwu.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img924/133/2KMWjL.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img924/2397/gsXAJ0.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img923/7091/3bUFsm.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img923/8738/8G0Ad3.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img922/3210/12U5hb.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img922/9863/nwqhE2.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img924/3849/6JNMf4.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img922/8982/4dL3bu.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img922/1897/2z2sFo.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img922/7572/dIetsu.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img924/106/3Fo7wg.jpg)
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: danotaylor on October 28, 2017, 09:13:54 PM
Looks incredible Steve...awesome that you got yourself a white lip...stunning group of Malawi's you got there mate...is the white lab a chisumulae?
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on October 28, 2017, 09:30:16 PM
Thanks Danny. No white lab in the mix, you're probably seeing my female Kenyi I bet.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: kodyboy on October 28, 2017, 10:51:49 PM
Awesome.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: danotaylor on October 29, 2017, 01:14:54 AM
Ah yea, gotta zoom in on the smart phone 😉
And I see you've got another fosso mate, awesome 👍
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on October 29, 2017, 02:30:15 PM
Yeah got another fosso male about a month or so ago. He's smaller so gonna take awhile for him to color up like my other was but he seems to be really healthy and active so hopefully he turns out to be a nice one down the road.
Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: Steve on November 10, 2018, 08:51:52 PM
Time for an update on the 240g tank. Been awhile since I updated this tank and have made some minor changes here and there with some things and decor, also have changed some stocking over the year. Lost my big eyebiter back in the spring which sucked but it was such a big old fish it was just his time. Took out most the peacocks and trying to stay strictly haps and mbuna now, still have a couple peacocks in with them but they have been doing fine for the past 6 months so they will stay in for now.

Got three canisters running on it now to handle the bio load. Pair of fx5's and a big eheim. Just scored some really nice fish from the club auction and pretty much have the stocking finished now. Wont be adding anything else to the tank as it is heavily stocked now. Makes for a very active and enjoyable tank to sit and watch with a cup of coffee though, great way to start the morning each day.

Short video here---   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qQbUdHZwfo

(https://imageshack.com/a/img921/9919/CEGM5n.jpg)
(https://imageshack.com/a/img923/7103/SXyTI0.jpg)
(https://imageshack.com/a/img921/7279/Qp8oUr.jpg)
(https://imageshack.com/a/img924/1149/a5uHM2.jpg)




Title: Re: New 240g project
Post by: E.Y. on November 14, 2018, 10:27:46 AM
Beautiful set ups.