New 75g Mbuna tank project

[Steve]

Two years ago I did this build for my Mbuna tank http://michigancichlid.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?topic=1405.0 it's been a good set up for the past couple years but now that I'm getting deeper into tank (yes pun intended ) I decided that the 12" front to back depth of the 55g was just getting too limiting to my fish in that tank. So I ended up buying a 75g setup from Tony (thanks again Tony) and now have it sitting in the work shop waiting to be torn into. Soon as I get done with this 90g 3D background I've been working on for someone else then I'll start working on this 75g project.

Plans for the project so far in mind are-

Redo the stand black and add some handles
Build a black canopy
Paint the trim on the tank black
Build a 3D background, not sure yet what design for this one but something to top anything I've done yet, lots of thinking to do on that one still
Might do my own DIY lighting on this one, not sure yet

Have some other ideas in mind but nothing else set in stone as of yet

[Ron]

Looking forward to following along. 

[GrizzlysDad]

Oh damn Steve, if I knew you were going to paint the trim black I would have just brought you the 75 I have with black trim.

[Steve]

 lol I didn't know you had one with black trim as well. Ah well no biggie.

[Steve]

Been busy with other projects during the day so burning some midnight oil so I can get this one underway. Sanded the stand down and now have it covered nicely with two coats of semi gloss black which I think gives it a nice updated look. Also have the first coat of black on the trim of the tank.

[jcunningham0295]

Looking good Steve.  Your work is always great.

[Steve]

Thanks Josh. Quick shot of the freshly black tank and stand now together. Also added some brushed aluminum knobs to the doors to give it a bit more modern look. Should be ready to start work on the new canopy and 3D background for this one sometime next week after I get a few other projects done over the next few days.

[Steve]

Now that I have shut down the business for Christmas I've been able to get a few things done and have some free relaxing time for myself. Got the 265g resealed and now I've pulled this tank back into the shop today. Been thinking a lot about what I want to do with the background on this one. I think what I am going to do is to make some caves into the 3d background, but rather than have the caves backlite and built into the background, I'm going to make it a bit more interactive for the fish.

Since I up moving from 55g to 75g and will have some extra 6" apce to play with I think I am going to build some actual caves that mold right into the background for the fish to actually go into, the rather than backlight the caves from behind, I picked up some submersible Hydor blue LED lights which I am going to build into the caves and have them light up from inside.

Just got home with some foam board so going to start on this one right now. Feels good to finally have some time to get back onto some tank projects

[Ron]

Beware building anything that they can hide in too well ... such that it's a PITA to get them out if needed.

[Steve]

Yep I'm already taking that into account I've got two ideas on how to avoid that which I'm playing with right now. I'll post some pics later of what I have in mind.

[Steve]

Few quick pics. The way I decided to go with it is to make the whole front of the cave removable, that way if I need to net fish, remove dead fish, or clean the corners it will be easy to do so without having to reach into the cave itself. I'm making the top of the cave so that it has a lip that will push up against a brace to hold it in place. Then the same with the right side, then the substrate and rocks will hold the lower part in place and keep it from moving.

Granted it doesn't look like much at all right now, but this will show what I am working towards. Once it's all done all the seams and edges will be hidden well and you'll never know it is removable.
last pic is just showing how the cave will be lite up from inside when done.

 
 
 

[Steve]

Right side cave starting to take on it's shape now.

[Steve]

Done for today, I wasn't sure at first if I was going to be happy with it but I'm liking the direction it is going now.

[Steve]

 

 
 
 

Got a bit more down today on the 3D background between doing Christmas stuff. Probably done working on it now for a couple days till after Christmas.

[Stan M.]

Looking good Steve.