12 replies to this topic

[MattyB]

Hey everyone, been a long long time since I have been on here so I thought it was about time for a update. quick run down, after a lot of thought I decided to shut down most my tanks and ibcs, sell everything for the one tank, and of course go all out. so here is the build start to finish (haven't 100 percent finished yet) 

 

first of all. I got a 8x3x2.5ft tank late last year, main reason for building this tank is so I can finally have rays. due to there upkeep and the fact they create so much ammonia I decided to use one of my old 6x2x2 tanks as my sump. so that's exactly what I did. here is a few pics of the sump building process. first section 2x2x2 for a fluidized bed with k1. atm I have 30L of k1 but in the future I will put more in. than goes into sponge section, than to dry section of sump, than to heaters. last thing a 9000LPH laguna pumping up into the main tank with a large 3ft long spray bar that I built. here are some pics

 

 

 

ignore the background I was making, in the end I scrapped that idea

 

 

first vid is when I first got it running, k1 aint fluidized properly yet, second vid is when sump was more mature. still having got anything in dry section of sump but I will one day lol

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=bMfzCjwpI9Q

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=WMvlmW8hD0k

 

 

 

next me and my brother (cabnet/furniture maker) decided to build a wrap around stand. I wanted a tall head cabnet so than I have plenty of room to clean inside the tank and so I could mount my 120w led lighting. I wanted a wow factor so I went for the modern look of high gloss white, rhs of tank opened so can see the tank side on from my kitchen, than the other side blocked off for a large cupboard where I can store all my fish gear,  hide all the bulk heads with easy access. here are some pics

 

Cupboard and frame of hood getting built 

 

 

hood on, cutting out holes in cuboard for plumbing to be accessable

 

 

cupboard and some doors on, still had to adjust doors

 

 

amost done, still have to put some strips in on rhs and do all the kickers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

this is what I am at so far, stocking so far is a 55cm jardini, 25-30cm bala shark and a 25cm motoro ray. still looking for more larger fish to stock with so if you do have anything please let me know.

next prefect is decking out the inside. I decided to go a gin gin quart for substrate. its fine but not as fine as your normal play sand, I like it as it has different size grans in it. next I will going for some large pieces of drift wood with some leaves etc for some aquascaping.  

[Leigh]

That is a beast of a setup...who built your tank for you?

[Jules]

Nice work.

Needs more fish

[Westie]

nice work Matt

Looks schmick with the white wrap around hood and cabinet

[Peckoltia]

Looks great - just needs a couple of fish now!

[Rovik]

Very impressive build mate, can't wait to see this develop.

 

Ps: you should enter the aquascaping competition 

[MattyB]

Thanks guys, So far this has drained my bank acc lol so cant really stock the tank much, last few weeks i have added a bala shark,green terror and a green bay snook cause they were cheap lol now out for a decent size barra. Than in the future look for a few more rays and better tank busters

[MattyB]

I went cheap cheap as posssible cause im a tight arse. Tank alone mike bet any quote by a wopping 500 dollars, tank alone at 12mm all round including base (yes risky but i took precautions) with extra strapping on the base was 1600. Metal stand, cheapest quote by far was robs aquariams at 750 dollars. Sump i built myself and used old ta k so that was free. Than all up media and glass dividers, plumbing easierly 500 dollars there, Laguna got on special for 250, um not going to put how much the stand costs as my brother built it since owed me a few favours, i only had to pay for materials. He also builds for other people if your interested. The colour i got was high gloss snow white.

Anyone got any tank busters that my toga eont eat let me know
Also susing out some large pieces of drift wood (not the one at auction lol) give me a pm. Looking for stuff with the 2.5ft height

[Peckoltia]

Interesting to see how you get on with a 12mm base. I also have a tank made by Paul at Morley aquariums (8x3x2.5) - tank is probably about 15years old now, built like a German tank with a 19mm base!

 

Best of luck mate, looks the goods should be proud.

 

I think a school (6-8) red hooked silver dollars would look great in that tank with the white sand and cabinets. The red in them would really pop!

[sandgroper]

Looking good, i've gotta say that 8x3 makes the 6x2 look tiny, keep up the good work.

[dicky7]

now that what you call a tank  some great work there , something to be proud of for years to come  well done

[Stormfyre]

that looks mint! well done mate.

[Johnsy]

Nice setup