15 replies to this topic

[kassysimon]

Hi all.

 

So I got a little bored and saw all of these great journals and thought I’d get in on it too.

I had a 10x2x2 with two FX5’s running a high tech planted tank with CO2, auto dosing liquid fertilisers, auto water change and top up with PH, heating and lighting controlled via a Profilux aquarium computer.

 

I designed an area in the house a built to house this tank and time came to finally complete the project which meant building cabinets around the tank which sat on a metal stand in the living room so it was rather unsightly.

 

The tank looked like this  in its prime.

 

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Before stripping it down and selling off the plants, fish and gravel it looked like this.

 

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I’ve been designing the cabinets and consulting with the cabinet maker for a few months and finally got all my requirements dialed in. The plan was for the final result to look something like this.

 

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The cabinets are built from Nema Board. A polymer waterproof (amongst many other things) product that can be worked like mdf. I chose this to be used in the carcasses only and then an HMRMDF for the doors and scribes.

 

I originally decided upon a sump as filtration but the return pump noise was of great concern seeing as the tank is in the living room so I opted to run the FX5’s again. I had Nick (aka Riggers) drill the required holes for me (which came out perfect) which I’m still using for the auto water change, auto top off and emergency overflow. 

 

A quick render of the sump.

 

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I moved the fish a wished to keep into a holding tank and the build began the build.

 

This was the area all cleaned out.

 

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First the bottom cabs went in.

 

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Then the full heights and over heads.

 

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And then the carcasses were done...

 

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Next came the doors and vuala!

 

A few little touch-ups and leveling off.....

 

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Plumbing in the auto water change, top off and overflow came next. Room was left in the piping to allow me to integrate replacing water at water change time with conditioned water. But since I can ultimately change as much or as little water as I like at as many or few  intervals I decided to leave it for now as mains pressure water has served me well in the past so far.

 

 

Here is the sump installed.

 

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But as mentioned the FX5's were used instead.

 

The plumbing for ATO and AWC with and emergency overflow.

 

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I ran two 300w Jager heaters in the last setup and will be doing the same again, mostly for redundancy as water changes will be small but often. I ran them in-line to keep the tank looking clean. The FX5’s run into the heater manifold and then directly into the tank.

 

The two FX5’s plumbing was next which was just simply running pipes into the cabinets and making room for the two inline heaters.

I’ll be using Gin Gin river sand from Wangara Soils aint Soils as a substrate with granite and possibly schist stone as decorations and hiding places.

 

A trip to Wangara this weekend will see me well stocked and ready to start scaping the tank.

 

With that said ill post another update once scaping is complete.

 

 

Edited by kassysimon, 02 October 2015 - 07:57 AM.

[kassysimon]

It's been a while and a little progress has been made.

The tank is full and the filters are running.

The water parameters are;
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
Ph: 8.3 which should be 9.0 by tomorrow
GH: 10d which should be about 12d tomorrow
KH: TBA.
Temp: 25

So it seems that I'm ready to add fish.
Now that I'm ready I'm going to start looking for some adult Frontosas but unfortunately I have competition as 2 other members have posted also looking for Frontosas as luck would have it. So let's hope there isn't too much competition.

I've placed one light on top of the tank and I like it so far.











I have two Altos on the way and I hope to find some adult Frontosas and more altos and calvus too. If you know anyone selling PM me please.

A few more bags of sand, wire in the lighting, connect the computer and it should be time to brew and chew.

I'll update with some new fish soon.




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[dazzabozza]

Top quality setup you have there! Keen to see some pics of the fish when they arrive .

[MrLeifBeaver]

So much neater! I love it.

[Westie]

I have a serious case of fish tank envy right now

Beautiful setup

[Jules]

oh yeah..........tank envy alright!!

loving the finish around the whole thing, well done!

Edited by Jules, 12 November 2015 - 03:49 PM.

[kassysimon]

So. Got a bit more work done.

Lights fixed in place.







Tidied up the drivers. But by no means complete. Just neat for now.



Took a few pics extra pics.





And a short video.



Next step is to add more sand.

Program Profilux.

Add actinic tubes.

Probably add an Eheim 2260 for a little extra filtration.

And modify the plumbing to direct connect a gravel siphon hose.

Will post again after I get a bit more done.

Progress is slow with end of year work and all.

Check back soon.


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[extend]

looking good.  Keen to see more

[kassysimon]

Got two more fronties two weeks ago. The colony is a fair bit more active now trying to work out their hierarchy I guess. Haven't done anything else since but here's a quick night time pic. It's amazing how two extra fish can change the look of a tank. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited by kassysimon, 08 December 2015 - 12:55 PM.

[Westie]

That is one kick ass looking tank. No need for a TV

[kassysimon]

That is one kick ass looking tank. No need for a TV

Pretty much mate.

Many a time I'd be sitting watching the tank when the t.v. is on and catch myself totally chilling out just mesmerised by it.

Edited by kassysimon, 08 January 2016 - 06:22 PM.

[kassysimon]

I've had a few requests for photos of the plumbing so here it is. First image shows (from top left); Mains pressure in via solenoid to water fill/drain pipe. (Front) Fill/drain pipe down to pre filter. To zero differential solenoid. Emergency overflow. And out to soak well. Second image as above but with a better view of ZD solenoid and overflow plumbing. Third image showing heater housing and return plumbing. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Edited by kassysimon, 08 January 2016 - 06:26 PM.

[kassysimon]

Soooo.........its been a while and not much has changed.

 

I still need to tidy up the wiring but all is running so well it always gets pushed towards the bottom of my to-do list but i did get around to adding this little beauty today.......

 

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This should keep me occupied in the coll winter months... 

 

P.S. 

Sorry for the sideways pictures, i cant work out how to rotate them, The source is correct but they display incorrectly here.

 

Or maybe its just the wine...........

 

[Maaxim]

This is Frontosa keeping at its best!


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[Pchmb]

Absolutely agree with Maxxim. Awesome stuff!

[chrishaigh82]

Awesome tank guys.