DIY Tropical Tank

[midman]

I have been toying with the idea of making my own tank cabinet for when I get a larger tank. I have been keeping my loaches in a 25 gallon tank. I have 8 clown loaches, a Plec, 2 corys, 2 gourami's and 2 Angel fish. I know , that's a lot of fish for a tank this size. I do regular water changes to remove Nitrate and my Nitrite is always Zero. I did add an additional power head filter just in case which has stopped any hint of pink I was getting on my Nitrite test kit ( Waterlife). We are moving shortly so i did not want to go through the hassle of getting a new tank, hence the additional filter in the meantime, just to have to move it. I have read quite few of the forums and it seems that I should have at least a 55 gallon tank. So I thought I would take the current design I have and use it to make the new one. It is only veneered chipboard. Any suggestions anyone Or maybe someone has access to plans for making your own I am not a cheapskate, but I do object to some of the costs involved for a basic cabinet and hood. I know I can get a 48X18X18 tank for around 120 pounds with glass slides. Maybe I should consider second hand

[pedzola]

You can definitely save a lot of $$ building a stand yourself.

Do a Doogle search for Aquarium Stand DIY to find lots of links. Here is one that looks good: http://www.fishandtips.com/index.php

I built a stand for my 40g tank for about $75. By comparison I spent about $400 on a pre-built (but much nicer looking!) stand for my 75g tank.


Not sure how much lumber costs across the pond, but I'd think you could still save yourself some $$ if thats what is most important to you.

[helen nightingale]

i think its a great idea. the stands are so expensive, and i'd worry about some of the cheaper ones being strong enough. my man is building me a stand for my loach tank so that i can have a small tank underneath too. that way i can fit more tanks into a small house

had you looked on ebay? sometimes there are some really nice looking tanks with stands on there. you just have to be lucky.

good luck with getting your bigger tank and stand sorted. i hope you get on well

[angelfish83]

Regardless of your fishload, you should never have any nitrite in a well set up aquarium.

What kind of filtration do you use?

[Laura]

This might give you some pointers.
http://ovas.ca/index.php?page=13

[midman]

You can definitely save a lot of $$ building a stand yourself.

Do a Doogle search for Aquarium Stand DIY to find lots of links. Here is one that looks good: http://www.fishandtips.com/index.php

I built a stand for my 40g tank for about $75. By comparison I spent about $400 on a pre-built (but much nicer looking!) stand for my 75g tank.


Not sure how much lumber costs across the pond, but I'd think you could still save yourself some $$ if thats what is most important to you.

Thanks for reply. Probably want more of a cabinet than just a support.

[midman]

Regardless of your fishload, you should never have any nitrite in a well set up aquarium.

What kind of filtration do you use?

Nitrite is actually pretty good, practically zero. Nitrate is always sky high though. I even reduce my tap water to zero nitrate before adding to the tank. I have read all these threads about keeping 5 or 6 loaches in a 55 gallon tank at least. My largest loach is 7 inches long so this kinda worries me a bit I have 2 internal filters at the top of the tank which filter and aerate. I clean them every week or so to allow good oxygenation of the nitrifying bacteria. I have had the main one from the start and then I added a smaller secondary filter to add more aeration as I had turned up the temp to 82F to suit the loaches

[midman]

This might give you some pointers.
http://ovas.ca/index.php?page=13

That's a great link Laura - thank you very much. I never though of making a strong base and then building up the furniture around it.

[andyroo]

Couple'a breeze (concrete) blocks with a pair of two-by-fours accross them all overed by a big, heavy tartan blanket. Total cost 3 bucks. Held 85 gal for three years.

I need to stop thinking like a Uni student. I've got a job now....

A