Adapting New Tank?

[ellena]

So, this is the tank I'm considering.
I would def. be replacing the stand, for starters. The filter's going to be rubbish isn't it?
And the lighting? I would be going fake with some low light stuff I think.
Removing the whole lid and replacing it with an external or 2, an overhead light and glass top would look awesome
Any thoughts, or even experience?
Thanks

 

[Paradise3]

Looks like a nice tank!
Can't say much about the filter or lighting but i know having an external or 2 on it would be better and an overhead light and glass top would make it look awesome.

Xxx~misscosmo~xxX

 

[ellena]

I have found overhead lights on ebay for about £100. They are T8's, but as I wouldn't be doing any serious plantkeeping, that would be fine.
I emailed the seller and asked if I could have it any cheaper without the stand and all the extras and he said £400, rather than the original £460.
I thought that wasn't too bad as I'd barely get £60 for all the gubbins I'd take out as a lot of it was so specific to that tank.
I've called wharf and they've said between £400-600 for a stand, depending on exact design. It seems a lot, but I don't think you can risk sticking a 5ft tank on a table from Argos really, can you?
Not sure about how the lid would work though. I've had glass lids on several tanks, and I just take them off to access, but a 5ft bit would be a different story.
Could do with a sliding one like on my horizon, but not sure how you'd go about that. Any thoughts?
Whether or not this goes ahead depends on what the quote is for our new roof-so hurry up roofing man, and get it through my letterbox!

 

[Always Learning]

£400 seems a lot to me, if you're going to be pretty much left with the tank only, after stripping it down. I know it has the curved edges but have you tried some tank builders to see what they could do? You'd have 3 or so glass sliders on, depending on your choice.
It's probably the Yorkshire in me, but I'd go down that route, then have a carpenter make me a nice cabinet if I wanted something pretty. I'd imagine it would work out a lot cheaper.

 

[ellena]

But if I had the whole thing and paid £460, I'd only be using the bare tank anyway.
I've looked at quite a few tank building websites, but apart from the very high spec. ones, no-one offers the curved corners. Anyone you can recommend?
And I don't know a carpenter I could trust to make sure it was weight bearing enough. The one from wharf, I'd know they were experienced in making cabinets specifically for tanks so it would be safe.
I'm kind of figuring, the oak 5ft from MH is £1000, with no heater or filter (not sure about light) This would be about the same and just the way I want it.

 

[Always Learning]

Don't mind me, I'm just a tight git

If the curved glass is a must have, then no, I don't have any recommendations really. I do know a good tank builder, but I don't think he has done a curved one yet. I must say that looking at the link, it does look great.

There's really not that much in making a cabinet strong enough though. Look at the Juwel range for example, their cabinets look flimsy as hell, yet can hold the tanks no problem.