Home built aquarium

[plebian]

After owning two 55 gallon tanks, I promised myself I would never again keep fish unless I could do so in something 125 gallons or larger. I wanted a large L-shaped aquarium to maximize what space was available to me. Living in a rural area in a third world country, this proved much more difficult than I envisioned. Unable to find anyone either able or willing to do it for me, I decided to do it myself. It turned into a major PITA, but I was too stubborn to stop once I started.

I posted a short video of the finished product, a 180 gallon tank containing a community of South American species including a pair of discus, two groups of tetras (blue neon and silver tip), two L144 and one L134 catfish. The blue neons are wild caught and have become my favorite tetra species.

PS - I not only built the aquarium but the stand and the UGF filters as well. The latter were only available here for very small tanks so I had to fabricate my own.

Home built

 

[WhistlingBadger]

Nice! I love those blue neons. Looks to me like it needs more plants. Those wood pieces look great, though. I've fabricated a couple of small tanks, and I can imagine how much work must be involved with something that big. Well done!

 

[plebian]

No more plants. I don't care for heavily planted tanks, and I certainly don't want the increased maintenance. The Swords in there now will continue to grow. Hopefully, they'll keep their current shape. They were grown in a green house and I was concerned they might become bushy after being submerged. I much prefer the way their current shape breaks up space. If anything, I may end up removing one of them.

 

[Magnum Man]

love it... I've also built my own big tank... that as 30 years ago, now... mine was a rectangular 220 gallon... have you considered a back ground???

 

[plebian]

I used to have a dark cork background but I removed it. I prefer it without. The sand colored wall provides greater clarity.

 

[Magnum Man]

I'm more of a fan of a natural picture type on the back, but admit that the smaller fish don't stand out as much, but I prefer the more natural feel it gives my tanks...
I'm still a pretty big fan of under gravel filters, and when I had salt water tanks 30 years ago, I built my own for a 55 gallon reef tank...
today, in most of my tanks, I no longer run under gravel filters, but in 2 of my tanks I've retained them, and I do feel they add a layer of stability to them