Houston, We Have A Problem!

[lukkbox]

Hi there!

I'm setting up a tropical tank for my kids and have recently bought a tank and stand, 2nd hand, which came with a few other bits, however, when setting this up i have encountered a little problem

The tank is about 2cm longer than the stand, so there is a little overhang, and also, the middle of the stand drops down about 4mm in the middle and so im fairly sure if i filled it with water this would cause the glass to break?

i'll attach a picture so you can see what im talking about, anyways, would a strip of thick polystyrene fix both these issues? what can i do?

any help appreciated, with any luck in a month or so i'm hoping to have some fish in this tank and with your help hopefully i'll get there!

Dan

 

[fishprotector]

Get a peice of wood (18mm mdf should do as long as it is sealed correctly to stop water infiltration) and drill and screw it to the top of the cabinet. If you do it at least as large as the base of the tank then it should sort the overhang out and stop the droop.

You are correct though, do not fill the tank with the ends unsupported or the gap under the middle.

 

[Gvilleguy]

Hey luckkbox - are you planning to fishless cycle the tank? Takes a good bit of patience, but it pays off with much healthier fish.

 

[lukkbox]

Get a peice of wood (18mm mdf should do as long as it is sealed correctly to stop water infiltration) and drill and screw it to the top of the cabinet. If you do it at least as large as the base of the tank then it should sort the overhang out and stop the droop.

You are correct though, do not fill the tank with the ends unsupported or the gap under the middle.

Thanks FP! you reckon the 18mm MDF wont bow under the weight? should i put a small strip of something under it to try and fill the 4mm gap in the middle do you think?

Last thing i need is a front room full of water haha!

 

[lukkbox]

Hey luckkbox - are you planning to fishless cycle the tank? Takes a good bit of patience, but it pays off with much healthier fish.

Hi GV!

Yes mate that is the plan, i have done a lot of research on cycling today (very confused.com lol) and fishless seems to be the way to go as i certainly don't want to 'sacrifice' any fish along the way but i'm planning on speeding up the cycle time by seeding it with a few squeezings from a friends aquarium filter occasionally, some plants etc and anything else i can do to get the ball rolling so to speak and get my bacteria on track

Even came across a post today where people were talking about peeing in their tanks to feed ammonia! ever tried that? i'm afraid i won't be able to pee directly into the tank like the pro's as i'm quite short but if it's worth a shot (no pun intended) i'll use a suitable vessel and pour it in haha!

hopefully by the end of this thread i should have a nice looking tank but i'm in no rush and want to get it right and learn along the way

any tips greatly appreciated!

speak soon and thanks a lot

Dan

 

[Gvilleguy]

If you have not seen it yet - have a read of my "do and do not" list for the cycling. Answers the most common questions not answered in the main fishless cycle post in the beginner's section.

Regarding the friend's filter - if he has a fair amount of media, see if you can bribe them to actually cut a bit off one of their sponges, or give you pellets, etc. Actually putting mature media in your filter will give you a great kick start.

 

[lukkbox]

If you have not seen it yet - have a read of my "do and do not" list for the cycling. Answers the most common questions not answered in the main fishless cycle post in the beginner's section.

Regarding the friend's filter - if he has a fair amount of media, see if you can bribe them to actually cut a bit off one of their sponges, or give you pellets, etc. Actually putting mature media in your filter will give you a great kick start.

don't think i've seen that post yet GV, do you have a link to it please as i can't seem to find it?

thanks!

 

[Salam]

Get a peice of wood (18mm mdf should do as long as it is sealed correctly to stop water infiltration) and drill and screw it to the top of the cabinet. If you do it at least as large as the base of the tank then it should sort the overhang out and stop the droop.

You are correct though, do not fill the tank with the ends unsupported or the gap under the middle.

Great advice And just to show - I had to do the same myself and it has all been stable and good for months. Just screwed a wood over the drawer and done.

 

[LucyB]

i'm planning on speeding up the cycle time by seeding it with a few squeezings from a friends aquarium filter occasionally

Ask him for a bit of his filter media!! Your cycle will speed up!

 

[lukkbox]

[/quote]

Great advice And just to show - I had to do the same myself and it has all been stable and good for months. Just screwed a wood over the drawer and done.

[/quote]

thanks salam that looks great, i have the wood now, just gotta screw it down!

 

[Gvilleguy]

Sorry....that do and do not list is linked in my signature above my stock list. Hope the new piece of wood fixes you up.

 

[Salam]

Happy DIYing

 

[fishprotector]

Good stuff mate. Some number 8 1.5" wood screws should do the trick. Countersink the head and you will be good to go.

 

[lukkbox]

[/quote]

Ask him for a bit of his filter media!! Your cycle will speed up!
[/quote]

i have, and he has agreed! what a great chap! with any luck the kids should have something to gaze at sooner rather than later


few more questions if i may, my tank measures 92cm x 39cm x 44cm high, i have calculated this to be about 180 litres, is that about right?

i am also thinking of building my own moving bed filter incorporating a sponge for physical filtration and some media for biological filtration, question is, what size pump do i need to order for a tank of this size? i am thinking of getting one about 500-600 litres p/h ... is that overkill? im thinking too much is better than not enough

Dan

the wood is on, screws are countersunk, underlay in place, just need to wait for Dr flippin Who to finish so the better looking half can help me put the tank back on the stand, i have 15kg of play sand waiting to go in and im going to start it off asap with a basic pump and filter i have that are woefully inadequate but will do till my better ones turn up off amazon!

now then, who wants to wee in my tank!?

 

[Gvilleguy]

I do, I do! Post pictures of the new wood base...