First tank, 75gal w/ false bottom

Nighsliv · #1 (**permalink**) 09-16-2008, 01:28 AM

So this is our first tank, harder than you can guess to find the right pieces here in town.

Here is the tank, a standard 75gal aquarium without hood, came with a rod iron stand when bought second hand.

We could not find anyone here in town that carried hydro clay pellets for the bottom of the tank to help with drainage so we decided to create a false bottom using eggcrate and pvc pipe. Also using eggrate to foam over for the backdrop.

This is the silicone we are using to glue stuff and the foam that will become the background.

Siliconed the spacers to the bottom to keep them from moving.

We cut the black eggcrate to size and made room for the water area and the ramp for easy access. We will eventually put a rock water fall in the water zone using a canister filter on the outside of the tank.

We attached most wood pieces to eggcrate using a screw and washer, we are planning to use the plastic dixie cups to put some bigger plants in. Next step is to foam everything in place and let it cure for 8h.

We foamed the cups thoroughly to hide them from sight and to make them stick good.

We got everything foamed tight, the wood will serve as both platforms and planting spots. We will cover the foam in silicone and add some coco-fiber to make it look like rock/dirt.
(Next time we will put something under the background before foaming to make it come off the "door" easier.)

Foam has hardened so decided to try it out in the tank for looks and size estimates. Turned out better than expected. Still need to trim bottom and top to make it a better fit and then figure out the best way to anchor it.

We decided to go with a drop in background to make it easier to hide hoses and cords.

Next we have to decide on substrate and try to make the stream and waterfall work good.

Nighsliv · #2 (**permalink**) 09-16-2008, 09:37 AM

What combination would you guys suggest for the substrate and what live plants are easiest to use in the tank?

I figured we were going to use some bromalids (air plants) for some of the background and wood spots, but I still have no idea what to put in the dixie cups I foamed heh.

froggsong · #3 (**permalink**) 09-16-2008, 01:08 PM

Looking good so far! I like your wood pieces, they look great. You can put wax paper under the eggcrate next time you do one, it peels off of the GS very easily. There are lots of discussions on substrates, so I suggest you do a search and get some info there. Check the plants section for info on plants.

Nighsliv · #4 (**permalink**) 09-18-2008, 11:43 PM

Next step completed(?)

So I got the foam all "slippery" with silicone and my wife helped me sprinkle the dirt on it. We put gravel on the section where the foam will be in water to make it blend better with how the pool area will look.

(I noticed that one of the other house "occupants" snuck into the top left corner of the picture)

I am really concerned that when I stand it up all my pretty dirt will fall off and then it will look like it's a old balding man in the back of our terrarium.

How much silicon do you guys use when dressing up a background?

And if it looks balding do you guys think I could patch it using silicone and more dirt without making it look worse?

Green Ghost · #5 (**permalink**) 09-19-2008, 01:29 AM

check the posts here:
Another first build

they go over the exact same questions you're asking, which is only normal when you start.

Nighsliv · #6 (**permalink**) 09-21-2008, 12:04 AM

Well my fears were accurate. My background looks like it's balding in spots. Surprisingly it is not as bad as I thought it was going to be but I have a lot of repairs to do as can be seen in this pic

This is a great example on what happens if you don't use enough silicone or you let it skin over too much. Oh and if you use GE Silicone I do not, I repeat do NOT lean too close to inspect if you got a good coverage, the fumes almost knocked me out at least once and singed my nose hairs several times.

Oh I would also not recommend clear silicone, it makes it very hard to see what areas you have already gotten.

The rock area turned out much better but I might go back for a retouch of that area too just to make it little more uniformed. This tank will end up as a centerpiece for my living room when I'm done so I figured it can't hurt to be a little picky on it right?

Here is a close up of the rock area...

This section will be submerged in water all the time so I figured rocks would last longer then coco fiber dirt mixture right?

Suggestions and/or tips are very welcome on how to try and salvage the backdrop. For now I'm just guessing I'll attempt small retouches to see how much I can improve on it.

froggsong · #7 (**permalink**) 09-21-2008, 02:58 AM

IMO, you should go back over the bald spots with black silicone. When the coco fiber starts to fall off, it wont be as noticeable. From my own experience, type II GE silicone works better for BGs, it holds the coco fiber better, and doesn't shrink (causing some of the peat to fall off, and leaving exposed areas).

Nighsliv · #8 (**permalink**) 09-22-2008, 01:52 AM

Ok now I'm at the point to start planning my two water features...
Well I have been planning them for a while but need to make purchases and decisions now.

I was wanting to go with an external canister filter but can't find any good discussions about any external filters on here and reading manufacturers glorifying their own products is usually less than helpful so I am currently trying to decide between three different filters.

#1. Penn-Plax Cascade 500 Canister filter, it pumps 115 GPH and seems to offer excellent three stage filtration (If you believe the MFG)
(Read online that these are water cooled and will raise the temp of the water as a side effect but to me that sounded like built in water heater without extra equipment needed, the stream should cool the water sufficiently if I make it the length of the tank, it stated online that they might heat water as high as 85F)

#2. EHIEM Ecco External Canister (2232), it pumps 127 GPH and once again, you guessed it it offers excellent three stage filtration according to the MFG.

#3. ZooMed 501 Turtle Canister Filter, it pumps 79 GPH and also has three stage filtration.

See my dilemma? Without knowing anyone that has actually used any of the products I'm very confused on which one would be best. I am planning on splitting the output into two directions, one will be my waterfall and the other will become my stream that will flow across my tank back into the pool where the waterfall is located.

Any help or suggestions at all would be extremely helpful... I'll even throw in a pretty please with sugar on top. (Unless you don't like sweets than you can skip the sugar =P)

thriftyaaamom · #9 (**permalink**) 09-22-2008, 02:18 AM

If you are splitting pick a more powerful pump, especially if you are going up and over. Depending on what you will be keeping in the tank you may not want the temp too high, so the Eheim would probably be your best bet.

Nighsliv · #10 (**permalink**) 09-22-2008, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thriftyaaamom

If you are splitting pick a more powerful pump, especially if you are going up and over. Depending on what you will be keeping in the tank you may not want the temp too high, so the Eheim would probably be your best bet.

I was thinking on either getting young Water Dragons or something like Mountain Horned Dragons. Will water temp over 80 affect those? It really will depend on availability and conditions of lizards at the local Pet Shops. Both those species are fairly tame when it comes to handling and I have young children that I want to be able to teach that reptiles are very nice and nothing to be afraid of.
There is some kind of exotic animal regulation in town that severely limits the availability and selection of reptiles.

I am open for suggestions on lizards as well if someone had good/bad experiences etc.