46G Water Stream Bowfront Tank: Build Log with Pics.

[Gold3nku5h]

I like that color alot more than the other, its not as pink

[islandvivs]

Letting the silicone cure is always a good idea....i usually wait a couple of weeks after applying silicone, although the the wait is definately the hardest part.
Ayways it definately looks good
Also let the water cycle as long as you can....longer the better

[beckdg]

looks very good mustache!

sorry bout the guppies froggsong!
keep trying... good stock is important w/fish.
remember to check the tanks connected (plumbing) for any signs of stress.
if any, do not purchase from that row/section/store at least for a while!!!!!

[MustacheMatt]

I posted more photos in a new thread, on the general vivarium forum.

Tank rebuild photos (FBTs, Fish)

My next question is do you all suggest I put some sort of fan in for air flow, and how should I go about that? I saw somewhere a computer fan wired into a 12v power adaptor. Is there anything besides that method to get the air moving?

[foxfish@hotmail.co.uk]

Last night I had my water tested at the pet store. They said it was "hard" but could be softened with aquarium salt. I went ahead and got salt, 3 guppies, and some bacteria adder. I woke up this morning with 3 dead fish. With out having the money to go out and get a test kit for myself at this point, all i can do is speculate. I speculate that the repti-sand I used for my background and land forms caused the water to become extremely hard. I am wondering if this is the case, if the sand is causing the problem, can it be counter balanced with chemicals? or will I have to go through a long and tedious process of removing the sand from the GS, and covering it with something else?

Any type of shell (calcium) in the sand will make the water very hard, you can add peat to the filter, this will help to make the water more acidic but adding one thing to counteract another will never be as successful as rectifying the cause.
Salt will not evaporate from the water, I defiantly do not think this is a good idea!
You should be able to source "lime free" sand quite easily from any aquatic store or "play sand" (as it is called in England) as used to fill children's play pits is very often lime free river sand.
In a "Amazonian biotope" aquarium for instance, when we are looking for soft acidic water, injecting C02 would be the answer.
Opps Sorry I thought I was answering the last post on this thread & I cant seem to delete my answer?!

[froggsong]

ahhh, it's ok, it's still good info, you can leave it. If you really really really want me to delete it I can though.

[loogielv]

i think this should be a sticky, and here's why:
It shows great GS work and design.
It shows some thinking outside the box with the sand
And It shows how not accounting for everything can lead to dire consequences. of course nobody can account for EVERYTHING, and also of course, no babies were lost, just test fish. (i'm sure other test fish feel differently about that statement )

The whole thread is filled with good information, and while its too bad it didn't work out perfectly, in the end, there's alot to be learned from a perfect build, and a not so perfect build.

[repman01]

that is a nice tank

[froggsong]

loogielv, I agree. I shall sticky it.

EDIT: Title has been reformatted.