Beautiful Destruction (My 2nd Build) **Pic Heavy**

[xxthrwitdwnxx]

why not buy the foam from home depot or lowes it comes in sheets that are 2 x 4 feet and 4 x 8 feet sheets with different thicknesses

[Josh]

B/c the piece i got was Exactly the width that i wanted..4inches..and its long enough for me to have 3 attempts at my waterfall...i would have had to buy a few sheets to get that much...ether way it will work out..

[KODABEAR]

I must say you’re off to a great start. I would assume that when it comes to prices it gets cheaper the longer you’re into this hobby. Ask for me, I'm fairly new and I'm about half broke all the time. So when I started my tank, which is still in its early stages, I bought what I have now in stages. Now that I think about it your limiting factors in any build are going to be the foam, GS, false bottoms, grout, paint, caulk, substrate.... man it is going to take me forever to finish my tank LOL!

[Josh]

Mini Update

Well i just found out that photobucket is down atm soo pics will come in a few..

Anyway i just made the Outline of my False bottom...still have to make a few cuts for the water fall...and the pvc pipe im putting in there for easy drainage...**which btw i came up with a pretty cool idea...im going to drill a hole through my trunk all the way through and from there stick a pvc pipe down to the bottom...that way when i want to add more water or take some out i can just stick a tube down the pipe and siphon it out...i thought it was a good idea **

I also put Eggcrate on 3 sides of the tank..i know this really isnt needed BUT! from my last build i found out that i hate having to work inside my tank..i end up getting silicone all over the glass in places i dont want...and it gives me the ability to work outside with more flexibility...umm ya thats all ive done today...besides this and shopping i havent got a whole lot done...the gf had the day off to so you know how that goes..

Ill add some pics once PB is up and running again.

[Josh]

Actually KodaBear this is my first real build..my first one the most expensive part was just buying the lights..i really didnt do any Creative building...unlike this one where im going all out making it the best i can..i hope it turns out...im just a little worried about the painting..im not very good at being creative with paint..so im gonna have to keep it basic.

I tried to keep it as cheap as i could..but i had to buy everything including tools..as im only 23 and im just now building up my list of tools...if i lived close to my dad that be a different story..as he as been working in the construction business since he was 18...and owned his own Window and Door shop(till the econ hit and he lost it) but ya his whole Garage is one big workshop lol..would be nice but i dont feel like driving 2 hours just to work lol...so my floor and table in my apt works for now

[Agamidae Architect]

lookin perty there, yea i hear you on the cost issue, makes you wish you worked at a craft store with an employee discount.. maybe for the foam try some local businesses next time, best buy always has scrap foam from packaged electronics that come in.

[Josh]

PICTURES!










@Agamidae thats not a bad idea...and seeing as how best buy is next door to the hobby shop i..shop at..it couldnt hurt to ask...

[Josh]

OK so if you havent already noticed im taking LOTS of pics...so sorry for anyone who has slower internet...for the lesser important pics ill do little thumbnails so help you guys out...

speaking of pics...i had a scrap piece of Foam that i cut off of my main piece and i decided that i would try and make a "Mini" version of my waterfall....seeing as how i have no experience in carving with foam...I bought a really nice Hot Knife but...i Never used it..in stead i used a small knife...a double ended Stylus used for Etching..and a bottle opener...yup lol...o and some Ruff sandpaper.....
well in my eyes it turned out pretty good..im really pleased at how easy it was...and with a little trial and error im sure my main piece will look really well...
here are the pics










O and if u havent noticed i got alot of inspiration from my method of building fake / faux rocks

[Josh]

HELP!

so i have a slight problem...i need to find a way to take the black Rim off the top of my tank...but then still be able to put it back on...anyone have any ideas on how to do that without cracking it?

[froggsong]

Why do you need to do that? I'm just wondering to see if we can suggest a way to get around it. It's difficult, IME. I wasn't able to get it off of the tanks I've tried it on, and I was scared I'd break it.