New Viv Questions with Pics

[Andry]

Froggsong, I went back to see my last post with pictures and I see how you would have thought that I knew about the problems while I was building, but this is not so. I just posted all of those pictures with that post because I wanted to show the steps I took to get to where I am now. But I didn't post all of it until I was done with it all.

Here's a picture to show the tank with the top off of the box....my access to the pump. The second picture is when the top is on. You will notice the plant with the white specs is just planted on the top of the great stuff that is on the top of the box.

[dart345]

I personally would give the pump room to breathe, I wouldnt want the sponge like material totally enclosing the filter, I would think the pump would start to generate some heat, but on another note, the pump I have the flow access switch is on the pump so I rather have the pump in a somewhat spacious area for my hand to fit in and switch if need be.

Yea, I was wondering why you kept mentioning wire mesh , but that is where you went wrong.... sorry that its too late, maybe you can salvage it perhaps... hope all goes well for ya.

[Andry]

Yes, I think I can get the wire mesh out and replace it with no problem. That doesn't sound like it should be hard at all. It's getting the whole egg crate out that scares me. I could not fit it in if the background was installed. So, I had to put it in first before glueing in the background. Mesh I can work with. I'll just need to scoop out the substrate and stuff before I do. That shouldn't be a problem. And I will have to burn off the great stuff that I added to the pond area to cover the pokey wires. That shouldn't be a problem either. I might even be able to just rip that part out since it doesn't stick to glass very well without silicone and I didn't add silicone.

I will be a lot happier when it's out too because I hate working with that wire mesh!

[dart345]

you know you can also reinforce the area with the pump with the fiberglass mesh, that help out too if possible.

[Andry]

Yes, I plan to do just that. I can't wait to get it all done!

[froggsong]

Andry, I have to go get some work done on my frog tank, but I PROMISE, I WILL get back to you today on this. If I haven't gotten back on to go over things by 5 my time (pacific), please, PM me. I will get the PM on my phone and it will make a noise. I'm terribly forgetful, and I am on pain meds for my ribs (stupid me fell down a mountain and tried to kill myself), so i might need the reminder. I definitely want to help you get this right this time, and I think I have some ideas for you, I just really really need to work on my frog tank, all my plants are dying because they are just sitting in a bucket.

EDIT: Also, I'll take pictures of what I'm doing so you can see how I do my filter box. That might help out.

Go ahead and get everything removed that you can, leaving the eggcrate (without screen), and the BG. Take the plants out again too, so you don't damage them while pulling everything out. We should be able to have you up and running in a couple of days, at the most.

[Andry]

Thank you Froggsong! I will start working on removing things this afternoon around 5 when I get home from work. I will get everything out including the plants on the background. Then I'll check to see if you have responded. Thanks a whole bunch!

[froggsong]

It's no problem. What time zone are you in? I'm pacific, so 5 my time could be as late as 8 your time in you're in the states.

[Andry]

I'm in Houston, TX. I think that's central time. I always forget because I don't often need to know. :-) It's almost 2 p.m. here right now.

[dart345]

Its central time, and I can help you out, because I am on central time, located in Dallas, Tx... I subscribed to the thread to help you get the build up and running.