dRAGjUNKIE Posted December 21, 2010 Report Share Posted December 21, 2010 Hi all, thought i'd start a build thread for my betta barracks. I'm going to modify the 600x300x300 tank that i picked up on ebay last week, the tank was a shocker too left outside, full of dirt leaves and spiderwebs. I'll make 3 barracks at the front of the tank with a volume of 10.5L each, the back partition will house the filter and heater. There'll be a hose to each barrack from the filter and the rear panel will be 20mm off the ground. The gravel will come to the bottom of that glass panel so the water can get back to the filter. The 2 smaller barrack dividers were done by my local glass mob for 10.60, the larger panel with holes will be ready tomorrow. Had to get it done in Toowoomba because local crew's drill has busted. So far the projects cost $122.95, $15 for the tank, $10.60 for smaller panels, $49.95 for an eheim 2008 filter, $47.40 for the eheim jager heater which is on its way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melbournebetta Posted December 24, 2010 Report Share Posted December 24, 2010 Hey dRAGJUNKIE, This sounds exactly like a setup I had imagined for my display tank.... although as it's Christmas time, the guys at the Acrylic place are shut, so I had to skip the TT shape I wanted to slide in to the existing tank walls. However, I've found this rather expensive plastic sheeting used to partition fish at the LFS, it was $20 a sheet and I had to cut it down. I then have my Eheim external filter in the rear of the far left and right partitions.... In the middle is the heater. The downfall will be if any of the fish become ill I will need to take them out (as the water is circulating) Also, I have solid sheets of plastic I can clip to the dividers when the kids need to have quiet time. I'm interested in seeing how your barracks come together - post pics when you can Ness Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fletch Posted December 24, 2010 Report Share Posted December 24, 2010 Very nice. Looking good. Got the same idea planned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daniel031 Posted December 30, 2010 Report Share Posted December 30, 2010 WOW, that is an awesome design. I would have never thought of that. I had bought a very long tank that would be awesome for this (I used it for my baby scorpions) When I start beeding I will definatly have this set up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dRAGjUNKIE Posted December 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2010 (edited) Hi all, thanks for the comments The downfall will be if any of the fish become ill I will need to take them out (as the water is circulating) Yeah that is lurking in the back of my mind too, just have to cross that bridge when i come to it. Got the front dividers in over the week without any problems, the back divider will go in tomorrow. Have finally collected all the bits and peices that i'll need. I want to put some black stripping to cover where the glass joins, the closest thing bunnings had was this stuff I'll have to cut the narrower face off and paint it but it'll do the job. Will post more pictures soon. Edited December 30, 2010 by dRAGjUNKIE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurtleBugg333 Posted December 30, 2010 Report Share Posted December 30, 2010 looks awesome!!! putting ideas in my head... lol :applaud: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alasse Posted December 30, 2010 Report Share Posted December 30, 2010 I'm hoping to get one made like this early next year...i asked my tank maker and can supply them, but i think his a 4 bay (and bigger) I love the idea of 1 heater and 1 filter for all the bays.... Looking good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dRAGjUNKIE Posted January 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 Hi all, starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. All the glass work is done, plastic strips are done and plumbing nearly done. Ran into a small hiccup, I didnt think about getting the filter in past the ledge for the lid. Decided to get the die grinder into it and cut the ledge back, cut about 15mm then the ledge split about 30mm from the end. I just ripped the last 30 out, filter fits now. Here's the plumbing. There was a divider in the outlet for the filter, but i ripped that out and siliconed the hose in, its not very pretty but it'll work. Put a couple valves in so i can have a bit of control over the flow. Want to give it a test run before i fit it all, just gotta wait for the silicone in the outlet to cure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TasV Posted January 11, 2011 Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 (edited) Something to watch... everytime I have used a small overflow system I have always had at least one betta that likes to 'shoot the rapids' and even if there is just a millimetre of water flowing over the weirs into that back sump area it's enough for them to get over. You might be lucvkier than me and have more sedentary fish . Another thing to think about is putting something in so you can slide an opaque divider in as well to card you boys. You don't want them flaring at each other all the time... they get over it and don't do it after a while. Edited January 11, 2011 by TasV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dRAGjUNKIE Posted January 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 Thanks for the tips tas, i hope it doesnt overflow. The rear divider isn't sitting on the bottom of the tank so all going well the water won't flow over the weir. With the cards ill just slide them down against the glass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TasV Posted January 11, 2011 Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 Ahh right... didn't read that the back is up off the ground :blush: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dRAGjUNKIE Posted January 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 Installed the background and plumbing today, got a bit rough with the outlet hose(needed to re-silicone it) so it'll be a couple days before i can fill it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenGirl13 Posted January 11, 2011 Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 Looking good dRAGjUNKIE B) glad to see you didn't get washed away Jo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shannonbjs Posted January 11, 2011 Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 Oooo looking great - can't wait for the finished product :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forever_and_a_day Posted January 12, 2011 Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 it's looking brilliant! I can't wait to see how it looks filled and with fishies in them :bighug: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dRAGjUNKIE Posted January 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2011 Thanks for the comments guys Looking good dRAGjUNKIE B) glad to see you didn't get washed away Jo Pretty lucky where i am Jo, lots of people out this way weren't so lucky. Bit of an update: Had a few rums after work this arvo, decided to tweak the water flows and ended up ripping the hose outta the filter I know, shouldn't have been drink-plumbing :-p So it'll be Sunday before i can get all the water in now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenGirl13 Posted January 13, 2011 Report Share Posted January 13, 2011 Yep! Drink-plumbing is never a good idea. Man-of-the-house (MOTH) decided to install a sink at our shack after a few scotches. Great idea in theory, the practice needed a little tweeking along with a mop, bucket and a few towels!! Jo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul Posted January 14, 2011 Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 I hope that's because of water, not other bodily fluid?!?! Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dRAGjUNKIE Posted January 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 It's done! here's a couple of pics, ill post another when the water isnt murky and the fish are in. Went to someone's today and picked up a blue butterfly and a girl for him aswell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Posted January 16, 2011 Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 It looks lovely! Can't wait to see it with Bettas in it (hint hint ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dRAGjUNKIE Posted January 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 Here's a couple more pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shannonbjs Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 Oh wow - it looks absolutely fab, I bet your SUPER pleased with how it has turned out! I have to say I am a tad jealous hehehehe :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 Prettttty! Looks fabulous with the Bettas in it! :applaud: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dRAGjUNKIE Posted January 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 thanks for the comments @shannonbjs - lol, yes i'm very pleased with it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenGirl13 Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 Job well done, looks great @ Paul - re drink-plumbing: oh yeah it was water and plenty of it!! Jo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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