Peta Posted April 26, 2009 Report Share Posted April 26, 2009 very excited yesterday my new (old) tank finally got delivered.... It was actually a christmas present from my in-laws. My father in-law built it years ago, they have had tropical fish and a turtle call it home - but they stopped using it when it was just the turtle left he's been given a smaller tank to play in and the mother in-law has gotten back some space in her hallway The tanks just been out the back yard filling with rainwater. It's taken 4 months to get it here as it's HEAVY. Like anything my father in-law makes it's built to last and just don't try to move it to often! The stand (3 feet high) is the heaviest thing to move - nice big thick industrial metal I'm sure. As too the tank it is around 44" x 20" x 20". My Mother in-law also went around their storage garage and cleaned out some old tanks... now I've also got two 2ft tanks and one smaller 'odd' tank haha now I'm going to have to learn even more .... as I'm planning to have this as a planted community tank for all my girlies. So now going to have to research what kind of filter I'm going to need for such a large tank, what kind of soil to put in ... what kind of plants .... fun fun fun ... have never had a planted tank in my life so this will be an interesting new chapter. any suggestions, tips, links, recommendations greatly appreciated :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peta Posted April 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2009 *poke**poke* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callatya Posted April 28, 2009 Report Share Posted April 28, 2009 How much time do you want to devote to maintenance? :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender Posted April 28, 2009 Report Share Posted April 28, 2009 It all sounds good, wish I had some in-laws to inherit tanks from! I'm a fan of the two foot, but would love a big planted tank. I don't have any suggestions, but do have some questions! Will you be able to light it? Are you planning to do CO2? That will make a difference as to what suggestions you'll get too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terribletegs Posted April 29, 2009 Report Share Posted April 29, 2009 I'd go with a Betta biotope tank. Research the plants and other critters from their native home (or at least close by) and try to make something natural looking. And the tank would then always be 'pre-conditioning' your females! I'd suggest a nice big Eheim cannister filter. We went cannister with our big planted tanks, and never looked back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghengis Posted April 29, 2009 Report Share Posted April 29, 2009 Yep, Im with Tt on the biotope idea... Couple nice big bits of driftwood set to look like tree roots extending into the water, a few Crypts, some J. Fern and J. Moss (maybe even an Anubia or two, although I don't think they're of Asian decent (??) )and even a nice litter of fallen leaves on the floor would look fantastic. By using Crypts, Ferns and whatnot, you won't need intensive light or CO2.... And +1 on the canister filter, too. Much neater looking and infinitely more flexible as to varying bio-loads... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peta Posted May 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 Sorry for the late reply - things have been a bit 'nuts' in the fish room for the moment. I'm over run with tanks! haha I just picked up 8, 2' x 1' x 1' with a nice big stand for them yesterday, and all the tanks are currently laid out over the backyard waiting to be cleaned! EPP. I'm also planning to divide the tanks so that I can put the boys in their own little sections and get them out of the bennie boxes (and get me out of doing so many water changes each week - yippie! more time to enjoy my fish again!)) anyways where was I... as to time - definately minimal.... kind of a 'walk away and forget about it' kind of thing (alhtough not litteraly - just not have to think every second day do I need to change waters/clean this/wash that/check this blah blah blah haha...) cO2 - would rather stay away for that as much as possible lol (although I do drool over those kinds of tanks...) light - will be out in the 'sunroom' so plenty of light - my actual worry there is to much light. Which if it turns our to be the case I'll be putting up heaveir/darker curtains. Will have to look into the Betta biotope tank idea! that could be the way to go!! The only downside to the tank is that it does have a mirrored back - so what ever I do I'll be trying to find a way to minimise that! does anyone know if I could paint it over?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 I think you'd need to scrape it of from the outside, I don't know of any paints that would be non-toxic and last inside a tank. You could consider putting a background inside the tank, the Styrofoam based ones are nice, but bought ones are not cheap, and home made would be time consuming. Other than that, lots and lots of plants will cover up most of it, and the mirror that does peep through will exaggerate the depth of your tank which can actually look good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuckie Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 the rubber rock-looking tank backing is beautiful, but pricey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubbzy81 Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 the rubber rock-looking tank backing is beautiful, but pricey. & I've been told that if you don't silicone it in properly, the water gets behind there & fowls really quickly. Which is a shame coz I love it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuckie Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 There's water behind mine, but it's never seemed to present an issue. There's no way you could seal mine in watertight, it's the wrong shape. I mean, it's a 4' panel in a 4' tank, but it doesn't sit against the bottom or sides in a what that would allow you to seal the front of the tank off from the back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marianne Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 What about the pond sealant paint type thing you get at Bunnings? It comes in different colours and coule be painted on the inside of the tank. As it's designed for ponds I would assume it's durable and obviously non toxic.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubbzy81 Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 There's water behind mine, but it's never seemed to present an issue. There's no way you could seal mine in watertight, it's the wrong shape. I mean, it's a 4' panel in a 4' tank, but it doesn't sit against the bottom or sides in a what that would allow you to seal the front of the tank off from the back. Oh bugger! I wanted one for my new tank but I was told that at an LFS. Damn being so gulliable! lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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