New 45gal community

andywg · Jun 26, 2005

We decided to upgrade our 6 foot tank to include more larger predatory fish. Obviously this meant we had to relocate the neons and minnows etc.

So, we found a £40 48" x 15"W x 18"T 2nd hand tank already drilled, so we got it and I set about making everything else for it.

First off I laid out the pieces for one of the stand frames (With help from one of the cats)

andywg · Jun 26, 2005

Once the frames were completed I put the legs on.

The other frame sits at the other end of the frames. I decided to use plywood for both top and bottom to ensure a more equal weight distribution.

andywg · Jun 26, 2005

Once the frame was bolted together I had to test to ensure that the weir held up and that all the plumbing worked.

Despite performing fine at the test. After the carpet was laid for this room and the tank re-connected the bulkhead leaked. So I decided to scrap the washers and just sealed the bulkhead to the tank. It worked like a charm.

andywg · Jun 26, 2005

Unfortunately the weir was too high and the lack of a comb meant it was sweeping most of the fish in that tank straight over the weir.

So the fish were moved to a temporary home while I knocked up a solution.

andywg · Jun 26, 2005

I decided to cut a piece out of the top of the weir and replace it with an acrylic comb.

You can see heree where I marked it out. I did all the cutting using a Dremel with a wall tile bit. Just make sure you keep the area wet and don't force the bit. I did and on the first bit (you can just see the black comb in this picture) I made a crack. Fortunatel all of the crack was under the acrylic and as there will be water both side it won't be subject to any great pressure.

andywg · Jun 26, 2005

Here you can see where the cutting is under way.

I first tried drilling a hole and the cutting from that hole but found ithard going.

When I did this second one I just marked out the lines and kept running the bit over the line to gradually make it deeper and found it a much better way.

andywg · Jun 26, 2005

Finally I broke through at the bottom and knew I was nearly there.

andywg · Jun 26, 2005

And there we have one nice big hole in glass. Not nearly as difficult as I had imagined. B)

andywg · Jun 26, 2005

This is the two bits of glass cut out of the weir. Best of all, the grinding action of the bit prevented any true glass-style sharp edges (like I have nearl lost fingers to when fitting sumps

)

andywg · Jun 26, 2005

Here it is with the comb fitted to prevent fish going on their flume-ride

andywg · Jun 26, 2005

Finally a shot of the tank up and running after all my labours. Not bad for a few hours work.

Thanks for watching.

jimboliana · Jun 26, 2005

Well done, i just wish i could do that in a few hours instead of a few months!

Looks good, hope the fish are happy in there new home

andywg · Jun 26, 2005

Cheers. It's not that hard. You just have to make sure you know what you're doing before hand.

Paul_MTS · Jun 26, 2005

very nice, mine have to consider chopping the weir down on one of my tanks like that! bit of an ass to empty it though i bet!

do i see a modded durso stand pipe in there? is it quiet?

Ethos · Jun 26, 2005

Yes, very nice.
How big is this tank again? only 45 gallons? It looks much bigger than that....
unless your talking u.k. Gallons, then I have no idea how big it is...

New 45gal community

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