Ch4Rlies New 2.5 Feet Tank Journal

[Ch4rlie]

Have decided to start a journal on a new tank I have recently purchased

 
A ClearSeal 75cm x 30cm x 38cm or 30" x 12" x 15" making this a 20 gal long or approx 88 litres.
 
Now, I have no vision or plans for this tank, just going to do and amend ideas along the way

 
Though one thing for sure, I want habrosous cories, otherwise known as Salt & Peppers, in this tank for sure as have wanted them for quite some time now.
 
Habrosus Corydora
 
First off, my current stand that had my 10 gallon tank with rcs and assassin snails which the tank has now been moved temporarily to another room while do this.
 
The stand was too narrow at 2 feet long to fit this new tank and reluctant to purchase another stand, decided to DIY a longer top that fits and supports the longer tank.
 
So going to start the journal with that little project first.
 
The standard Fluval Roma stand.   
     
 
And with the 2.5 feet tank, you can see the edges of tank is unsupported making it too risky to have it fully set up otherwise the pressure and weight of water may stress the joints and end up having a unplanned waterfall feature in the lounge

 
First job was to get a 18mm MDF cut to exact size of the tank 30 x 12 inches.

 
On the stand, unfitted as yet, but gives the idea what the plan is.
 

 

[Akasha72]

my old Rio 180 was on a similar DIY stand 
 

 
 
It never gave me any trouble. I'll look forward to seeing what you do with this ... and I've not seen those cories before. They are incredibly cute ... but then arn't all cories 

 

[Ch4rlie]

Yep, Akasha, thats the plan am going for, easy cheap fix

Added stone effect kitchen worktop edging to the edges to the MDF top.
 
Its what I had lying around so thought that would give the top a more refined look
 



 
Fitting heavy duty brackets to add more support under the MDF top, this also helps to fix it to the stand so it won't move if ever bump into the tank or stand by accident.

 

[Akasha72]

looks like a professional job! You'd never guess

 

[Ch4rlie]

    

                     
 
 
Pretty satisfied tank is level lengthways and widthways

 

[Vethian]

is there center support?  the weight may buckle the cabinet.

 

[Akasha72]

yeah, I wish I'd fastened my top to the cabinate as the tank was next to the kitchen wall and on the other side was my washing machine. The vibration used to move the board on the top which gave me the collywobbles!

 

[Ch4rlie]

Thanks guys

 

yeah, I wish I'd fastened my top to the cabinate as the tank was next to the kitchen wall and on the other side was my washing machine. The vibration used to move the board on the top which gave me the collywobbles!

 
Oh boy! I would not have liked that at all

 
 

is there center support?  the weight may buckle the cabinet.

 
Vethian -  the stand is pretty sturdy, the legs are 1.5 inches thick and don't think it will require centre supports, though a very good tip. I did do this for my other tank which sits on a sideboard so I added centre supports underneath.
 
By the way, just remembered, that tank stand was actually for a 90 litre tank originally, so it can handle that weight easily. Whew. You made me think there.
 

 
The complete stand top modifications done, threw in 2 largish bits of driftwood I may use as effect

 

[LyraGuppi]

I'll be following!

 

[Vethian]

very nice!  I like the driftwood.

 

[RRaquariums]

Looks like it's going to be a cool tank when done certainly excited to see what it looks like all set up

 

[DrRob]

I seem to have a few of these tanks lying around. One has shrimp in it and some plants jungling nicely. I'll keep an eye on this one as I have an empty one and pretty pictures may get the other half interested in one more tank.

 

[daizeUK]

I'm sure you know this already Charlie but make sure that MDF is properly sealed, it's not good stuff for handling water.  You don't want to end up with a warped stand.

 

[TallTree01]

Yay! Journal time! I will be watching
Nice looking driftwood charlie. Got any idea as to what you want to put in there?

 

[DrRob]

I'm sure you know this already Charlie but make sure that MDF is properly sealed, it's not good stuff for handling water.  You don't want to end up with a warped stand.

 
Yes, this. I'm sure you already knew that though. I've largely given up with MDF for tank stands, pine board seems to be getting cheaper, and there are enough wooden kitchen worktops selling now that you can get some really nice offcuts for very little if you ask in the right places that make perfect stand tops.