Converting Shed Into Fish House

[Tolak]

Looking good! It never ends, I'm installing some supply lines this weekend.

 

[Gun]

Cheers for that Tolak

Tolak can I sneak a question in, lol!, I have a 2 1/2 foot tank around 15" deep and roughly 18-20" high. I'm thinking about getting some small angels from my lfs and using this tank to home them. Do you think it's suitable and how many do you think I can keep in there? They are around 4-6cm.

 

[Tolak]

Newly free swimming fry 40 fry per gallon
Two week old fry 20 fry per gallon
Month old fry 10 fry per gallon
Pea size bodies 3 fish per gallon
Dime size bodies 2 fish per gallon
Nickel size bodies 1 fish per gallon
Quarter size bodies 1 fish per 2 gallons
Silver Dollar size bodies 1 fish per 3 gallons
Potential breeders 1 fish per 5 gallons
Show Specimens 1 fish per 10 gallons

As far as the cm size of US coins I would have to look it up. This is a common sizing standard here, just reach in your pocket for a measuring device, net the fish, and check which coin the body covers.

I'm guessing the tank is somewhere in the 40-45 gallon range, and is certainly tall enough for angels.

 

[Schmill]

Can I just point out that you cannot call that a 'shed' - lol

I used to have a 'shed' in my garden, and it was a wooden affair with just enough room for the lawnmower, a few garden tools, and a bike if I was lucky!
THAT is a whole new room! So lucky! Can we ahve a shot of it from the outside? I'm intrigued to see the size of this thing!

Good job though, looks like it is coming along well

 

[Gun]

Thanks for the ref Tolak..very helpful. I'm looking forward to breeding angels...always thought they were a very striking fish

Schmill - Will get a shot of the outside shortly..just looks like a shed though mate

At the moment I have 10 tanks filled with fish in 7 of them. Fish include cichlids, guppies, barbs, rams, platties, neons, male fighter, swordtails, bgk's and some shrimp/frogs. Will sort through some pics of the fish and post them tomorrow. Second rack is also nearly complete. This will hold 10x 2ft, 3x 3ft, and a 4 ft tank.

We've now discovered that the first rack is not strong enough (starting to sag at front in the middle of each upright). We noticed this as the tanks were starting to get closer to each other near the tops. Now the second rack is nearly complete with stronger horizontal lengths, the tanks will be moved to here to make way for repairs/strengthening of the first rack. Still running temp elec/water supply..hopefully get this sorted before christmas.

 

[Bungy]

Gun

Sorry for the absence - its looking good mate, coming along nicely - when I saw your pics earlier I thought...mmmmm are thoes legs strong enough - I have 3 x 4 footers and a 3 footer on the top level with several smaller tanks to go underneath including an intended Sump. I have used uprights taken from pallets which are well strong and wont bow. My horizontals that the tanks sit on are old kitchen worktops. The uprights sit directly below each corner of the 4 footers thus giving max support and prevents sagging. This is work in progress also. I'll try to take some pix and post the progress. I took delivery of a 35mm diamond core drill yesterday so the dreaded tank drilling will take place this weekend, not looking forward to this but will be worth it once completed to keep running costs down with a centralised system.

I intend to keep mainly Malawi's, I bought a stack of juvi's but my Aulonocara Red Peacocks have already "spat" 11 fry and Bristlenoses 21 fry so I need to get my skates on......!

Keep the pix coming mate.

Bungy

 

[Gun]

Cheers for that Bungy.

It's always good to get some feedback, encouragement...makes it all worthwhile

Yeah mate same here with the 'work in progress'...I suppose we learn by our mistakes The rack originaly looked sound when my dad built it, I'm just glad HE noticed the tanks starting to meet each other at the tops. It isn't as bad as it sounds though.

Few more pics...



The electrics are coming along nicely and I picked up some strong racks and a notice board from work.

Some pics of your setup would be cool, Bungy

 

[Bungy]

Gun
Nice one, I always look forward to the weekends and get quite excited (im 50...!!!!) about tackling the next phase of the project. Her indoors as given me the go ahead to devote the entire weekend to the fish-house so I have to make the most of it before I get lumbered with the dreaded xmas shopping every weekend.....!!!

Did you manage to resolve your 27mm hole problem?
What pump are you going to use to drive the system - what do you estimate your total volume will be in L?

I will make my best efforts this weekend to take some pix of how things look at the moment.

Bungy

 

[Gun]

Hi Bungy

Your the same age as my dad..cool I'm knocking on 30's door Anyways..

Hmm 27mm hole? my memory is shot, lol!

Regarding the total volume (litres)..I haven't a clue mate I'll try and work it out. I could give you some tank numbers/sizes...

(11x) - 18x18x18

(9x) - 24x15x12

If you look at the 3rd pic in my last post. Starting from the left (top shelf), go down and along the back wall and then up the front wall to meet the first door. This is where the above tanks will sit..with the cubes going down the left wall and the 2 footers going along the back and up to meet the door.

The bottom shelf will have..

(5x) - 48x15x12

(2x) - 36x15x12

(1x) - 30x18x12

That would be all the wall space in pic 3 taken up (2 high).

This leaves me the area behind where I'm taking the shot from. Here there will be a desk/table in front of the window, and a sink inbetween the 2 doors. Lastly, the diagonal wall..I haven't decided on. 2 x 6 footers, fry, hospital, segregation tanks, storage, barrels, hmmmmm The central floor area could also be used..maybe I can use those strong metal cabinets in this area..or even build another rack/bench.

Tanks I have at the moment..

L H W

(1x) - 48x17x12

(2x) - 36x15x12

(1x) - 30x18x12

(2x) - 30x15x12

(3x) - 24x15x12

(1x) - 24x14x12

(1x) - 24x12x12

(4x) - 18x18x18

(1x) - 18x15x15

(1x) - 18x12x12

(1x) - 18x11x7

(1x) - 16x9x8

(2x) - Smaller tanks

The filter system will be air driven, with the exception of a few tanks. The messy/larger fish will have there own internal power filters to suit. 1-3 large Hailea air pumps will be used to individually feed each tank. I have 9 tanks on 1 pump at the mo and it hasen't blinked an eyelid This way I will use far less power and more importantly..I will have individual filtration. I've also just bought a battery powered gravel cleaner/syphon to help out...I'm hoping the 'hoover like' nozzle that comes with it will work on the bare glass....

If any of you guys have any advice, ideas, tips, etc regarding my fish room..it would be much appreciated

Edit: Pics, pics, pics Bungy

 

[Gun]

Just set these up today...



In the first pic where you can see the vertical posts. Where the posts meet the floor, there will be chocks/wedges screwed to each side of the post....so as the bottom horizontal supports aren't just 'hanging' on the screws.

The racking in the pics was the second rack to be built and has thicker horizontal supports than the first rack, front and back.

 

[Bungy]

WOW mate, that looks pretty impressive, what do you intend to use ALL thoes tanks for???
Are you intending to internally heat the fish-house - I need to look at a thermostatically controlled GAS heater.

Question: what wattage are the AIR Blowers running at - an equivalent pump to run my sump system for approx 1500 L would be around 55w - im keen to make the comparrison and work out overall running cost for the year for the two systems. I can then decide if its worth the cost saving to go down the Air route against labour/ease of maintenance with the sump system.

Initial setup costs would be similar:

Pond pump vs Air pump
Pipework vs Airline tubing/pipework
Sump and filter media vs Box/sponge filters

I have finally taken some pix of the weekends efforts - ill attempt to get these posted at home later this evening.

Bungy

 

[Gun]

I'll get back to you with the wattage, Bungy.

I think it's an Haleia Hi Blow 70 as far as I can remember....

Edit: Yes...I have 2 of these heaters..picked them up for £6 each brand new. Each tank will also have it's own heater.

 

[Bungy]

Thanks Gun, I notice many Air lovers using the Hi Blow range.

ps. Didnt get time to upload the pix - will try again this evening.

Bungy

 

[Trapper]

hi there, ive started to build a fish house and having problem with my shelving, Ive been told im doing it wrong but before i go into details I need to know how to put my picture up to show you whats happening.
it keeps telling me upload skipped (file was to big to upload) ive tried to down size them but nothing is happening!

 

[Tolak]

Best bet is a photo hosting site such as Imageshack. Take the code from there that links to the picture, and post it here.