From Square 1

[cynic]

Well i suppose this is the proper start of things, long story short. 6months ago we got lumberd, nasty term but how i felt at the time with a couple of fancies. Well the inevitable happend and they became part of the home. Stranger thing, we ALL took enjoyment from the fish. The kids included. It is probably the only thing common to all 4 of us.

I'm waffling. 6months on and i know a lot more, even though thats a little enough. We decided on a 'proper tank' part of the living room had been re-worked with something like this in mind but of course it wasn't quite there but near enough.

Yep, doesent look much with the junk all over it and the two goldies in a pitfully small tank needs a good water change every 3-4 days. Its built using 3x2 timber (not stud) but jointed and tied to the wall and floor using 4inch No12 masonry fixings 10 in all. I could jump on it all day without so much as a creak.

So position noted, now to the tank, how big? We knew where it was to go and looked at what would fit. Thing is nothing was right off the shelf. Too deep, to short and wifey isn't a fan of something holding several hundred litres of water coming from e-bay. She was no more impressed when i added 80 quid to the bill wanting it all 10mm with a condensate in the top. Still 60x18x15 we settled on, good height and we don't want HUGE fish so the 15inch dimention is ok.

Here it is after collecting,

Please excuse the bits on top.

Anyho back to business, needed a strong base for the tank this came in the form of a sheet of 18mm (3/4 for the Cousins) structural ply. Bit of woodwax and a trim and, ta daaa.

Now i have added 4 extra sockets for the power side of things and 2 lighting feeds so i can have switched and timed lighting and the tank will sit 2 1/4 inches from the wall to allow for plumbing of the filter (mature tetra 1200 thanks dave) and wiring for the heater etc to be run out of sight as the tank will be viewed on 3 sides.

NOW the bit your gaging for, the lid, off cuts of that plywood. Being a creative sort, or a tight b''''''d according to some i have made the lid. Sits on plastic feet and is exactly the same dimentions as the outside of the tank. Covers the glass to the waterline to hide the braces and the condensate. The top is just 2 flat panels, i was in the proces of looking at hinging them when my daughter said they would be better loose. No access issues and importantly they cant slam mid waterchange. So they just sit on top nice and snug being just a knats smaller than the space.

More pics

And with the top panels

Obviously it needs sanding, waxing, polishing and finalising of the lighting but its coming on, the tank will be put into position tommorow and the sand substrate will go in then the first fill . Then i'll let it run for a week to be certain the media in the filter is happy while i finalise my basic scaping plans.

Work in progress but its coming along with the forums help. Please feel free to shoot me down if i'm racing in the wrong direction but i think i've got it covered at the moment.

 

[minnnt]

Now thats an upgrade!!! haha! You have been proper bitten by the bug

Just be weary of the speaker being so close to where the tank is going to be situated as loud bassy noises will startle and scare your fish... So tell your missus to go steady when she's got Eastenders blasting out!

 

[fluttermoth]

Looks great! You're going to have very happy goldies now

One thing; don't move the media until you move the fish, or the bacteria will die off from lack of food

 

[cynic]

Well, if your gonna jump you may as well do it properly. Its the fact the whole family is into it that had got me so keyed up. Feels great.

The goldie's are not going in the big tank, one has gone already. Turns out wifeys mate has a honking great pond in her garden for goldies, got all sorts in there. She loves them and has nicked frazier already. Bubbles is staying with my daughter in her bedroom in a more suitable tank. The tank in the pics is to be kept as a hospital/quaranteen tank. (the small one )

 

[minnnt]

It's nice to have the family on board...



Or at least i would imagine it is

 

[L_Plates]

Brilliant job, those goldies are going to be over the moon with their new home !

Good to hear all the family is involved as well. My daughter helps me out now and then but my wife, heh, not interested.

The tank build looks great you should be proud of this

LP

 

[TropicalJuwel]

Now thats what I call an upgrade, from a tank that you noticed after the lamp shade! to one thats going to take up the whole of that area and seperate the two rooms, im sure it will look great as the tank does already. Make sure to update pics when set up. Any plans on stocking yet?

 

[creeker]

That's just a feel good story all around. The goldfish get to go to a pond, you get to craft part of your tank, and your family gets a big new tank. I too am interested in your stocking plans.

 

[minnnt]

I don't think the goldies are part of new stocklist...

 

[cynic]

Nope, after reading up on goldies they are either too slow, too stupid, too dirty or too delicate to be with other fish. And as that tank is probably big enough for maybe 5 goldfish, as a room centre........?

Dave i'm leaving now be with you at about 12 i guess, traffic permitting.

 

[mike455555]

stick a heater in and go tropical? or are you already planning to do that. looks great cant wait to see more pics =]

 

[minnnt]

Yeah ok mate, no problem.

 

[lilirish]

The tank rebuild in wonderful!

I must say I disagree with the thought process of goldfish being too slow, stupid or dirty. Maybe the bubble eye is more delicate due to the water sacs, but I can hardly say so for the fantail, oranda, ryukin, moor, etc

As far as slow? Not really - they often have little reason to dash around but have something bother it or have it be dinner time? You'd be surprised at the swarm.

Stupid? Misconception - goldfish are actually quite intelligent (no 3 second memory) - They are highly inquisitive and they can be trained to go through mazes, obstacle courses, play underwater soccer...

Dirty? Eh...yes and no...they are a deep bodied fish and you will find that all deep bodied fish are massive waste producers compared to slim bodies.

They are temperate fish...not the myth of coldwater. They actually do exceptionally well at room temp and a little higher - -there are numerous fish that work well with them so should your daughters goldfish not work in her room - this tank would be wonderful for a goldie.

 

[Aquamaniac]

Really looking good. As for stocking someone sugested before to put a heater and go for tropical. My suggestion the same its a new world of possibilities. The tank hood looks really well made, even though i like open tanks i do like yours with the hood on the top. As for the family, its nice when they share the passion,my wife use to help me with my tanks. Now she has a own tank to take care.

Keep posting updates

 

[Fintastic!]

That's a great job Cynic. Keep us posted with pics as you go along. I wish I had the patience or know-how to do something like that, or rather I wish Hubby had!