Here I go again 150 gallon reset.

[itiwhetu]

Did you brush off the driftwood and soak in very hot water first? Or how else did you prepare it for the tank?

I just hose it down and get rid of the sand and anything stuck to it, then it is fine to use.

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

Been down to the beach and found some goodies for the tank
View attachment 148346

Each to their own, I suppose. They look a tad artificial to me, but if you were going for a post-Apocalyptic look, I'm sure bright orange plastic tubs could have a role somewhere.

 

[itiwhetu]

I have been prompted to write a disclaimer in this thread. I am building this tank as I believe it is possible, but in no way do I suggest you should do what I'm doing. I am building this tank from the love of what I have around me. I think that what I am doing is going to be successful but please do not follow any of my processes without thoughtful consideration. This tank is about showing you what is possible. But remember it is not something I would suggest you do without a lot of thought.

 

[itiwhetu]

So, this evening I went down and found some river fines. I have added another 80 kg of fine gravel to the tank, so the base now looks like this

 

[Deleted member 149562]

I would love to use the gravel and stones that you use for your aquariums.....I am just far too nervous to do it incase an over enthusiastic digger (like my demented BN who never stops digging) got a bit over excited and the glass broke

How do you prevent the glass breaking if something was pushed or became dislodged etc?

 

[itiwhetu]

I would love to use the gravel and stones that you use for your aquariums.....I am just far too nervous to do it incase an over enthusiastic digger (like my demented BN who never stops digging) got a bit over excited and the glass broke

How do you prevent the glass breaking if something was pushed or became dislodged etc?

This tank is made of 12mm glass. Only a force 8 earthquake will damage it.

 

[Deleted member 149562]

This tank is made of 12mm glass. Only a force 8 earthquake will damage it.

That explains that then.

Thank you

That aquarium must weight a ton before anything gets put into it.......if only my flat was significantly larger......I envy you

 

[itiwhetu]

That explains that then.

Thank you

That aquarium must weight a ton before anything gets put into it.......if only my flat was significantly larger......I envy you

The tank alone is around 100kg. Filled it will be close to 750kg.

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

I have been prompted to write a disclaimer in this thread. I am building this tank as I believe it is possible, but in no way do I suggest you should do what I'm doing. I am building this tank from the love of what I have around me. I think that what I am doing is going to be successful but please do not follow any of my processes without thoughtful consideration. This tank is about showing you what is possible. But remember it is not something I would suggest you do without a lot of thought.

That said, I'll also assume that you're applying your extensive experience in successful fishkeeping?

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

So, this evening I went down and found some river fines. I have added another 80 kg of fine gravel to the tank, so the base now looks like this
View attachment 148460

Am I right in remembering that you are one of those aquarists who is capable of running an aquarium without the need for repeated and extensive vacuuming of the substrate?

 

[itiwhetu]

That said, I'll also assume that you're applying your extensive experience in successful fishkeeping?

Yes, this is a project that feels right. I have studied what is around me for around five years. It is about taking that, and incorporating it into an aquarium.

 

[itiwhetu]

Am I right in remembering that you are one of those aquarists who is capable of running an aquarium without the need for repeated and extensive vacuuming of the substrate?

True, I will never touch the substrate now that it is in place. As you will see I have added some fines to the original mix. Now I have something that will work for the plants. Remember this tank has an under-gravel filter and very little mechanical filtration on it.

 

[Deleted member 149562]

Another stupid question....(having a blonde moment, sorry)

With that huge weight of stones etc....how will you know if your filter has not been blocked or squashed....and how do you get to it should you need to for any reason?

 

[itiwhetu]

Another stupid question....(having a blonde moment, sorry)

With that huge weight of stones etc....how will you know if your filter has not been blocked or squashed....and how do you get to it should you need to for any reason?

Each length of tube has been cut and joined to 2' lengths, so it won't collapse. It is 19mm tube. You can test that it is working by attaching a 25mm syphon over it and back flushing the filter. This is not recommended as what you are trying to create is an aerobic biological filter in your substrate, by back flushing the filter it is the equivalent of vacuuming the whole base in one hit. We will see how the plants grow over the next few months and that will be an indication if this system is working.

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Looking amazing, great job! If you told me a lot of them photos were taken in a river I would believe you.