Razers Fish Tank Build

[razer121]

ok, so as some already know im not to high tech on the 'ol fish tanks and pretty darn new to it all but....im in very deep already owning 4 tanks now i know have my fifth tank tee hee! so this one is a dona i got for £30 with...

the tank dimensions..... 48L x 12D x 14H so its about 130 Litres, pretty darn large! not sure on stocking yet, but think of cichlids.....really like them, anyway..
1x stand, a horrible metal thing
1x fluval +4 with about 6 packs of filter media and such wow!!!

so as you can see i got a real bargain! anyway there is a few catchs...

now the first 2 images show the corners so to speak. seems as though its been scraped across the floor but it does not go into the inside of the tank and is not very deep chunks so im going to silicon it like hell on the edges!

so....brings use to the stand...

yea big huh? seems like the tank may have leak so im going to be striping this thing...

#

but as you can see this thing is #41#### massive! i lifted this thing onto them chairs and OMG i thought my back was going to break lol no im joking i was suprized at how lite it was, its just large which makes it hard to move about, so heres the plans!

1.going to strip the sealant in side and reaseal it all

2.make a lid as i dont have one! (have some good plans for this,

3.reseal all the outside bumps and nicks

4.revarnish bottom fitting for tank (wooden bit on the stand)

5.make a wooden shroud like piece for the tank stand to cover up the horrible metal frame,

6.make shelfs inside the tank stand and possible a med tank? (still in the works of how to do this)

7.make some sliding/pull open doors for the front of the tank, will decide whne i get there

So ive got alot to do huh! there is one thing i must ask of all you fellow guys!

whats the best way to reseal the inside of the tank? im lucky i have a "modding shed" so i have a wide range of tools and some basic skills with this stuff (pc modder dur lol) hoping my skills ive gained through modding computers really shines with this tank

also the background whats the best thing here? want this to be different from the rest!

thanks for reading guys

 

[divegirl]

Looks like you have a fun time ahead
I too have just bought an all glass tank that I'm having to build things for...it's a little bigger than yours at 55''x24''x24''....may I ask what plans you have to build a hood, as I'm looking around for good easy ideas atm.

Good luck with your build.....lets hope it turns out to be the bargain you think

Lisa x

 

[razer121]

well, if you go to this website...

http/www.johnsonshandcrafted.com/Gallery.html

and look at the very bottom far left, there is a fish tank and i intend on making a lid like the one in the photo, i will be starting it soon so you will see it come together but first, its the sealant! thanks for the comment btw

 

[divegirl]

Wow....that's going to be one impressive looking tank! I am, however, looking for something a little less complicated

Looking forward to seeing pics of your progress!

Lisa x

 

[razer121]

ok lol, wow i didnt think it was that hard....maybe its just because i havent started properly! anyway....thanks for the comment and...

back to what ive been up to today, not alot but today i remember'd that i had a spare solid pine bed in my shed so...

hehe i started this at about 6ish, thats the idea on the front, for anyone wondering heres how i did it...

i used the tape measure to find the middle, well 1cm down from the middle then of course used a ruler to mark it straight! i then used a power drill to screw these to it...

and thats how i got this

so even though its late im about to go back to it still debating on glueing the lid to the tank any input on this? thanks for reading!

 

[razer121]

ok so even though i dont seem to be getting many replys im still updating after doing some more measurements it came to my attention that my tanks stand was half an inch out of fitting into where it was to be so ive had to make one myself.....this became a problem because mothers house is a very old and very uneven house...#41#### so getting this right was going to be a pain! but ive managed to get round it by being very clever ok im lying i think its just more luck! this is what i managed to get done over the weekend.....

so its a basic frame i know but it is all perfectly straight! i didnt measure just twice no no no....more like 10 times on each joint ! no kidding.....so onto today...

so it has some doors which i made from a old pine computer desk and also a like cover at the top, ive used a slating type of structure on the top to help support the tanks weight, of course i used decent looking handles aswell from the old computer desk. im now in the process of thinking about how to sand it effectivly so its all ready for varnishing! of course i still need to clean it up, so a hit list of whats left to do...

1. add panels to cover up cracks anywhere on show
2. sand the entire unit
3. add a beam across the bottom front
4. add magnet door latch to each door to hold the doors shut (possibly thinking about a lock type bolt on the front)

ok so thats all for now, thanks for reading

 

[Haych]

looking good

some good plans

keep us updated

 

[bae1994]

just brought a 8 ft all glass tank myself and my dad sis it real heavy as i did not lift it

and im using the exact saame lid desighn

 

[razer121]

just brought a 8 ft all glass tank myself and my dad sis it real heavy as i did not lift it

and im using the exact saame lid desighn

do you have a worklog on it? id be intrested in it send me a pm with a link please

thanks for the comments guys, im trying to work on it as much as i can so i should have it finshed by the end of the week!

 

[bae1994]

no not yet asits in my front yard but ill pm you when i sstart sorry to hijack also that stand looks real proffesional

 

[mini_matt]

looks great love the use of the old pine bed! are u sure you wont need more support to the front of the cubord bit like on each end not just in the middle. dont forget that weight is going to be there all the time (dead weight) for the lid you should have the front piece stay where it is but have a flat lid hinged at the back with a handle to lift jobs a goodun

oh just seen you have extra legs now that ur doors are attatched to, looks like its going to be good

 

[tricken]

looks awsome nothing like building stuff your self make the work that much better

 

[razer121]

wow i didnt exspect these kind of replys.....but anyhow thanks yes i already thought about the dead weight...hench why ive not only used the solid wood for legs...but also bolted each leg into the wall better to be safe then sorry right? so im about to have my dinner then carry on working on the lid, im in the long 'Ol process of sanding it......then i shall varnish it and attach it to the tank,

exspect an update in the next few days

 

[razer121]

well, finally got smoe more work done on this, had abit of a nightmare in the past few days! my 90L tanks electrics all failed...so i had to get a replacment but as pets at home didnt have any in and couldnt order any more of the same tank i had to pay an extra £31 for a fluval 90l....not impressed either way i did get down to bis and this is what ive managed to make and varnis

for starters ive done a mild coat of varnish here,

got to have a mild one even though its not going to be seen

and onto this odd contraption...

yes this is going to be a lid...thanks to mini_matt for suggesting to lid idea ive just modified it slightly all will come clear as i fix it all together!

also.....

i just like how it all fits togther, so thats all ive managed to do so far! tank has also fully now past the weekly leak test so im going to bring it to the front room asap hehe! cannot wait!

just noticed you can see my damaged wall in the 2nd pic, my dog TJ did that! anyhow want to point out the mess you see in the pictures, if you think that is bad you should see what ive done to the house!!

 

[razer121]

so finaly.....ive sort of finshed it

so what ya think?? im very impressed so far ive been asking my family members and friends what they think out of 10, so anyone what ya think out of 10 bear in mind ive NEVER done anything like this before lol either way ive now to get a condensation catcher, a heater and some sand for the bottom,

one last thing, what watt heater would i need for this? ive been thinking a 100watt? is that to much to little?

oh and ive got to build a light into the tanks lid ive no idea how yet so bare with me on that one lol thanks for reading guys!