Zoban Posted June 3, 2007 Report Share Posted June 3, 2007 The tank 15Gal that needed major cleaning when I was given it. Slate floor in place. Top down showing the main structure. Front view of structure. One of the face plates drying after drilling the holes and rinse cycle. All assembled fron view Top view showing the two "garden" areas. Painted tremclad black two coats. Front view. Top View. Side view to show paint wrap around. Plan is for a couple Ancistrus and Apistos. More of a "test project" till I have the space to try similar with a larger tank and thus larger structure. Main trick is to get this into the house without the wife killing me for adding "yet another tank". What you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qattarra Posted June 3, 2007 Report Share Posted June 3, 2007 That looks great!!!! It must weigh a fair deal. Keep the pics comming, can't wait to see the end result. Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toirtis Posted June 4, 2007 Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 Very cool...but what are you using to cut and drill the slate? I would be a bit concerned about waterflow and waste build-up inside the backpiece, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NatureNut Posted June 4, 2007 Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 I've seen things like this posted before and I love the idea... I wondered about exactly what Christian said, though... how do you clean the back hidey hole areas and make sure there's enough water flow through? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoban Posted June 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 For the most part this one is a test project and you do raise valid points about "cleaning" the caves. Main thought at the moment to cleaning is to direct water into caves when refilling water changes. As to drilling and cutting all straight cuts were done with a wetsaw, can be picked up at Princess Auto for about 50 bucks CDN. The holes were drilled with standard cordless 18v and a hole saw that I use at work for cables to run through metal studs. run the drill slow as to not heat up the bit or the slate and cause splits. Hole saw being the type that make lil donuts of the material when you are done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corrosionjerry Posted June 4, 2007 Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 Interesting idea.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted June 4, 2007 Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 If you have fish breeding in the caves, the fish will keep them clean - it's just the vacant rooms that may gather waste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toirtis Posted June 4, 2007 Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 Main thought at the moment to cleaning is to direct water into caves when refilling water changes. Which would work better if each cave had two outlets instead of just one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoban Posted June 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 True and I did consider making the caves more of a flow through hide away but also considered that many cave spawners don't like the second entrance. Also the tank is a bit small to get too fansy with the condos. Was a few thoughts I had while planning / thinking this all out and then making the pieces and setting in place had to adjust thoughts as space didn't really allow for it. Example being I was gonna put little balconys betwwen the cave entrances for planting riccia and pygmy chains but seeing the structure as it was being test fit decided it would just take that much more space so settled for just the two top terraces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
African_Fever Posted June 4, 2007 Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 Definitely a neat idea. I see some potential using your basic ideas but only one or two levels high for lamprologines and julidochromis. Would also be great to have one level 'boxes' built that you'd place on the bottom and stack your other rocks on top of (providing a secure cave with other rocks piled around it to hide it and give a more 'natural' look). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoban Posted June 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2007 Looking around I found a stand not quite what I was looking for but more then capable of doing the needed job and very sturdy. So home came the stand and it was put together in came the tank and misc filter parts required from the garage and here is what we have now. Slightly different angle. The whole corner shot showing 3 tanks and equip drawers. Oppostite corner as a bonus shot showing 3 tanks there. The entertainment unit completes the rest rest of the wall between the two corners shown. The unit is not exactly small (8 feet long and taller then me) but I still need a bigger house!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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