Got Permissin

[phishphorphun]

For Valentine's day, the wife gave me permission to set up a wall of tanks in the utility room. :D :D I've been bugging her to let me do it for the last two years. :)

The plan is to use a 120 XH (five foot tank) with two 20L over it and maybe a 20H or 40B below it.

I'm announcing the news because I'll be looking for some fish. Probably will convert the current 120 (four foot version) into a Tanganyikan Tank.

So look out Daniel and Sarah. I'll be bugging you two soon. If you know what I mean. B)

Here is a drawing of my idea. The area to the right will be for storage of golf clubs, golf shoes and all the other stuff that is against that wall now.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/phishphorphun/WallTankswSpecsJPG.jpg

[Pat Kelly]

Ive been talking to my wife. Not working. I want a bigger room....

[phishphorphun]

Originally posted by Pat Kelly@Feb 15 2006, 05:28 PM
Ive been talking to my wife. Not working. I want a bigger room....
Wife just got home from work and she feels so good that she gave in. She told the girls in her office that "I gave my husband the okay to add more fish tanks for his Valentines Day gift". She said they all went, "Ahhhh".

She gets jewelry for VD, and get to spend more of my money on fish tanks. Something smells a little fishy toytoy

Hey Pat, you might want to take her house hunting. :lol:

[KellyandDennisfish]

Maybe we can move in your house and help you
with your tanks.....
Ha,ha....

Nice tanks!!!!!

Maybe one day??

Kelly

[Pat Kelly]

I keep saying the next one will be a rancher. Bigger basements in them.

[Spine]

That drawing looks nice.Where did you get the software to do that?

Spine

[phishphorphun]

Originally posted by Spine@Feb 16 2006, 06:05 AM
That drawing looks nice.Where did you get the software to do that?

Spine
It was very easy to do. I use Microsoft Publisher. Simply use 1"=1' scale. Insert the photos from My Pictures folders. That's it.

[longstocking]

lol I guess congrats is in order??? LOL.... :wacko:

Good luck building the stand... one thing I might suggest.... I think 6 inches to work above a tank is a bit small. I'd have to measure mine... but mine are a tight fit... but barely work.... you will most likely want more then 6 inches though.

[phishphorphun]

Thanks for the suggestion Sarah. That is why I posted the drawing. So I would get some input.

However, if you notice, above the 120g tank where the two 20Ls are placed. There are end views of 2x4s on either side. The frame holding the two 20s will be set back about six inches (because the frame for the 2x20s is 60x12 with the sides extending to 18"). So the entry area of the 120 for service will be much larger than appears. The working space above the tank will be a total of 9.5" once I get past the horizontal 2x4 rail.

I have already done the same setup on my current rack. I can get very large rocks in there and have more than enough room for accessing the entire tank.

[daniel4832]

Bobby,
Looking forward to you coming over to pick out some fish :D
Thanks,
Daniel

[phishphorphun]

Originally posted by daniel4832@Feb 16 2006, 12:16 PM
Bobby,
Looking forward to you coming over to pick out some fish :D
Thanks,
Daniel
Thanks a lot Dan.

I will be asking your advice on what I should do with a 120g Tanganyikan display. I'm guessing I'll go for a community setup. So I'll be looking for compatible varieties that are comfortable in a 4x2x2 tank.

[longstocking]

One thing on the stand... are you planning on notching the stand?

[phishphorphun]

Sarah, how I build my racks: I'll frame out 2x4s or 2x6s the size to fit the aquarium. The side verticles are bolted to the the frames. the front verticles will be two 2x4s sandwiched to make a 4x4. The longer part screwed into the frame and the shorter part supporting the frame. Basically the same as notching a 4x4.

In this case the 120 will be supported by four 4x4s and bolted to four side 2x4s. The top frame will be bolted to the four 2x4s. Because the tanks are only 12" wide, that should be sufficient.

I have built the two level 16' x 30' deck on my house. I have finished the basement into three rooms and have built two other aquarium racks. I feel pretty confident with my plans and skills.

But thanks again for your suggestions and concerns.

Here are a couple old shots showing my current rack that is built into the wall of the familiy room. You may be able to get an idea of what I was describing.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/phishphorphun/DSC_3745.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/phishphorphun/DSC_3095.jpg

[longstocking]

Looks great :) Just making sure you didn't make a boo boo... but you've done this a few times ;)

Not that I've ever done it LOLOL... watching Bill, I've learned a lot though :blink: :wub: :P :lol: :D

[Pat Kelly]

Looking at the smiles at the end of that, makes me feel that watching him build stands
can be entertaining?

[longstocking]

lol.... Pat.... it is fun when your first experience building racks was for 45 10 gallons in a VERY cramped fish room... under the infuence of a few glasses of wine and beer :rofl: :smash:

Now I just watch :angel: :P

[phishphorphun]

Well, I am almost there. Spent the weekend building the new rack. All the cutting, screwing and bolting is done. Got to do the wiring, a few shelving things and I will be ready for glass.

Which I have already taken care of. Called the folks at TFP and reserved the 120 EX high. They only had two left, glad I made the call. I know I won't be disappointed next week when I want to hang a tank B)

[Pat Kelly]

Cool. I spent yesterday building the stand for the 150.
I ended up with making it for the 150 on top and 2 29's on the bottom.
I figured the stand was 6 feet. Take out for the 4x4's on each end and one in the
middle and that comes close to two 31"openings. 29's are 30 1/4" long each.
Next I will start cutting my oak to cover the stand with. I hope it comes out okay.
We will see. I also painted the back of the 150 yesterday.
I always worry about the strength of things I build, but I think this will hold my truck up.

[phishphorphun]

Hey Pat, glad to hear you are on your way.

Have a question or two.

72" wide on the inside for the 150. Deduct the the 60 inches for the two 29s and you have 12". Where is your filtration going to be located? ^_^

[Pat Kelly]

Filters will hang on back of all tanks. I don't have any canisters.

[Pat Kelly]

At the rate I am going, you will have yours done first.
Thats what I get for leaving the empty tank sit on the floor for 3 weeks prior
to starting the stand. <_<

[phishphorphun]

You better get it on the stand by Sunday then. :P

I just got back from a meeting with a customer and I don't feel like working on it tonight. From doing all the sawing outside on the deck and coming inside for the installation, I got a nasty cold.

I am picking up the big tank, filters and substrate on Thursday. I can leave it in the van until I'm ready to hang it. Hopefully that will be Sunday.

To age the tank quicker, I am going to take one of the cannister filters from the other 120 and move it the new 120. I'll fill it with about fifty gallons from the old 120 water change. The rest with tap water. With a little luck, I should be able to introduce some of the fish from the old 120 into the new 120 about a week later.

I'll eventually move all the peacocks and haps into the new tank.

Wait a couple months and pull the old 120 out and replace it with a new "scratchless" version. And fill it with Lake Tanganyikans.

It is going to be so nice to photograph all my Malawians without dodging scratches and working the remote flash through the wall. :)


O

[Pat Kelly]

Took off work early today.
Just got finished adding a bunch of oak to the outside of the stand.
Now I need to start staining. Fun.

[phishphorphun]

Ahh, you see you are building a piece of furniture. I'm just building a basic pine rack.

I bet it will look great when your done.

[Pat Kelly]

I was a framing carpenter/helper
Not a finisher.
I will take a pic when done.
Before it crashes to the floor. :P :P :lol: <_< :( :angry:

[phishphorphun]

Framing carpenter. I built this one with 2x4s instead of 2x6s because I overkilled the last one. When you go into most LFSs, their racks are built with 2x4s, so I said...why not.

It seems just as sturdy as the other one. What do you think?

[Pat Kelly]

I always try to overkill.
I feel better that way.

[phishphorphun]

Well, I got the new 120XH sitting in the van along with two new Eheim 2217s and 100 pounds of Aragonite reef sand substrate.

Will somebody come over and set it up for me...I'm too sick to work on it. :(

Pat, I emailed you about painting the back of the tank. Curious what kind of paint others use.

[Pat Kelly]

Well got the tank on the stand last night when the youngest came home.
Took a couple of pics but cant figure out how to resize them here at work.
Have to do it later I guess.

[Pat Kelly]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c251/finman57/DSC_0026.jpg

Don't have any programs at work. Will put better one later.
My youngest with tank. He is 6 feet tall. For sizing purposes.
Remember, 2 29's go on the bottom. Getting them next Saturday.

[phishphorphun]

Looks very, very professional Pat. You did a wonderful job.

My buddy from Texas and my friend Jack just left a few minutes ago. My tank is now sitting on the floor in front of the stand. I'm going to do the background and get them back over here on the way to happy hour this evening to put it on the rack.

Hopefully filters, substrate and water tomorrow.

[phishphorphun]

I have water, substrate, a few rocks and filtration running. Dang, I can't wait to add fish. :rolleyes:

[phishphorphun]

Well we got the 120gXH up and running. Moved about twenty fish into it Sunday. So far, so good.

Here's a few pix of the fish in their new crib.

http://aquatic-photography.com/gallery//files/6/1/1/2aTankShot031406.jpg

http://aquatic-photography.com/gallery//files/6/1/1/1aGroup031406.jpg

http://aquatic-photography.com/gallery//files/6/1/1/21bBaenschi031306.jpg

http://aquatic-photography.com/gallery//files/6/1/1/15aRubyRed011406.jpg

http://aquatic-photography.com/gallery//files/6/1/1/15a.Azueres031406.jpg

http://aquatic-photography.com/gallery/files/6/1/1/14aTaiwanee031406.jpg

[cdjunior24]

looks really good bobby...is that just a crushed coral substrate and what kind of rock is that...just stopped by a lfs and they had new 125's for 250...i'm itching to start a new tank as soon as i sell off those 40's i have set up...again though, good work!

[phishphorphun]

Thanks Chris.

The substrate is 80 pounds of the Caribe reef sand aragonite mixed with about 30 pounds of playsand for filler and about a bucket of crushed seashells/coral. The rocks are just PA river stones from the local garden center.

Man, you like big tanks. Maybe you should wait till you get into that new house ;)

[phishphorphun]

Well, for all those who may have feared this rack idea wasn't going to work out okay, I'v got all four tanks running with fish.

Here is a quick shot of the rack.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/phishphorphun/PhisPhorPhun%20Phish%20Pix/3dRack032506.jpg

[Theresa_M]

I like it a lot.

How's the progress on it at this point?

[phishphorphun]

Originally posted by Theresa_M@Apr 2 2006, 08:44 AM
I like it a lot.

How's the progress on it at this point?
So far I only have moved my male Albino Eureka Red in the 20L on the top right.

I have two male Aulonocara Maylandi and Ruby Red juvies in the other 20L.

I have my A. Calvus and A. Comp in the 29 on the bottom.

And eighteen various Haps and Peacocks in the 120 along with a very large Synodontis Eupterus.

Next week I'll get some shellies and othe small fish for the 29g.

The 33L on the top of the older rack has to be pulled cleaned and replaced. I'll put the Albino Eureka Red back in that tank to growout. I still have two albino bristlenose plecos in it now, along with two small clown loaches. They will go backi in with the Albino Eureka Red with the replacement tank.

The 40 breeder on the bottom of the old rack is currently running without fish. I am going to replace that one with a new 40b and use it for something new. Maybe a group of breeder peacocks.

The old 120g is currently running with a single Aulonocara Hansbaenschi (red shoulder), one Protemelas Marginatus (going to get rid of it), one Protemelas Stevenie (Taiwan Reef), one seventeen year old Synodontis Eupterus, three huge clown loaches and two ordinary ancistrus (bn plecos). Also two yellow labs.

I haven't decided the fate of the clowns yet. They will probably end up back in the new replacement 120 with the Tanganyikans if I find them compatible. The Taiwan Reef will be going in the other 120 male hap/peacock tank, along with the red shoulder and one of the ancistrus. The grandaddy s. eupterus also will go in with the new Tanganyikans. The yellow labs aren't very good quality, so I am going to get rid of them too.

Replacing two (120 and 40b) of the three tanks is going to be fairly economical since I already have filtration and lighting. Just have to buy the tanks and substrate. Oh, and of course, the livestock. :rolleyes:

[Pat Kelly]

Man, sound like you got it all planned out.
I keep changing my mind every time I move something.
I guess it never gets boaring that way.lol