CThompson Posted January 9, 2006 Share Posted January 9, 2006 I have finished my latest and possibly last (?) tank. I've been working on it for a bit under six months, and its turned out really well. Sorry no photos as I still don't have a digital camera. I had hoped to put the fish in before Chirstmas, but had an ammonia reading so had to delay the introduction of fish. I had the tank filled and running for a fortnight before I went to put the fish in, don't know what started the tank's cycling, but thank goodness I decided to put a Seachem ammonia alert on, before adding the fish. I double checked with an ammonia test kit to confirm the Seachem results and received a reading of .5-.1ppm, not high, but more than I want to put my K1s through I put a culture of live bacteria (Aquasonic’s Nitrosomona and Nitrobactor) in, which I intended to do anyway (and put a bag of Matrix in from an existing tank which I just hung suspended in the middle of the tank), but it still took a few days for the ammonia reading to return to normal/zero, once it was at zero, I put all (41) fish in on Boxing day. I underfed them for a week to maintain the yellow colour on the Seachem ammonia alert, and now the tank seems to be fully established. I have lost some of my faith in the Aquasonic’s product, but it still brought the ammonia down pretty quickly. The tank is 6' by 2' by 2'6" a touch higher than 2'6" in fact to allow the fitting of a 2'.6" high Universal Rock background. It is being filtered by an Oasi "filtoclear" and I have the tank turned over 11 times per hour. This large canister filter has a backflush function so will not need to be opened to be cleaned. There is another 3000lph pump plumbed into the bottom to increase the water movement even further. The Tropheus are revelling in the water flow. Some water flow from the Filtoclear is diverted firstly to another small inline filter (filled with Aquasonic's polishing mat) to make sure even more sediment is taken out, before it pumps behind the Universal Rock backgrounds which is ½-3/4 filled with filter wool (for a bio-media), so my universal backgrounds are like a vertical reverse flow UG filter. I also have some of this filtered water diverted to a new denitrate filter I made from 150mm pvc pipe. This filter is filled with Seachem's Denitrate, and water pumps through her at approx. 60lph, which according to Seachem, is less than I need to do to maintain a anaerobic area (a much better water flow than the drip/coil denitators I see mentioned on these pages). The tank looks fantastic and there has been multiple spawning since. Unfortunately (?) I should have checked all the females as one was holding when I put her in (I belatedly discovered), and has already spat young in the tank, so there are now 41 plus in there... A cabinet maker friend (am I a lucky bloke or what?) made my stand and hood (reef style hood, open top, with front opening doors like on a stand) out of an old packing crate, which makes it sound terrible, but looks fully professional. This style of hood means I have full access to the top of the tank, while the hood is in place, and can even get both shoulders into the opening should I need to. It is with great pleasure that I give a possitive wrap to an aquarium maker. Wayne made the tank, and he has done a REALLY good job of it . The first tank maker I have come across that has made the sliding lids as I requested . He even had a practice on some old glass to make sure he got it right – how’s that for on the ball! He really listened to what I wanted on the tank, and took on board my specifications, and made it as requested, while still keeping his higher metal capacities functioning to pick up any mistakes I made . It took him longer to make the tank than specified, but to get the tank I wanted made as I wanted, far outweighs what was to me a far lesser evil, and would recommend Wayne to anyone who wants a tank made to order. The tank has nine holes drilled in it, and every one is where I requested it to be. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoliroMan Posted January 9, 2006 Share Posted January 9, 2006 Congrats Craig! U must now get yourself a digital camera and show us all the pics!!! Would luv to see the K1s and the universal rock! This is one very deep tank, is it a nightmare to clean? What are these Oasi filters? Where did u buy it from? Do u mind me asking how much it cost u for the tank? Do u mean Craig who has recently taken over Parramatta Aquarium? What has happened to your other massive tank? Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parrdog Posted January 9, 2006 Share Posted January 9, 2006 Sounds awesome Craig ! That filtration setup sounds like something else. I can't wait to see some pics . Jamie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CThompson Posted January 9, 2006 Author Share Posted January 9, 2006 U must now get yourself a digital camera and show us all the pics!!! All spare moneys spent on tank But I am looking into it Would luv to see the K1s and the universal rock! The Universal Rocks are one-offs (which is why they are 2' 6") bought second hand, and are really something special. Better than anything they advertise in fact with some really deep (15cm at a guess) overhangs and protrusions/ledges This is one very deep tank, is it a nightmare to clean? It has been my belief and one put into practice, that if you have really good turnover, all matter stays suspended till filtered, so doesn't gather on the bottom to build up. I have put this belief into practice on my 10' tank, which has been set up for 5-6 months now and I have never gone to the bottom for maintenance, and now with my new six foot tank, where the turn over is even greater, so I don't expect any bottom maintenance either. What are these Oasi filters? Where did u buy it from? They are not well known yet, they are expensive, but shops such as Majestic or Auburn will have them. Or should be able to get them in if not on their shelves, as I know they have the Oasi pumps, so should have access to the filters as well. Do u mind me asking how much it cost u for the tank? The tank is out of 15mm glass (forgot to mention), and with all nine holes it was $1150.00. Wayne also delivered it to my backyard where I spend a week putting in the Universal rock backgrounds, the plumbing behind them, and painting the bottom and back. The Universal rock background I used were two four foot pieces. I cut one in to two, and put one of these two foot sections on the right hand end of the tank (The tank goes into a corner anyway, so no issue). So the backgrounds are on the entire back of the tank and the right hand end, which is a real feature in itself. They way they were made has allowed me to have where they join to not only look good, but in fact to be a feature. Where the 4' section joins the uncut end of the 2' section joins up to look like a really deep crevasse, and is the feature of the whole tank. I have not put a huge amount of rock in, (3cm water displacement), but I have put in sandstone which has the same texture as the backgrounds, and I hope with some time will match better colour wise better. I have tired to organise the rocks so they look like a rock slide from a cliff (the Universal Rock). On the day I moved it into the house, he and Rustle were in the area and they with a total of six of us, gave me a hand to carry it into the house and onto the stand. It took everyone of us too. Thanks again to those who read this and assisted in carrying it in. Do u mean Craig who has recently taken over Parramatta Aquarium? No I mean Wayne (which was why I said Wayne ) of Xtreme Aquariums. What has happened to your other massive tank? This tank is going really well. I had my first Kitumba spawn last week, she only held for five days, but she'll be better next time. The foai, nigripinnis have also spawned and the only issue I have is with the brichardi which are filling the tank with their young. "Tanks" for the questions. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parrdog Posted January 9, 2006 Share Posted January 9, 2006 Wow, this one sounds even better in the looks department than your big one. Of course I'm a bit biased since this one is a T tank. I can't wait to see how that background looks. Thanks for all the info on your tank, it has been a great read . Jamie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CThompson Posted January 9, 2006 Author Share Posted January 9, 2006 It does look better Jamie, but the big tank has the Trickle draw filter, and the portholes, which keeps it in a class of its own. Both tanks have Tangs in them by the way, the new one has Tropheus (from my older smaller 400 litre tank), where as the 10' tank has meat-eating Tanganyikans in it. Still haven't set up the UPS on this new tank as yet, but am in the process of purchasing the battery to connect to the UPS purchased from Matthew some ...12 months ago in preparation for this Tropheus tank. I've only got three 4' lights (two white and one actinic blue for a dawn/dusk period first and last on/off) on it as yet. But intend to improve the lighting with a new fixture with MH, LEDs and fluros. I have installed already a white night light LED for moonlight. It is very low wattage (I think 7 watts), and cannot be seen in daylight, only at night when all the lights are off, and only affects a 1/4 of the right hand end of the tank where the light is set on a timer. I have been surprised at how much activity there still is when this little light is on. Boy those Tropheus are active. There is not a section where there are no fish going, with full on activity, non-stop, chasing, being chasing, fighting, spawning, hiding and displaying, from the highest point in the tank to the lowest to all eight courners of the tank. Thanks for your comments. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parrdog Posted January 9, 2006 Share Posted January 9, 2006 No worries . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaZ Posted January 9, 2006 Share Posted January 9, 2006 I'm also waiting to see some pics Craig, and will host them as usual when you get them I'm sure a lot of us would like to see details like the hood/cabinet, the pump, the filter, and of course the tank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CThompson Posted January 9, 2006 Author Share Posted January 9, 2006 I'm also waiting to see some pics Craig, and will host them as usual when you get them I'm sure a lot of us would like to see details like the hood/cabinet, the pump, the filter, and of course the tank ← The cabinet and hood has been made out of a packing crate that brought the STAR accelerator in to ANSTO where I work. This is marine ply (as the accelerator came by ship), and termite proof, and surprisingly has really good markings on it. I had to purchase the six by twos for the structural support of the stand, and the pine …6 by .5 that were used as a frame for the doors. The hinges are kitchen cabinet hinges, which can be clipped on and off when more access is needed. The stand itself has three openings in it with two doors per opening (six doors in total), with the same fish handles I used on my 10’ tank. I have organised for the left end of the stand to be attached by hidden hinges, so the entire left end of the stand can swing open, though is indistinguishable as anything other than fixed when closed. The hood is exceptionally light, has only two openings, with two doors per opening (four doors in total). The entrance to each opening in the hood was sized to allow as much access as possible, so should I need to take out the lids, they will easily fit through the opening, with no need to remove the hood. The same goes when I need to access the bottom of the tank, as I can easily get my shoulder/s into the hood while it is still in place. The frame of this hood is made from 2 by 1”. The hood has no top to it (to allow heat out and to make it lighter). The hinges are also kitchen hinges so also allow the doors to be removed and are returned in seconds. It has all be stained to match my wood floor (parquetry over concrete). All up it would have cost me $150-200. Thanks for the offer Baz, but I don’t forsee and photos in the near future. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parrdog Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 I don’t forsee and photos in the near future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Someone go over there with a bloody camera already!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoliroMan Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Thanks for the detailed reply Craig! I really meant Wayne from Xtreme!!! I don't know what i was thinking at the time, must have been half asleep! Wayne is a top bloke and has excellent quality tanks!!!! I just wished i bought a 8 foot tanks instead of my 4 foot tank with sump and mini reef, since my 4 foot tank with cabinet cost me $3000!!! But the quality is astounding and well worth it! Does that mean u will have no tropheus in your 10 foot tank? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmy2422 Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Someone go over there with a bloody camera already!! I rekon, i wanna see some pics of this big bad boy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CThompson Posted January 10, 2006 Author Share Posted January 10, 2006 Does that mean u will have no tropheus in your 10 foot tank? That it does! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CThompson Posted January 17, 2006 Author Share Posted January 17, 2006 Someone go over there with a bloody camera already!! ← And thanks again to Mark Lilley (who also lent me his camera to take shots of my 10' tank), someone has! I'm bumping this post up to the top so Baz can find it easily, so hopfully he will have the shots up soon. Sorry if you are here to soon to see the photos. Baz, please delete the printing here, and put in the email I will send you. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parrdog Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 Bring 'em on Baz . Jamie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaZ Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 Here's Craig's shots and descriptions as emailed to me today... The new Tropheus tank, 6' by 2' by 2'.7", approximately 900 litres made from 15mm thick glass. Filter by a Oasi Filtoclear (large canister with back-flush function) with an Oasi Aquamax 10,000 (9,000 lph - go figure!). An Ocean Runner OR3500 is plumbed into top right end with taps controlling the three bottom returns, to further increase water movement. I can open all three, or just one or two to change water movement and strength. The stand has a hidden door at the left end, opened for the photo, to increase access, particularly if I ever decide to put a sump on the tank, I can slide it in via here. The large (150mm) vertical white PVC is a denitrate filter, and the smaller white "box" is a UPS still as yet unused as I haven't bought a battery for it. It will be put into action at a later date. The blue handle tap and clear hosing is 40mm, the size required by the pump. The small in-line filter (green Eheim hose) resting on the bottom is packed with Aquasonic's polishing pad, to filter again the returned filtered water from the large canister. An Eheim 1048 (from a T-junction off the 40mm line) pumps through to behind both backgrounds (packed out with filter wool as a biological media) and to the denitrate filter so the water going to these three areas is really clean. This shot shows how easy it is to entirely remove a door to improve access. All doors can come off like this (except hidden door). You can see the "crevasse" created by the two ends of the Universal Rock butted together. A shot from the end of the tank, looking down the six foot length. An open water shot. I call this the "sink-hole". The gap between the rocks (the "gully") allows free passage of the 9,000 lph filtered return water. This water goes with strength the full length of the tank, and water turbulence can be seen on the surface at the right hand end (extreme diagonally opposite corner to the water's outlet). This shot shows the right end of the tank with the Universal rock attached, it shows a shot into the "sink-hole" and of the "crevasse". The "crevasse" Down the hall, portholes onto 10' tank, with Tropheus tank at the end (I just saw, that's me in the porthole!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parrdog Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 Wow . Awesome setup mate. Thanks heaps for all the explanation. The last shot shows how magnificent it must be to cruise passed those portholes and end up at one beautiful Tropheus tank. Well done, what a magnificent job . Jamie. Ps Where did you get that bad boy of a canister? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 Nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wui39 Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 Now that is an awesome tank. Although I think the filter and pump manufacturer is Oase not Oasi I'm definatly going to try and get mine looking that good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
[RK] Posted January 18, 2006 Share Posted January 18, 2006 One word.. WOW! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ged Posted January 18, 2006 Share Posted January 18, 2006 Craig I really appreciate the detail that you are willing to share on the setting up of your tank, firstly the 10 foot tank and now your 6 footer. I know it inspires me and I am sure it inspires a lot of other forum members. Thanks. Ged Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest parallel Posted January 18, 2006 Share Posted January 18, 2006 I envy you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrontyKing Posted January 18, 2006 Share Posted January 18, 2006 Another job well done Craig. Good on you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee427 Posted January 18, 2006 Share Posted January 18, 2006 awesome set up mate really good i hope my 6by2by2 looks as good as that bad boy all the hard work paid off for you craig thats for sure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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