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LOL - it's not that good. It works but it ain't pretty and parts of it will probably be improved upon as inspiration strikes. The pics are largely self explanatory, although I've added some footnotes/specs after the photos: Plastic tubes are: Internal = 20mm with 2mm wall thickness. Outer =...

I know most people clear the muck off the gravel when water-changing but I find it all a bit hit or miss - I'm either syphoning away the gravel, or the live leaves, or playing dodge the curious fish. The point being that I do use an air powered vac and, because my tank is deeper than average...

If they're curved then you may find a slip stone easier to use.

Not the same as sharpening knives of any sort. Knives have two bevels whereas scissors have only one. If you have nicks that you want to remove then you you're more in to a re-grind of the bevel followed by sharpening rather than sharpening alone. Unless the nicks are really affecting cutting...

I'm not an authority on the subject (just sharing the little knowledge I've picked up and that seems to make sense). I've not asked about cold water storage supplies so the following is pure speculation... You risk contaminating the water between your cold water storage tank and the outlet to...

B&Q Warehouse sell various metal rods and profiles - perhaps something you could use to fabricate the legs. Or... a sheet of perspex cut to shape.

Something to bear in mind... Having done some research in to plumbing solutions to make water changes more straightforward I found myself falling foul of regulations surrounding mains and waste water. I was loosely familiar with the reasons for non-return valves in garden taps and why you can...

I'd be tempted to use waterproof end caps.

OK, T5's. So heat is going to be a consideration. Do you want something that sits on the tank or is suspended overhead? In the case of the latter can you attach to the ceiling or would you prefer a stand? Alternatively brackets off the wall above the tank?

There'll be several possibilities - the solution largely depends on your set up and capabilities. Have you got a photo of you can post? EDIT: Oh my... what a clever forum telling me about the post you posted while I was writing my post... OK, so you like the prev posted solution. Cool.

Use feet to make it stable on the carpet. You'll create high-pressure points which will resist the wobble. Make sure they're as near to the edge as possible and located within the main structural lines of the cabinet (i.e. your tank will transfer the weight down through the verticals - put the...

(If you do decide to use oil don't leave the rags bunched up in a ball... The can ignite spontaneously...)

How do you plan to finish it - paint, varnish? MDF is very good for painting if it's done well with a good primer coat. I'd go for moisture resistant and put some coats of paint on before fixing (to be sure all edges are sealed) and then a finishing coat. (Beware of the dust with MDF though...

I'd hand it back for a replacement.

Would you?

I had one of the aqua-medic ones and returned it coz it got just as hot as the normal one...

Re: My Water Changer How big is your tank?

Thanks for the feedback. Another question... The tank is 350 ltrs. I'd originally thought 1 x 300w should do the trick. The house is centrally heated - usually 18-19c, except overnight when the stat is set to 5c (but the house rarely gets that cold, if ever - I don't stay awake to check!)...

Any thoughts/recommendations re heaters? Good or bad experiences? I hate heaters with suction cups that constantly fail and allow the damned thing to drop off the glass all the time. Not interested in in-line heaters - don't need to spend the money as the tank is massive and a heater will be...

I'm guessing you live in a house with the stairs going up the middle (i.e. between two rooms). Perhaps 1930's? Hence the shape of the space available? That aside... I always have a nagging concern about the stress dynamics on L-shaped tanks. I'm no engineer etc and I know L-shaped tanks exist...

I don't do a lot of water changes any more, however, had considered a branch on my external filter syphon tube with a divert valve. Plug on a hose and set the valve to empty the tank via gravity and then plug on a feed to refill under mains pressure. Once it's all done, disconnect, set the valve...

How much would you pay for a bespoke, handmade, solid wood stand/cabinet for your tank? Not some nasty Pine affair but something made out of Cherry, or Ash, or White Oak, Maple - that sort of thing? Hood (if required) would have to be considered separately - think base only for the time being...

Yep, in it's most basic form it's just a plastic sheeting tent. If you can make it large enough to get inside with the item to be sprayed then you can do more than one side at a time. Alternatively, try and make it is such a way that you can rotate the booth around the item being sprayed. My...

Time to build a temporary spray booth... :D

Yes, Juwel tanks have feet. Ultimately you'll have two situations to contend with. The overall level - left to right and front to back, and then the unevenness of the tiles themselves. I think I'd place the stand with tank in situ, put an inch of water in the tank, and see how real the problem...

I would stick with solid supports rather than felt - the latter will compress due to uneven weight distribution in the tank (e.g. rocks, decor etc) and then leave the tank leaning (rather than just smoothing out the undulations. Tricky one... Is the floor just uneven from one tile to the next...

Hafele They support 200kg but I'm guessing that pressure per foot so they could just do the trick if you fit 6. Reliant on a good fixing too, though. I would have a skirt around the base and use the adjustable feet to lift the cabinet just enough. If they fail, the cabinet will fall on to the...

It has eight feet, however, I plan to put a sheet of thick ply down on the floor to stand it on to spread the pressure over a wider area and stop it punching holes through my floorboards.

I'm always amazed by the construction of the cabinets supplied with tanks and the lack of instruction re getting the floor absolutely level - especially left to right. In the longer term my tank will be situated on a built in cabinet - sturdy timbers behind an elegant, solid wood (probably...

The plan is to go for low-tech so I hope not to have my arms in the tank too often. Currently I'm just planning out the reinforcements that I'm going to put in under the floor! Some sturdy pieces of 2x4 on some low brick piers, just to support under where the front edge will sit.

No idea how old it is but I do know the previous owner kept cichlids in it and was none too careful about the glass... The lower section is a bit riddled with scratches but I'm not too bothered at this stage - for £100 it's potentially disposable if I decide I want to stick with this size tank...

Just bought one of these second-hand, complete with Rena external filter, a heater, and four tubes (altho not sure how old they are) too. Quite a monster.

My plastic pipes are developing a lovely covering of algae - it fits in with the natural look that I like but a look that I accept is not in vogue at the moment. Algae covered plastic without the risk of breakage is the place I like to be.

Personally I wouldn't have glass. I prefer function over form, although I don't deny the aesthetics of glass are far superior. I also couldn't be doing with something so fragile around me. I use the JBL plastic lily pipe. It is quite large, however, I don't find that a particular problem. From...

I think the Rena Aqualife tanks are stiff competition for the Juwel tanks...

Cabinets are not an issue for me. Never like any of those supplied as standard - they're either cheap and nasty laminated board, ugly, or both. I'm making my own cabinet, completely built in to an alcove, probably with cabinets above. Probably out of solid Cherry or similar. Agree re the...

Recommendations for suppliers of bespoke tanks (or possibly even a stock 48 x 18 x 18 )? I've come across these but never heard of them before today: http://www.bossaquariums.co.uk/ Very competitive pricing but how come? The cynic in me... http://www.ndaquatics.co.uk/ More what I'd expect to...