340 Natal (with co2 maybe?)

[RichTea]

Hi all,
My first post, I have read a lot over the last year or so but didn't sign up until now as I fancied doing a Journal and asking questions along the way to my new setup.


I have done a few tanks since I got back in to fishkeeping around d two years ago. This will be the biggest. I went from 54 to 125 to 200 and now the 340 all tropical community tanks, would of gone bigger this time if we had the space!

The 200 was my first "natural" in that I used pond soil and a gravel cap and heavy planted before they were just gravel. I have since gone back and set the 125 up with deep soil and a cap, it was going to be just a Shrimp tank but I ended up with a Betta and a load of Chilli Rasbora.

Anyway now on to the 340, it was a bargain buy at a LFS secondhand 120x45x64 1cm glass, it came with a simple stand. I am told that it and two matching ones were used to move around the country for shows, I have no idea what type of glass but it looks very clear.

1st job to get get a new stand for it, one the other half will like so not one I can make my self with my primitive woodworking skills.
I think we have found one to suit, a custom made "rustic wood".


I have acquired a few bit for it already:
2 bits of spider wood
2 bags of Pond soil and corse sand.

Filtration wise I love my Eheim's and have slowly acquired a few different ones and upgrades and have ended up with a 2078 and a 2178 on my 200 with Sera PreFix as pre filters on both and a Eheim Reflex 800 UV. All acquire via FB marketplace and Gumtree. I might do a few guides on repairs for Eheim filters as I have gone few quite a few!


Lighting I have a pair of Fluval Aquasky 910mm and a Plant 110cm

I also have a co2 system!

Its going to be at least a month before we get the stand so I guess I have plenty of time to think and ask questions about the set up!

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[RichTea]

I missed my question in the first post, has anyone any suggestions about the set up?

Should I try co2 with deep soil substrate?
Any recommended places to have a custom stand built?

How do I find out what type of glass was used for the tank?

Anyone any idea what make the tank is?

Any recommended lids? I like the tank covered not sure if I should just use plastic or have a wooden one too.

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[RichTea]

My 200 and 125

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[RichTea]

Long time coming but Phase 2 is started, picked up the new stand and top for the new tank today.
Had to mostly empty the old tank so I could move it to make room for the new stand.

Next job, the new stand rocks a bit on the laminate floor! I have two options, 1) just leave it and hope its fine with the weight of the tank added 2) to to level it up a bit, maybe some foam mat under the leg.
Maybe time to get the spirit level out!



After that its get the tank on the stand!
The tank has an aluminum rim around the bottom should I stick with that or add a leveling mat?


Any suggestions?

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[tigertim]

re the Glass question

The Difference Between Clear Glass & Low-Iron Glass

The difference between clear glass and low-iron glass is the greater transparency of the latter, making it more ideal for certain uses such as frameless glass walls, display cases, partitions and dividers, and other appearance-driven applications.

www.dillmeierglass.com

What Are The Benefits Of Optiwhite Aquarium Glass - Tropical Fish Site

If you have or are considering the route of buying a custom made fish tank you will often be faced with the decision of whether to go for Optiwhite glass or

www.tropicalfishsite.com

 

[RichTea]

re the Glass question

Thanks for links, reading through I think mine is just standard glass, or at least the brace is 🤣 the main glass has a black silicone so its had to see the edges but it does seem to have a green tinge.

 

[RichTea]

One more job done, rim and corner pieces siliconed in...
Did not come out to bad for some one who is kack handed, it did look a bit better until I pulled the masking tape off and the edge of the bead came with it!

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[RichTea]

Few more steps completed...

Got the tank on to its stand.

Made the lid out of greenhouse plastic sheet, did three sections and doubled up thickness for strength.

Added the dirt. Which was pond soil 40 l of the stuff, spent ages sifting through picking out bits of crud and wood there wasn't all that much but. About 4cm thick.

Added first layer of cap, which was a larger gravel (2-3mm) only about 1/2 cm thick but I had it so.

Added main layer of cap a gravel/ sand "Samoa Course Sand" (1mm) about 5-6cm thick.

Added the in/out let's for the filter, 2 x Eheim Installation sets.


Have started trying out the hard scape, not happy with it yet!

Also did some modifications to the wooden top surround.

Have acquired some brackets to hold the filter pipe work

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[RichTea]

I got all carried away and didn't update this blog...

Well its all set up now and seems they be doing very well, plants are growing in well and fish seem happy.
I did end up with far to many fish but the filters are doing a good job from what I can tell.
Just got replaced some Nymphaea that didn't survive the move hopeful the new ones will grow in soon.