This is my first aquarium for several decades and I have been taking my time getting it set up.
Several weeks ago I picked up a Superfish Cube 40x40 cm aquarium locally for £30. I removed the inbuilt filter and lighting unit and just retained the glass tank. For a stand, I purchased a Ikea double Kallax Unit and some door inserts. The aquarium is not an exact fit, but the only overhangs by about 6mm on one side, which I have at the rear by the wall.
As the top of the Kallax is not flat, I first placed some 3mm self adhesive neoprene on the top between the sides to level it.
On top of this, I have placed a 40x40 5mm neoprene sheet. Belt and braces, possibly, but I'd rather do this than regret later.
The sides were still very slightly raised, but I am happy with this as these sides should be able to hold the greatest weight.
Next, I painted the back and one side of the tank with black acrylic paint.
I want the tank to be open, so it was important for me to have surface skimming, so I purchased a lilly pipe set which included an adjustable skimmer. This is going to be attached to a Oase thermo filter 100 which resides in the cabinet immediately below. I wanted the lilly pipe to come in at an angle from the rear, so I siliconed one of the clips that came with the filter into the corner to mount the lilly pipe.
I am currently in the process of hardscaping using Talawa wood which I am attaching to a heavy slate using D-D aquarium putty. This slate will later be buried with the wood appearing to poke up through the substrate. I attached the first pieces yesterday and was worried that they might not hold when I removed the supporting threads, but the join seems very strong. I will still take great care not to knock them during maintenance! As you can see below, I am currently waiting for the putty to cure on two more pieces of wood I attached this morning. Once they are cured, I will finish of the packet of putty adding more support around the joints.
I have 9lt of Tropica aquarium soil on order which should be with me next week, along with some macrophytes for planting. All the species I have ordered tolerate low to medium light, and include java fern and java moss for epiphytes on the wood.
Now I need to get a light and would like a single spot rather than a bar for even coverage. I am currently thinking of the Fluvial Nano LED. You can see how the tank will be close to my favourite seat and just behind my head slightly higher than my eyeline, so any light will need to be dimable. One with a shade would also be a boon, and I have seen aftermarket shades for the nano. If anyone has any suggestions for lights, I would be very interested to hear.
Several weeks ago I picked up a Superfish Cube 40x40 cm aquarium locally for £30. I removed the inbuilt filter and lighting unit and just retained the glass tank. For a stand, I purchased a Ikea double Kallax Unit and some door inserts. The aquarium is not an exact fit, but the only overhangs by about 6mm on one side, which I have at the rear by the wall.
As the top of the Kallax is not flat, I first placed some 3mm self adhesive neoprene on the top between the sides to level it.
On top of this, I have placed a 40x40 5mm neoprene sheet. Belt and braces, possibly, but I'd rather do this than regret later.
The sides were still very slightly raised, but I am happy with this as these sides should be able to hold the greatest weight.
Next, I painted the back and one side of the tank with black acrylic paint.
I want the tank to be open, so it was important for me to have surface skimming, so I purchased a lilly pipe set which included an adjustable skimmer. This is going to be attached to a Oase thermo filter 100 which resides in the cabinet immediately below. I wanted the lilly pipe to come in at an angle from the rear, so I siliconed one of the clips that came with the filter into the corner to mount the lilly pipe.
I am currently in the process of hardscaping using Talawa wood which I am attaching to a heavy slate using D-D aquarium putty. This slate will later be buried with the wood appearing to poke up through the substrate. I attached the first pieces yesterday and was worried that they might not hold when I removed the supporting threads, but the join seems very strong. I will still take great care not to knock them during maintenance! As you can see below, I am currently waiting for the putty to cure on two more pieces of wood I attached this morning. Once they are cured, I will finish of the packet of putty adding more support around the joints.
Now I need to get a light and would like a single spot rather than a bar for even coverage. I am currently thinking of the Fluvial Nano LED. You can see how the tank will be close to my favourite seat and just behind my head slightly higher than my eyeline, so any light will need to be dimable. One with a shade would also be a boon, and I have seen aftermarket shades for the nano. If anyone has any suggestions for lights, I would be very interested to hear.
