my 220g native in-wall build

[scotty]

this is a condensed version of a thread from another forum .

the tank : 220 gallon glass tank (picked it up used for $250) this was only a year old ... i only belived this because the manufacturer built by /inspected by sticker under the trim says made in oct 2008....

the filters : approx 35gallon sump (added a mag 18 pump) with an overflow box made by eshopps. and a cascade 1500

the stand : homemade (built another ) the one that came with the tank was not tall enough for my application ( the stand i built is 42"tall)

stuff i added ...
the background is 1/2" foam painted black and attached with velcro it needed to be removable for cleaning as there is no access from the front

homemade 200watt+ light (cost me about $30 to make it )

well enough talking here are some pics

[scotty]

more pics the stand is taking shape at this point

[scotty]

starting to cut the wall .......

[scotty]

got the tank on the stand and the hole in the wall. here are some pics of the homemade light

[scotty]

pics of the tank with the light above and before the background is installed

[scotty]

at this point i am going nuts wanting to put my fish in ....

so got the bg done filter and sump going and filled the tank .... and the water was really cloudy so i had to drain and re-fill (didnt wash the sand well enough

here are some pics of it as of last night complete with fish

[annageckos]

Thats a very nice tank. The driftwood sticking up like that looks good, and your fish are nice too.:19: thumbs2:

[rothenb1]

That is going to look VERY cool!

[scotty]

it looks amazing , the wife really loves it ....

[domjd05]

Really nice job! I assume the sump has wet/dry filter in it?

I think you should add more plants!

[Cliff]

Excellent job with the new set-up. I like how you framed the stand, should be nice and strong. I love the look of the tank from the room

[scotty]

Really nice job! I assume the sump has wet/dry filter in it?

I think you should add more plants!


yes it does , and i will add some more stuff soon ....i will post pics then

[Sarkazmo]

Very nice build! That was a steal to find that tank that cheap! Wow.

Only thing I'd add would be a diagonal cross bracing to the stand for higher lateral strength.

Sark

[kathymac]

Beautiful tank, wish I had one like that. You did a wonderful job.//

[fish00053]

Great job!!!!!! Pretty awesome. Wish I had your talent would build one myself.

[Northernguy]

You really did a nice job on that!
The finishing looks awesome!
I like the way you decorated the tank as well.Wonderful job!thumbs2:

[scotty]

thanks alot guys ..... it was alot of fun , wish i had another one to start on , lol

[Red]

A+ work, finally a native tank done right. Congrats on the build, it looks great.

[hybridguy]

Wow, what a deal on that tank!! nice craftsmanship on the wall cut out. I have wanted to do my 220 that way but cant talk the wife into it.thumbs2:

[scotty]

Wow, what a deal on that tank!! nice craftsmanship on the wall cut out. I have wanted to do my 220 that way but cant talk the wife into it.thumbs2:


show her this one maybe it will convince her.........

[UncleWillie]

Stellar setup. Nice to see a completely project without all the wait between updates, haha! What a nice wifey you have to let you do such a project and have those 'ugly' fish in there.:22: The hat is off.

[Cliff]

at this point i am going nuts wanting to put my fish in ....

so got the bg done filter and sump going and filled the tank .... and the water was really cloudy so i had to drain and re-fill (didnt wash the sand well enough

here are some pics of it as of last night complete with fish


Just out of curiosity, what type of plants is that in these pics ?

[scotty]

Just out of curiosity, what type of plants is that in these pics ?


i think it is moneywort......

[scotty]

Stellar setup. Nice to see a completely project without all the wait between updates, haha! What a nice wifey you have to let you do such a project and have those 'ugly' fish in there.:22: The hat is off.



Did he just call my fish "ugly" ?

[UncleWillie]

No, No. I tend get asked "Why do you keep those ugly fish, instead of those bright tropicals that everyone esle does?" I only keep natives, and I think they are beautiful, but others call them ugly. Though I will say, I've started keeping the prettier of the native species (redbreast(avatar), dollar sunfish, flagfish and yellowfin shiners),in more recent years, though whe i first started keeping them, I typically kept the 'brown/'ugly'' fish like blacknose dace, fantail darters, blah blah blah. I don't get the 'ugly' fish comments much anymore.

[scotty]

No, No. I tend get asked "Why do you keep those ugly fish, instead of those bright tropicals that everyone esle does?" I only keep natives, and I think they are beautiful, but others call them ugly. Though I will say, I've started keeping the prettier of the native species (redbreast(avatar), dollar sunfish, flagfish and yellowfin shiners),in more recent years, though whe i first started keeping them, I typically kept the 'brown/'ugly'' fish like blacknose dace, fantail darters, blah blah blah. I don't get the 'ugly' fish comments much anymore.


lol i noticed the avatar after i posted that.....

[Northernguy]

lol i noticed the avatar after i posted that.....
Are you calling his fish ugly? lol :hmm3grin2orange:

[scotty]

Are you calling his fish ugly? lol :hmm3grin2orange:



well , you know what they say . if the shoe fits .........LOL

[scotty]

well , picked up the materials for my 55g sump for this tank , i will start on it shortly...

[scotty]

i got the trickle pleat built and the glass dividers installed last night . i also picked up some "egg crate" to suspend the bio media ......