AeonFlame's 100g journal

**Aeonflame** · 04-17-2011, 02:45 AM

Ok, so I've finally decided to get around to starting a journal for my new tank. It was a rough start, since I initially planned to be finished almost a month ago. There were a few setbacks along the way. Firstly, the guy who built the tank drilled a too small hole for the overflow as you can see here

It was meant to be a 1 1/4" hole to accept a 1" fitting. That would have drained about 600 gph which was ideal for the return pump I bought. It took some brainstorming and I had to bounce my ideas off you guys but I finally decided on attaching a 2" pvc flange to the bottom of the tank around the hole. I used clearweld epoxy for this, since the bond strength is touted as 2000 pounds. I would be satisfied to get quarter of that.

The second setback was the stand. I built the stand for my 70 gallon by myself out of lumber, but I didn't trust my carpentry skills to make a level 6' stand. Thus, I decided to have one welded using 1.5" 1.8 mm SHS steel. The fabricator I went to was recommended to me by a friend. It took the guy two weeks just to start the thing and another 4 days to finish it. When I got it home and looked at it, the middle was higher than the both ends by a good 1/4 ". Now, I explained to him several times how important it was for it to be level. Still, he gave me a bit of a runaround before he picked it back up to get it fixed. After that, It took another week before he was finished. It wasnt even primed when I picked it up... I decided to do that myself since I couldnt wait another day.

Finally I could get started! heres a photo of the tank before I did anything with it..

I spraypainted the background black, and moved everything inside. Then I plumbed the whole thing and set up the sump to get this. Of course there had to be another setback and this time it was self inflicted. The return plumbing was working fine and then I just HAD to shorten the hose by a couple inches. This of course, was an inch too short. I had to move the whole thing to the other side of the tank till I got a replacement hose the next day. Not really a big deal, but annoying nonetheless.

**Cliff** · 04-17-2011, 02:49 AM

Looks like you are off to a great start

I'm looking forward to your up-dates Aeonflame.

This is going to be a great set-up

**Aeonflame** · 04-17-2011, 02:58 AM

For those wondering, I used pot scrubbies as media. They have a lot of surface area and are cheap. The wet/dry trickle filter was made out of laundry baskets I bought at the dollar store. The sump itself is a plastic storage bin. Yup, I really cheaped out on this one. Forgive the crappy photos, but I was too lazy to get my camera out.

Heres a proper photo of it, all set up

The pump I use is a catalina 3000 rated for around 900 gph which was recommended by Crispy.

**Aeonflame** · 04-17-2011, 03:03 AM

Finally! Yesterday I bought sand, a lighting fixture, and eggcrate to cover the tank. I didn't bother washing the sand since Im lazy and water changes will get it all eventually. I just poured it all in and watched my clean water get all murky. Oh well.

Update... Ok, so its now a day later and the water has mostly cleared up.. and without a single water change! Time to add driftwood!

**Aeonflame** · 04-17-2011, 03:10 AM

Ok, here it is. My first arrangement. Since this will be a plant hating cichlid tank, Im afraid I'm limited to java fern and mosses. To be added after cycling.

I like the ledge this piece creates.

I have been soaking this piece for 8 months now!! It finally decided to sink a few weeks ago... Just in time. This is the best driftwood I've ever found. Im thinking of using java fern to finish the tree look. There are even hollow areas at the top that can be planted in.

**Surfdog** · 04-17-2011, 03:11 AM

Wow Aeon, Inovative to say the least!! Very cool and I am thinking economical... Looking forward to see your progress and may steal some of your ideas for future projects!!! Ohh, and LOL about the sand!! Pure logic...