my new tank build

First topic message reminder :

After seeing raptors building blog i decided i would do one on my new 55 i got from raptor.
After getting the tank home i looked it over. I wanted to modify the stand to work better for my needs but after looking at it i decided to build a new stand to put it on. Thought that would be easier then modifying the stand that came with it.

I started by building this 2x4 frame. I built it to hold a 75 gallon tank so that i could put it next to the wall and not have a big gap between it and the wall. Later i can get a 75 gallon tank and not have to build a new stand for it. The plan for this stand is to make a hourglass figure stand with a solid wood bottom to put the sump on. I plan on trying to sandblast the canopy so i can clear coat it to make it a light wood color instead of black. I see allot of people having black stands. I will keep you posted on the build.

The water has finally cleared up and i have now moved my cichlids into there next home. I only have a few things left to do to this stand and canopy to Finnish the build then it will be on to the next build, a 30 long with a turtle in it. Here are some pics with the cichlids in it. All 25 of them.

very very nice... Background came out really good. tank looks awesome. Well Done...

are those american and african ciclids in there?

both south american, african lake malawi and lake victoria.

odd combo of fish. Is everything getting along?

No problems.95% of them have been in there since they were babies. Only two or three I already had.

Nice

lgsasquatch wrote:

No problems.95% of them have been in there since they were babies. Only two or three I already had.

THEY ALL LOOK HAPPY TOO. GREAT JOB.

man good job yeah people said that you cant mix american and african because of water pirams but ive done it and youve done it so i guess were in luck i have 20 fish in my 60 gallon and it looks nice my fish are all like 4 inches and i too grew them out from babys and they get along good too. are those ebjds and sp44s

Yep o have two in there.

lgsasquatch wrote:

Yep o have two in there.

yeah i see ,nice i have the same set up i have 3 ebjds and alot of pecocks and mbunas i even have two frontosas

ricardorocks wrote:

lgsasquatch wrote:

Yep o have two in there.

yeah i see ,nice i have the same set up i have 3 ebjds and alot of pecocks and mbunas i even have two frontosas

Me too, 1 ebjd, 2 fronts, haps and peacocks, and about 5 mbuna.

I have a breeding pair of mbunas and a breeding pair of jewels. I think I have male and female labs.

oh wow i am suprised you aren't having issues, mine are all male so there is no fighting over breeding. Hope it all stays good for you.

micahsutton wrote:

oh wow i am suprised you aren't having issues, mine are all male so there is no fighting over breeding. Hope it all stays good for you.

more people with a crazy mix cool yeah i got alot of heat from people for doing this im having to much fun to switch it up they look too happy to me plus they were raised together

it came out looking SO NICE!
when u used the drylock did u have to paint the whole surface or just the front?

I put a coat over the whole thing first. You could probably get away without but o decided to cover the whole thing with one or two basecoats before I added any color. I have about five coats total on mine.

Nice! Will have to try this.

Well done. Congrats

way to go bro!!!!!