SnakeIce

The first aquarium I remember seeing was my grandfather's 20 long with fancy guppies, chest bubbler, dull colored gravel and air pump driven ugf. After my parents became more settled my dad obtained his tank from my grandfather and he has had various tetras, rasboras, danios, chinese algae eaters and angelfish over the years. The tank was slightly better looking with reproduction plastic aquatic plants.

It was about this time that I began to have an interest in my own tank. I checked out every aquarium book in the library and nearly had the various aquarium trade fish species memorized by catagory if not species. After a childhood history of not being able to afford extras I left the desire for a tank to the distant future.

So when I finally was able to start off on my own aquatic adventures in August of '02 I knew I wanted planted tanks, that I liked smaller fish, and when I could afford more than the 20g tank I started with that a 75 gallon tank was the dream tank. I have built this tank in my head more times than I can count.

I shall resume this later, as I need to go at the moment.

SnakeIce

The various ideas coalesced into a plan for a medium light planted tank with a pair of angels, and one or two species of dwarf cichlids. The other fish would depend on what is available and has to work around the cichlids.

I finally saw the first step towards getting this tank together when 10 months ago for my birthday my wife got me an All Glass 75 gallon tank and a 20 long for her. Aquatropics in Kennewick WA has a deal twice a year where they have standard 20g, 55g and 75g for a buck a gallon.

75g All Glass tank 75$ plus tax

I fully intended to build my own stands and covers. Not haveing more than a hand saw and hammer I had to begin aquireing tools for the job (oh darn, I've always wanted a woodshop). So with new circular saw, miter box, level, and bar clamps I could begin. I decided to build the stand for the 20 long first for the experience.

Materials for this Oak finished stand cost me about $120. At this point I was out of money again.

SnakeIce

After learning my own limitations with the circular saw I added a compound miter saw to the tool list for the construction of the frame of the 75 gallon stand. As a front porch and liveing room craftsman I've had to make sure I don't make to much of a mess. Little progress was made on the stand over the winter, but with warmer weather here I have it down to a few final steps to finish on the stand.



I just have to make a floor and a lower door sill. My wife, who does all the final finishing, will stain and poly the rest of the stand.

I spent about $125 on materials for this stand. I had some trim left from the other stand and a friend gave me some 4"x4"s for the legs that he had sitting around. Again the outside is oak veneer paneling and solid oak trim.

I recieved the Soilmaster select charcoal last week that I ordered from Lesco, a landscape and turf management supply company. The drift wood Jeff Senske so generously picked out is currently on time to be delivered by UPS on July 10.

I shall have updates when the stand is finished and as I begin to set the tank up. Untill then, take care and have fun.

ranmasatome

neat!! i'm looking forward to more when you post them up.. thanks for sharing.. i love DIY projects.

John N.

I got confused about the stands, but then suddenly realized they were two separate ones for a 20 long, and the current one your building (75g). Nice work on the first stand. This will be an interesting to see everything develop, especially since I think you're doing some "cave" work with the driftwood if I recall correctly.

-John N.

SnakeIce

Drift wood...




Just some preliminary playing around I've done with the driftwood. The box with the SMS charcoal in it is on the left and the tank is in the background. I'm not sure I like the right side yet, I may spread it out some more to get more area usable for the dwarf cichlids.

Sudi

Where did you get that wood from?
Everything looks great so far.

I hope this journey will become reality, not just a dream

Matt

SnakeIce

That drift wood is from Jeff Senske at ADG. He was VERY generous in how much he sent me for what I paid, so reality or not it still feels like a dream. I asked him for some peices to make some caves and low cover that would creat the appropriate liveing space for several pairs of dwarf cichlids. He said he gave me an amount double what I was paying for and I'm thinking that even that is a low estimate.

Further on that transaction can be found here

QuantumCranker

Very interested to see how this goes! I'm excited for you! *subscribed*

LunchBox

that's a beauty of a tankstand. am I seeing things or did you use 4x4s for the frame? can't wait to see how the rest turns out!