Kurt Reinhart

I repaired the overflow slot with epoxy. This did take some additional planning and time to repair. However, its incredibly strong and probably will not affect the tank strength especially since its near the top and not the bottom.

I have also attached the overflow. You can barely see the whitish slot of the epoxy repair to the right of the overflow by the long bar clamp in the picture.

I'm still applying epoxy--not quite half done. I've nearly used up a gallon and am waiting for more to continue. I'm almost done with the first 3 coats (plus one layer of fiberglass) on the inside. The picture shows the left overflow being clamped to the tank.

I'm also considering some plumbing options based on comments from the DIY section.

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Kurt Reinhart

I just figured out how to upload pictures... Duh.


Here is a picture showing the internal joints (have 2"*2" cut at 45 degree angles). The whitish wall has not received epoxy yet. The trianglish areas mostly in the epoxied corners are where I screwed up and had air bubbles. I cut them out with a utility knife... Tip of the day- Take your time and watch for bubbles. Work on eliminating while the epoxy is wet.


Here is a picture of the fiberglass being laid out before adding epoxy. I'm new to working with fiberglass and am amazed at how clear it becomes (hence the name I guess).


Where my daughter is standing is the area where the fiberglass was laid out. The tank is sitting on end. It is propped up so that no weight is on the overflow.

SKSuser

This is very cool!
I have dreams of this, but I fear thats just what they'll always be.

I see the blue foam. Will you be using any insulation around the tank?

DonaldmBoyer

It's coming along, man! Your daughter is a cutie!! Gives a good idea of the scale of your tank, though.

How long before it's done, and have you decided what you are going to put in it yet?

Kurt Reinhart

The blue foam was used to insulate the raised floor. I have been using it to prop up the tank while using the epoxy. I should be done with the epoxy in January... At this point, I don't plan to insulate it but we'll see.

I do have some ideas for stocking. I'm planning a Florida Biotope tank. Essentially a hardwater aquarium with Florida flora and fauna. Here are some tentative ideas. I've been posting some things in the "local biotope" section (including some cool spring photos)- http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/f...g-biotope.html
One of the photos is really great showing a three species section of spring that I might try to model so check it out and tell me what you think.

Most of the springs that I've seen are near monocultures of one species (typically something grass-like) with a few others here and there. I will probably have only 2-3 plant species in this tank. I may consider multiple grass-like species (e.g. a tall, medium, and small species + something else).

Plants: (this is really tentative at this point & I'ld appreciate feedback)
These are two common grass-like species typical of Florida springs-
1. Vallisneria americana or
2. Sagittaria kurziana (does this go by another name? can't find anyone that sells it)

3. red ludwigia
4. ???

Fish (#s are tentative)
2 dollar sunfish (Lepomis marginatus)
4 blue spotted sunfish (Enneacanthus gloriosus)
8 flagfish (Jordanella floridae)
12 salfin mollies (Poecilia latipinna)
10 least killifish (Heterandria formosa)
maybe some bluefin killie (Lucania goodei) &/or Brook silversides (Labidesthes sicculus)

numerous nitrite snails
possibly some mussels/clams

SKSuser

The USDA says that the S. kurziana sometimes goes by the common name of springtape.

As an alternative to buying it, could you not find someone that has it on their private land? I don't know if there is such a thing down there or if all the waterways get posessed by the gov, but here in Missouri you can find many interesting goodies on the minor tributaries on private land.

I'm not a very good aquascaper, but I'd say over-all your plants seem to compliment the tank dimensions very well. It will be interesting to see how it comes together.

Kurt Reinhart

Here is a revision to the plants that I'm thinking of including. Finding Florida domestics has been tricky...

Sagittaria kurziana (strap-leaf sagittaria) (grasslike plant)

Some that may produce emergent (above water growth) leaves/stems
Ludwigia repens (red Ludwigia)
Hygrophila costata

short foreground type plant
Elocharis baldwinii

I'm about to make a lot of progress with the tank (adding glass, finishing stand, etc.) and will make more updates in 1-2 wks.

orlando

Hi Kurt, Im going to the springs this weekend. Let me know if you would like me to do anything special as far as pics,plants whatever.

Kurt Reinhart

Hi Orlando,

Thanks. I'm pretty much covered. Hope its warmed up some. Have a blast! I think that we would all enjoy seeing pictures that reveal the natural beauty of these springs. I think that we're all pretty blown away to see that such beautiful aquascapes exist in nature.

orlando

I agree, it should be fun. And yes it has warmed up a bit. Our pond froze last night. I will be sure to get those pictures up soon. Cheers

 

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