Titillidie

Hey guys, new to the forums.
Heres were we start. I have had fish tanks ever since I can remember. Probably 10 years old. The most at once was a total of 5. Two of them being SW. I have finally given up on the SW tanks because they are just too darn expensive, so I downgraded my 220 to a 30. The fish are in the 30 gal now, but have a lot more live rock per gallon.
So now sits my 220 which is molded into the living room closet. It looks like an in wall tank. Actually the tank is soooo big that we had to cut a large part of the drywall out so we could swing it in there. The opening is 6ft wide and the tank is 6 ft. so being on an angle it is like 6f2in. and it is like 1000 lbs empty (not really) anyways, my next crazy idea is the Paludrium. I have read about “chucks” how to guide. Its really nice, but I think I will use some of his ideas and combined them with others. I am going to use the foam sheets, and incorporate in some expanding foam as well.
Looking into the build, I see my first problem. The tank was put in the wall, and then the boarder was added. That probably added an inch or two. So the tank is staying there for ever. So that means I only have the option of making things that will fit between the 18” opening into the tank. So the biggest part I can make is going to be 18x23x58. So I will probably have to make water on 3 sides of my dry land. Also, the water and ledge will be one part, and the background in the air portion will be another put together later in the tank.
I will keep everyone posted. This is also my first post on here, but I am a member of myfishtank and monsterfishkeepers. Any input, suggestions, or criticism would be appreciated. Please no “why don’t you make this kind of tank” posts!

p.s. has anyone seen a 200 paludarium?

GlitcH

Welcome Tit.......lol.
Sorry........I always abbreviate names.
First let me just say you've got it all wrong.......you really should do it this way...

Sorry......I'm a smart arse too.
Really though......welcome to APC.
Your project sounds interesting....I'm looking forward to seeing it come together....actually I'm looking forward to seeing it, period...........lets see some pics of your work space so we can tell you how you should do this

Titillidie

my shop it Twisted Image, so our logo is a circle TI. hard to explain but you can see it on our web page i am sure. any ways, this guy at the shop said we need shirts that is the TI logo and ttys in normal letters.

went to home depot last night, but they close early i guess. i was going to get some plexy, foam and expanding foam to get started. but i was thinking, how do they get the bottom half of the foam to stay under water without it wanting to float?

Titillidie

Heres what we are working with. as you can see, it was a full working salt water tank just a few weeks ago before all my fish died... except for the cheap ones

yesterday, i got the shop vac and got the remaining water and sand out of the tank. it was a pain in the neck. the opening on top of the tank is not even as wide as my head. i have to put my head in ear aginst tank to get in there. lol i wish this tank was predrilled, it would be soooo much easier to do! i have to abandon my sump set up. unless i figure something crazy out. i guess i could pump out of the flow box, or get a really big U tube?

i took a stroll around walmart garden center and they have these bags of "river pebbles" and "river egg stones" i think that is what i am going to use for the substraight.

Titillidie

Ok, for my huge number if fans who subscribe to this thread, here goes the first part of the write up…

Ok, go to home depot, lowes or whatever you have and purchase a pack of insulation foam. Mine are 18X48X1. There were 5 or 6 in the pack. Also, get some cans of spray foam or great stuff foam. Get more than you think you will need. I got 3 and I probably need 3 more. Also, you will need egg crate. i got 2 pieces but I had a few pieces from the old top.

cut the foam to fit the back of the tank

Make the “land” portion, my tank is wider than the foam was, so I had to make some extensions to make it all fit. Use tooth picks to hold them together


Heres what it will look like

Next, cut the egg crate to a shape of what you want the stands to look like. Sorry I forgot to get pics of them before hand. Remember, you want the back of the foam to stick up higher than the front. You don’t really have to but it makes for a better effect. Fill the egg crate with foam, make sure you cover it all up and go around the out side.





Use your wife’s flipper-turner-over to pry them off whatever you foamed them too.



Next for the water falls. I built up a stand to keep the water tube up and tried filling it with foam. I made it two sided to represent the corner of the tank. of course, it started spilling over. I had to brace up the partially dried foam.

orlando

Im not sure what Im looking at, but its huge and I think its going to be cool

-Orlando

gmccreedy

ROFLMAO!!! Classic line. I was thinking the same thing...

Titillidie

lol thanks man. yea its a 220 in the closet. this is my first build. i with my tank didnt have the size problem with the small gap to get stuff in, also there are 2 straps on the top of the tank that limit the size left to right as well. if i could just make one big piece, it would be way better.

eco-mod

Sub'd!!!

cs_gardener

This looks like it's going to be a great project. I'll be watching to see how it comes together.