my new tank version 2.0

[overtsilence]

okay so i know most of you saw the pictures a while back showing my tank as i initially set it up. got lots of comments on how crappy my setup of two stands were, which i was aware of. since then i've moved and actually built a stand to be home for my tank and completely set the tank up brand new again. here's pictures this time around...lookin good? i'm pretty happy with it...what do u think....

oh and as u can see where i have my heater...what is one of the better placements of it? i have it there now but am not real crazy about how easy it shows...so any ideas there or placement to get good use yet not so much seen?

 

[imsqueak]

Looks much better and safer, but....
You might consider mounting your power strip to the underside of the stand so you have a "drip loop" for your electrical cords.

The obvious addition would be a sump/fuge to hide your heaters, skimmer, and other equipment. You should be able to add one for about $100

Looks like you have some nice rock. Blowing off your rocks with a turkey baster or power head is a good idea to avoiding food and detritus build-up. If you have some rocks stacked tightly, you probably cant blow them off. Keep that in mind when aquascaping.

 

[Angela Short]

I like the shape of the rock. Hope this doesn't sound negative but I would try to open the rock up more. You can do amazing things with 2 part epoxy from Home depo (aquamend brand) and get some nice pillars and caves going. Also just jam the heater all the way down behind the rocks. My freindhas the same heater on a 29 gallon and its almost burried in the sand but she has good flow behind the rock to keep it heating evenly.
I would also mount the center power head in a corner so its not so noticable. It looks like a great start though!
Yep also get them strips up on the stand, Been there done that with water spills .

 

[imsqueak]

I gave it (the rock) the ole' diplomatic sounding approach but Angela hit the nail on the head.

I cant tell for sure, but I think that powerhead is the supply pump for the skimmer. Though it's probably best in the center, it sure is unsightly.

Remind us, what's the future stocking plans for this tank?

 

[awcurl]

If you do rearrange your rock I would suggest elevating it off the sand so you can have good water flow under the rock. I used this for mine but other have used short sections of PVC pipe very effectively.

:bum:

 

[overtsilence]

i appreciate the comments. yeh as far as powerheads, i've got the pump going with the skimmer, but i've also got a mj1200 going on the left side. i'm planning on soon adding another onto the right side to get some more flow going. as far as the power strip, i'm attaching it to the back side of the stand for that drip loop reason, just hadn't done it yet as of taking the pictures. i've not completely decided yet what i'll be stocking with, i added a cleaner shrimp on friday. not sure exactly what else i'll be adding though, just been working full on on getting the tank itself setup so i'll be ready to add other items.

how hard would it be to try setting up a sump tank without being able to drill the tank? Like doing the pipe work and what have you to get the flow from the bottom back up to the tank. it'd definitely help on the appearance with my skimmer hanging there in the middle at least. and open up a lot more space in my tank

 

[imsqueak]

Just get an overflow box to feed your sump. You can DIY one, or buy one. HD and Lowes carries the material to build one. Wally world has cheap 10-20g tanks to act as the sump.

 

[overtsilence]

yeh one of those walmart tanks is what i was thinking of using for a sump if i end up going that route