So after a fourteen year hiatus (yes 1-4) due to life in general, I am finally able to once again have a tank. I thought I would share my build to get thoughts, opinions and advice. A lot of things have changed since I last had my tank and I am re-learning everything. Due to space constraints, I knew the tank I wanted was to be 65 gallons. I set out searching for a used setup and came across an RSM 250 that Sagz70 was selling. Not knowing anything about this setup I did a quick search and contacted him. He gave me a great deal and then the adventure began. I've purchased all of the accessories second hand from either ebay or this forum to keep the costs down (it gets out of control real quick).
First thing the wife said when she saw the stand was, "you have to do something about that, it doesn't match anything in our house." After some pondering, I decided to make new doors and side panels for the stand. I made them to match a "rustic" wood wall I did in our dining room, so at least the stand will tie in with that motif. After the stand, I decided to start thinking of the rock work for the tank. I had kept all of my old rocks, when I broke down my last tank, boxed-up in the garage hoping one day I could use them again. This time though, I decided instead of just stacking the rocks, I would take more time with it and actually try to do an "aqua-scape" with them. It took me three days and a lot of hydraulic cement, but I managed to finish.
I also got a great deal on an Apex system from AdamAquatic. I have been slowly reading up on them (never used one before) and its a bit overwhelming, but I think eventually I'll figure it out. For now, I just did the layout for all of the components. I did a mock-up using cardboard to see if it was feasible to get it in the stand. I ended up cutting one of the old doors to the stand that will ultimately be the panel that everything will attach to. I am almost ready for water and to start the cycling process. I started all of this back in January and I can't wait to see it finally filled. Sorry if the post is picture heavy.
Original stand
New doors
Side panel
Control panel mock-up
Dosing Lines on rear of tank
Rockscape evolution
Some rocks didn't make the cut and were moved around it was constantly changing.
Close to complete. I think I added a few more pieces after this shot.
First thing the wife said when she saw the stand was, "you have to do something about that, it doesn't match anything in our house." After some pondering, I decided to make new doors and side panels for the stand. I made them to match a "rustic" wood wall I did in our dining room, so at least the stand will tie in with that motif. After the stand, I decided to start thinking of the rock work for the tank. I had kept all of my old rocks, when I broke down my last tank, boxed-up in the garage hoping one day I could use them again. This time though, I decided instead of just stacking the rocks, I would take more time with it and actually try to do an "aqua-scape" with them. It took me three days and a lot of hydraulic cement, but I managed to finish.
I also got a great deal on an Apex system from AdamAquatic. I have been slowly reading up on them (never used one before) and its a bit overwhelming, but I think eventually I'll figure it out. For now, I just did the layout for all of the components. I did a mock-up using cardboard to see if it was feasible to get it in the stand. I ended up cutting one of the old doors to the stand that will ultimately be the panel that everything will attach to. I am almost ready for water and to start the cycling process. I started all of this back in January and I can't wait to see it finally filled. Sorry if the post is picture heavy.
Original stand
New doors
Side panel
Control panel mock-up
Dosing Lines on rear of tank
Rockscape evolution
Some rocks didn't make the cut and were moved around it was constantly changing.
Close to complete. I think I added a few more pieces after this shot.
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