~~ Thread of the Month ~~ Ghetto Tanks!
- Thread starter Yellotang
- Start date
coyoteseven
New member
:celeb3: Hooray for duct tape, ballpeen hammers and WD40!!! :celeb3:
No DIY toolkit should be without them.
No DIY toolkit should be without them.
Troy182
New member
This is my story...
My wife wanted the crib in our room in our 1500 sq ft 2 bedroom apt in N. VA. Well, she cleared out some space for the crib, stacked the bedroom side tables on top of the armoire and pushed all the furniture to the walls. The crib never made it out of the second bedroom.
I always wanted to upgrade my 30 gallon.
I ended up putting a 75 g tank on 2x4's where the "crib" was supposed to go. She said I can have the tank, provided I didn't spend more than $100 on the stand. Then I used a hand me down crib mattress to cover the sump & insulate the noise.
And I did buy a real stand when I moved. Got to love the wife.
My wife wanted the crib in our room in our 1500 sq ft 2 bedroom apt in N. VA. Well, she cleared out some space for the crib, stacked the bedroom side tables on top of the armoire and pushed all the furniture to the walls. The crib never made it out of the second bedroom.
I always wanted to upgrade my 30 gallon.
I ended up putting a 75 g tank on 2x4's where the "crib" was supposed to go. She said I can have the tank, provided I didn't spend more than $100 on the stand. Then I used a hand me down crib mattress to cover the sump & insulate the noise.
And I did buy a real stand when I moved. Got to love the wife.
sfsuphysics
Active member
Ok i've been a bit disappointed with the past few "ghetto" pages, I mean sheesh! 
So I decided to add mine to the mix, but its not so much ghetto as it is messy due to the slow process of building the tank up! (ghetto in denial?)
Here's the inside of my hood, made with pine 1x6 material (eventually to be covered in something pretty like oak or cherry, hence the "still building so its not really ghetto" aspect). As you can see, I have my power compact lighting wired nice with twist nobs, and the cooling is done by a series of computer fans that use the same wires that you use to power them up in a computer case! And of course the power strip which all ghetto tanks MUST have, no nice electrical system with pretty plugs are allowed! I actually have two, the other is on the otherside of the tank and is plugged into this one as you can see the large white wire. They were on the ground, but I kept splashing water when arranging to the point where I was hearing *Bzzzt* *crackle* so decided to dry them out and then place them up high. And finally you can see some of the acrylic I have covering it (so no salt spray gets on my lights!) is coming down because the electrical tape I had on it didn't hold.
Here we have the front corner of the tank, yes FRONT of the tank, all that wiring and stuff is coming over the front. And there's my return line from the sump/refugium area that's being held in place by my magfloat cleaner
Now this isn't a purpose ghetto action here, this is due to the fact I just finished my sump/fuge area under the tank and wanted to keep all the wiring in arms distance so I can rearrange as needed to see what works best etc.. well its only been like this for a week or so.. i've just gotten lazy with other projects so haven't felt like fixing this Also notice the 2x4 to keep the hood up off the tank. A true work of art!
Finally we have the sump/fuge area, which is basically a nice fuge & sump, but the stuff that's handing out truely puts the ghetto into this, although I'm still sticking by the fact that its only temporary until I get it all fixed up like I want but the fact it looks to be a nice electrical hazard gives it the ghetto quality.
1- Airline tubing from pump on far corner of tank that pumps air into skimmer in the sump
2- Power cord for pump that pushed water into skimmer in sump (because I haven't gotten around to making it a gravity powered skimmer yet)
3- Power cord for pump that pushes water back into the tank from the sump
4- flexible line that holds the water that is being pumped back to the tank from the sump
5- White extension cord, if you do not have atleast 1 of these you dont deserve to be called ghetto, why have 1 plug when you can have 3! And yes these are the two pronged ones, no ground at all
6- Air tubing from overflow thats hooked to pump so my overflow continues to go
7- Power cord from lights for refugium
8- Piece of tubing that serves absolutely no purpose other than to wedge into the top of the sump because the hole I cut for my skimmer was slightly too big and it was leaning
9- Power cord from lights in hood, ripped out of an old microwave (figured if it can take that many watts it could take 220 as well) of course hooked to an orange extension cord because the cord wasn't long enough otherwise.
10- Bucket o' hoses & junk (wet) that you need to have someplace
Well there's my little piece of ghetto tank, I'd like to thank the people at MTV for allowing me to show off this piece of my life
So I decided to add mine to the mix, but its not so much ghetto as it is messy due to the slow process of building the tank up! (ghetto in denial?)
Here's the inside of my hood, made with pine 1x6 material (eventually to be covered in something pretty like oak or cherry, hence the "still building so its not really ghetto" aspect). As you can see, I have my power compact lighting wired nice with twist nobs, and the cooling is done by a series of computer fans that use the same wires that you use to power them up in a computer case! And of course the power strip which all ghetto tanks MUST have, no nice electrical system with pretty plugs are allowed! I actually have two, the other is on the otherside of the tank and is plugged into this one as you can see the large white wire. They were on the ground, but I kept splashing water when arranging to the point where I was hearing *Bzzzt* *crackle* so decided to dry them out and then place them up high. And finally you can see some of the acrylic I have covering it (so no salt spray gets on my lights!) is coming down because the electrical tape I had on it didn't hold.
Here we have the front corner of the tank, yes FRONT of the tank, all that wiring and stuff is coming over the front. And there's my return line from the sump/refugium area that's being held in place by my magfloat cleaner
Now this isn't a purpose ghetto action here, this is due to the fact I just finished my sump/fuge area under the tank and wanted to keep all the wiring in arms distance so I can rearrange as needed to see what works best etc.. well its only been like this for a week or so.. i've just gotten lazy with other projects so haven't felt like fixing this Also notice the 2x4 to keep the hood up off the tank. A true work of art!
Finally we have the sump/fuge area, which is basically a nice fuge & sump, but the stuff that's handing out truely puts the ghetto into this, although I'm still sticking by the fact that its only temporary until I get it all fixed up like I want but the fact it looks to be a nice electrical hazard gives it the ghetto quality.
1- Airline tubing from pump on far corner of tank that pumps air into skimmer in the sump
2- Power cord for pump that pushed water into skimmer in sump (because I haven't gotten around to making it a gravity powered skimmer yet)
3- Power cord for pump that pushes water back into the tank from the sump
4- flexible line that holds the water that is being pumped back to the tank from the sump
5- White extension cord, if you do not have atleast 1 of these you dont deserve to be called ghetto, why have 1 plug when you can have 3! And yes these are the two pronged ones, no ground at all
6- Air tubing from overflow thats hooked to pump so my overflow continues to go
7- Power cord from lights for refugium
8- Piece of tubing that serves absolutely no purpose other than to wedge into the top of the sump because the hole I cut for my skimmer was slightly too big and it was leaning
9- Power cord from lights in hood, ripped out of an old microwave (figured if it can take that many watts it could take 220 as well) of course hooked to an orange extension cord because the cord wasn't long enough otherwise.
10- Bucket o' hoses & junk (wet) that you need to have someplace
Well there's my little piece of ghetto tank, I'd like to thank the people at MTV for allowing me to show off this piece of my life
john76
Premium Member
Here's my ghetto chiller.... $16.95 at home depot.
And here's my ghetto rubbermaid sump. I had a 20 long in there but it was too long and not wide enough. This actually fits well and leaves me room to jam other stuff under my stand.
And I run my fuge on a reverse schedule so I needed something in place to keep the light from entering my tank. This was the easiest fix....(it's the box from a super soaker)....and with my hood on you can't see it.
And here's my ghetto rubbermaid sump. I had a 20 long in there but it was too long and not wide enough. This actually fits well and leaves me room to jam other stuff under my stand.
And I run my fuge on a reverse schedule so I needed something in place to keep the light from entering my tank. This was the easiest fix....(it's the box from a super soaker)....and with my hood on you can't see it.
sfsuphysics
Active member
Now that's more like it john! Chiller definate cool ghettoness (need to chrome that bad boy to make it totally ghetto )
Your sump.. eh, my sumps like that and I dont consider it that ghetto, lots do the rubbermaid thing because its outof sight
I do like the reverse schedule blocker though Think we could of given you the lifetime achievement award though if you managed to incorperate an actual supersoaker in your setup
)Your sump.. eh, my sumps like that and I dont consider it that ghetto, lots do the rubbermaid thing because its outof sight
I do like the reverse schedule blocker though
Think we could of given you the lifetime achievement award though if you managed to incorperate an actual supersoaker in your setup Frick-n-Frags
New member
A big BOOOWAAAHHH!!! to everyone so far. I just LMAO reading through this whole thread. :lol: Over and over.
LobsterOfJustice
Recovering Detritophobe
Alright, my turn.
Converted bathroom-workroom:
The snail breeding tank in the corner:
A little closer... If your wondering whats in it... everything I found laying around the workroom... bricks, rocks, extra filter media boxes... etc:
The air pump and filter in the snail tank are plugged into an outlet controlled by the light switch. You cannot turn the light switch off, or the circulation goes off. If the light needs to go out, you must unscrew the bulb. The family did not understand this, so...
One of the many power cords around the room...:
A little closer... yup... thats one surge protector plugged into another surge protector...
Another of the workroom:
The puffer tank used to be a gerbil tank, and the gerbils chewed away at the lip on the inside... because of this the plastic top could not rest on the tank, so....
Last but not least, I had to cut out the back of a screen top on an aquarium for the filters to fit, and the top kept sagging into the tank... a shim resting on the lip on the aquarium fixed that:
Converted bathroom-workroom:
The snail breeding tank in the corner:
A little closer... If your wondering whats in it... everything I found laying around the workroom... bricks, rocks, extra filter media boxes... etc:
The air pump and filter in the snail tank are plugged into an outlet controlled by the light switch. You cannot turn the light switch off, or the circulation goes off. If the light needs to go out, you must unscrew the bulb. The family did not understand this, so...
One of the many power cords around the room...:
A little closer... yup... thats one surge protector plugged into another surge protector...
Another of the workroom:
The puffer tank used to be a gerbil tank, and the gerbils chewed away at the lip on the inside... because of this the plastic top could not rest on the tank, so....
Last but not least, I had to cut out the back of a screen top on an aquarium for the filters to fit, and the top kept sagging into the tank... a shim resting on the lip on the aquarium fixed that:
LobsterOfJustice
Recovering Detritophobe
I also have little pouches and holders for the tongs, tweezers, and eyedropper/syringes made out of duct tape stuck to the side of the sink and droor unit... I'll post some pictures of them later (camera outta batteries) I think you can see a little bit of one in the first picture.
EDIT: If you look in the 8th picture, you can see how I made a cord of duct tape and taped the channel changer to the bedpost so it can only go about 3 feet...
EDIT: If you look in the 8th picture, you can see how I made a cord of duct tape and taped the channel changer to the bedpost so it can only go about 3 feet...
capt. insano
New member
LobsterofJustice, I hereby proclaim you the winner of this trophy:
Cannonball888
In Memoriam
LobsterOfJustice, I'm surprised you didn't turn your toilet into a SW tank :lol:
LobsterOfJustice
Recovering Detritophobe
I did however keep a catfish in the sink for a short period of time, until the drain thingy broke and now its just a hole and you have to reach under the sink and flip this long bar switch thing...
I happen to have a duct tape tie, wallet, shoes, belt and a pair of shorts... no joke... I'll get pictures tomorrow when the batteries recharge. And yes, they are completely tape, not just clothes covered in tape. And yes, it hurts when you dont wear underwear with the shorts.
I happen to have a duct tape tie, wallet, shoes, belt and a pair of shorts... no joke... I'll get pictures tomorrow when the batteries recharge. And yes, they are completely tape, not just clothes covered in tape. And yes, it hurts when you dont wear underwear with the shorts.
By God if we can include the work area I have my own bathroom to:lol:sfsuphysics
Active member
LobsterOfJustice said:
You have a family?!?!?! You mean like your sister or parents who come to visit right? Or do you have one of those stepford families that doesn't give you any backtalk? Either way, my vote goes to you for ghettotank of the year AND balls of steel award!
Yellotang
Premium Member
sfsuphysics said:Ok i've been a bit disappointed with the past few "ghetto" pages, I mean sheesh!
<snip>
Well there's my little piece of ghetto tank, I'd like to thank the people at MTV for allowing me to show off this piece of my life
Yes, at this time in your reef's life, you have a ghetto tank.
4 out of 5
:beer: :beer: :beer: :beer:
Side note: At first it was not bad at all. I was thinking that you were too hard on yourself. But the last picture is the icing on the cake. Dude, you be ghetto.
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