My new big baby

[sharkbaitnemo]

Well I have finally joined the 8ft club and have ordered myself a custom tank and cabinet.  My master tank builder won't be around much longer so I decided I had to get this one done before he goes.
Things have moved along quite fast and already the cabinet has been delivered and I've just finished painting it.
I hope to post some progress pics as things come together.

This is the basic raw cabinet an 8 by 2ft and 800mm high.

[img:44990a91b8]http://users.bigpond.net.au/jtl/t1.jpg[/img:44990a91b8]

[img:44990a91b8]http://users.bigpond.net.au/jtl/t2.jpg[/img:44990a91b8]

[img:44990a91b8]http://users.bigpond.net.au/jtl/t3.jpg[/img:44990a91b8]

After applying about 6 coats of stain and 3 coats of varnish this is what it looks like.  I've also replaced the wooden door knobs with satin chrome ones which I think matched quite well.  I may even replace the door hinges with some chrome ones as well.

[img:44990a91b8]http://users.bigpond.net.au/jtl/t4.jpg[/img:44990a91b8]

[img:44990a91b8]http://users.bigpond.net.au/jtl/t5.jpg[/img:44990a91b8]

[rowley89]

Welcome to the club  :lol:

But more importantly, what are you stocking it with?  8)

[grokz]

yep welcome to the club
and cant wait to see it all finished and stocked with some beautiful fish :D

[sharkbaitnemo]

The tank has arrived.

It's 8ft by 2ft wide and 26" tall.  12mm base and locking bars and 10mm all round.  Polished edges all around and extra heavy lids to stop jumpers.  The tank is a piece of art, no ugly overhanging silicone.  Took six guys to move the thing.  The weight wasn't that much of a problem, more the bulkiness.

I haven't decided on a few things just yet.  I don't know about a hood at this stage or a background.  I was thinking just a plain black backing.  I've spared no expense on this tank so far so as for fish, well I'm still looking but be sure it will be something large and very rare (expensive).

[img:8a89fc306e]http://users.bigpond.net.au/jtl/t6.jpg[/img:8a89fc306e]
[img:8a89fc306e]http://users.bigpond.net.au/jtl/t7.jpg[/img:8a89fc306e]
[img:8a89fc306e]http://users.bigpond.net.au/jtl/t8.jpg[/img:8a89fc306e]
[img:8a89fc306e]http://users.bigpond.net.au/jtl/t9.jpg[/img:8a89fc306e]

For filtration duties I have decided on an Eheim Pro3 and a Eheim 2217 for now.  I've used Eheims on all my other tanks and have found them to be quiet and most reliable.  I think they are quite good value for money when you consider the media and hoses and taps that they include are worth an extra $100.  The new Fluval unit looks excellent value but no one seems to have stock of them at the moment.  

[img:8a89fc306e]http://users.bigpond.net.au/jtl/filter.jpg[/img:8a89fc306e]

[grokz]

sweet as man cant wait to see the fish in there :wink:

[Thanes]

that is one beeautiful tank.nice & big to.

brian

[aquaholic99]

Jason,
Nice pics..... this is going to be a loooong running post isn't it! LOL
Not that thats a bad thing.

[skinny21]

hey how much u pay for the filters. the ehiem pro3

[rowley89]

Very nice!!

How thick are the lids? You will be suprised at what some fish can break through. Particulary arowanas.

[sharkbaitnemo]

Sorry guys, it's been a little white since I've posted an update with the tanks progress.

Well the Eheim Pro 3 is in place and moving water well.  The filter is rated upto a 1200L tank but I am a little pesimistic about manufactures ratings so I also run an extra 2217 Classic which is good for anonother 600L.    There are dual intakes which helps it turn over 1700L/hr.  All this and it only uses 30Watts.  Malcolm at Wetpetz does an excellent deal on the Eheim Pro 3 with filter media.  The filter retails for about $800 and the media kit about $190 but let Mal know you are a Qld Cichild forum member and he will do an good price for the package.

After filling the tank I let it sit for about 1 week before adding some fish food to get the ammonia cycle started.  Ammonia peaked and subsided but the nitrites peaked and would not go away.  After 2 major water changes of about 50% the nitrate would not budge.  I went through a couple of bottles of bio starter but no help.  The only product I found worked was Sera Toxivec which brought the nitirites down to a decent level to allow the Seachem Stability to work.

The tank is now fully cycled and stable.  I've switched to a non phosphate based pH down made by Seachem also.  It's meant for ponds but with this volume of water it was the only economical choice.  Seachem also make an interesting pH buffer that also softens water but is not as economical as the pond stuff.

Lighting is a 6ft compact fluro I pick up from Ben at Age of Aqua.  A total of 165Watts.  I've always used compact fluros since having a marine tank.  They just put out so much more light; more light than a pair of standard fluro tubes, the only downside is the electronic ballast gets quite hot.

I haven't decided on a hood or not yet. Any comments welcome.

[img:f804038277]http://users.bigpond.net.au/jtl/tank1.jpg[/img:f804038277]
[img:f804038277]http://users.bigpond.net.au/jtl/tank2.jpg[/img:f804038277]

[aquaholic99]

Jason,
Try taking pictures without the flash. May need to have a steady hand or tripod but pics will be much better. Higher ISO too if your camera has manual settings.

I'd put the light towards the front of the tank, not at the back. Shows the fish colour much better (you will see the 'shadow' side of the fish the way you have it now) and it trains the fish to eat from the back. I'm assuming you will have some big fish which might jump or splash a bit.

Winston

[davo0903]

Whata great tank! I see that a bit of time has elapsed since the last post. Have you stocked your tank yet?

[mani]

I was thinking the same thing - cant wait to see the finished product.

[scomberomorus]

its looks wonderful mate, well done.

if you dont mind me asking, where did you get the tank made and how much?

looking forward to seeing its inhabitants.

cheers.

[sharkbaitnemo]

Still a work in progress.  This pic was from about a month ago.  Will post some new ones soon.

[img:f62f96c582]http://users.bigpond.net.au/jtl/tank01.jpg[/img:f62f96c582]