My new 5x2x2 Set-Up

Fry Lover · #1 04-20-2008, 08:25 PM

Ok, at 20.54 hrs on Friday 18th April 2008 "Operation 5x2x2" commenced with the help of McFarlane Enterprises, pictures to follow........................

Fry Lover · #2 04-20-2008, 08:35 PM

Basically this is the biggest tank i ever owned by far, and it was to replace the Rio 300 (48x24x20) i had with my Parrots, Rope Fish, Rainbows, Bristlenose, Siamese Tiger Fish and Pink Tailed Chalceus.

I got the tank from ND Aquatics, whom i can thoroughly recommened, i have dealt with them a few times now. I got the tank delivered for £210 (60x24x24 inch)

Apart from the fact i couldnt afford a proper hood i kind of like the basic look, all i wanted was a glass tank with glass covers. I will use tubes with reflectors on top, no hood, thats doesnt bother me at all.

I decided to "make" my own stand and it quickly became apparent that by using concrete blocks and ply it was going to be cheap and easy to "build"

Here are some pics of the blocks, they are medium density concrete blocks, certainly strong enough for a 5x2x2 and probably even a much bigger tank, thats on the advice i got from people in the building trade (basically its holding weight thats the issue, so even if people know nothing about fish tanks, they do know about what holds what weight in that profession!)

I used a total of 12 blocks, some of the sizes of them are different, as i wanted the tank at a 28" level from the floor, with room for a shelf to store foods etc.

The blocks in total cost about £20, the plywood (which is 18mm and a good grade and water proof) was £35. This came in a 8x4 foot sheet that i sawed into the required measurements for base (5x2x2) and a shelf.

Excuse my s***my wall, thats going to be addressed ASAP

Fry Lover · #3 04-20-2008, 08:41 PM

what you wont be able to see from the picture's i have right now, is the material, Peter ended up having a peice of material that was a perfect size for this tank.

The material sits underneath the tank on top of the polystyrene basically and covers the blocks at the front and side, enabling easy access to the externals and shelf under the tank.

The polystyrene came in a 8x2 foot sheet and is 1" thick and was £3.50 from Wicks

I'll get some pics of the material and stand later, the pics you are viewing make it look quite ugly, but thats just the base, it would hold a massive volume of water with those concrete blocks and 18mm Ply, much more than the 450 litres or so my tank holds.

ray · #4 04-20-2008, 08:45 PM

looking good mate,looking forward to seeing the full set up,what are you going to keep in it.

Fry Lover · #5 04-20-2008, 08:49 PM

okay here are some pictures of the tank in the early stages of design.

its argos play sand, loads of bogwood and some pots.

I made a part in the middle with a big bit of slate and some plastic tubes, this is basically for the x6 Rope Fish, and it helps me ensure they get a good supply of food, as the Parrots eat everything before it hits the floor.

This way i can place by hand; prawns, white-bait and carnivore pellets for the Rope Fish without the Parrots getting it all. I learnt this from the previous set-up, without some intervention on my behalf, the Rope Fish will get almost no food with the Parrots in the tank.

The space between the edge of the slate you see and the front of the tank is a perfect size, i can drop food in and no other fish other than the Rope Fish can get it.

Fry Lover · #6 04-20-2008, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ray

looking good mate,looking forward to seeing the full set up,what are you going to keep in it.

thanks,

this is the stock;

7 x Blood Parrot
1 x Siamese Tiger Fish (Dat)
12 x Rainbow Fish
4 x Bristlenose
2 x Jellybean Convicts (parrot-type Convicts, stay small)
1 x Julidochromis (Tangy, was born here, hybrid)
1 x Pink Tail Chalceus
6 x Reed Fish (Rope Fish)
1 x Female Sajica

not everyone's cup of tea i am sure, but i love it, lots of character with this set-up, and some great colours

bit of a strange mix, but it works for me, pretty similar diet requirements (Rainbows and Bristlenose need some veg but thats easily catered for) and no real aggro in tank.

Fry Lover · #7 04-20-2008, 08:56 PM

more pics of the Rope Fish home!

Fry Lover · #8 04-20-2008, 08:59 PM

ok, here's some tank shots as i went along designing it.

water is cloudy as these were taken while i was setting it up.

Fry Lover · #9 04-20-2008, 09:01 PM

few more............................

Fry Lover · #10 04-20-2008, 09:04 PM

female Jellybean

male Jellybean with female also, these are a breeding pair