Plans for the 29g?

[brianinokc]

Some of you might remember the 29g I picked up sittin on the side of the road to reseal and make a DIY BG for. I set the tank up for a couple Ink Fins that i never got, so i eventually put some holding females in there, traded & sold the fry, and I again had a 29g sittin empty, only this time with the DIY background in it.

So ive been thinking for a few months about switching from Mbuna to Haps & Peacocks.. I bagged up the Saulosi and a few stragglers and off to the fish store I was.. I was determined that I wasnt going to get any Mbuna, and had stopped there the day before and picked out the fish I wanted to trade for. I entered the store, bartered a lil with the owner and we settled on a price, it was time to start baggin up my new fish!!

After we had a couple of my new fish bagged up I noticed a pair of White Top Hara, the fish I have been trying to find for well over a year, probably 2-3.

Needless to say I came home with the Afras and some 'neutral' yellow labs that can work in nearly any tank..

So for the 29, Im going to build a quick/simple stand & hood for, DIY style.. It wont be anything real fancy but will look good enuff to have in the living room. The pair of Afra will go in there at some point and hopefully they will start a colony..

I havent decided on how i want to do the hood yet. I have always built flat tops for myself but built a treasure chest style hood once and although i wasnt EXTREMELY happy with how it turned out, it was a different look. I might try that again..

You guys wanna see the progress, with DIY instructions or do you already got this one covered?

[odinthejd]

Sounds like a great plan! Got any pics?

[brianinokc]

This shows the BG I made for it, but it will probably be removed. I want the space back lol

[odinthejd]

oh gotcha

[brianinokc]

Oops I guess i forgot to post the link lol my bad... here it is.

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=151

I was planning to get started on it today and I still might, but im feelin pretty crappy right now so it might be this weekend before I mess with it.

[odinthejd]

oh cool

[brianinokc]

I got started on it today. Im going to do this in steps to make it easier. The basic stand (step 1) is finished but my camera battery died about 1/2 way thru so ill get more pics later.

I over build my stands because I have kids and i dont want them to ever fail. You can use this same design for much larger tanks with a couple modifications.

Step 1: The frame structure

Supplies:

(5) 2x4x8 white pine
(1) 1lb box if 3" screws
(1) Bottle of wood glue (optional)

Cut the 2x4s to these lengths

(4) 30 1/4" - Front/Backs
(4) 9 1/2" - Sides
(4) 32" - Legs (adjust to required height)
(4) 25" - Supports (adjust to required height)

I glue every joint to prevent any movement. I like my stands to be SOLID. It also stops any squeaking if the tank is bumped or moved. This may not matter to most people but I like having piece of mind..

Heres my cut pieces:


You need to make 2 of these, using the 30 1/4" 2x4s and 9 1/2" 2x4s.


Thats where my camera went dead. ill take some more pics as soon as the batteries are charged. Its nothing impressive yet but its clearly strong enough to hold 30 gallons of water. It will start looking better in Step 2.

Cost so far: $18

[brianinokc]

This picture shows how the 2x4s go together. The 32" 2x4s rest on the floor and run up flush with the top of the stand (the area where the tank sets). By supporting the tank in this manner places all the weight of the tank on the to screws (and glue), so the 25" 2x4s should fit tightly between the base and the tank support, this way the weight is supported by the 25" 2x4s.



And here is the tank setting on the stand. The tank is DIRTY but will clean up nicely. I still like the BG and dont want break it but its coming out - i want the space.

[odinthejd]

cool