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View Full Version : HD's mantis/reef tank build.....


HulaDad
03/19/2011, 10:51 PM
This tank has taken some time for me to build. I've had this tank since January and I'm about ready to put water in it.... It's going on my desk at work, so I will get to see this tank more than any of my other tanks... LOL

7.5g Mr. Aqua Bowfront
36w DIY led's
Concurrent filter
Small heater (IDK yet whatever is mantis safe)
8lbs of Marco shelf rock


http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/deana14_2000/bowfront%20LED%20tank/1453.jpg

I had a piece of glass cut the shape of the tank, just larger and pencil polished the edges. Then painted the back of it black with silicone paint.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/deana14_2000/bowfront%20LED%20tank/1461.jpg

Before you flame on me, check out the aquascaping... LOL

I built a wood frame the size of the tank 1-1/2" tall to accomodate the bolts for the threaded rods my lights are hanging from. I wanted the glass to have a overhanging effect.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/deana14_2000/bowfront%20LED%20tank/1455.jpg

I didn't want to paint the back of the tank, so I took a piece of glass and painted the back of it. Stuck it behind the tank, and got the same effect. Now I can remove it and look from the back if I want...

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/deana14_2000/bowfront%20LED%20tank/1456.jpg

LED's.... I have the bolts hanging down to attach a splash guard with. I hope I don't get any shadows from it, or else I will have to do something different.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/deana14_2000/bowfront%20LED%20tank/1458.jpg

I used foam pipe wrapping to hold the painted glass to the back of the tank.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/deana14_2000/bowfront%20LED%20tank/1462.jpg

Bolts holding the threaded rods to the glass, with rubber washers...

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/deana14_2000/bowfront%20LED%20tank/1463.jpg

Boy those suckers are bright...
http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/deana14_2000/021-6.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/deana14_2000/013-8.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/deana14_2000/006-7.jpg

HulaDad
03/19/2011, 10:53 PM
Here is my rock work, my plan, shade 80% of the bottom of the tank, giving my mantis, plenty of no light happiness... Top half of the tank, gives softies and stonies a lot of love in the light department... LOL What do you folks think? Will it work? I hope so......

Left
http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/deana14_2000/bowfront%20LED%20tank/062-1.jpg

Top
http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/deana14_2000/bowfront%20LED%20tank/063.jpg


http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/deana14_2000/bowfront%20LED%20tank/056.jpg

FTS
http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/deana14_2000/bowfront%20LED%20tank/050.jpg

Hagisan
03/20/2011, 08:31 AM
Well done, I like it! Especially the diy led. GL w/ your project.

nirvanaandtool
03/20/2011, 10:09 AM
Awesome build. The lights and tank turned out great. I am close to finishing my 7.5 led build too, got my leds fired up and am finishing up my plumbing.
What species of mantis are you going to get for the tank?

HulaDad
03/20/2011, 11:14 AM
Thanks guys, I want a G. Smithii, but will settle for any mantis that stays small and can tolerate light well. I know G. Smithii's are hard to find. I just need to rinse my sand today and cut some eggcrate for the bottom, to help keep the rocks more stable and to keep the mantis from getting all the way to the bottome pane. Tuesday I will start cycling it. I'm planning on taking some ruble out of the fuge of my 180 and put in there to help seed the dry rock and give the mantis something to play with and help make a home. Thanks again... :)

noidster
03/20/2011, 12:01 PM
Thanks guys, I want a G. Smithii, but will settle for any mantis that stays small and can tolerate light well. I know G. Smithii's are hard to find. I just need to rinse my sand today and cut some eggcrate for the bottom, to help keep the rocks more stable and to keep the mantis from getting all the way to the bottome pane. Tuesday I will start cycling it. I'm planning on taking some ruble out of the fuge of my 180 and put in there to help seed the dry rock and give the mantis something to play with and help make a home. Thanks again... :)

I got a very small (1.5") G.Smithii from bluezoo aquatics a few days ago. Their email me button works lol. I hit it 3 times over the course of about 3-4 weeks and happened to be online when the 3 emails came in. Might as well put yourself on the list while you are cycling. Hopefully you are on a computer during the day at work so you can insta order when you get the email. I suggest making an account on that site in advance. I had to make one to order. If that doesn't work out a N.Wennerae is always a good easy choice.

Here she is.

HulaDad
03/20/2011, 12:05 PM
I got a very small (1.5") G.Smithii from bluezoo aquatics a few days ago. Their email me button works lol. I hit it 3 times over the course of about 3-4 weeks and happened to be online when the 3 emails came in.

Thanks for that info, I will have to hit that email me button as soon as my tank cycles... Did it take 3-4 weeks before they could get you one? I might click the email button sooner... lol

That a nice looking mantis in your pic btw....

lionbacker54
03/20/2011, 12:21 PM
HD-

Looks awesome, thanks for posting. I love these tank build threads.

If you are OK with two small suggestions, here are my two cents.

First, you may want to secure the rockwork in some fashion. Some hobbyists here have had mantis shrimp which burrow, cause rock slides, and end up with dead stomatopods.

Second, you can greatly increase the stability of your nano with a HOB filter converted to a refugium. Just something to think about. Good job and keep the pics coming!

noidster
03/20/2011, 01:21 PM
Thanks for that info, I will have to hit that email me button as soon as my tank cycles... Did it take 3-4 weeks before they could get you one? I might click the email button sooner... lol

That a nice looking mantis in your pic btw....

Thanks! I couldn't believe it when i got the email. It was close to a month.

HulaDad
03/20/2011, 06:02 PM
Thanks lionbacker54, I love suggestions, that's why I post, to get some feed back and ideas...

For rock stability, I'm going to lay some eggcrate on the bottom of the tank, set my rock sculpture on top of it and then add the sand. In case the mantis digs he can't dig out under the rock, just the little caves under it. I used epoxy and superglue to get the rocks to stay together, and then I covered that up with the mortar mix from Marco Rocks. Seems to be pretty solid, I hope the eggcrate makes it even more sturdy.

I haven't thought about adding a fuge, good idea and something to think about... That would give me something to do while I wait on it to cycle....

Thanks for the ideas and compliments.... :thumbsup:

othercents
03/21/2011, 10:08 AM
Nice lighting and base. Not sure if I like the chains, but everything looks real clean.

HulaDad
04/01/2011, 03:15 PM
I'm finished up except for adding livestock. My light is finished, I added a polished piece of glass as a splash guard and then added black spandrel to the sides to keep the light from shining out. Switched out the chains for some wire, I like those a lot better. Now just waiting for the cycle so I can start add my mantis and some corals.... Thanks for looking....

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/deana14_2000/bowfront%20LED%20tank/002-2.jpg
http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/deana14_2000/bowfront%20LED%20tank/006-1.jpg
http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/deana14_2000/bowfront%20LED%20tank/007-1.jpg
http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/deana14_2000/bowfront%20LED%20tank/013-1.jpg
http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/deana14_2000/bowfront%20LED%20tank/014-1.jpg
http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/deana14_2000/bowfront%20LED%20tank/017-2.jpg
http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/deana14_2000/bowfront%20LED%20tank/025-2.jpg

mechman_22
04/02/2011, 12:03 PM
where do you work that they let you have a tank on your desk?

HulaDad
04/02/2011, 12:19 PM
I work for a glass distribution company, we specialize in insulated units and custom fabricated shower doors, table tops, and store fronts... I showed them some other uses for glass building this tank, that we might just venture into custom aquariums.... ;)

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/deana14_2000/bowfront%20LED%20tank/032-1.jpg
http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/deana14_2000/bowfront%20LED%20tank/037-1.jpg
http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/deana14_2000/bowfront%20LED%20tank/039-1.jpg

Fartin'Gary
04/02/2011, 07:01 PM
Very nice improvements and cool equipment. That glass cutter looks expensive.

rkesling
04/12/2011, 09:57 PM
That will be one happy Mantis. Nice clean looking set up you have. Cant wait to see the mantis in the tank