08-05-2008, 09:45 PM
I am actually near the end of the build but thought I would go ahead and post the photos of the process anyways as I just discovered this board. Anyways, here it is...
The tank housed a couple bichirs and some other FW fish. After finding a new home for them came the tedious task of draining the tank and scrubbing algae.
Tank clean I started on the frame work for the Great Stuff water feature.
First can of GS.
Second can and a test fit. Needs some sculpting.
After some carving and before covering with silicon. I don't have pictures of that process but I simply covered it in brown silicon and adhered a brown sand and pebble mixture to the still wet silicon.
Another test fit and some closeups so you can see the texture of the sand/pebble covering.
Here is a full tank shot before planting.
A close up of the rock feature on the right side, also GS covered with the same sand mix.
Here are some shots of the plants that are in the tank so far. I have a couple more ordered, should be in this week.
And the final FTS. Still needs more planting and some more driftwood, but it is coming along pretty well.
I used a false bottom using egg crate and window screen and underneath is about 2 inches of water for the waterfall. I am using a Mini-Jet 404 water pump for the flow duties. I left a large opening behind the waterfall for easy access for pump maintenance. For the substrate I used a mix of Eco Earth (coco fiber), fir & sphagnum peat moss mix, and orchid bark. Leaf litter is oak leaves from my yard that have been boiled and dried in the sun. I have my FF cultures and Springtail cultures in the mail so I can have them working before the frogs arrive. Frogs will be most likely a group of 5 leucs. So I still have some finishing touches to do but I think I am about 90% done. Please feel free to comment, good or bad.
The tank housed a couple bichirs and some other FW fish. After finding a new home for them came the tedious task of draining the tank and scrubbing algae.
Tank clean I started on the frame work for the Great Stuff water feature.
First can of GS.
Second can and a test fit. Needs some sculpting.
After some carving and before covering with silicon. I don't have pictures of that process but I simply covered it in brown silicon and adhered a brown sand and pebble mixture to the still wet silicon.
Another test fit and some closeups so you can see the texture of the sand/pebble covering.
Here is a full tank shot before planting.
A close up of the rock feature on the right side, also GS covered with the same sand mix.
Here are some shots of the plants that are in the tank so far. I have a couple more ordered, should be in this week.
And the final FTS. Still needs more planting and some more driftwood, but it is coming along pretty well.
I used a false bottom using egg crate and window screen and underneath is about 2 inches of water for the waterfall. I am using a Mini-Jet 404 water pump for the flow duties. I left a large opening behind the waterfall for easy access for pump maintenance. For the substrate I used a mix of Eco Earth (coco fiber), fir & sphagnum peat moss mix, and orchid bark. Leaf litter is oak leaves from my yard that have been boiled and dried in the sun. I have my FF cultures and Springtail cultures in the mail so I can have them working before the frogs arrive. Frogs will be most likely a group of 5 leucs. So I still have some finishing touches to do but I think I am about 90% done. Please feel free to comment, good or bad.