Tank is full

[MsGardeness]

... for now! I moved it to the back deck and filled it when I got home tonight. It's the second-hand Hagen 77g I got and resealed the back two sides and bottom seam. All seal are holding perfectly so far. My only concern is the bow in the middle. This tank measures 48L x 16W x 24H. The centre is 5.5mm wider than both ends. There is a black frame around the top (which is complete). The black frame around the bottom is broken in a couple of places (which I didn't notice until I got it home, of course), but NO leakage at this time. It's been full for over an hour and I'll leave it for 24 hours minimum.

How much (if any) bow is allowed? There is no centre brace on this tank.

[Bwhiskered]

All glass bows to some extent. The frames on all glass tanks serve no pupose except to act as a trim and make them more appealing to the eye. To prevent any tank bottom from bowing and and cracking the shelf or stand it sits on should be fitted with a piece of 3/4 plywood and a 1/2 to 3/4 inch piece of styro foam to help it find it's own level. Hagen tanks are known to be of thin glass and poor quality.

[MsGardeness]

Thank you so much for the info - it's all appreciated by this newbie. I will get a pad of foam for the top of the stand pictured below. The top of it measures exactly 3/4" thick. The stand is 2" wider than the tank and 1" longer.

Is there a good place to get foam padding from? I can only think of a fabric store maybe.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v461/gardeness/Fishies/Stand.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v461/gardeness/Fishies/StandA.jpg

[MsGardeness]

Whoops - you said "styro foam" not foam padding - big difference! Okay I can get styro from Home Depot or Rona. I'll try for 3/4".

[MsGardeness]

I bought the pink styrofoam and test-filled the tank for over 24 hours without a drop leaking. Then emptied it and had hubby and son bring it inside and place on top of the styrofoam on the stand. I trimmed the styrofoam to the size of the aquarium and covered both the styro and the tank trim with black electrical tape. No one will ever know it's there.

So now the tank is ready to be filled again to start cycling and I don't know why I'm nervous about it. Probably because I've heard older Hagen aquariums are not the best quality and I don't know how to clean up 77g of water! Anyway I hope to post some of the pics taken along the way.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v461/gardeness/Fishies/77g050110.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v461/gardeness/Fishies/May310a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v461/gardeness/Fishies/May310b.jpg

[MsGardeness]

Quick Q - how far down the tank should the intake portion of the filter be? Right now it's less than 1/2 the depth of the tank (it's at the top of the log on the background) along the back wall of the tank.

[MsGardeness]

Yikes - another Q (there's always another). Exactly where on the stand should the aquarium be positioned. Right now I have it centered left to right (obviously) but also lined up with the back of the stand; but should it be centre front to back as well?

[tobalman]

Quick Q - how far down the tank should the intake portion of the filter be? Right now it's less than 1/2 the depth of the tank (it's at the top of the log on the background) along the back wall of the tank.

That's good enough. I would rather change the location of your Aquaclear. If you only have one then set it at the back of your tank in the middle. if you have too then still at the back of your tank but one the two sides.

The filter at the back look better since the main point in the tank and fish not the filters.


Yikes - another Q (there's always another). Exactly where on the stand should the aquarium be positioned. Right now I have it centered left to right (obviously) but also lined up with the back of the stand; but should it be centre front to back as well?

Up to you if it looks right, feel right then it's good.

This is a relaxing hobby don't stress yourself too much. If it make sense to you then it's good to go.


This link has a lot tips and information.

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/aquarium_setup_list.php

and everything else that you needed to know.

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/


Have fun

[MsGardeness]

Thanks for the links! Looks like filling the tank inside is on hold for a couple more weeks. the glass lid is on backorder via Big Al's (and Hagen). :( I can't fill it and risk the cats getting into it when we're not around. (sigh) Oh well, it will give me plenty of time to check out more links and information in the meantime! :)

[2wheelsx2]

You can use that time to paint the back black, choose some nice wood and rocks for the tank for the aquascaping, and fill with substrate and plants if you're going to do that. :D

[MsGardeness]

Yes, of course! Would I need to prime the backside glass first? Should I use Tremclad? I do have a little gravel and need to get more. And fake plants from the Dollar Store too. Oh and some driftwood from the beach and maybe a couple of bigger rock! Hmmm what else can I find...? :) Thanks!!

[2wheelsx2]

I just tremclad, but not the spray. I used a roller. I think a little rubbing alcohol should clean it right up. If you get really ambitious, you can silicone the rocks and wood onto the back glass to make a scape. In that case you'd likely want to paint the back dark brown instead of black. And maybe even do layers of different thickness to get different shades of brown to simulate a muddy river bank.

[MsGardeness]

Holy artistic, Batman! You really get 'into' your tanks, hmmm? :) (it's a good thing)

Now you've got me thinking more. Where should I go to get more ideas like that for the backwall?

[2wheelsx2]

If you have time, this is the "Holy Grail" of catfish tanks. Better get a coffee first.

http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=26493

[MsGardeness]

I was familiar with Planetcatfish for the L numbers and diet of Plecos. but this too?! Amazing - I think I'll need a thermos of coffee! Thanks again! :)))

[tobalman]

One more thing, is your stand a solid wood or chip board (wood chips press together) ? if they are chip board then be very careful not to get it wet as they will be expanded or break apart when contact with water often enough.

[MsGardeness]

Well that's a good Q! I bought it second hand. The outside is all rough black & gray speckled finish/paint. The inside is all black smooth paint. Even underneath the top edges and inside underneath the top. No actual naked wood is visible. I guess I would have to presume it is chip or particle board and try to not get it wet (too often).

[MsGardeness]

Well I got tired of waiting for the glass lid so I improvised my own temporary lid (just to ensure the cats stay out!). It's the remainder of the styrofoam that I used to put the tank on. It works fine for now. So I went and filled the tank about 3/4's or thereabouts allowing (hopefully) room for water displacement when I get the sand later this week (again, hopefully).

What I didn't take into consideration was the heat of the day and the coldness of the water (from the hose in the garage) - condensation!! Lots of it! Ah, there's always something to throw a glitch into the works. So periodically I go and wipe down the whole tank and the filter as well. (sigh) But at least it has water in it and can prepare to cycle in time... all in good time.

[MsGardeness]

PS - I did not paint the back of the tank (nor any of it) as I want to be able to "search' for fish from all angles. :)