Thanks! I am currently running 2x Rena Filstar XP4's (I pack them with ceramic bio media/rocks, and just a few filter pads and some filter floss) which should be plenty of filtration. When I built the tank I only had 4 loaches and no featherfins(and yes they do eat!) or sharks, so I've really got to get some more rock and build up the hiding spots as you said (I actually added the few redish rocks on the left because I had them from a previous tank - but I want to get more of the slate and build it to match the larger one on the right). I also prefer a much denser planting, but these were just the plants I had from my 65 so they need to grow in - a lot. I actually just added a 13W UV (with a 200 GPH powerhead) to help fight the ich, and I'm dosing with a lower dose of ParaGuard along with a 82d temp as it seems that's the latest loach safe anti Ich from the sticky here. I've always had very clear water, but I figured the UV won't hurt long term (well maybe my wallet for bulbs). Id' take the temp higher, but I'm worried about my poor mollies - if I lose too many of the molly babies my wife will be upset.
My featherfins are already faily large, I'd say 8" on the one and maybe 6-7" on the smaller. At least I think that's what they are, as I said they were a rescue along with the rainbows and the group of tetras. The previous owner didn't have a clue what they were, he actually told me he was giving me two pleco's.
I didn't take too many pictures of the canopy build, but I can show you the few I did take, this was when I first brought it home. I picked up the tank and this ugly stand for a steal on CL - I actually sold my old 65 setup complete for what I paid for this setup (click images for high res):
It turns out the glass is fairly scratched, but I didn't see it until I had actually filled it with water. It's my first big tank, so I'll live.
But, we are talking about 1500+ lbs of water of water on my second floor here (plus the rest, easily over a ton). It was an outside load bearing corner wall (tank perpendicular to floor joists) but it made me feel better, so:
A friend of mine was a builder for years. He laughed at me, but I reinforced the entire 8 feet under the tank - sandwiching the floor joists with additional 2x10's and adding another stud so they are 8" centers and a crossbrace between them. Better safe then sorry right?
The stand was uncovered, painted horribly, and there was no canopy. It came with some lighting, but it was a few different 2 and 4 ft old hoods that looked horrible. First thing was to get some lighting in place:
Nothing special, just a DIY CFL setup. I actually retrofitted the T8 hood on my old 65 to include 4 CFL's but I decided to mount them vertically here as research shows you get more light from them like that. Since I already had to make my own canopy, I decided a taller one would give me room for vertical lighting and look more expensive too.
This is where I should have taken more pictures. The initial canopy is made of 1x2" pine - because it's light and I wanted to be able to have a single piece for my canopy, but still get it off for aquascaping and what not. I just picked up a bunch of the metal corner braces (you can see them in the picture if you click the high res). I took the measurement of my tank and added 1/2" for some play. I started by making the top section of the tank and then added the supports on the side and finally the front.
Here you can see I put 5 mil project plywood on the frame. Again, because it's light at 5mil thickness but also because it has a nice grain to it so that once painted it looks ok. The outside is painted Rustoleum black (because that's what the stand was already painted - and it's a good outdoor paint so I'm not worried as much about moisture.
I wanted easy access, so the front is on a hinge (and it's an easy place to store daily ferts/food). The inside is painted with Killz primer (because I had a bunch leftover, and because it's supposed to do really well with moisture):
Beautiful assistant, not for sale
I want to pickup some magnetic cabinet hardware to hold the panel closed tighter and maybe some trim to dress it up. I don't want to draw attention to it, but it has to look good enough to please the misses
I took another piece of the 5mil project board, and made a front for the stand. The knobs are decorative/hold the panel on - they can be removed and the entire panel opens up to allow access to filters and such. I didn't want doors as you can see my desk blocks access to part of it already, so I have some contortion acts to get back in there.
It needs some more painting around the rest of the stand - sanding (the previous owner tried to put a finished edge on a piece of plywood and it just splintered)
Something I've been wanting to ask people. I was always taught roughly 1" of fish per gallon - I understand that varies based on fish and such, but when you say you have 28 clowns in a 180, just based on them hitting a measly 8" that's 224" already - which with heavy filtration I see as being totally possible - I was just wondering your thoughts?
