Our 270g Google Tank Build

[blkdrgn]

These are our Blueline 40x HD pumps. Because of the type of fish we want to keep we installed only one pump. We also installed an APC 1500 battery backup. That's the only place where I could install it because the pump cords are too short. I think I'll prop it up in case of a leak. It's telling me that it will run for 53 minutes with one pump before the battery dies. Not bad since we have a generator on tap too.

Because we have a spare pump I wanted to use it as our water change pump. I hard PVC plumbed it up the back over a door, through two closets, and out the house. It's going to 4 60g barrels which we will use to water the plants. Those are also plumbed together and a waterfall pump to a garden hose. Anyways, since it's non-priming we have to fill the tube with water first to get it started. Once it starts it works great and very fast. I used a pvc pipe over the hose to keep it straight and left some hose exposed so it won't scratch the tank. I had to cut slits on the tip of the hose because it would get stuck sucking.

We bought 3 300w heaters just in case. These were the only ones that would fit. Yes we live in Hawaii and it doesn't get cold here but with the type of fish we want to keep, we are taking no chances.

 

[C L O W N K N I F E]

I can definitely tell you've done some planning on all of this. Everything is neat and well done!

 

[blkdrgn]

Now forgive me as we forgot to take some pictures of the tank skinning. We pretty much messed this up twice and had to start all over. I was pretty upset so hardly any pictures were taken.

Anyways after a weeks of research and how to make flush doors as I wanted we started. First we bought special maple 3/4" plywood from a plywood specialty store. We started to cut it up but noticed that it was warped. I was not going to have a warped skin so I returned the other one. We picked up some better quality one but forgot what it's called. This one was straight.

Long story short, borrowed my dad's router table and brought to our house, bit didn't fit, returned it back to him, pretty pissed. Went to the store, bought a router, and funny none of us including my dad ever used one before, bit didn't fit. Picked up a smaller one and practiced on a couple pieces.

 

[blkdrgn]

I can definitely tell you've done some planning on all of this. Everything is neat and well done!

Haha, NO. We are winging it and researching right before we do it.

 

[blkdrgn]

Now this is where we have no in between pictures. I was pretty upset that I messed up twice or three times. First was that I didn't know that routing with that bit where it insets takes away 1/2". Now all my pieces were short. 2nd I didn't know that it mattered which bit should be on what side. Hard to explain but it came out messed up and I had to reverse the bits for the pieces. Back to buy more plywood at $70 a sheet.

Finally got it right and it fits pretty good. The top, middle vertical, and bottom are separate pieces. They are inset to each other and glued.

Hopefully there's enough spacing for swelling of the wood if it does.

 

[C L O W N K N I F E]

Haha, NO. We are winging it and researching right before we do it.

Well, then it looks like you did some planning on it all...nice job winging it so far lol

 

[Garbarian]

This is awesome, nice work. I cant wait to see the finished product!

 

[blkdrgn]

As for back in the tank I wanted to add air but was not willing on having the air tube run down for looks purposes. I'm pretty anal about cosmetics. I thought why can't I have the air running in the loc-line outputs? First bought some spare loc-line pieces and drilled a small hole. Used a 90 degree airline adapter thingy and tried it out. Water would shoot out of it. Why didn't it work like my powerhead with the bubbles? So I picked up a Whisper air pump, check valves, and those air adjusters and it works great. Barely can see the black air line hoses.

I was testing out my moon lights so picture is crappy.

 

[blkdrgn]

That's pretty much it for now. It will probably take me a month or so to finish the rest considering how many mistakes were made. lol. I still have to make the sides, canopy, and run the lights, etc. Fish is doing great for now. Hopefully it will survive by the time I finish this tank. It better or I'm selling everything! Will be starting on the canopy frame next and go back to finishing the sides later. I'll be updating this thread as we go along.

 

[blkdrgn]

Looking good, what are you planning on as far as stock?

Just one fish. Our 12" albino clown knife was too aggressive and we didn't want to chance it. so we put him back in our 120g. It would have been so perfect to see two white fish, one at the top, one at the bottom.