The insanity continues... My 345 SA/CA re-build thread
- Thread starter PDRed302
- Start date
Sorry guys... fell behind on the updates 
So after realizing the old top was a wash, I went back to my original plan and picked up some steel (1"x1.5" angle@ 1/4" and 1"x1" T @ 1/4"). Honestly, at first I was really worried about the weight but after making the order and knowing that I was going to be in the mid 50's pound wise (without glass), I stopped worrying; my old wood top was easily that heavy.
Steel to the Rescue
I had a buddy of mine Justin come over on a Friday after work and let me borrow his portable welder and a few hours of his time. I fed him some beer and steaks and we knocked out the basic top frame that sits directly on top of the tank's plastic frame the next day.
Perimeter frame cut and welded by Saturday afternoon.
After work on Monday I started up on welding in all of the braces/ trim that will hold the glass and top panels.
rough out
After some time with the grinding wheel.
I took the frame up to a local powder-coating shop to get it sandblasted and powder coated, since it seems like a really solid option as far as water proofing it. They were pretty busy so it took about 2 weeks to get it back but since I had provided the powder coat (4lb of Black Crinkle, I ordered from P.P.G. @ $3 a lb) He only charged me $20.
Right before I put the frame on I went ahead and added some air stones to the two rock planters.
As well as some expanded clay grow media.
Finally, I have a finished top sitting in place.
So after realizing the old top was a wash, I went back to my original plan and picked up some steel (1"x1.5" angle@ 1/4" and 1"x1" T @ 1/4"). Honestly, at first I was really worried about the weight but after making the order and knowing that I was going to be in the mid 50's pound wise (without glass), I stopped worrying; my old wood top was easily that heavy.
Steel to the Rescue
I had a buddy of mine Justin come over on a Friday after work and let me borrow his portable welder and a few hours of his time. I fed him some beer and steaks and we knocked out the basic top frame that sits directly on top of the tank's plastic frame the next day.
Perimeter frame cut and welded by Saturday afternoon.
After work on Monday I started up on welding in all of the braces/ trim that will hold the glass and top panels.
rough out
After some time with the grinding wheel.
I took the frame up to a local powder-coating shop to get it sandblasted and powder coated, since it seems like a really solid option as far as water proofing it. They were pretty busy so it took about 2 weeks to get it back but since I had provided the powder coat (4lb of Black Crinkle, I ordered from P.P.G. @ $3 a lb) He only charged me $20.
Right before I put the frame on I went ahead and added some air stones to the two rock planters.
As well as some expanded clay grow media.
Finally, I have a finished top sitting in place.
Plumbing and the top... for now
Adding the 1/4' steel frame to the top widened it a bit and caused my previously finished and painted plumbing not to sit flush, how I had originally planned.
There was no way I could have planned for this steel top at the time I laid out my original plumbing. I was stuck, use what I had or cut everything apart, start again and wait 7 more days for the paint to dry...
I decided to go ahead and plumb it up and see what I thought...
Decided I didn't care, most of the plumbing will be covered up by my plants, once they start growing out.
One of my FX5's in place, with its dirty old vinyl tubing lol. I might replace this, I might not, it's going to be covered anyways.
Trying out some grow basket layouts on the tops.
Painted the right side cover, and zip-tied the drip line into place.
Zip-ties cut and a small clear rubber stopper (glass/furniture foot) added for stability and grip.
Wood added to the tank, time to get everything ready for water!
Adding the 1/4' steel frame to the top widened it a bit and caused my previously finished and painted plumbing not to sit flush, how I had originally planned.
There was no way I could have planned for this steel top at the time I laid out my original plumbing. I was stuck, use what I had or cut everything apart, start again and wait 7 more days for the paint to dry...
I decided to go ahead and plumb it up and see what I thought...
Decided I didn't care, most of the plumbing will be covered up by my plants, once they start growing out.
One of my FX5's in place, with its dirty old vinyl tubing lol. I might replace this, I might not, it's going to be covered anyways.
Trying out some grow basket layouts on the tops.
Painted the right side cover, and zip-tied the drip line into place.
Zip-ties cut and a small clear rubber stopper (glass/furniture foot) added for stability and grip.
Wood added to the tank, time to get everything ready for water!
It most certainly is good to have friends with skills! With my job as a superintendent, making friends throughout all the major trades just kind of happened on its own
As far as plants
Up top: I will definitely be going with Pothos, Peace Lily and Philodendron Brasil as they are cheap, easy to find and I know they work. I will probably also grow a few common spices like basil, mint, etc; I'm also always open to suggestions!
In tank: If I try anything, I'll stick to the easy stuff like Anubias.
Thank you for the kind words.
Thank you for the words of encouragement; after looking at it for the last few weeks, I can definitely agree, the plumbing is for the most part unnoticeable and will be invisible once I've got some plants grown in up top.The plumbing looks fine with the new top, good choice to leave it alone! Looking great
- THE LAST POST
...before I catch you guys up by introducing some of my new stock (hadn't uploaded those pics yet). Seriously though, the tank is up and cycled, awaiting 2 more fish and another filter (which I'll be moving to it on Friday afternoon) after that's done, I'll make sure to upload some pics and get everyone truly up to speed.
until then:
Gravel and rocks in place to add extra weight to the driftwood anchors and for a base of my sand/gravel/rock substrate
fingers crossed
Success! 48 hours of constant checking and looking later and I can safely say its leak free and running great!
On day 1, I did a big water swap and added "Safe"
Day 2, I tuned the height on the standpipe
and on day 3, I added "Safe Start" and 100 feeders
I've used Safe Start in the past and have been happy with the results. In the end it took 10 days total to get a 0 nitrite and Ammonia reading with trace amounts of nitrate, enough for me to considered it cycled, I however waited the full two weeks before preforming a water change (per the instructions) and re-testing. I'm happy to say, that it's been running great ever since.
When adding the minnows, I also added a substrate topper to the plant beds...
I also, pre-cut and painted the back plant holder that goes around the plumbing
Day 7, not quite there, the water is still a little cloudy and the tank feels a bit empty, I wanted open space but I am feeling a little vanilla.
Day 10 and I have added a few more large stones as well as more gravel (seeded from the 135), water is looking a lot better as well as testing great but no water change yet. The change is very minimal but its enough for me to be happy with it (for now).
One more from Day 10 and I'm done for the night!
Well there it is MFK...
The white plastic light diffuser will be replaced with glass tops and the main 4'x2' opening already has glass on it (from my old top). The Light diffuser that has been painted black is there to stay, as it will provide a base for my plants to grow on. In the future if I feel like I'm getting too much evaporation then I may close the sides in with glass but for now it seems ok.
Next up will be the current update from the tank as well as an introduction to my fish!
...Thanks for tagging along and as always; any comments, questions, critiques or concerns are always welcome
