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My 55 gallon African show tank

Discussion in 'Freshwater Aquariums & Fish Photos' started by damnsneakyasian, Mar 25, 2009.

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  1. damnsneakyasian

    damnsneakyasian Thread Starter New Member

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    Hey guys tell me what you guys think about my tank!

    Right now i have:

    3 cobalt blue zebras
    3 red rebras
    2 red top BB zebras
    1 johanni



    Before
    ai673.photobucket.com_albums_vv94_damnsneakyasian_P3130125.jpg

    In between
    ai673.photobucket.com_albums_vv94_damnsneakyasian_P3160138.jpg
    ai673.photobucket.com_albums_vv94_damnsneakyasian_P3160145.jpg
    ai673.photobucket.com_albums_vv94_damnsneakyasian_P3160146.jpg
    ai673.photobucket.com_albums_vv94_damnsneakyasian_P3160147.jpg

    After
    ai673.photobucket.com_albums_vv94_damnsneakyasian_P3190153.jpg

    VIDEO
     
    damnsneakyasian, Mar 25, 2009
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  2. damnsneakyasian

    damnsneakyasian Thread Starter New Member

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    tell me what you guys think!

    input and advise is welcomed!!

    i want to add more rocks, build up the rock work to include the upper section of the tank and allow more hiding places for more fish, BUT the stand that its on is starting to warp! its a kitchen table, kinda.
     
    damnsneakyasian, Mar 25, 2009
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  3. drazzill

    drazzill New Member

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    I would say you should look for a more sturdy stand soon :) b4 adding any rocks
     
    drazzill, Mar 25, 2009
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  4. Alleycat

    Alleycat Member

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    Nice looking tank, but the stand warping? [help]
     
    Alleycat, Mar 25, 2009
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  5. damnsneakyasian

    damnsneakyasian Thread Starter New Member

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    yeah, looking for one for sale, but my dad is adding a new addition to the house, so there is alot of extra wood lying around plus his nail gun!
     
    damnsneakyasian, Mar 25, 2009
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  6. damnsneakyasian

    damnsneakyasian Thread Starter New Member

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    yeah, its on right now what looks like a kitchen table,

    the actual counter part, is starting to bend from the weight of the rocks. its no longer level and concaved towards the middle.
     
    damnsneakyasian, Mar 25, 2009
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  7. BobV

    BobV Member

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    be careful, that uneven stress load can blow out the tank seams. I speak from experience. Word
     
    BobV, Mar 25, 2009
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  8. damnsneakyasian

    damnsneakyasian Thread Starter New Member

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    yeah, i was going to put egg crates at the bottom, but its still cold where i live so im going to wait till summer.
     
    damnsneakyasian, Mar 26, 2009
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  9. SyncereOne

    SyncereOne New Member

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    I wouldn't wait until summer...I'd do something as soon as possible. It may seem okay now, but the stresses (nightmare-ish flashback to ENGR 102 statics) being put on the tank will eventually damage it.

    Tanks looks good...I would pile the rocks up a little higher, adding to the mid level of the tank...and I never was a fan of the plastic backgrounds. A cheap tube of acrylic paint on the outside can fix that...but thats subjective...some people love em, some hate em. The rocks you have look awesome, and your tank is very clean...good job.
     
    SyncereOne, Mar 26, 2009
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  10. Guidoman888

    Guidoman888 New Member

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    Nice looking tank. I really how the colors match eachother with the sand gravel and even a bit of the background :)
     
    Guidoman888, Mar 26, 2009
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  11. damnsneakyasian

    damnsneakyasian Thread Starter New Member

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    yeah i would add the crates now, but im not at home right now, away at school. side note, instead of going somewhere warm for spring break, i did this change, worth it!

    the plastic background is ugly, but i really dont want to paint my tank, atleast with the background, i can change it whenever. but i do want to get a solid color for a backdrop.
     
    damnsneakyasian, Mar 26, 2009
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  12. damnsneakyasian

    damnsneakyasian Thread Starter New Member

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    thanks! i had to hunt like mad to find good looking rocks from the railroad track that runs through my backyard!
     
    damnsneakyasian, Mar 26, 2009
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  13. BobV

    BobV Member

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    egg crate material under the rocks is a good thing, but I think we are referring to the bowing of the tank putting stress on the seams.
     
    BobV, Mar 26, 2009
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  14. damnsneakyasian

    damnsneakyasian Thread Starter New Member

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    oh yeah? hmm i know that this weight is stressing the bottom, any fixes?

    taking out the rocks would be out of the question because its really helping out a lot on the aggression, unless i can get my hands on some lighter rocks.

    what do you think about adding some tin foils to help release some stress?
     
    damnsneakyasian, Mar 28, 2009
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  15. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    egg crate as BobV suggested will remove some of the "Stress" on the bottom of the tank and is always a great idea when using heavier decor such as rockwork.

    As far as adding tinfoil barbs...you do realize they can get up to 13"? In a 55g I would say that is the bare minimum but would suggest even larger imo.

    If your looking for lighter rockwork I'd suggest checking out Kens Fish, they have some great rock/caves that would be lighter than the stones you have in there now and his prices were really good...linked here-->
    http://www.kensfish.com/Chichlidstones.html
     
    MOD_Dawn, Mar 28, 2009
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  16. damnsneakyasian

    damnsneakyasian Thread Starter New Member

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    egg crate as BobV suggested will remove some of the "Stress" on the bottom of the tank and is always a great idea when using heavier decor such as rockwork.

    As far as adding tinfoil barbs...you do realize they can get up to 13"? In a 55g I would say that is the bare minimum but would suggest even larger imo.

    If your looking for lighter rockwork I'd suggest checking out Kens Fish, they have some great rock/caves that would be lighter than the stones you have in there now and his prices were really good...linked here-->
    http://www.kensfish.com/Chichlidstones.html[/quote]


    I know that tin foils get big, i used to have a school of about 6 in this tank and they were around 4-6 inches between them. They were pretty fun to watch, cause they would all twirl together at the end of the tank.
     
    damnsneakyasian, Mar 28, 2009
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  17. Aironia

    Aironia New Member

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    Have you tried looking on craigslist for a stand? Not sure where you live but craigslist here always has TONS of fish stuff for sale. Was just looking on ours here and there are several stands for under $50. And then you could just offer them $35, most of them will take it!
     
    Aironia, Apr 23, 2009
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  18. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    Be careful when going the craiglist or any other route where you have to pickup something (Craiglist killer). Ladies always find a guy to go with you or meet in a very Well lit public spot such as in front of a store or gas station...and if you have a cell phone call a family member to tell them your meeting spot and call them when your there and when your leaving.

    Another words find someone to go with you and don't go alone, it's not worth saving a few bucks when theirs sickos out there!
     
    MOD_Dawn, Apr 23, 2009
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  19. damnsneakyasian

    damnsneakyasian Thread Starter New Member

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    yeah, i search craigslist every once in a while, but i think i might just make one myself. My dad is adding an addition to his house so he will have left over lumber and all the equipment (nail gun, nails, ect) for me to use.
     
    damnsneakyasian, Apr 23, 2009
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  20. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    sounds like a plan. A level, sander, some heavy braces, and hinges if your putting doors on (remember to leave it open as possible so you can have room for your equipment beneath the tank).
     
    MOD_Dawn, Apr 23, 2009
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