New DIY tank

[max1]

Hey!

Like I told you before, I'm planning on getting a larger tank and for financial reasons, I decided to build a custom tank. I have a hardware store nearby that sells custom cut glass and I can easily get the 100% silicon I 'm going to need. So here we go!

But first I want to know what you guys think about it.

Here's a second question.

The tank's going to be a 55G and I think I know what I'm going to stock it with but I want to run it by you first.

I plan on getting two angels (space left : 35G)

Then I'll stock the rest with

6 corycats : 2" (10G, space left : 23G)
5 cardinal tetras : 2" (10G, space left : 13G)
3 gouramis : 2" (6G, space left : 7G)
2 killifish : 2 1/2" (5G, space left : 2G)

I calculated this going by the general rule of thumb.
The size I give is the biggest they can grow to.(according to liveaquaria.com)

Please tell me if this is overstocked and don't worry about dissapointing me. After all, the fish aren't bought yet. Heck, the tank isn't even built yet! lol

I did some research and normally they're all compatible except for the gourami and the tetras with which I have to be careful. But they all require pretty much the same PH, t° and KH.

I'm open to all advice and as I assemble the tank I will probably keep posting in this thread.

Nicolas.

[AngelMom]

It looks pretty good, but I do have a couple of cautions on the gouramis. I'm guessing you mean dwarf gouramis since they are the only ones who stay under 2 inches (most of the "standard" gouramis are between 4 and 6 ans some get up to 10 inches).

1. The only gender of dwarf gouramis I've ever seen available are males (the females are very drab looking and the breeders apparently don't want competition) so you will likely have a problem with aggression amongst them. They might bother the other fish, but most likely they will pick on each other (sometimes so bad they kill each other) unless confronted by another fish .... I had to remove one from my angel tank years ago because he fought with the male angel who was trying to protect a spawning.

2. Gouramis are known carriers of heximita, so if you decide to try them, make sure you quarantine them and treat at least 2 weeks for hex.

HTH

[max1]

Yeah it was the dwarf gouramis I was planning to get but now I'm not so sure. I was kinda counting on the danios for cycling the tank.

I just realized that I made a minor mistake in my first post.

I wrote : 6 cory(2")=10G
instead of =12G

[max1]

You know, I'm not going to get the D. Gouramis. I'll just get some danios from the Lfs to cycle and then return them. Though this seems a little cruel to me. I'm not willing though to try a fishless cycle just yet. I prefer the traditional method.

What other colorful community fish would you recommend? I'm willing to get less cardinal tetras as well to fit in other prettier fish.

Thanks.

P.S.: What happened to all the activity there used to be here? Looks like everyones gone. What happened to bettaboi? :( :confused:

[AngelMom]

Don't know where everyone is at ... it has seemed quiet around here lately.

Check out some of the dwarf cichlids. I have some keyhole cichlids in my 20 gallon and a dwarf cockatoo (Apistogramma cacatuoides) in with my angels and they are great little fish. :)

[max1]

That's a great idea! THey look like really cool fish.

Well I'm going to start assembling my tank soon. Sunday maybe. I'll try to post some pics as things evolve, for Shane's delight. lol. I know he likes pics.

[Amidicus]

Hey Max, I saw you are going to make your own aquarium so I'm guessing your are mechanically inclined like myself.The first thing that came to mind though was the strength of the glass you are going to use.I believe that store bought tanks have a tempered glass bottom for added strength,and normal glass might crack/break under the weight of a fully stocked tank.I'm not sure of the thickness you are going to use,so I figured I would pipe up and say something.Good luck with it though!

[max1]

Well I wouldn't say mechanically inclined. After all I'm only 15 but I've learned a lot fro my dad and I do my homework. ;)

As to the thickness of the glass, that depends on the demensions of the tank. I read up on this here :

http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/aquariumdiy/a/aa052903DIYcust.htm

And here's a thickness calculator (My tanks going to be 4' long and 18" high) :

http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/aquariumdiy/l/blcustomtank.htm

I'm thinking I should go with the 9mm glass to be sure, even if it's a bit more expensive.

As to the tempered glass, if I'm careful I don't think I'll need it. My main problem would be that the weight isn't evenly distributed and strain is put on one or two points alone. But I've seen aquarium stand plans that incorporate a sheet of styrofoam to distribute the weight evenly.

Do you think this would be sufficient?

Thanks for your input, I'm open to all advice.

[Amidicus]

Looks like you are on the right track!Good job! 9mm is pretty thick and might work for you.All it takes is a simple defect in the glass and the couple hundred plus pounds of gravel and water will find it.Reinforcement under the glass would probably be a good idea and ease some strain.Good luck and inform after it is together.Remember,with something of this nature it is better to be safe than sorry . :)