55 gallon in wall tank

[rlebeau]

This started as a small project. Toss a tank on the ledge between the library and the entryway. Well, the 55g tank didn't quite fit. So I had to build a "stand" for it.

I am hoping to have a nice cichlid tank in the near future. I've not had cichlids before so I am all ears.

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Add a few more 2x4's and some drywall. And hello to all of my fellow x-file fans out there!

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After all of the hard work.

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Believe it or not, the front was the easy part.

I am now a self taught cabinet maker. And it shows!!. Easy access to the top. Still needs some trim, stain, a few more doors and I'll be done with the "stand". I have a filstar x2 canister filter in the bottom cabinet. The filtration plumbing is ran through the wall. Nothing hanging off of the tank. I'll add more pics one I get the whole thing done.

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This is my buddy Big P (11"). I have had him for about 4 yrs. My 30g tank sprung a leak a few days after I put water in the new tank. I had to move him and a few small fish into the new tank. I saved as much water as I could, and moved the most of the gravel. It has been over a week. He is eating algae disks and has his color back. I think he will be ok.

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update 1-31-06

I have just a bit of stain and paint and I'm done.

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I have also changed the gravel to sand and added some decor.

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Let me know what you think. And feel free to leave a few tips on cichlids.

 

[Billsgate]

Great job! Looks awesome. And your pleco looks great!

 

[BrianNY]

I'm envious of your skills. I think it looks great. Cichlids, eh? Any species in mind?

 

[czcz]

Nice.

 

[rlebeau]

I would like a colorful mix of fish that will not rip each other apart and traumatize any of my 4 daughters. I would like them to be compatible with the pleco. My wife is sternly against feeding anything live to them. I would rather have more smaller than a few large fish.

We are also "debating" gravel vs sand. She likes the gravel because it fits into the decor of the house. I like the idea of sand for ease of cleaning but color choices seem to be either black or white. Not sure what color pool sand it but I am guessing it's very light.

I've been reading several posts and websites but it's information overload.

 

[Glenc]

You have done a great job! Looks awsome. You can't be married. Give your wife a kiss for me. My wife would kill me if I tried to do what you did! She won't even let me have a tank in the bedroom! Imagine!

 

[Lonewolfblue]

Great looking tank and good job. Another idea is that since you have a cannister filter, could get an inline heater and remove the heater from inside the tank. Very nicely done, love it.... Again, great job....

http://cgi.ebay.com/Hydor-Inline-30...ryZ46311QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Just make sure you get the correct sized one for your output line if you decide on this at a later date.

 

[rlebeau]

i was just reading about the inline heaters yesterday.. didn't even know they exsisted. I'll probably get one before I "offically" stock the tank.

thanks for the link

 

[crazycat]

amazing! it looks great! very jealous! please keep us updated.

 

[Guest]

Tank looks awesome. The rock pile looks great with the sand.

 

[Zagz]

Looks great. I mean really great. Yours skills are to be commended.

 

[hc8719]

very handsome

 

[cappieBridget]

that is just beautiful!!! I wish my hubby would build that for me, lol. He'd be the one to come up with an idea like that , then leave me hangin.

 

[rjm7630]

i will pay you to come and do that in my house but with a 300 gallon tank. beautiful work

 

[Gplayerz]

WOW that tank is beautiful. Amazing man, you have got talent..