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Thought it was about time I started my own 'build' thread with the new tank. Its a Betta Lifespace 1000 with sump. All pipework included along with the return pump.
Tank was 7 days old when I got it and had not seen a drop of water! Chap bought it and after building the cabinet, realised that it would be too heavy for the upstairs bedroom floor it was destined to be sited on. So, not being able to return it as the cabinet was built, he advertised it or sale. I had to drive to Trowbridge to collect it but given the fact that it is a £700+ set up, I was more than happy to part with a mere £350 for it!
Anyway.. having got it home it lived in the garage for a week or so until I worked out where it was going to go!
While it was out there I painted the back with a roller in Regal Blue!. 5 coats in all until I got a nice coverage with no patches.
Then it was time to bring it into the house. We had a bit of a sort out and clear out and the tank was put into its new home.
One popular mod I did do, with the help of a mate, was to make the front centre panel removable to make access to the sump much easier as with it in place, you needed to be a gymnast to work around it! a bit of 3x2 was used to make the centre brace and the front panel fits around it and also helps to keep the panel in place.
After a trip to the shops I picked up the following bits of essential hardware:-
V2 Skim 600 Skimmer
V2 400 UV Steriliser
2x 6 gang mains extension leads
2x digital timers for the lights.
I also picked up an inline filter which has carbon sponge in it.
This is what its like with all the bits in:-
This is where I had to make a decision on which way to go. Up to now I bet you have had smiles on your faces. Well those will probably turn to frowns when you realise which way I have decided to go with this tank.
Not only have I decided to make it a fish only system, I shall not be using RO water. As all I shall be keeping is fish I am gonna give tap water a go. A mate of mine has a fish only system with tap water and his tank is stunning!
Anyway, with those decisions made I decided to fill the sump with the following medias. The baffles are in the standard over and under configuration.
Chamber 1, Inlet from the tank weir, fine sponge, coarse sponge.
Chamber 2, Alfagrog, fine sponge
Chamber 3, Alfagrog, fine sponge, 2x 150w heaters although only 1 on with a stable 26.9c!
Chamber 4, Elimi-Phos in a bag, Skimmer & pump, return pump.
So the water travel is in this order:-
From the tank weir (throught a small piece of sponge to quieten the water falling down the weir) down the pipe to the sump chamber 1. Fine Sponge, Coarse Sponge, Under baffle 1, Chamber 2, Alfagrog, Fine Sponge, over baffle2, Chamber 3, Fine Sponge, Alfagrog, over baffle 3, Chamber 4, Elimi-Phos, Skimmer,Return Pump, In-Line Carbon Filter, UV Steriliser, Back to the tank.
Next job was the arrangement of the rock / dead corals I had aquired. I have used Ocean Rock and a combination of white and blue corals. When the base layer of Ocean Rock was in place I washed the Coral Sand and placed it around the rock in the bottom of the tank. I then put a couple of gallons of water in the bottom so the sand would settle overnight.
I then placed the remaining Ocean Rock on the base layer to complete the aquascaping. And before anyone asks, this was done in one go and I am chuffed with how it looks.
Next morning I filled the tank with water, and the sump and got the pump going.
Lighting is provided by a 3ft GLO T5 twin tube light unit with 1x 39w Marine White tube and 1x 39w Actinic Marine Blue tube.
Moon Lighting is provided by 2x 12" 15 LED light strips from Fleabay. Also added was 2 S/H Koralia 2 heads to stir up the surface and give some flow through the water.
So this is where I am up to now. Pumps were switched on on 28th Oct. Inhabitants are 1x Turbo Snail, 1x Cleaner Shrimp, 2x red Legged Hermit Crabs and a Long Horn Cowfish but thats hiding!.
For the first week I added 20ml of MicroBacter 7, from Brightwell Aquatics, per day to aid the maturation process. Skimmer is not on yet either. I will wait for more fish before that is on.
Still another 3 weeks or so before I can start adding more fish but I have already planned what will be going in.
More on that when they go in, when I will provide more pictures.
I hope you enjoyed reading this build and please check back soon as I add colour by way of Fish!!!!
Posted 08 November 2009 - 06:43 PM
