Fbt Palu

[MatthewM1]

Finally got the stuff to get started on my first build!

It's a 20L tank, I'm currently in the process of cutting all the egg crate to size and cutting slots in the pvc legs. Once I start piecing things together I'll add pics. It feels like I've been planning this forever. It's going to be roughly 50/50 land water, live plants on both. I'm going to build a "waterfall" based around reptofilter in the aquatic section and I have a nice small pump that will be placed under the false bottom that will power another "waterfall" that will stream into the main water section. I say "waterfall" because I'm still not positive on how I want these to look or flow quite yet. And a special shout out to derangedchipmunk he's been a huge help through my planning I'd probably still be at square one without his help, thanks alot man


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[MatthewM1]

Everything is almost cut and ready to be siliconed in place. Just have to cut out my access to where my pump shall be housed and finish cutting slots up the pvc. Of course back when I bought my dremmil I decided to be cheap and buy the small rechargeable one and I can only ly get about 15-20 mi uses out of it before it looses steam. The two walls with the egg crate are going to get covered in GS foam. There's gonna be a driftwood ramp to get in and out of the water. And 2 cork rounds set into the background above the water.


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[deranged chipmunk]

good start Matt. have you considered angling the edge of your land area? it will keep your viv from looking "boxey"

[MatthewM1]

Thanks Bill, I did think about that I played around with alot of ideas but kept coming back to this. These tanks feel alot smaller once you start building in them them. If everything else works out the way I want it to it should make up for the "boxey" design. If not I'll just have to get a bigger tank and try again

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[MatthewM1]

Got everything siliconed down and weed blocker in place. Foaming the back wall next.

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[deranged chipmunk]

Thanks Bill, I did think about that I played around with alot of ideas but kept coming back to this. These tanks feel alot smaller once you start building in them them. If everything else works out the way I want it to it should make up for the "boxey" design. If not I'll just have to get a bigger tank and try again

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there ya go! and it's amazing how fast you run out of room, isn't it?

[MatthewM1]

It is, i can only imagine how small it will feel once I start putting down some foam. How long should I let the silicone cure before foaming? Is 24 hours enough or should I give it a couple days?

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[deranged chipmunk]

I try to give it 48 hours to cure.

[MatthewM1]

Just finished foaming the side wall, did the back wall and add added the wood the other day

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[chacmhaal]

Nice start, i will follow next steps

[firebelliedtoadz]

I am doing a 29 gal tank for my fbts. This will really help!! keep us updated with pics

[deranged chipmunk]

looking good Matt. i see you're using the GE foam. what do you think of it so far?

[MatthewM1]

I used gs on the back wall and ge on the side. I'm liking the ge so far it set up faster and feels more solid. I'm using it to start working on water features next so well see how I like it after I'm done trimming, sanding and what not. The fact that's it's a little cheaper is always nice as well.

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[MatthewM1]

Figured it was about time to resurrect this thread lol. The more and more I worked on the tank the less I liked where i was going with it. After a year or so of it sitting untouched I decided to gut it and start over. I have the next two days off so I might get started on it.

[deranged chipmunk]

nice! better to rebuild than over work it. make any progress with it today?

[MatthewM1]

nice! better to rebuild than over work it. make any progress with it today?

Haha nah, drove up to syracuse to sell some T's. Then ended up spending the day up around there with the gf.

[MatthewM1]

Started gutting. Gonna be fun removing all this foam and tite bond

[DigitalPunk]

Its a job in of itself lol. Have fun I know exactly what you are going through.

[MatthewM1]

Getting there

[MatthewM1]

Its a job in of itself lol. Have fun I know exactly what you are going through.

It certainly is, looking forward to restarting this project though so its worth it