A new build....the time machine

[deranged chipmunk]

This tank will be using 2 layers of fiberglass window screen. I have used weed blocker material, but with the soil mix I make, i needed something with a bit more drainage.

[deranged chipmunk]

Got a bit more done the past few days. Last side panel is foamed and trimmed and started covering the background. It should be covered by the end of the week.

I also masked off and paintedy humidifier. I wanted it to match the rest of the build. The devil is in the details, right?










I also painted the detail accents on the humidifier, bit never got to take pics of it.

[deranged chipmunk]

[DigitalPunk]

Looking great Bill! Coming along very nicely! What are the dimensions of this tank? How high do you have the False bottom suspended. Looks like sloes to 3 inches in that last pic. Sorry just trying to visualize it all

[deranged chipmunk]

It's 36x18x18. The false bottom is 4 inches from the bottom. That will give me one inch of water in my pond.

[Sirjohn]

Very nice, looking forward to seeing it planted up...

[DigitalPunk]

It's 36x18x18. The false bottom is 4 inches from the bottom. That will give me one inch of water in my pond.

Awesome thanks. I have a feeling I am going to wish my new tank was an extra 2 inches taller.

[deranged chipmunk]

Very nice, looking forward to seeing it planted up...

Thanks john! I can't wait to plant it, but we have a couple weeks before that happens.

[Mentat]

Hi Bill; that humidifier is awesome with the industrial look ! Can you go over and describe what is the purpose of the large copper painted "funnel" like large tube on the left? Is that a planter?

Also, what about the large black tubes in center and toward right? Then there is the long copper painted tube that reaches into the dead space area at right? Can't stop wondering if there is a purpose to all of them... .

[deranged chipmunk]

Awesome thanks. I have a feeling I am going to wish my new tank was an extra 2 inches taller.

I didn't need the height on this tank since the mantellas don't climb often. But my next build will be a 36x18x24.

[DigitalPunk]

I didn't need the height on this tank since the mantellas don't climb often. But my next build will be a 36x18x24.

Yeah I am already dreaming of the net RETF home. I want to do a 36 x 18x 36 for them, but need to save and buy one lol. I have a feeling once I get the Dart one done I will have increased in skill on this stuff some and want to get the RETF upgraded lol.

I do love the look of this current build you are doing. Can't wait to see it completed with the steamer working!


and I some point I need to pause on tank building and start building stands for the tanks lol

[deranged chipmunk]

Hi Bill; that humidifier is awesome with the industrial look ! Can you go over and describe what is the purpose of the large copper painted "funnel" like large tube on the left? Is that a planter?

Also, what about the large black tubes in center and toward right? Then there is the long copper painted tube that reaches into the dead space area at right? Can't stop wondering if there is a purpose to all of them... .

You have it exactly correct Carlos, they are all planters. Just like my natural tanks, where I like to use wood that has natural planters, when I decided to go industrial, it gave me so many options to make planters. The short black pipe in the middle on the last pic I am not using though, it clutters the floor space up.

[deranged chipmunk]

Yeah I am already dreaming of the net RETF home. I want to do a 36 x 18x 36 for them, but need to save and buy one lol. I have a feeling once I get the Dart one done I will have increased in skill on this stuff some and want to get the RETF upgraded lol.

I do love the look of this current build you are doing. Can't wait to see it completed with the steamer working!


and I some point I need to pause on tank building and start building stands for the tanks lol

The retf's would love the 36" of height! Like I always say, bigger and better!!!

Stands are easy. 2x4's and drywall screws. If you want to go really cheap, cinder blocks, a piece of plywood and a dollar store table cloth works wonders in a pinch and is cheap cheap cheap lol

[DigitalPunk]

The retf's would love the 36" of height! Like I always say, bigger and better!!!

Stands are easy. 2x4's and drywall screws. If you want to go really cheap, cinder blocks, a piece of plywood and a dollar store table cloth works wonders in a pinch and is cheap cheap cheap lol

Sadly the wife has me building an actual piece of furniture. I will be using 2x4 framing for sure, but I will be covering it with Oak or Walnut and staining it.

The Pipe headed at an angle into the pond. Is that to give the frogs a way in and out of the water or will you be planting plants along it?

[deranged chipmunk]

Don't fret, I have to actually build furniture on my next build too lol

The pipe coming out the the water will have plants at the two openings at the end, I also have a hole notched out lower in the pipe for a rare crypt to grow out of, and of course, nature will take over and grow over the pipe eventually.

[deranged chipmunk]

As far as a way in and out of the water, there will only be an inch in there, so they won't have any issues. Besides, in their old tank, they had 5" of water on one side and an inch on the other and I used to watch them dive into the deep end and climb out the sides. Every feeding time, fruit flies would get in the shallow pool and they would all go "fishing".

[DigitalPunk]

As far as a way in and out of the water, there will only be an inch in there, so they won't have any issues. Besides, in their old tank, they had 5" of water on one side and an inch on the other and I used to watch them dive into the deep end and climb out the sides. Every feeding time, fruit flies would get in the shallow pool and they would all go "fishing".

Awesome!

[DigitalPunk]

Don't fret, I have to actually build furniture on my next build too lol

The pipe coming out the the water will have plants at the two openings at the end, I also have a hole notched out lower in the pipe for a rare crypt to grow out of, and of course, nature will take over and grow over the pipe eventually.

Very cool! Loving it!

[Bombina Bob]

The suspense is KILLING me Bill!

[deranged chipmunk]

Well, I took a half a day off from work yesterday because it was cold and decided to finish painting my background. It's now done and I just have a bunch of little things to do, then I can consider doing a preliminary planting on this tank and move to my next build.