Ok .. I was posting in DIY - but I am very excited.

Having kept a large tank for over a year now - I am the master at tropical fishkeeping in a large tank. The issue of course is that it is supposed to be a large "Planted Tank".

So - last weekend we pulled down the tank and started again.

Quick recap can be got here: viewtopic.php?f=28&t=59027&hilit=1400+litre

and here: viewtopic.php?f=28&t=63290

Here are some things I have done differently.

1. Changed out the t5 lighting system for a lot of LED lighting.

2. Built a sump and installed it.

3. Plumbed everything properly. including an overflow - and we are adding a auto water change (drip system).

4. More substrate.

5. New Hardscape

6. a lot of plants.

And a very special person to help me along the way. I'll let him introduce himself in due course.

So - A teaser photo for you all ( we are scaping and planting saturday) at the moment the tank is just .. leak testing and running etc. I will take some time tomorrow to document the entire build with pictures so you can see what we have been up to.

:spop:

Looking good, can't wait to see it finished.

I'll be interested to see the hardscape, tanks this size aren't easy to fill!

Sooo... :spop:

finished.

Actually. Just got to wait for the plants to grow in a little now .. Here is a sneak peak. I promise to get the build details and video and stuff organized and a contribution from the main creator ..

Quick pic .. Click on the image for a larger view.

Nice work dude.

Damn, that's quite different from the last photos. Looking awesome :thup:

We need a picture with all the office lights off

very nice

to the creator

Wow!

Wow, that looks amazing. What are the stocking plans for that thing?

What sort of LEDs are you using?

Fuar, thats a NICE looking tank!!!

Am also keen to see what sort of stocking you have planned.

Wow, that looks amazing. What are the stocking plans for that thing?

Thanks - Currently I have around 40 harlequin rasboras, tetras of 3 or 4 variants and some cherry barbs. Around 100 small fish. I'm certainly not in a hurry at this stage. I would like to add some large schools of special fish; I just don't know what they will be yet.

At this stage - I would like to see how that goes - and then decide on more fish. There are a couple of corys and bristlenoses - but i doubt we will ever see them .. the tank will get more enjoyment from their presence than the owner I think.

What sort of LEDs are you using?

Hi David - I'm quite enjoying your tank thread over on monster fishkeepers - (i agree with your comments about your lighting btw).

The lights I am using were purchased from Valray on Trademe. Here is a link to a similar set http://www.trademe.co.nz/pets-animals/f ... 422182.htm - Extremely happy with the performance to date - exceptional lights.

Ok - here is some of the info about the build.

First up - I wanted to add a sump. It was made clear to me when I built the tank the first time around that I would want one - and I was happy to do it as a "next time I pull the tank down" type project.

First up - This is a custom designed sump - it's a very smart design and works extremely well. Measures 120 long and as you will see from the pics is designed to fit under my cabinet. This sump was designed by lotofish (who is on these forums) and built by Greg from Tanks2u here in Auckland.

Sump

Sump

Sump in the cabinet and plumbed in!

Here you can see the sponge arrangement. they sit perfectly in the slots that were made for them and vary in grade.

Cheers, they look like very nice units!

Next we prepped the tank. My wife was happy enough to zip around the remove all remnants of the old tank. Took around 20 mins to clean with a good blade from Hollywoods.

Once the old hardscape was out .. we were left with .. our substrate (which was not very deep)

We laid out the hardscape ..

Then decided to swap the schist for moss rock which we obtained from stone and water world. This required about an hour of water blasting to clean. We also got another 6 bags of black grit from stone and water world. To my surprise it was a very cost effective place to buy it from. Took around an hour to wash the stuff we used.

Hardscape in the tank. This was a process and a half - but we were lucky to have 3 of use with very keen eyes.

Planting begins

And continues .. (who might that be in the photo )

and filled at last. (but not fully planted yet) end of sat night.

You will notice the temporary overflow setup. This was due to the new custom overflow box being assembled etc.

Overflow box

More overflow box

Installed - you can see it on the left back of the tank. Extremely quiet

Final plant layout (click for bigger image) and with my surronds on.

Some of the plumbing.

I will follow up with detailed photos - tech details and other exciting nerdy facts when I have a chance to take some high res images with my camera.

I will also try and get some detailed shots of the plants ..

Where did you get the black hose from?

Love the tank, What substrate did u use also in the picture it looked like you used two types of led or is that just me

Here you can see the sponge arrangement. they sit perfectly in the slots that were made for them and vary in grade.

Good to see Poret filter foam featuring in some large tank build threads. Looking good.