65G Build for 3 Es - Back in the Game!

[Kermie16]

Droooooolllll! Wow! That's gonna be amazing!! Can't wait to see this all come together


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[EadvEnturEs]

Thanks!!! Starting the false bottom today!

[littletechcrab]

Congratulations on the new tank, nothing like new tank smell LOL

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[EadvEnturEs]

So I went shopping today...

Starting the false bottom and water bowls, then more pictures.

[EadvEnturEs]

It fits!



A little mockup of the siphon pipe cage thing. I'll get the exact size down later and wrap it in sisal twine so it isn't so ugly.



Water bowls just need to cure!

[NLindsey921]

I love the water bowls. They look so natural. Maybe I'll try mine like that.

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[EadvEnturEs]

Thanks! I got everything at Walmart today. 3 lbs of river rocks for $4.87. I love the shape and depth of the bowls as well. Two pack for $0.88 at Walmart.

[NLindsey921]

Thanks! I got everything at Walmart today. 3 lbs of river rocks for $4.87. I love the shape and depth of the bowls as well. Two pack for $0.88 at Walmart.

Awesome. I'll check it out next time i go.

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[GotButterflies]

That looks awesome! I need to do water bowls like that!


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[EadvEnturEs]

Okay, you can read it now!

Today, I took my 10' of 1/2" PVC to the "in-laws" (Boyfriend's parents') to be cut down to size and get some free noms, then brought it all back home to begin work on my false bottom! As I posted yesterday, I fitted the egg crate, mocked up a cage for the siphon tube, and made my pools last night. The pools are curing and I was able to finalize some sizing for the things involving egg crate today!



Here my PVC is cut to size for 24 bracing pieces to go under the egg crate (1 3/8" each), the siphon tube piece (19"), and a bracing piece for the support across the lid of the tank (23 9/16"). They're all waiting to be drilled/notched.



Everything's drilled! and the siphon piece is notched, via some drilling and breaking of pieces...



I was able to get everything under the egg crate nice and neatly, my siphon tube lined up in the corner, and a middle space cut out for the brace. Everything fits nice and snuggly! I went ahead and ran a bead of sealant up the corner of the tank and used Scotch Tape to hold it into place while it cures.



This is my little peeping space to check for water build up under the false bottom. Taller than I'd intended, but it'll do. I don't think it'll interfere with the digging/climbing-space ratio I'm going for.



Nailed down the final size on the cage. I'll have a cap on the end of the PVC after it's been cured into place and I can pull on it some. The egg crate is a bit of an eyesore imo, since I tend to prefer a natural look. I'll be working on that tonight using some sisal twine that will replace the ugly black zip ties toward the surface. I will be adding more of the zip ties below the substrate level, however. By doing that, I won't have to worry as much about what the crabs may be picking at below the surface; it's just for piece of mind.



A good look at everything, including the embroidery mesh I bought and fitted today! Cut outs for the corners and a hole down the center for the brace to go through. Just imagine the weed block in there between the egg crate and the mesh, and that's it! The weed block is in the mail, but should be here anytime. Once it is, I'll run sealant around the edges of and over the overlapping mesh pieces, on the mesh around the brace, and to hold the cage in place.

The black mark on the right side of the tank is my planned substrate level. It'll be around 12" of play sand and EE (5:1), then after a couple of months of settling, I'll top it off with a bag of nice, healthy HCP sand.

Next thing is to let everything cure, then work on the substrate this coming Thursday! Once that's finished, I will be VERY close to ready! It's all coming together so much faster than I expected, thanks to the versatility of crabber supplies.

In the meantime, I have lots of ideas to work on, including a second level using corner guards, sisal, and egg crate. I'll be working on crocheting a net tonight. I also did a test run yesterday of making my own hanging baskets and hides from empty juice and milk jugs. It went very well! I'll share the details on that when I have a final example in the coming weeks. It definitely requires parent supervision for the young'ins!

I also ordered an Ultratherm and some fake vines yesterday. Once those come in, I'll really be rolling!

[EadvEnturEs]

I'm leaving off tonight with my cage nicer to look at, part of a net crocheted, and trying to think of something to replace the PVC as a brace. Not too shabby!

[GotButterflies]

Wow! Looks super! Can't wait to see more pics!


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[EadvEnturEs]

Thanks!! I'm so happy that there's finally stuff in it and it looks like something's happening!

[GotButterflies]

I wish I knew how to crochet! Looks so good! I'm excited for you!


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[EadvEnturEs]

Thanks! It's so simple! Honestly, the net pattern is a GREAT learning pattern - so simple! You could even just do it with your fingers to make it extra loose. Here it is if you ever want to try! This guy does a great job explaining everything.

https://youtu.be/R4YcTc-BF-g