105G Custom Shallow Paradise
 

I know what a few are probably thinking... "What? ANOTHER tank?" ... I know I know... For anyone who knows me really well, knows that this is just how I am with any of my hobbies... When I played paintball I went through 4-5 different guns, 3-4 different face masks, SO much clothing gear I could put a womans wardrobe to shame! :redface: As a photographer I've gone thru 2-3 different camera bodies, a ridiculous number of lenses. etc... It's just the way I am. :lol:

Aside from my compulsive buying nature, I also decided against continuing with my 187G build as I would like to wait until I'm not renting anymore, at which time I will go larger than 187, that reason coupled with my love of Tangs has persuaded me to upgrade my 30G Shallow cube, which I absolutely love because of its shallow design. I will continue the shallow look into my upgrade (1. Addicted to shallow tanks... 2.Save on tank cost).

Some pics of my inspiration and what I'm trying to go for look-wise.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...w/NA007011.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...w/NA007015.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...w/NA007016.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...llow/photo.jpg

Planning to have a fairly open sand bed and lower rock piles, ridges to create ample swimming space, as well as minimal scape to provide a sense of depth. This will be the first tank where I won't have any sort of back drop on the tank.

I have decided on getting a custom tank built by Red Coral to the dimensions of 72x24x14 trimless tank(with a 12.5" waterline). This makes upgrading the stand fairly simple as it becomes a basic addition to the current tank stand in heightxdepth. Current tank can stay running while I do the add-on.

I've already been working on the stand add-on. Will get some pics posted when I can take some.

This is just from when I was spacing out the tank to make sure it would fit... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...w/IMG_0297.jpg

wow those pictures are inspiring..

great idea can't wait to see it come to fruition!

PS: dibs on the 30g when you are done with it! :-D

Actually I got dibs... it's becoming the sump tank.:wink: Should work well with the short stand height of 29", should be able to work in the sump. Leaves my skimmer choices rather slim though. :lol:

I'll just have to silicone a glass panel over the current overflow holes.

My tank is 72"x24"x17". In hindsight I would have gone even wider to say, 72"x36"x17" - that extra room gives far more aquascaping options and you'll get much better flow if you leave a clear lane at the back of the tank (i.e. not have any LR propped up against the rear pane).

Your gonna love the six foot length....gonna be saweet.

That and a 12.5 inch water line will make for one sweet top down tank!

Thanks guys.. Put the order in for the tank yesterday... Just playing the waiting game now.

Wow that is going to be shallow. While I'm excited for you and agree with your reasoning, I am also interested to see how you will continue to like it particularly with the challenges such a shallow tank runs. I have what I call my "carpet tank" (2 gigantea's) which is 24x24x12 (the GLASS is 12", so the waterline is more like 11"-11.5", and it is trimless ... so it is a particular challenge for me to keep the water flow I would like in it, plus I worry about how easy it is for the fish to jump out. And then last but not least it's just a tremendously difficult tank to get good photos of.) So I'm not sure what I think of shallow tanks anymore. Don't get me wrong: I'm not trying to rain on your parade, as I think this will be a great tank for you anyhow, but I'm just interested to see how you end up dealing with it. If nothing else maybe I'll learn a thing or two about how to get more-gooder/more-better photos out of the shallowness by seeing what you end up doing. :p

Anyhow good luck and can't wait to see more. :)

Thanks Tony.

The 30G cube I currently have running is a 24x24x12 as well, and like you the water line is really 11-11.5" depending where you measure from. And yes, I have to be very careful cleaning the glass as the water likes to splash up over the sides, however the actual flow (Vortech mp20) never gets it so wild that in crests the rim of the tank.

With this tank I made a small adjustment with the dims and went 14.5" tall (glass dimension) and 12.5" water level giving me a full 2" of glass, which I am hoping will resolve the previous issue.

As for photos.... I should be ok. :wink:

Time will tell I suppose. :razz:

The first step in getting help is admitting you have a problem! lol

Looks like it's going to be a cool tank...