Fish's new tank project

[untamed]

One just can't give enough praise to anyone willing to paint their plumbing!! I'm a fan. Nice work.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Looks very nice!

The first thing I noticed in your picture was the sticky rice basket and pot above you and to the left. Mmmm.

That's just the foodie in me

[Fish]

Thanks Untamed! It is really the result of being anal about the details and having too much time on my hands.


Chef,
You have a good eye. I am addicted to sticky rice after living in Thailand for two years and spending some time in the Isan. My wife picked up a few recipies and makes a pretty mean Namtok (?? I cant spell Thai names in english).

- Chad

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Ahhh. Laab Namtok? It's my favourite!

I haven't lived in Thailand, but I've been five times (including during the Tsunami....phew). I lived in Malaysia when I was a teenager, though. I miss it something fierce :-)

[Fish]

Haha yup its my favorite too.
I've been meaning to make a trip back there but our kids are still a little young for travelling...

- Chad

[justinl]

gee thanks guys. Now im hungry and have a wicked craving for some sticky rice.

[Fish]

Yesterday I stopped by Gold's and picked up a Stealth heater and a thermometer.






So far I am very impressed with the stealth - it has held the temp rock solid compared to my second hand ebo (which had water drops inside the glass!) - as an added bonus, it matches the red/black color scheme I have going on.
I have one question though. This morning I found that the part of the heater that gets hot was covered with little bubbles, I blew them off but there appears to be a film or scale left on the outside. I could probably scratch it off or use some vinegar to scrub it but I am worried that it will just build up again. Is this a problem? Any thoughts?


One final piece of equipment:





This is my laboratory grade digital metering pump that is going to add topoff water at the exact rate of evaporation.

Cheers,

- Chad

[Fish]

Ok, I figure that I should post an update of all my photos for those who don't like reading through all the thread.

First, here is a comparison of the conceptual sketches I did before I started the project - you can judge how close I came to my plans :

[Fish]

I started with a metal stand that I stripped and repainted, then came up with the idea to use eggcrate for the sides:




I painted the eggcrate black - way cheaper than buying black eggcrate (and I think stronger too.




I started to go a little crazy waiting for the tank to be built so I polished up my ugly green Iwaki pump:

[Fish]

I drilled holes in the bottom piece of my stand to route the electrical cords for my sump equipment:




Then I painted everything and glued the powerbar, in a tubberware container to the underside of the stand - making it impossible for spilled water to get to the electrical:




Added gfi plug in the rafters for my lighting and in the wall for the sump power:




Tank arrived:





I chopped down my closed loop filter screen so it didn't protrude into the tank so far: