My New 270L

Hey guys and gals

I've been out of the game for quite some time, but as this hobby goes, once it has you, you can never really shake the habit again.

From the moment we unpacked the last box in our new place I knew I wanted a tank again.
I picked up this glassbox for quite a bargain. Its pretty solid, the sides are 10mm and the base is 12mm glass. Its exactly 1m wide, the dims are 1000mm by 600mm by 450mm
At first I wanted to make it a Marine tank, but that fizzled out pretty quickly. From the start I knew I would probably not have a specific gravity of 1.025 LOL :bigsmile:

The tank is unusually deep, standing at 600mm high. I'm still not sure what livestock to go for, but @jedigenie is working on that lol.

Anyway on to the pics!

The tank(1000mm x 600mm x 450mm) and stand(800mm high)


For filtration I'm going for a Tetratec EX700 Cannister and a Aquaclear 150 HOB(Still need pics of the Aquaclear).


@jedigenie was kind enough to supply me with plant substrate, thanks mate!


And lastly, as its going to be a low-tech system, I'm going for three 30w T8s





I'm hoping to add water soon! Just need to get some pool filter sand and give it a good wash!

as for the stand I plan on covering it with wooden panels, but I'll get to that once the tank is up and running


Thanks for looking!

 

Cant go wrong with the Tetra substrate - have used it ti GREAT effect in low tech planted tanks in the past... Whats the lighting like?

 

this is a interesting looking tank. But i think it is going to look amazing once you have decided on the livestock.

 

Thanks man, cant wait to get planting!

The lighting is good, I dont have the proper tubes yet though, just used two I found in the garage so long to see how the light spreads.

Thank you! Because of the tank shape, I'm leaning towards angels, would have loved a few discus, but I'm lacking a few year experience I'm afraid.

 

looking very good,

maybe try and get:

1X Aqua Star 10K
1X Growlux
1X Sylvania 856

this should work perfect for the plants!

 

Thank you!! That would have been my next question! :idea:

 

and they work! i have them in my tank!

1xAqua star 10K (T5 54w)
1XGrowlux (T5 54w)
1XAqua Star 10K T8
1X Sylvania 856 T8

and my plants are doing very well iin the tall tank, so if you you with those lights, and add nice reflectors, you should be A for away!

 

This is my problem as well : ) Loved my marine tanks, but at R2.00 +++ a litre for a water change with decent salt I decided it was for people with money

Love the dimensions, the extra height does allot for the tank. Anything higher than that just becomes a mission. Well for me in any case, I'm not exactly what you would call tall...

 

Where's the pic with the mermaid?

That tank is going to be something special. I just know it.

Just 1 thing though, I see that the tank is standing on a carpet and I know you are renting. I would suggest you put a good rug under there and get some feet for that stand.

Is that HOB going to fit without you needing to modify the canopy?

 

Okay, you're gonna need to explain with pics about the feet for the stand. :redface:

I've already cut the back of the canopy for the HOB, just worried about where I'm going to squeeze the third T8 bulb in.

 

small steel plates under the legs of the stand.

 

what type of ballast's are you gonna be using for the T8's?

 

The canopy has two built-in T8 units and I have a spare T8 ballast that I'll mount somewhere under the tank

 

Nice tank, with that height it would be good for Angels.

 

o okay, please can you try and post a pic of the canopy (inside) ?

 

@Ruan pm on the way

 

thanks man!

I'll take a pic tonight when I get home

 

hehe, jedigenie, is that you?
only kidding, seems like it will head that way

 

Okay, finally got the tank running last night.
I have to say though, none of this, the whole tank would not have been possible if it was not for @jedigenie, thanks again dude, I really appreciate it!

I got home and started washing the riversand, moer, about 8 washes and two hours later I got it clean and ready to go into the tank.

First came the Tetra Plant Substrate


Spread evenly


Next came the river sand to cap the Tetra Soil



For the next three hours I just replanted plants I got from @jedigenie(thanks again!) My back feels broken ush:

The tank was super murky after all the planting, but its settling nicely



Everything seemed well, but about an hour later I heard dripping. LOL, got a big fright, but it was just the canister filter, leaking. Thankfully not the tank.

So I just disconnected the canister, I'll take it apart tonight and see where the issue is.

Thanks for looking, I'll update again as soon s the water clears up more!

 

Looking good.