Inverted 15 gallon build

[JMims]

I thought this might be helpful information, so I decided to post this. I had a 24x12x12 15 gallon sitting around and decided to make it into a 12x12x24 vertical. First I washed it with a 5% bleach solution and removed the plastic black rim from the top and bottom.



I then, with some difficultly, removed the top piece of glass and added silicone to the rest of the interior corners to ensure it is water tight.

 

[CrestedRick]

Dont forget to make the bulkhead I was tempted to do this but just opted for the Zoo Meds

 

[JMims]

The bulkhead for draining water? Sorry I'm a little slow haha

 

[CrestedRick]

Yes lol, be careful when drilling the hole in the glass, it has a tendency to crack very easily.

 

[JMims]

I have already witnessed how easily this glass cracks trying to take the top panel off , which is why I'm going to place tubing into the drainage layer and cut the screen around it. So now I can siphon water out if I need to. I'm pretty sure this tank will be uninhabited anyway, so I could always tear it down and drill if I have to.

 

[CrestedRick]

Very true. I need to figure out how to siphon water out if my Zoo Meds bc I didnt do a bulk head :/

 

[JMims]

Did you put any tubing in the drainage layer for siphoning? In not you could always try to slip a turkey baster through the drainage layer without getting the substrate mixed with the drainage layer.

 

[CrestedRick]

Nope, I was thinking of using one ofthose things that you use to bleed the brakes on a car since its skinnier. I never even thought about adding tubing for it. Hindsight is 20/20 lol

 

[JMims]

You'll find something haha. I finally ordered the glass and mounting hardware for the door of the tank... Should be in on Monday. Ill post a pic once everything is mounted

 

[JMims]

So I got the glass on, and got it planted... But I wasn't too happy about the background not making use of vertical space.

I redid the background with gs foam, some cork and silicone,

And now it's better... I hope

Top view:

It still needs some leaf litter and springtails, but otherwise it's done. It's my first viv so don't be too harsh on the comments

 

[CrestedRick]

That my friend is bad ass. Id like to do a background like that on my next tank.

 

[JMims]

Haha thanks, be careful with the foam though, it expands massively and I had to do quite a bit of cutting to trim it down to the right size.

 

[CrestedRick]

Ill make one of these if I get frogs.

 

[CrestedRick]

I ended up using a siphon from autozone and it seemed to work pretty well, just need some tubing so i can place it in there permanently and just move a leaf when needed.

 

[JMims]

Are you noticing that your drainage layer is filling up with water quickly? I'm just asking because I have been unsure as to how often people have to siphon water out.

 

[CrestedRick]

Well when I planted it I was told to cover the drainage layer about half way up and that was about early April an this is the first time Ive had to siphon anything out. It wasnt really high but i wanted to get it now while i have the time.

 

[JMims]

Changed/ added some things, pulled out the big vriesea and added satin pothos and a brom to help fill in some empty space.

 

[CrestedRick]

I may have to ask where you got your hardware and for the directions

 

[JMims]

Do you mean the acrylic hinges and whatnot to mount the door?

 

[CrestedRick]

Ya like your process doing this.