My DIY Background and Moonlighting

[KawaiiBoy]

Originally Posted by jack_dempsey

Its awesome dude!
I like the part where the powerhead is well hidden from view.
But I think need a very strong one to suck up dirt from every corner of the tank.

Yup a very strong one is needed, but more than that is the placement and the design of the gaps. The tank itself doesn't have much current, and with sand and rocks, dead spots are pretty hard to prevent. Currently I run on a cannister and tom800 to OHF. Will be thinking of new designs so as to make better filtration systems in future.

Originally Posted by Tonytlk

Awesome work, kawaiiBoy.

Very pro for a first timer, the whole setup looks very natural and I'm sure your cichlids will enjoy the habitat just like in Lake Tanganyika itself.

Would love to do one for my tank setup, but never take the first step when getting my tank started..

What tangan cichlids will you be stocking? Is this a 5ft tank?

This is a 6ft tank. Erm actually there are already altos compressiceps, lemon cichlids, brichardi and tangan cat inside already. Just sold my 2 mpimbwe blue fronts and will have to wait before stocking up some fronts. Just take the 1st step and I am sure you will enjoy it!

Originally Posted by AroDine

Very nice and natural. Not sure if I am artistic enough to do so
May I know is there a special kind of cement mix to use?

I use cement mixed with hardener. There are other type of mixes and bro gtohow may have used a different mix also. My father is a contractor and he got the materials for me. According to him, the hardener allows the cement to stick better to the styrofoam and not crack easily. I also not very artistic but I think there is no harm trying.

[CJY_15]

great work there bro KawaiiBoy !!!

care to share, why must use cement mix?
to prevent the styrpform board to be 'peel-off' when fish
rub/bang against the board?

thks,
JY

[KawaiiBoy]

Originally Posted by iewgnail

it looks really good to me!

Thanks bro!

Originally Posted by Fins&Tails

thats some DIYed background!

thanks for sharing

btw care to share what type of silicon u used to stick the foam boards together and to the back of the tank?

Thanks thanks. I just use normal silicon that most hardware shops sell. Its like 3-4 bucks if I remember. Actually most silicon should be safe. I think what is important is that we must allow a good curing period. I left it for a week with the additional styrofoam beams as shown in my pictures to apply the pressure.

Originally Posted by CJY_15

great work there bro KawaiiBoy !!!

care to share, why must use cement mix?
to prevent the styrpform board to be 'peel-off' when fish
rub/bang against the board?

thks,
JY

Actually what I was told by my father is that it prevents cracks and also helps to make the cement stick better with the styrofoam board and also between cement layers. I applied 2 layers of cement. You can apply more but I guess will be heavier.

[Fins&Tails]

Originally Posted by KawaiiBoy

Thanks thanks. I just use normal silicon that most hardware shops sell. Its like 3-4 bucks if I remember. Actually most silicon should be safe. I think what is important is that we must allow a good curing period. I left it for a week with the additional styrofoam beams as shown in my pictures to apply the pressure.

thanks bro. still wondering what to do for my 2ft tank setup. hope to give it a try one day when free. btw clearing up the styrofoam bits must have been a headache!

Great work! Certainly very nice!

[KawaiiBoy]

Originally Posted by Fins&Tails

thanks bro. still wondering what to do for my 2ft tank setup. hope to give it a try one day when free. btw clearing up the styrofoam bits must have been a headache!

You are welcome.
Haha. Anyway I use vacuum cleaner for the bits and also ruler to sweep those that I can't suck up and then pick by hand. Quite easy lah but my mum see liao she is the one with headache not me.

[scottelfy]

could you do 1 for my 7ft?

[KawaiiBoy]

Originally Posted by scottelfy

could you do 1 for my 7ft?

Wah. 7ft! Sounds interesting.

Originally Posted by KawaiiBoy

Wah. 7ft! Sounds interesting.

any ideas in mind already?

KawaiiBoy...you have my ups