Is it possible to turn a fish tank on it's end & convert it?

[daemondamian]

Hi folks,
I have a 3ft tank 120 litres that has a corktile background
growing java moss on it (see:
http://au.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/dam...7a.jpg&.src=ph )

It is currently home to a horde of 'baby' angels growing to
a big enough size to take to the LFS.

I also have orchids and 2 planted aquariums with many anubias and other
plants including bolbitis.

After I take the angels out I had planned to stick the tank outside
fill it up halfway and chuck most of my anubias and bolbitis (some
of which I grow on driftwood and then sell on ebay) in there
to grow half emersed.

Then while surfing I came across these:

http://www.frogworld.nl/dutchvivariums.html

In particular:
http://www.frogworld.nl/dutchvivariumslk.html
http://www.frogworld.nl/dutchvivariumsal.html
http://www.frogworld.nl/dutchvivariumswn.html
http://www.frogworld.nl/dutchvivariumsrm.html

Also:

http://www.blackjungle.com/gallery/t...k/image51.html


this site had a the ideal water system-
http://www.blackjungle.com/gallery/talltank/page1.html
and I really like this waterfall:
http://www2a.biglobe.ne.jp/~wild-sky...m/george11.jpg
http://www2a.biglobe.ne.jp/~wild-sky...gecr020719.htm

What do they all have in common? Water area at the bottom, for
aquatic/bog/emersed plants and most had waterfalls/features..

So I thought why not do that with my 3ft tank?

But my tank is only about 45 cm high I think

Then I thought what if I turned my tank up resting it on one end?

Then I could:

Take off the 'side' which would now be at the top.

Remove the bracing on the sides and the middle piece and replace with
a new sheet of glass across the front- siliconing it to make it water tight
to have a say 20 cm level of water at the bottom.

Attach a glass panel across the top half (not sure how- like a shower
screen door opens?) that can be opened out for easy access.

Make a hood for the top, holding a light (and possibly a fan
and mist system?) See:
http://www2a.biglobe.ne.jp/~wild-sky...gzollinger.htm

Construct a background on what used to be the bottom of
the tank which should also encompass a waterfall/feature
using perhaps this method:

http://www.blackjungle.com/gallery/talltank/page1.html

Incorporating perhaps a mini half circle island at the back
using the false bottom method:

http://www.victri.net/tanks/vivarium_2005-06-20.html

I would leave the cork tiles on side and possibly put
them on the other side too (that used to be the front
of the aquarium)- using net pots, netting or other methods
plants could be attached to the cork- even stapled /pinned on.

I have a few tree fern pieces/slabs and some natural cork pieces
which could be used either in the waterfall/background or going across
with ferns on them perhaps.

Anubias including my hastifolia, perhaps bolbitis and java fern,even
crypts and java moss could be planted in the water section to emerge
up into the waterfall. Perhaps a few branches with tillandsia's or bromeliads..

The only two things I'm particularly unsure about are heating and getting
the water up to the top of the waterfall- I would appreciate any input
on that.

A canister filter would be better as it's external but it might not have enough
lift, I have a Rio pond pump that is for 2-3ft life I think but then it would
need to be in the water section, requiring disguising/filtration and easy
access for maintainance.

I suppose the most crucial main question is:

is it possible to turn the tank on it's end and reconstruct it into a vivarium/paludarium?

I will be removing the bracing on the sides but that only holds the coverglass up.

The middle brace will go too but I will be putting a bigger piece of glass back in it's place.

Will the tank take the weight of the plants/background etc and being on it's end as
that's what it wasn't intended for when built originally?

Am I asking for disaster if I carry out my plan?

If you read this far down- thanks! I hope to hear any advice, comments etc
on my wacky idea...

Damian.

[|squee|]

IMHO I think it can be done, just silicone a peice of glass properly to the bottom of the upended tank and check for leaks. There shouldn't be any construction problems because water pressure is only present at the bottom?

Really long post, but hey, welcome to AQ. You might want to wait for the vivarium gurus to reply, lorba, FeiMiao and WildGinger are the gurus here, althought WildGinger seems to have vanished recently.

[daemondamian]

Hi Squee,
thanks for the welcome!
Yes I guess it was a long post- perhaps I should have made
a short version of it?


I'm on a different computer at the moment so I don't have the link
on hand but I came across a viv. site last night where the guy had
turned a 10 gallon aquarium on to it's end and into a really nice fully
planted viv- I'll post the link later when I'm back on my own computer..

I haven't done any googling yet but how does one make a door
at the front of the viv with a glass panel?

Our shower door at home has a frame around it and swivels out.

Any links or step by step guides to doors? Sliding is better than hinged?

Ok don't want another uber long post here, until later

Damian.

[|squee|]

I recall very vaguely seeing a post somewhere else about how WildGinger made his vivarium doors, but he did it using arcylic tanks. Working with acrylic is so much easier, since he could get those plastic hinges and just drill a couple of holes and fit the door in.

As for glass... I imagine it'll be quite difficult. No brilliant ideas from me

[daemondamian]

Thanks Squee
Well I could get an acrylic piece cut I guess- it would be lighter
and as you say easier to deal with- though it would be being
attached to glass so there's still one thing to figure out.

I found the link with the 10 gallon on end:
http://home.earthlink.net/~kenuy/Ryan.htm

He shows/mentions sliding door and hinged door but
gives no detail.

I'll see if I can find WildGinger's thread.

Found someone suggesting to do it with a 20gallon tank-
second last message down on the page:
http://forums.phelsumaweb.com/viewto...e9ff6d60db8a86