2013 New Project

[chocolatelala]

Chipboard(IKEA) - When they are dry they can withstand most of the weights stated, no issue, problems comes from moisture(when the tank is bigger it tends to have more moisture) or if you do scaping(trimming plants/ changing water/ fish splash etc) often like me, then it is a bad idea, as chipboard tends to absorb water and expand fast, strength weakens tremendously. Chipboard after sometime tends to warp alot than other woods, the resistance is not there due to hollow supporting especially when you have big tank.
.
Plywood - can withstand better when water sips in, moisture etc, better for aquarium stand.

Hi Blue33,
Totally agreed with you. so today i decided to add more plywood and solid wood to support the tank.
By the way, my study/work room is very dry, air-condition continues on for over 12 hours.

[blue33]

The top surface is pretty crucial also, add 10mm plywood on top of the current one should be ok. Another way is paint it with anti-water paint, that would seal up from absorbing moisture.

Hi Blue33,
Totally agreed with you. so today i decided to add more plywood and solid wood to support the tank.
By the way, my study/work room is very dry, air-condition continues on for over 12 hours.

[chocolatelala]

Hi All,

Ikea Expedit Bookcase fully supported.
I'm going to go slow on the landscaping without any water, till I find a right landscape I like than will start the planting and fill in water.

Version 1 (just finished hour ago)
landscape version 1.JPG

Version 2 (quick photoshop from Version 1 to move the rock higher)
Attachment 34273

All professional and senior verteran, Please feel free to comments and feel free to suggest the right plant (with plant picture link will be prefect)

Thank you.
Cho co la te

[chocolatelala]

Hi All,

Just attend another version 20 mins ago.

Attachment 34274

in between 2.JPG

Version 3
Landscape Version 3.JPG

Thank you and feel free to comments.

[Zeonic]

I like version 2 rock cliff as well as version 3's fallen branch on the left.

[blue33]

Rocks must tilt instead of facing flat in front, when is flat in front it look stiff and it don't show the character of the rocks.

[bravobb]

I got a 2 feet tank cabinet which i replaced few months back.
The cabinet underlayer grows lots of white stuff, but when i try to wipe it off... the colour is black. Maybe because the cabinet is black.
The warp is so serious that got one stage i cannot even open the cabinet doors... i suspect the tank weight has seated on it...
I have to drain the water and decommission the tank and purchase a new cabinet of the same and plus Styrofoam to prevent future issue.
Now the tank become a feeder tank.

PS: The tank and cabinet is a set from QianHu... so it is suppose to work by design... but because the cabinet wood quality is not the same as what normal tank maker do for big tank... thus need to take extra care for similar setup.

[chocolatelala]

version 4
version 4.JPG

Version 5
version 5.jpg

Version 5 left
version 5 left.jpg
Version 5 right
version 5 right.jpg

[limweihaoken225]

Like your setup bro. thumbup

[AQMS]

Nice.............
i like version 1 and 5.

keep your fingers crossed hopefully nothing goes wrong to the stand.

[felix_fx2]

Shadow, Plywood is layered and glue together. Chipboard is (in my terms) sawdust mixed with glue and compressed.

Cherabin, you are right on the target

Chocolatelala, Best of luck mate. If ever unlucky water seaps through and you see even a minimum warping. Take down the duration which you have been using the Expedit shelf, most of us rescape yearly so it actually might be of good value.

[chocolatelala]

Chocolatelala, Best of luck mate. If ever unlucky water seaps through and you see even a minimum warping. Take down the duration which you have been using the Expedit shelf, most of us rescape yearly so it actually might be of good value.

Dear Felix,

Thank you mate. I will watch closely on the Ikea Expedit shelf.
BTW. I added total of 4 X (1.5" X3.5" thick) solid wood. to support the tank.

I totally agreed with you. I'm sure less than 1 year, I will rescape the tanks again.
Cho co la te

[trafalgar law]

wow how come yous people are so good with aquascaping and planting it make me want to go back to taiwan and start a new tank yous are so good at plants and stuff compared to us people in australia i think it's cause of the prices here its expensive and over there its like 50%-80% cheaper

[bravobb]

I forgot to mention PART 1 and when ahead with PART 2. Hope i do not detour too much of this thread purpose.
This is PART 1.
The main why the wood cabinet warp is because the tank on top somehow has a leak in the corner silicon... I can see a patch of water on the floor before i realised the cabinet door cannot be opened.
I clean the floor and did not notice the water level was lower, and only after a few days then realised, and i just top up water only.
All these delay of not fixing the problem early results in the cabinet getting water inside the wood and thus warp.
So, for the Ikea Expedit shelf, it should be able to work, just ensure to take action when the tank has leaks.

[chocolatelala]

wow how come yous people are so good with aquascaping and planting it make me want to go back to taiwan and start a new tank yous are so good at plants and stuff compared to us people in australia i think it's cause of the prices here its expensive and over there its like 50%-80% cheaper

Hi Mate,

I’m sure compare to most of counties around the region. Most of us in Singapore are blessed. With the Internet access, we can Google reference, and lean from other around the world and share ideas.
Thank you to the pioneer who started this fantastic forum.
And thanks to those senior member who shared their useful resource and ideas to improve our skill.

Will start my planting this weekend. stay tuned

Cho co la te

[mincedmeat]

If you're having HC as the carpet, have it interspersed with other low-lying plants/crypts, ie. tenellus, wenditti. It would give the scape natural variations. Just a quick thought.

Hope your project goes according to plan!

[chocolatelala]

If you're having HC as the carpet, have it interspersed with other low-lying plants/crypts, ie. tenellus, wenditti. It would give the scape natural variations. Just a quick thought.

Hope your project goes according to plan!

Thank you.
Yes, HC is my first choice for Carpet. Don't know how Wenditti look like? Can't google any picture!

[mincedmeat]

Should be C.Wendtti..

[chocolatelala]

Hi All,

Version 6.
version 6.jpg

Tilted some rock on the left size and raised right side higher from version 5.
I'm sure will changes again, while I'm doing planting tomorrow.

[Shadow]

You have 2 type of rocks in your tank, normally for iwagumi you want to have the same rocks. Also do read on golden rule or rule of third, it will help you on composition, where to put the main rock.