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Hello,

I decided to wait until my new build was done to post on this site for the first time. I purchased a beat up 225 gallon tank and stand off Craigslist for $500. When I got it, it was a complete mess. This past week I finally had time to work on it after it had been sitting in my living room for several months. I must admit, my wife beat me into submission in order to get it finished. I worked non stop for 4 days with a total of 8 hours sleep to get it completed.

The first major obstacle was the fact it was pre-drilled. I decided I didn't want to go the sump route. So I purchased bulk heads and capped off the ends. The tank also needed a major cleaning and to be resealed. I cleaned the tank with water and vinegar at first. Once that was complete I wiped down the whole tank with rubbing alcohol. I started to cut out the old seal with a razor blade and scraper. I then resealed the entire aquarium. Here is a picture of the tank during a leak test. Doing a leak test on a massive tank you resealed when having no real experience was nerve wrecking.



In the end there was a slight leak coming out of one of the bulk heads. So i emptied the tank and resealed it again. This time it held well. I then decided to flush the tank several times. I filled it up and emptied it about 10 times.

The next major step was painting the stand and trim on the tank. I also wanted to replace the hardware on the old doors. The God awful blue color had to go. So I lightly sanded down the whole stand and trim with 100 grit sand paper. When it came to picking a color, I decided I wanted to do something different. I felt like every tank and stand was either black or stained wood. So I decided to go with a dark grey. I also decided to go with brushed nickel hardware.



Now that I was on the home stretch, I had to build a basking platform and decorate the inside of the tank. I decided I wanted to go with an all natural look for the tank. I had a large ammount of shale that I used on my old 75 gallon tank. So I cleaned it all up. I also wanted to create a cave beneath the basking area so my DBT could hide like she loves to do. So I went to Home Depot for the 900th time during this build and picked up some flagstone and decorative rocks.



I decided to stagger the shale and slate to give hiding places for my frogs, snails, guppies, and African Cichlids. Here is the top of the basking platform.



I decided to get a large piece of driftwood as the focal point of the tank. I went to my local aquarium shop and picked up the driftwood along with a few other things.



My next major hurdle was figuring out my entire filtration system. I had an FX5 already but wanted a little bit more. So I started out by making a spray bar for my FX5 to get better surface agitation. What should have been the simplest project, I somehow screwed up numerous times. I just wasn't happy with the end product. So I finally got it right after 4 attempts.



I also ordered a new Fluval G6 filter http://www.fluval-g.com/filterspecs_e.php It won't be here until Saturday though!

So here it as of now........



I should also point out a few things. I added a circulation pump for my tank to get better water flow. I used a Marineland maxi-jet 1200. I have a new light set up coming tomorrow. I purchased two 30 inch t-5 HO hoods. I was beyond thrilled to learn Zoo Med was making t-5 HO bulbs in 5.0 UVB. My plan is to buy some Lexan or other plexiglass like material and use it as a cover. I am going to cut out spaces so the UVB gets through no problem.

[url]http://www.petmountain.com/product/reptile-fluorescent-bulbs/11442-580032/zoo-med-reptisun-t5-ho-5-0-uvb-high-output-bulbs.html?utm_source=googleproductads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term={keyword}&gclid=CK_r5qmo57UCFUVN4Aod7XQACA[/url]

I also want to TRY and grow some plants in the tank so I purchased two of the Marineland 24-36inch LED lights for plants. http://www.petsolutions.com/C/Aquarium-LED-Lighting/I/Aquatic-Plant-LED-Lighting-System.aspx

So my equipment list is as follows:

Filter: FX5 with spray bar and Fluval G6
Lighting: 4 22" t-5 HO 5.0 UVB bulbs/ 2 24-36 in Marineland LED
Basking Light: 150 Watt ceramic bulb
Water Heater: 2 300 watt Deep Blue Heaters
Circulation Pump: Marineland Maxi-Jet 1200

Here are some more pictures with my turtles also:

+1 just for a owning a dbt lol Anyway tank looks great! Most times slat basking dock look terriable in tanks because they tank up half the tank but in a 225 it works really nicely haha.

Make sure you post pics when you get plants going, gl though with that and the turtle not destroying them.

Ah that is definitely a top 10 in looks for a northern dbt. Shell pattern and skin lightness are perfect. Also welcome to the forum, very nice way to start off an introduction ^^

Great job with the build, all your effort was worth it.

Those LED lights look pretty cool. Would love to see a few more shots of how you have your lighting all set up.

Do the turtles enjoying using the floating feeder?

Diamondbacks4Life wrote:+1 just for a owning a dbt lol Anyway tank looks great! Most times slat basking dock look terriable in tanks because they tank up half the tank but in a 225 it works really nicely haha.

Make sure you post pics when you get plants going, gl though with that and the turtle not destroying them.

Ah that is definitely a top 10 in looks for a northern dbt. Shell pattern and skin lightness are perfect. Also welcome to the forum, very nice way to start off an introduction ^^

I was worried about that myself. In my 100 gallon I had a similar set up with the slate, and the big issue was food/waste getting caught in it. The crazy part about my DBT is that she was housed in a 30 gallon tank by the previous owner. The water was black, had no basking platform, and no UVB lighting. So I decided to rescue/buy her from a gentleman on Craigslist. Her shell was an orange/ dark yellow color when I got her. She looks a million times better now.

I have started growing Java moss on the driftwood. My turtles don't seem to eat it, but my DBT is a little dopey and rips it up with her back claws by accident. So I have resorted to tying it down to help make sure it stays on.

mark_alexandre wrote:Those LED lights look pretty cool. Would love to see a few more shots of how you have your lighting all set up.

Will do after this weekend. I am getting some Lexan cut up and will have it all set up by Sunday I think. I have been having an internal debate over which LEDs I should end up using because of the tank lay out. I have been considering using the AquaUFO. http://www.amazon.com/Sunshine-Systems-AU93635AQ-AquaUFO-Aquarium/dp/B005ZALBMG

Since I am going to build a canopy, it is designed to be suspend, which I think may be better overall. Especially since there is that middle section of glass that is 24 inches long in the middle of my tank.

devilduck wrote:Do the turtles enjoying using the floating feeder?

My local pet store gave it to me for free. It was a half joking welcome to your new home present for my turtles. I think its MSRP is about $10.00. My issue with it is that you feel almost forced to use the Zoo Med food. I personally don't like the Zoo Med food based on the ingredients. For dry food, I tend to stick with the Omega One Turtle Sticks. While in theory they work in it, they don't work well. So it has more or less become a toy for them to knock around the tank. I have been putting in the Zoo Med dried shrimp in it, which doesn't fall out so easily, and they have to work for it a bit.

Very nice looking tank. I especially love the stand color and fixtures. Your turts way cute too!!!!

you have really lucky turtles bro awesome work!

Your tank looks beautiful. I just upgraded from a 55 to a 125 gallon. In my 55, I had the water about 6" down, and the calcium buildup on the glass above the water got so bad that you couldn't see through the glass! Are you having this issue?
My alternative is to fill the tank 100% and create an over-the-tank basking and nesting area. Yes... I have a female too. But this is extensive work and engineering, and wouldn't mind avoiding it. But I can't deal with any more calcium-laden glass.
Do you have an issue with calcium build-up?

I've attached one pic, from the day the new tank was installed. I now have hard-plumbing in place! A cold water line to fill, and a drain to the basement! You can see the old tank on the right. The glass above the water is "frosted" by calcium.

Hi NetteC, are you sure it's just calcium? I get a lot of skin+waste build up, but it usually comes off with some effort. The tank looks great! I wonder if something like a window cling could be used as a protective barrier.

Calcium build up can be a pain in the rump that's why I think a lot of people build atba's. I don't have that problem. Do you pass your water through a carbon filter when you do water changes? Atba's are easy to build I can help you if you want just pm me.

Steve/Kansaslider:
I am certain it's calcium, or several hard-water minerals, as it's water-drop formations. When I asked our 2 local pet stores the same question, they shared my pain.... must be our local water. I thought about window cling too, but it would build up there as well, but at least them I could replace it. Yesterday, I used a Mr. Clean magic eraser and spring water, and it all came off. So it seems I could do that regularly to prevent build up. Since I'm having custom bookshelves built around this tank, I need to decide if I'm going with an ATBA asap. Definitely leaning towards it; it would give her more water to swim in too, as she's 8-9" long.

All,
That brings up another concern... the crack in the bottom framing. The guy who installed my plumbing, a contractor and fish enthusiast, recommended a new tank. So I've hesitated to fill it all the way.
The crack is in the center, front of the tank.. about 1' (of 72") was loose. See 2 pics. Glass is about 3/8" thick. We've since siliconed it back in place, and clamped it for 2 days. I'm certain it's not as strong as originally, but is it strong enough? I'm amazed that the entire tank is held together with only silicone to begin with. This makes me think I'm fine to fill this.

I did some research, and found that one can make their own cross bracing out of glass, to place across the top of an aquarium, in place of the black plastic. So I'm wondering if I can create an internal brace, near the bottom middle of the tank... sitting on the floor, that is about 6" wide, reaching front to back, adhered to both front, back, and bottom, perhaps of 1/2" glass. So I've been looking for an under-water adhesive and have yet to find one with certain reviews (so I don't have to dump all this water and displace her for two days).

Any opinion on the hazard of the crack in the tank framing? Any knowledge of bracing an aquarium and/or an under-water adhesive as strong as silicone?

Any damage to the glass? If the glass is fine, you should really empty it until this can be addressed. You could brace it with wood screwed around it but that stand might not be up to it. A better option... get a local metal shop to make an angle iron frame for it, then slip the tank into it.

Another idea that I forgot is to get a replacement rim. They do sell them, and it's probably one of the cheapest options but the most work.