I'm going to tell the rest of you what only a few know.  Farmertodd tore down his native fish tanks.  I think the decision was based on his lack of time and the fact that the addition built onto their house had a roof leak that damaged it.  That's where the tanks were kept. 

The silver lining in that tragedy (for me, anyway) is that he gave me the 100 gallon tank and stand.  I'm still thrilled and it's been in my garage for weeks.  Well, the tank anyway. 

My Dad, a retired carpenter, has the stand.  Now this was a sturdy, functional if not decorative stand made of two by fours.  I asked Dad to put a shelf on the bottom so I could put some small tanks under it.  Anyone who's seen my house knows I'm all about stacking tanks.  He looked at it and said, "Well, it should have a back on it.  And sides.  And I could put a face frame on it like a cabinet.  You don't want doors?"  "No, I don't want doors."  We also decided to rearrange the center braces so that three 10 gallon tanks would fit nicely under it. I think he's going to start on it this coming week.  I can't wait to see it. When I get it back, I have to finish it.  That's how we work.  He builds me stuff and I finish it.  My work isn't nearly as good as his, but I'm getting better. 

I'm going to set up the tank more or less like Todd had it.  I can have lots of darters and shiners/minnows/chubs/dace that way.  I bought an Eheim Classic canister filter for it.  I'm going to put in a soil and sand substrate with some rocks and gravel for the darters to play and hide in.  I'm looking for a nice piece of wood to put in it.  It's a six foot long tank, I'd like a showpiece log for it.

Now I've saved enough for the water pump.  I decided to go with an external water pump because I've been having trouble with heat in my 30 gallon stream tank.   I've been shopping Drs. Foster & Smith because I got some gift certificates for my birthday from out of town family.  I'm thinking something around 1000 gph, but I'm not sure about that either.  I also hope someday I'll be able to get a chiller for it.  If I get the right water pump, maybe it could run the chiller, too.  There is a wide price range, too.  I want something quiet and efficient to operate.  Does anyone have any recommendations? 

schambers said :

I'm going to tell the rest of you what only a few know.  Farmertodd tore down his native fish tanks.  I think the decision was based on his lack of time and the fact that the addition built onto their house had a roof leak that damaged it.  That's where the tanks were kept. 

 I'm looking for a nice piece of wood to put in it.  It's a six foot long tank, I'd like a showpiece log for it.

I have a piece of drift wood That I think would work nicely in your tank. I found it this Spring when we went out with Todd after the Zoo trip. Your welcome to it. I've had it soaking ever since I found it, and it is pretty "Water Logged" now. It's about 18" across and about 12-14" tall.

This is gonna be so cool!  I have aspirations for a 6-8 foot long tank-- the sauna bench I have my 75g native tank on would hold that for sure.

I can't wait to see the cabinet!  If you want to go collecting stone I'll go with you to 10mile. Lots of darters there so they must like that stone.  If we bring a wagon or even a small hand cart  or stroller to put buckets of stone in it won't be such a pain in the tuckus to get 'em to the car.

I don't know what a chiller is, but am guessing it cools the water?  So we could use these to bring the water temps down in the native tank to closer to what they'd be dealing with during a native winter?  I like that idea.

Sorry to hear Farmertodd had to tear one of his tanks down but I know that you will do an awesome job setting up a new tank and keeping it going.  1 of the 2 planned tanks I have is a 50 gal native tank, so I will keep a close eye on your progress and learning at the same time.

RJS8540 said :

 

Oh man, I'm sorry to here about Todd's tank. Sounds like you made out very nicely.

 

I have a piece of drift wood That I think would work nicely in your tank. I found it this Spring when we went out with Todd after the Zoo trip. Your welcome to it. I've had it soaking ever since I found it, and it is pretty "Water Logged" now. It's about 18" across and about 12-14" tall.

Thanks for the offer of the wood!  That might work, the tank is 18" wide by 18" tall.  How are you soaking it?

The drift wood has been soaking in a large bucket with Bi-weekly water changes.

RJS8540 said :

The drift wood has been soaking in a large bucket with Bi-weekly water changes.

Susan, any interest in the drift wood? I was going to use it in my cichlid tank but decided not to.

I guess not, I was thinking of a 4 or 5 foot long piece.  Thanks for the offer! 

RJS8540 said :

RJS8540 said :

The drift wood has been soaking in a large bucket with Bi-weekly water changes.

Susan, any interest in the drift wood? I was going to use it in my cichlid tank but decided not to.

If you haven't got a use for it, it might be a nice addition to my native tank.  I am going to be re-scaping it so I can build some rock caves(and am thinking about doing the foam background so I can incorporate some plant roots too)

Mare, if you want it you are welcome to it. I should be home most of the weekend except for the time I'll be at Kimbers' house to hang her new shelf.

RJS8540 said :

Mare, if you want it you are welcome to it. I should be home most of the weekend except for the time I'll be at Kimbers' house to hang her new shelf.

She was telling me about that-- it's gonna be gorgeous!  I love, love LOVE the hood you made for her.

Thanks Mare

I got the stand back from my Dad today.  It's great!  Here are before and after pictures.  Well, I should say before and middle pictures, because I have to start finishing it now.  Yes!  It's the same stand with some plywood applied to it.  It's sweet. 

Holy COW !!! you gonna park a truck on that?     Just kidding, but realy you'll have NO trouble with a 100 gallon tank on that.

I like no trouble.  No trouble is good.  I have aaaaaaaaaalllllllllll the trouble I need already. 

That stand looks very nice! and sturdy!

OOooh!  It looks good!  I'm so happy for you!!! I can't wait to see it put together!! ::::happyanticipatingofROCKINGnativetankdance::::::

Ta Da!  I got the last coat on it today!

man that looks nice.  You have inspired me and I am building a stand too-I'll post some pics when I have it done.

schambers said :

Ta Da!  I got the last coat on it today!

 

Todd's not going to recognize it.  It looks AWESOME!