Glass platforms halfway up the tank

[Hypanheaven]

Hey guys,

i have some L333's (10 off) in a 3.5x2x2.5(H) foot tank and i want to make use of the 2.5foot height as it seems wasted with the plecs.

I have an idea of siliconing some glass to the back glass to make some little platforms for some Dcaves to sit on, they will be about 200mmx200mm and will be supported by a triangle piece of glass siliconed underneath (like how your veranda is held up). Wanting to put them about half way up the back glass and will have a power head pushing some flow over them.

- Would the fish hurt them selfs on the protruding corners?
- Would they even use the platforms?

Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

Cheers
Brad

 

[Mooo]

Smooth the corners over a bit, Or dab silicon along the edges, so it is rubbery , like a bumper bar of silicon lol, I think this is a fabulous idea.
I for one would love to see some L#s using such a penthouse apartment ...How kool..

 

[FF MkII]

May look good but i dont think plecs would use it anymore or less than if you had caves on the bottom.

 

[JackGillett]

might be a good idea because it would keep a spawn or a plec out of the rubbish that sometimes sits on the bottom..
My bn always ventures around everywhere and im sour once they get used to it the will be all over it. If you added a good number of caves on it then it could be a good shade producer.
great idea, i thought this myself a while back

 

[Gem400]

If you decide to go ahead, let us know how you get on as it's an interesting idea, I think rounding off or silicone to the edges would be a good idea if you do.

 

[Hypanheaven]

No worries I'll be doing it in around two weeks when I move house, I'll post pics during the stages for anyone interested.
Cheers

 

[Doodles]

No worries I'll be doing it in around two weeks when I move house, I'll post pics during the stages for anyone interested.
Cheers

cool, could do it like a DIY article:yes:

 

[bigbird]

Hi wow a good idea, maybe you could take your glass panels to the window repair person as they have a machine that smoothes off the corners etc.
The other option for this if you then add a lip of 5-10 mill, is to add some plants to this if the Ls dont like it or put driftwood on this ledge....cheers jk

 

[Hypanheaven]

im going to put a small d cave and a small branch off a bit of drift wood. There will also a little bit of the substrate (crushed rock mixed with fine white sand) and hoping the power head wont blow it off!

 

[bigbird]

Hi,

It would also be interesting to know, if the L333 will swim up there or if you need to also build an internal glass rank so to speak up to the platform forthe L333 to shuffle up to ? Maybe you could silicon sand onto this ledge, similar to the turtle ramp but underwater for the L333 ? Interesting. keep us informed sounds a great idea ? cheers jk :clap:

 

[Hypanheaven]

Ok finished the tank, here are some photos of how i did it.

Sizes are on the bracket pic, the bigger platform is 300mm and the smaller is 200mm, both are 200mm deep and i used 6mm glass.

The silicon was from Bunnings but you can get them from your LFS aswell.

Let it cure for 3-4 days and rinse with water afterwards (the silicon).

I got the glass cut at Balcatta Glass and cost me $30, just walked in and gave some dimensions and they cut it up on the spot. The corners are rounded, be sure to ask for that, and the edges were bevelled.

Cheers

 

[Mooo]

What a brilliant idea, I absolutely love, Will they use the cave up in the water like that...awesome, Hope it is successful..Good Luck...

 

[Tener ds]

now that is cool.do u plan to add plants to the tank?

 

[Breamlegend]

Good idea, Plecs will use caves higher up. I would be a little worried that the lighter caves might fall off if a plec enters them in a hurry.

 

[bigbird]

Firstly congrats, they look superb. Secondly you will get tons of feedback, so here is my 20cents worth. I would have made them maybe slightly larger, as male Ls like to hand their tail out, but maybe the photos do not do it justice. Then like Breamlegend stated, I would try to hold them in place with something or maybe you siliconed the caves on already. If they do not get used, you can then maybe pot some plants in terracotta and put them on the ledge. I honestly say well done indeed and good idea. Keep us posted and more pics when you add the l333. cheers jk

 

[rpp1973]

nice clean use of the silicone:yes:
when you first asked about adding shelf's to a tank i had it in my head it would be all across the back like split level tray's.back to a phot speaks a 1000 words!
look forwards to hear if your fish use the higher penthouse!

 

[Hypanheaven]

I have some little suction pads down either side of the caves which hold them in place, didn't want to silicon them in place incase crap gets caught under or I want to change them!
Thanks for your feedback do far, I might move the d caves to the larger level soo they have more room to sit at the front of the cave. Plecs will go in soon, just cycling the tank at the moment with some guppies as test subjects haha and they already bred so the tank is breadable haha.

 

[zeebo]

great idea, nice job

looks great, hope they like them! wonder if one can use plexi-glass shelves on glass tank ? Anyway , yours looks very inviting ,hope the plecs dig them Georgie

 

[bigbird]

wow cant wait for the photos..cheers jk

 

[bigbird]

any update on yr tank ?