75 gallon castle build

[Martin21114]

Just starting a thread to document the progress of my latest project, a slate castle for my new 75 gallon aquarium. Below are copies of the rough sketch and initial plans:

 

[Martin21114]

To build it I am using 12" square (for walls, $1.60/sq.ft) , 6" square (for floors, $5/sq.ft), and 1"x2" mosaic (for stairs, $10/sq.ft) slate tiles and DAP brand silicone. All purchased from Home Depot. I also ended up buying a 7" tile saw for $90. If I had the saw earlier I could have cut all the slate myself and saved a few $$$. Below are some of the pieces marked for cutting and being test fit. Sections from each floor of the tower have to be cut out so the stair become functional and the axolotls can swim between levels.

 

[Martin21114]

Here's the first tower. There will be 2 like this with 3 floors, 2 with 4 floors, and a main gate house. This one goes in the front left corner.

 

[Martin21114]

Here's how it looks in the tank. It's designed with a missing wall so when viewed from the front it looks like a castle, but when viewed from the sides and rear of the aquarium you can see inside to where my critters will hopefully eventually be hiding.

 

[snuggly time]

I want one!

 

[EJgraydon]

Will they fit?

 

[Kerry M]

Wow, what amazing work, can't wait to see the end product. Will it be heavy?

 

[Martin21114]

The doors are all 2" wide & 3" tall, so they should fit. If not I can enlarge them with a steel file. I just weighed it and the tower is 14 lbs. I expect the 2 larger towers to weigh similar, even though they are a floor higher they only have 2 walls vs 3 like this one.

 

[EJgraydon]

So in summary, NEVER move that tank once it's done

 

[Martin21114]

So in summary, NEVER move that tank once it's done

Haha yeah. I'm going to keep the whole thing modular so I can take it out for cleaning. I really hope I never have to move it.

 

[Bubilog]

Wouldn't that be hard to clean?

 

[Adogowo]

Dude awesome design and great follow through. I have always wanted to try a replica of the Indonesian Buddist temples with all those gorgeous strangler figs wrapping them in their roots. I couldn't find any decent free pics but this is what I am talking about here temple ruins | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
That would be my dream theme:grin:

 

[Martin21114]

Dude awesome design and great follow through. I have always wanted to try a replica of the Indonesian Buddist temples with all those gorgeous strangler figs wrapping them in their roots. I couldn't find any decent free pics but this is what I am talking about here temple ruins | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
That would be my dream theme:grin:

I saw that picture and also wanted to do the same. I thought about using rocks or sculpey clay bricks to make it. I attempted to make my own little set of ruins in a 10 gallon tank I am raising a few juveniles in:

 

[Martin21114]

I cut and assembled the outer shell of the first of the two rear towers. I still need to add the guts and cut the doors and windows.

 

[Martin21114]

Got off work early and got a little more done. Siliconed the 1st floor stairs and 2nd floor & stairs in, checked the fit of the 3rd floor against the doors I cut, looks good! About 1/2 done with the internals on the first rear tower.

 

[racheljritchie]

wow great work!!:happy:

 

[Niels D]

Awesome idea! I bet all axolotls would want to live in a castle.

 

[Martin21114]

Got a little more done. The left side is almost complete The tanks 4 feet wide and this only takes up the first 7 inches. Looks like they are going to have plenty of places to hide before this thing is finished:

 

[Martin21114]

More done, more pics. I'm really quite please with how tight it all fits together. The 3 separate pieces (2 towers, 1 bridge between them) have no gaps when assembled. Just a little trim work around the door and windows and some filing to remove sharpies and the left side is done!

 

[Martin21114]

uno mas:


Now I need to go clean the disaster I've made in the living room before Dianna wakes up and kills me.