Revamping the axie tank :)

[Frankie73]

Okay so after seeing several of the axie lovers re-designing their tanks to make them look absoultly stunning, i thought i'd give it ago as the tank was plain and boring (well thats what i thought) lol.

I've had this idea in my head for a little and after christmas i got myself some spare cash to play around with, which was great as i was like i know what i'm going to use this on .... of course my babies! (there adults by the way )

So i started off with taking the axies out and everything inside the tank excluding the filter, i then cleaned the sand with my aquarium vaccuum. Next day i went out and purchased some fake plants (£11) and a huge bit of drift wood(£20), that night me and the Boyfriend starting drilling the driftwood siliconing fake plants into it making it more natural looking.
Next day: My dad got hold of some PVC pipe for me(free), i went out and brought a new filter (fluval u3)(£35) and some java fern (£7.50) to start me off as i've never had real plants in the tank before. The java fern went straight into the empty tank. Oh also that day i went and got some aquarium rocks i had brought off a lady (£10) so came home with loads.
Yesterday: i sat and scrubbed clean the rocks and again vaccuum the tank as more dirt had settled, so that brings me to today i have been in my dads shed cutting up the bit of pvc pipe and soaked that in boiling water (well still currently in the tub) and with the rocks ive been trying to get an idea of how i want the rocks to sit as a cave in the tank.

As for the dirftwood well after a couple of days of soaking it wouldnt sink so i've took that out to now get my hands on some slate or to find a way of weighing it down (if any of you have any ideas are appreciated) im waiting on the boyfriend to get in from work and to hopefully help me sink that driftwood haha so heres the pics so far......................

 

[tb1906]

Looks great so far. I like the idea of drilling into the driftwood and siliconing the plants in. I might have to try that at some point.

 

[natjobe]

It's fun revamping! Looks like it'll be nice. I think I saw a heater in with your axie, they are a cold water species, I would remove it. Can't wait to see finished product!

 

[binkiesbuns]

I dont think heaters a necessarily a bad thing if set correctly. Before xmas my tank was dropping to 5 degrees during the day then up to 13 when the heating was on and down to 5 again overnight. I now use a heater set at a steady 18 degrees to stop temperature fluctuations and I believe my Albi's alot happier :happy:
I have that same clearseal tank and background and I LOVE what you've done with the driftwood and plants! It looks great and I'm sure the axies will adore it

 

[Frankie73]

Hiya thanks for the comments, yes i do have a heater in the tub there currently kept in but im assuring you that is does not go above 18c in there! without the heater in it sits at a cold 13c and i dont want them kept in that cold water, as there normal tank is sat at around 18c and i do keep an eye on the temp and never let it go above 18c in the tub.
there in safe hands! but thanks tho x

It was my boyfriend's idea to drill into the Driftwood hehe

 

[Frankie73]

Okay so today ive been messing about with the layout of how i want things to sit etc and well i dont know if im happy with how its set out, i love the little cave i created tho

I currently have two filters in the tank at the mo as im letting the new one get bacteria on, so in a couple of weeks the old one will be taken out. My bubble wall isnt working out so well either and thats sorta dumped under the filters for now. The air isnt coming through the holes all the way down the bubble wall, so dissapointed. I have tried to put a pin through but no success!

I have been talking to the boyfriend and we choosen to trim the bit of driftwood down as it may be a bit too big for the tank! lol oops either that or i get a new bigger tank. So we'l be doing that tomorrow.
Oh yes and the Mr and Mrs are back in there tank and they've been exploring.

Heres some pictures of how the tank looks at the moment... oh & please if you have any great ideas id love to hear them

 

[brtnykys]

looks great! your axies are so lucky to have so much room and such a creative mommy!