Question: Tall tank - best way to make use of the space?

A

ax

Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2010
Messages
132
Reaction score
3
Points
18
Country
United Kingdom
Hi, I've got a tank thats pretty tall, whats the best way to make use of all that water space? It'd be cool if there were some way of making a climbing wall ;) Any ideas? Or is it not useable/beneficial in any way other than more stable water quailty?
THanks
 
What are the measurements of the tank? It might be feasible to make some stacked layers with thin pieces of slate ..? Maybe you could consider another animal to an axolotl, there are some interesting frogs and caudates that wouldnt mind less floor space if you could make some layers which also have dry areas ... I once saw a tutorial somewhere about making layers in an aquarium for some sort of newt ... or ... I'm not actually sure what they were, but they could leave the water and could run and jump from layer to layer while hunting. If I can remember or find it I'll post it.
 
Last edited:
well theres always the option to silicone shelves on the sides or back to add "floor space"

Just an idea
 
I have a tall 55G, and I used shower caddies with suction cups to create more "floor" space at higher levels. I cut placemats to size and used aquarium sealant to fix them to 2/3s of the top of the plastic caddies so that there was twice the standing room.

Unfortunately, they only lasted about seven months before the suction cups warped just enough that they no longer held the weight of the caddies. It might've been poor quality shower caddies, or it might be because they just weren't meant to be in 68-70 degree water 24/7.

That's the only tip I've got so far. (My axolotls loved to play in them, and it made it easy to feed them separately.)

I'm curious to see what other tips people give you. I'll be pilfering this thread for ideas. :cool:
 
jclee said:
Unfortunately, they only lasted about seven months before the suction cups warped just enough that they no longer held the weight of the caddies. It might've been poor quality shower caddies, or it might be because they just weren't meant to be in 68-70 degree water 24/7.
Click to expand...

Drain the tank half way and attach them direct with the sealant!

Instant perma bond that can be removed with a razor blade if need be
 
Hi! Looking forward to seeing what you are going to do :) I saw someone on here (think the username was Grete) who had this in their tank All Living Things&reg Leaf Water Dish - Feeding Accessories - Reptile - PetSmart Their axie was hangout out on it and it was adorable.

I think having "stairs" made of leaves would be fun for them to climb! Or something like that, I like the suction cup aspect since I'm a chicken with diy aquarium things, not saying go buy from a store or anything!
 
Last edited:
twistedfisher said:
Drain the tank half way and attach them direct with the sealant!

Instant perma bond that can be removed with a razor blade if need be
Click to expand...
I might have to try that! I think I threw all but one of them away, but I smell a sealant project coming on, now.
 
Thanks for all the ideas, i'll keep you posted :)
 
jclee said:
I might have to try that! I think I threw all but one of them away, but I smell a sealant project coming on, now.
Click to expand...

Now im known as a cheapo so im gonna leave you in on one of the best money saving tips i can ever give a DIY kinda person!


GE I silicone is fish/food safe after it cures completely. AKA does not smell like vinegar anymore. Usually 24-48 hours dependent on the temp and hunidity

It is the one that is marked for windows and doors. DO NOT get the sink and tub one because it has fungicide in it and it will kill anything that it comes in contact with!

LOL I make background like this one outta styrofoam and DryLok paint and believe it or not they are also both fish safe after the curing process. This is a back ground that "passes through" 2 10 gallon tanks sitting side by side!
Picture106.jpg
 
twistedfisher said:
Now im known as a cheapo so im gonna leave you in on one of the best money saving tips i can ever give a DIY kinda person!


GE I silicone is fish/food safe after it cures completely.
Click to expand...
Yeah; I've already got a huge tube of the stuff kicking around somewhere. I'm holding off for now, though. I think if I'm going to semi-permanently affix something to the tank, I'd like to finalize my layout and find something that looks a little better than the shower caddies I have (which are a tad chintzie, since I'm a cheapo, too.)

I also suspect that, for the project to work well, I'd be best doing it with an empty tank on its side, since I don't have a vice clamp that could hold something in place for a day or two.

Great back wall on the tank, by the way. Is that a tank for shell-dwelling chiclids? (I'm jealous.)

Sorry to take us off topic. To bring it back to ax's original question, what other strategies do people have for creating more horizontal standing room in a tall tank?
 
LOL i'll pm you about the tank and my many different shell dwellers!

But yes it was originally created for shellies on the left and julies on the right with the 7 built in caves
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
General chit-chat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
    There are no messages in the chat. Be the first one to say Hi!
    Back
    Top