u/ItsMyGayThrowaway

Third rescape of my main tank since I owned it. The last was 6 months ago, but due to issues with a thin sand cap and soil blowout the tank needed a complete teardown. I also took the opportunity to move the tank to a 'King Of DIY' style timber frame to give me more height and cupboard space that my previous stand didn't offer.

I've gone from a jungle style tank to a simpler, low back planted tank with low flat elephant rocks to promote swim space and sand sifting room for my current livestock, and to think ahead of where the plants will grow and fill in the future. I've also opted for runner plants to lower my risk of sand cap blowouts as I don't need to plant anything else when propagating.

Set up

* Tank: Diversa 300L

* Stand: Custom timber frame 88*120*50cm

* Filter: Allpondsolutions EFX+ 2000L/ph + UV + skimmer

* Substrate: Pond soil and kids play sand

* Hardscape: Elephant stone (will be adding wood for Pleco)

* Light: Nicrew C10

* Plants: Amazon Swords, Giant Val, Pearlweed, Anubias, Hygrophilia Polysperma, Taiwan Lily, Various red stems from an old tank

* Stock: Dwarf Rainbow, Zebra Danio, Bristlenose Pleco, CPD, Albino Cory, Cherry Shrimp

Looking forward I plan on maybe getting some dwarf sag as another strong runner plant, but I don't want to fix something that isn't broken so I'll see how I get on. I also may look to replace the CPD school with something else as they've struggled this summer in the heatwave, so may need something more suitable for the temps I have.

Thought I'd share as I'm very proud of it! Happy to take suggestions for fish also to compliment what I already have, I have 7 times an hour turn over with UV so I'm fairly confident I can handle the bioload of some more interesting.

Third rescape of my main tank since I owned it. The last was 6 months ago, but due to issues with a thin sand cap and soil blowout the tank needed a complete teardown. I also took the opportunity to move the tank to a 'King Of DIY' style timber frame to give me more height and cupboard space that my previous stand didn't offer.

I've gone from a jungle style tank to a simpler, low back planted tank with low flat elephant rocks to promote swim space and sand sifting room for my current livestock, and to think ahead of where the plants will grow and fill in the future. I've also opted for runner plants to lower my risk of sand cap blowouts as I don't need to plant anything else when propagating.

Set up

* Tank: Diversa 300L

* Stand: Custom timber frame 88*120*50cm

* Filter: Allpondsolutions EFX+ 2000L/ph + UV + skimmer

* Substrate: Pond soil and kids play sand

* Hardscape: Elephant stone (will be adding wood for Pleco)

* Light: Nicrew C10

* Plants: Amazon Swords, Giant Val, Pearlweed, Anubias, Hygrophilia Polysperma, Taiwan Lily, Various red stems from an old tank

* Stock: Dwarf Rainbow, Zebra Danio, Bristlenose Pleco, CPD, Albino Cory, Cherry Shrimp

Looking forward I plan on maybe getting some dwarf sag as another strong runner plant, but I don't want to fix something that isn't broken so I'll see how I get on. I also may look to replace the CPD school with something else as they've struggled this summer in the heatwave, so may need something more suitable for the temps I have.

Thought I'd share as I'm very proud of it! Happy to take suggestions for fish also to compliment what I already have, I have 7 times an hour turn over with UV so I'm fairly confident I can handle the bioload of some more interesting.

Third rescape of my main tank since I owned it. The last was 6 months ago, but due to issues with a thin sand cap and soil blowout the tank needed a complete teardown. I also took the opportunity to move the tank to a 'King Of DIY' style timber frame to give me more height and cupboard space that my previous stand didn't offer.

I've gone from a jungle style tank to a simpler, low back planted tank with low flat elephant rocks to promote swim space and sand sifting room for my current livestock, and to think ahead of where the plants will grow and fill in the future. I've also opted for runner plants to lower my risk of sand cap blowouts as I don't need to plant anything else when propagating.

Set up

* Tank: Diversa 300L

* Stand: Custom timber frame 88*120*50cm

* Filter: Allpondsolutions EFX+ 2000L/ph + UV + skimmer

* Substrate: Pond soil and kids play sand

* Hardscape: Elephant stone (will be adding wood for Pleco)

* Light: Nicrew C10

* Plants: Amazon Swords, Giant Val, Pearlweed, Anubias, Hygrophilia Polysperma, Taiwan Lily, Various red stems from an old tank

* Stock: Dwarf Rainbow, Zebra Danio, Bristlenose Pleco, CPD, Albino Cory, Cherry Shrimp

Looking forward I plan on maybe getting some dwarf sag as another strong runner plant, but I don't want to fix something that isn't broken so I'll see how I get on. I also may look to replace the CPD school with something else as they've struggled this summer in the heatwave, so may need something more suitable for the temps I have.

Thought I'd share as I'm very proud of it! Happy to take suggestions for fish also to compliment what I already have, I have 7 times an hour turn over with UV so I'm fairly confident I can handle the bioload of some more interesting fish.

Planning to build a stand for an aquarium and want a sense check before I cut anything. Sketch attached.

Rough dimensions: internal aperture roughly 120cm long x 50-60cm deep x 50-70cm tall (this is the clear internal space, sized so the tank can slide in and out for decommissioning).

The design:

- Back and side panel(s) will be glued and nailed/screwed ply (thinking 12-18mm) to resist racking

- Front or side is left fully open (no vertical support in the event of the front being open) so the tank can slide straight in and out when decommissioned, and the cavity underneath can be used for storage (filter, heater, etc) when the tank is active.

Considering either a middle vertical stand for the long edge or an open side, but I'm not sure where the priority lies in terms of sagging support or racking support.

My main question: with the front open and no mid support, how would you stiffen the top panel against sagging over a 120cm unsupported span carrying tank weight? Currently leaning towards:

- A deeper front rail (70-90mm) along the open edge

- A shallow torsion batten fixed to the underside of the top panel, set back from the front edge, hanging down maybe 30-45mm, so it doesn't obstruct the tank passing through

- Alternatively, sticking to an open side, but this will make using the cupboard space difficult.

Does any of the above sound like a sensible approach, or is there a better way to solve my design demands? Also happy to hear if 12mm ply is enough on the back/sides or if I should go thicker.

Thanks in advance, first time building anything load-bearing like this so want to get it right before it's got 300+ litres of water sat on top.

Hey all, looking for some wisdom from others who have done it.

My partner and I (and our dog) dipped our toes into camping but suddenly fell pregnant shortly after we bought the gear. Anyways 2 years on and we're trying again with the little one in tow, and we've remembered our old tent was only a 2 man.

We went to decathlon and purchased what we thought was the arpenaz 4.1 but instead picked up a 4.2 someone had put on the wrong rack. We only spotted the mistake when doing a trial run today in our garden.

Before we rush back to decathlon, should we trial run the 2 bedroom set up? Any comments on pros or cons of each? It'll be myself, my partner, a 16 month old, and a spaniel. We're thinking maybe we split sleep and one of us has the dog and the other the kid?

Bonus question, any tips for going camping with a child? 🤣

Thanks all!

Hey all, looking for some wisdom from others who have done it.

My partner and I (and our dog) dipped our toes into camping but suddenly fell pregnant shortly after we bought the gear. Anyways 2 years on and we're trying again with the little one in tow, and we've remembered our old tent was only a 2 man.

We went to decathlon and purchased what we thought was the arpenaz 4.1 but instead picked up a 4.2 someone had put on the wrong rack. We only spotted the mistake when doing a trial run today in our garden.

Before we rush back to decathlon, should we trial run the 2 bedroom set up? Any comments on pros or cons of each? It'll be myself, my partner, a 16 month old, and a spaniel. We're thinking maybe we split sleep and one of us has the dog and the other the kid?

Bonus question, any tips for going camping with a child? 🤣

Thanks all!

Plan:

30mm lowering springs

18" aftermarkets w/ low profile (undecided on colour)

Splitter and skirts to make up the difference in height

Dechrome and tints

I think it's subtle but ultimately turns the car into a nice to look at one. With it being an EV I estimate the wheels and aero changes will lose a few miles or range but it's whatever.

I'm also aware of the wider arches in the AI mockup but I'm ultimately unsure on these as I don't fancy spacers.

Am I crazy for wanting to mod our boring family EV?

Hey all,

My partner and I recently purchased an EV, but live in flats. We were due to move which is why we had the change in cars, but our move has been pushed back until April due to needing another tax return.

I've read loads of stories about granny charging and whilst we can charge the car using destination charging or charger sharing in the local estate, I was wondering if there was a way for us to make use of our lower electricity rate at home.

Above is a lead and plug rated for EV certification (according to the website, I'm not an electrician). Would this be the safest way to charge at home in the interim or should I just suck it up and charge elsewhere?

Thanks in advance all 👍