Tunnel Tank

[cope]

here it is... the tank I was telling you guys about.... here is a link...     http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf26fh3sLAU      

I have added a fountain and some gravel to the passage way.... I will soon upload it on youtube....

the tube is made from cut and heat bent acrylic..... and glued together with a product called Weld On 16    seems to be holding up good..... I bench tested the tube for a week before putting this together...

[fishlady]

Re: Tunnel Tank

that is amazing Cope.....i'll be anxious to see those fishies swimming thru that tube.....just truly amazing....thanks for sharing and please keep us updated on it.....

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Tunnel Tank

Very cool!

Do you have something supporting the tunnel or is the tanks holding it up?

[CichlidFan]

Re: Tunnel Tank

Nice work, keep us posted on your progress.

CF

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Tunnel Tank

This would help me accomplish a super long tank without getting it custom..... or bridge a tank between a wall!

[nacra99]

Re: Tunnel Tank

Very Nice!

What thickness acrylic did you use?

[cope]

Re: Tunnel Tank

EK.. no it is just sitting on the edge of both tanks... no support in the middle.... I had a piece of plexiglass.. and drew out what I wanted.. then I cut it on my table saw... the side... then I took two pieces and figured out where the bend should be..I then heated the plexi with a torch.... back and forth until it got soft..I then bent it over the side of the table.. making sure it was true and square.... I sand the edges where I cut with the table saw... and then use Weld On 14    you can get this at AC Plastics or any place that sell bulk plexi.... it was easy to make... and all I did was take a air line hose.. took it and stuck itup inside (after I turned it right side up) and then just sucked the air out... kinda like you would do for your overflow tank "U" tube...... I would say you could make it longer..... I think this plexi is 1/4" to 3/8" thick......... this one is a little ruff but it looks good.... you can polish the edges with a torch to make it nicer..

[cope]

Re: Tunnel Tank

here is a update..... I added some gravel and a fountain....... the tunnel is crystal clear.... it looks frosted in the video but it is clear....anyone who wants to see it..you are welcome to come by the shop..... 118 S. 5TH  in Laporte

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=sidDfwEiiug

[fishlady]

Re: Tunnel Tank

i have a dumb question though....if the water doesn't come out of the tube unless you create an air flow from it will the water in there circulate with the rest of the water? i guess what i'm trying to find out is if the water will have oxygenation along with the rest of the tanks?

[jetchanic]

Re: Tunnel Tank

looks cool.  Has a fish made the journey across the tube yet?  You need to catch that on video.

[cope]

Re: Tunnel Tank

fish lady.... I have a pump..pumping water from one tank to the other... so there is circulation.. and I put a filter on each tank just for extra filtration..... there is a flow.... small but yes water moves from onetank to the other....
Jet: Not sure... I am at home and the tank is at the shop... we will see when we get to work tomarrow... I have 6 fish in each tank..... head count monday..LOL

[myjohnson]

Re: Tunnel Tank

nice! is all I can say. :wink:

[JStrider]

Re: Tunnel Tank

Jet: Not sure... I am at home and the tank is at the shop... we will see when we get to work tomarrow... I have 6 fish in each tank..... head count monday..LOL

I think you need to set up a webcam that we can all watch 24/7 and try to be the first to see a fish make the journey!

[Spot86t]

Re: Tunnel Tank

Hrm, that's pretty nifty! I'm glad you added a pump.  The issue with setups like this is usually lack of water movement, and stagnant water and/or low o2 content inside the tube.  I'll have to swing by your shop and check it out.    Is there a place down near you that has the acrylic and acrylic cements?  I've gone way the heck over by 290 to get that sort of stuff in the past.  Closer would sure be nice specially since I work in Deer Park.  Hrm, I have some young killi's (top dwelling fish) and/or guppies if you want me to bring some, maybe they'll do some exploring in the tube.  Let me know.  If I can think of any other curious, adventurous fish, I have that might be interested, I'll let you know.  I wanna see them adventuring in the tube!  :)   Hrm, wonder if yo-yo loaches would be curious enough to venture in - I've got several of those too.

[PhishPhreek]

Re: Tunnel Tank

You gotta have CAK to keep the tube clean.................