coffee table tank

Cosine · 01-12-2005, 12:27 PM

My dad saw one of these on a trip to swistzerland.
So he wants to build one. The plan is just to put goldfish or mollies or something in it.
Anybody have one of these.
Any suggestions on hiding filters and equipment?
thanks for any input on this one

Geoff · 01-12-2005, 02:30 PM

they are neat ideas. as far as filters go, now that is the problem.

i think most of them use simple bubble filters. the easiest thing to do and prolly the best also is to make one of the sides the filter system. think of it as an integrated HOB filter. it may only need to be about 4" wide. just wide enough to put a pump in there. or depending on how creative you want to be you could use canister filters and hide them as legs for the table.

it would be a neat project, but one that will take a bit of pre-planning.

G~

Cosine · 01-12-2005, 05:26 PM

yeah filter is the first difficulty that comes to mind. The plan was to have a covered area on one side where it would be, as you said. However a normal HOB filter wouldn't work since it might be too far above the surface and give it all a bad look. I never saw the one my dad was looking at so I'm not certain what it was like. I should be able to get some ideas online though.
Any ideas I have I'll throw out here

RobinsonFam1 · 01-12-2005, 06:29 PM

lights would be an even greater challenge if ask me. where do they fit?

Cosine · 01-12-2005, 06:57 PM

Well true
but there are no plants just fish so I figure lights in the room or a lamp on the table.

However, here's a thought.
if all the filters and heaters and stuff are at the ends then I could put lights along the length sides with a reflector on an angle to shine the lights in. These would either be just above the water or enclosed in a clear casing (a little scary of a leak).

RobinsonFam1 · 01-12-2005, 10:48 PM

yeah that would work....leaks are always a bit scary. i would rather have a leak that was contained in the tank than the entire floor area though.

Cosine · 01-13-2005, 11:18 AM

my dad has some pics and they have submerged lights in the table he saw.
Also they had a raised corner which seemed to hide filtration equipment.
I still think I can do it without this raised portion
I can post the pics he took they give an idea of what he is looking for anyways

Cosine · 01-17-2005, 06:59 PM

here's a few pics should give you an idea...
I was also thinking now of using guppies, provided I am correct thinking that they are a room temperature fish, that way there isno need for a heater and therefor another cord is gone.

Tasher80 · 01-25-2005, 12:08 PM

I have seen one in a magazine. It also had transparent rocks with lighting from below. Didn't look at the filtration but can't imagine it had a lot because it was a full oval design. Might have had a center filter or something. Cool but doesn't work with a lot of SW designs because you can't keep any corals.

darthteddy · 02-11-2005, 11:40 PM

perhaps if you put 2 bulkheads in the bottem you could get some good filtration. One for return and one for input. Just get a cheapo magnum canister filter for 50 bucks and shazam. Mabe you could find a submersable light for it. I have seen 5 wat blue ones only but im sure that they are out there.

Cosine · 02-12-2005, 03:14 PM

There's submersible lights and filters so I think that is the way we are headed with this...
Just gonna hide it on one side.
Hope it works out

motorslave · 02-12-2005, 07:49 PM

You could build the table around the tank, hiding lightsin the framing along the top edges. build one end of the tank enclosed with enough room for filters etc. I think with a short skimmer this could work for a FOWLR or a softie tank. Ive actualy thought of this for some time now and have a good plan in my head. Once my Father in Law has settled into his new house were going to give it a shot.

Robert

tims · 02-12-2005, 07:50 PM

another thought would be a canaster filter that could be hidden. all you would see is the two tubes..

motorslave · 02-12-2005, 08:40 PM

Were going to make the tank with two chambers. The second will be fed by the overflow slots and hold the skimmer, return pump, heater and whatever. The return will be a spraybar that runs down the center of the tank under the rock and help keep under the rock clean. It will be one tank with a divider that is slotted at the top for the overflow. A canister filter or nust about anything could be adapted for filtration. I have even figured out how to mount the fan for cooling.
Well probably get going on this in the summer time.

Robert

totalpackage181 · 02-18-2005, 04:12 PM

how are you going to prevent the top piece of glass from condensating....not to mention salt creep is going to get on the glass if its saltwater......freshwater only i guess...

I had also seriously considered such a project, but decided that a wicked cabinet with a 31" tall tank would look much better....besides do you really want to get on your hands and knees to look into it? ( unless somehow you are going to get the water exactly to the top without any air bubbles.....)

coffee table tank

condensation?