My Craigslist 55g Find

Look! A section for non-puffer and/or non-aquarium photos! Oh joy!
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JRC3
Fahaka Puffer
Posts: 904
Joined: Wed Jul 07, 2010 4:10 pm
Gender: Male
My Puffers: F8(55g)
F8 (46g)
4-DP(29g)
Location (country): U.S.
Location: S.W. OH

My Craigslist 55g Find

Post by JRC3 »

This is the tank I set up for my community fish so I could get my F8 in my 46g.

I bought this setup on craiglist for $100. It came with the stand, canopies, light, decor, Visitherm 300w heater, an older Fluval 403 canister filter, and misc items. I had to order a new O-ring for the filter and I went ahead and got an extra impeller cover and O-ring just in case. The filter came stacked with sponge and ceramic ring media.

It wasn't as dirty as the before pics look but it did need a little work. The tank is in great shape and it has 5/16" glass with only about 3 light scratches.

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The decor in the tank didn't come with. It is all my fake plants and 6 pieces of mopani as well as pool filter sand for substrate.

I beefed up added new fluted trim and brushed nickle hardware to the cabinet as well as added adjustable feet for leveling. I also reworked the light like I do on all of my tanks removing the tubes and adding 6500k cfl bulbs.

This tank was made in 1992 and it has cherry colored trim. We had the exact same tank back in the late 80's when I was still in high school so it has some nostalgia.

Anyway, I just thought I would share.
There are many knowledgeable fish keepers on this forum willing to help and give great advice...The advice is free; What you choose to do with it gives it value.
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jmiller
Green Spotted Puffer
Posts: 321
Joined: Tue Feb 09, 2010 2:08 pm
Gender: Male
My Puffers: Dwarf - Lily
GSP - Emma
Location (country): USA
Location: Kentucky

Re: My Craigslist 55g Find

Post by jmiller »

Very nice set up Jack. Don't you just love Craigslist? My setup was the same $100 Craigslist find but you definitely got the better deal. How about a few pics of the light upgrade, if you don't mind?
John
aka MacKenzie, Bailey & TBD's pa-paw
User avatar
JRC3
Fahaka Puffer
Posts: 904
Joined: Wed Jul 07, 2010 4:10 pm
Gender: Male
My Puffers: F8(55g)
F8 (46g)
4-DP(29g)
Location (country): U.S.
Location: S.W. OH

Re: My Craigslist 55g Find

Post by JRC3 »

The light DYI itself doesn't look like much but it makes a huge difference in the lighting of the tank.

I've tried several bulbs and the best I've found are some "Daylight" 6500k 13 watt bulbs at a home improvement place called Menard's. Home Depot also carries 5000k "Daylight" bulbs in 9 and 13 watts and I have them on a tank or two and they also look good. I also use foil tape for better reflection.
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk16 ... CI0846.jpg

This is my 46g and it came with a chrome reflector.
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk16 ... CI0411.jpg
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk16 ... CI0404.jpg

I want to try the Coralife Colormax bulbs at some point. http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/p ... catid=9870 They come in either 10 or 20 watt.
There are many knowledgeable fish keepers on this forum willing to help and give great advice...The advice is free; What you choose to do with it gives it value.
User avatar
jmiller
Green Spotted Puffer
Posts: 321
Joined: Tue Feb 09, 2010 2:08 pm
Gender: Male
My Puffers: Dwarf - Lily
GSP - Emma
Location (country): USA
Location: Kentucky

Re: My Craigslist 55g Find

Post by jmiller »

Looks good. Thanks for the pics.
John
aka MacKenzie, Bailey & TBD's pa-paw
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