Here is my first build journal (PIC Heavy)

[m4dc4t]

After all of my research, today I finally started working on my first dart tank. I still have plenty of work ahead of me, but it has begun!

Some Basic plans in MS Paint


Another view of the Plans


I read a lot about HX and his fake rocks, this is the initial attempt at foam carving!


More carving and gluing foam board together! Also, the nails were temporary. Once gluing began they were pulled.


Here is the waterfall terrace all put together with the 2 hides/ caves. After this pic I cut some drainage for the 2 caves.


Wala, here is a two tier waterfall. I have not decided on a pump yet, but it will deffinately be an external canister pump.



Here is the stream bed!


Also, I was had to figure out how to transfer water from one side of the water feature to the other. I really did not want the water to have to go through the pond. I came up with these little tunnels for this reason.



Will post some more in a little bit!

[tkromer]

I take it you have done carving for other tanks in the past? That is really looking nice, and I love the paint drawings

[jdart16]

Looking good! When carving and shaping though avoid any harsh angles or flat parts. If you add more foam to make it smoother it will end up more natural.

Justin

[MELLOWROO421]

Looks great so far. Keep this thread updated, I really wanna see how it turns out. What are you gonna use to cover the foam?

[m4dc4t]

Originally Posted by tkromer

I take it you have done carving for other tanks in the past? That is really looking nice, and I love the paint drawings

Nope, it is the first one! The paint drawings are cheesy (I Know), but I needed to put it on paper though... or on screen. Which ever.

[m4dc4t]

jdart,
Yeah, I got a little more work to do in it! Thanks for the info though! HX even sent me a PM and told me the same!

Mellow,
The entire thing will be covered with grout, like tile grout. Check out this thread. Pretty sweet stuff.

phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=22606

[m4dc4t]

I work weekends so today I will finally be able to work some more on my viv! Already started the grouting process. Pics will be up tonight!

[m4dc4t]

Okay, I am a couple of days late, but I got a little more work done now than on Monday.



here is a close up of the backside!


Tested ponds holding water!


This is a pic of the creek and the waterfalls... bad image though!


Another note. I coated the foam with a lot of grout. I found that after doing so it winds up looking more natural if you lightly spray it with water.

Here is the tank after two tubes of caulk. I figure that I am going to need at least 10 more to finish the job. $$$$$$



Hopefully next week I will get my drill bits do drill the bulk heads!

More next week!

[m4dc4t]

I got a nasty letter that had me a little aggravated. Anyway I stayed up a couple of hours more than I should have this morning and finished the water feature! Tomorrow I will be headed to Home Depot to get some more supplies. Hopefully I will be testing the water feature in a week or so. More pics this week though!

[m4dc4t]

Well I got a little more work done.

This is the water feature test! I did run water trough it from the water hose. I figured it would handle about 115GPH. In the process of testing and curing it I cracked a couple of spots that need to be fixed now!




This tank was originally a bearded dragon tank with Sliding screen tops. Here is my solution to sealing it. I found some extruded PVC latice that is held in place with screen spline!



This is a piece of 1/4" Lexan (Polycarbonate) that I had to cut down a little.



There is plenty of work to be done, but it is coming along nicely! Next I am working on the false bottom then next week I will be doing the background.