4ft aquarium conversion

[Lisa Baines]

Right then, here we go, the project is now 99% completed. Unfortunately we couldn't get a lid today so i'm on the hunt for a 4ft (or50") lid if anyone has one kicking around

So apart from a few bits of bog wood / cork / moss I come across in the shops the new tank is pretty much there, just needs a bit of tweeking as they say Might also have to look into those 3D backgrounds to disguise the heat mats through the glass. Unless anyone has any other idea's to share on that front

front view: -


Enclosure #1: het beccalonae (female???)


Enclosure #2: het. madraspatensis female


Enclosure #3: 2 x het spinifers, juvi's


Enclosure #4: het. madraspatensis male
As you can see he has kindly started a burrow at the front of the tank where i can spy on him, very nice of him lol!


Enclosure 5 is filled and ready for the het swammerdammi once it has shed.

[Colin D Wilson]

for the backgrounds could you not reverse paint some land scapes on them, ie the forground first of a few little bushes then some trees perhaps...finish it off with a overall covering of black it would look quite effective i think.

[Lisa Baines]

aye thats a thought, worth thinking about.

the background is the one thing that is really niggling me

[Colin D Wilson]

well with your artistic skill i shouldn't think it would be too much of a problem.

Heck, if push come to a shove you could cut some shapes out of potatoes and give Matthew some poster paints to do it

Colin "not got long to live when Matt reads this" Wilson

[Lisa Baines]

***fell off chair laughing!***

[Mrs Linda Street]

Hi Lisa, it's all come together and looks really nice, are there any kind of transfers you may be able to use like goes on bathroom tiles?

[Lisa Baines]

cheers for that linda, again will be worth looking into.

I can see me being on the net quite some time looking into these idea's and whatever else i come across

[Matthew Baines]

Heck, if push come to a shove you could cut some shapes out of potatoes and give Matthew some poster paints to do it

Colin "not got long to live when Matt reads this" Wilson

Oi watch it you!!!!!

Or else i will be switching the potatoes for you!!

Very funny tho Colin !

[Craig Mackay]

Looks awesome! Have all the inhabitants moved in? I couldn't see any, lol. Must be good hiders I guess, hehe!

[Lisa Baines]

enclosures 1-4 have inhabitants in, they went straight into their pre made burrows. overnight they did quite a bit of excavating Especially the spinnifers but they are one of natures bulldozers lol! I was going to wait until they shed but being a reliable eater and 'shedder' I thought they would be ok. they are 2" and literally about to shed again in next couple of weeks.

the swammerdammi is kind of in enclosure 5. it's still in it's tub sat on the substrate because it is too small to go in yet. however now it's warmer it has eaten for the first time since i bought it at newark. it was at the lower end of it's ideal temp but it obviously likes it a bit warmer. so hopefully it will shed twice over the next couple of months and then it can go in properly.

Think I may have to make a lid myself though, the tank is an odd size at 50" wide - bummer!

[Colin D Wilson]

You could possibly use the side sheet of "soft Metal" from an old fridge or freezer for the lid..cutting and bending it to shape.

What may be an idea is to install a "black light" in the lid for night time viewing occasionally.

[Lisa Baines]

lol i'm already ahead of you there colin. black light is in

and thanks for the lid idea

[Colin D Wilson]

lol i'm already ahead of you there colin. black light is in

Great minds then eh Lass ??

and thanks for the lid idea

I'm sure Matt could fashion a nice fitting lid....or we could have a lid making party when we do swapsies

[Matthew Baines]

I'm sure Matt could fashion a nice fitting lid....or we could have a lid making party when we do swapsies

OOOOOOOOOOO a party . I will supply the music!

[Colin D Wilson]

that will be banging mate... (if thats the correct hip and gangster talk )