First Viv Design (with Drawing)...

[messymedia]

Hi all,
I have a 10 gallon glass tank which has an image that i designed stuck to the outside back of glass then sides and back covered with sticky back matt black vinyl so as to darken tank and minimise reflections. I have also created a fake rock cave formation which includes to levels with a hide on each to stand at one end of the tank (the upper floor also has small dish built in for calcium powder). I then have a log effect hide and water dish to put at the other end (cooler end) of the tank.

I also made a solid base from polystyrene to go in the bottom of the tank, it has been grouted, pianted and finished in the same way as the caves. Sadly i totally missed the fact that the heat wouldn't get through the polystyrene base if the mat is underneath so i've come up with a new idea..... please let me know what you think. -Ads

[Morgan Freeman]

I have my heat mat positioned under a pva/sand mix which is then coated with epoxy resin. No problems with fumes, had it set up for 4 months now.

[messymedia]

lovely stuff, should be fine then, i've used acrylic varnish as i was told by a member from a different board that they've used it to coat their poly bits and it's been fine for over a year! Done mine a week ago and thee's no smell already, it's all good.

Anyway, cheers for your help.

Any other comments on the design would be greatly appreciated. -Ads

[messymedia]

Just thought i'd better add some photo's of what i've done so far, please bear in mind that i will be re-making the base to the above design... -Ads

[jasonkwong135]

I haven't build one of these before, but isnt complete covering the heat mate with polysyrene a bad idea?as the heat is going to be traped and over heat very easily. they always say that you need to leave some space for the heat to dissipate, right?

Just my thoughs

Jason

[messymedia]

Well the heat mat is gonna be on top of poly with a tile above it, after posting my design and photos on another forum i was told that making some holes in the polystyrene underneathn the heat mat would help? Especially as the tank is raised off the surface of the tabletop.