Arc's Vista23

[ArcKatana]

After moving yet again, I've bought a house and started to settle in. I've got a couple other tanks that I'm setting up or starting to, but I wanted to make a build thread for this one.

It's a Fluval Vista23 (really a taller, rounder 20 long), with a panoramic front viewing pane. I took a trip to the LFS (its an hour away, I live in the middle of northern MN) and they had it for a really cheap price. I snagged it and a Fluval Sea 24" LED fixture which will be the new light once I modify the hood.

The tank comes with the following: (All Fluval)
Tank
Aquaclear 50
100 W Heater
Live Bacteria (200ish gallons the label says)
Net
Food
A quick start guide (Freshwater)
An 8 watt LED 8K light fixture

I painted the back black, and parked it for now. I need to build a stand, modify the hood (for both the new fixture and an AC110 which will be the only filter on it).

Tank looks like this (Stock light on):

I've had the other light fixture before, I had it on my 30G JBJ Rimless a few years ago:

Not sure what I'll be putting in there, other than no clowns.

Being in the middle of nowhere, I've only got my wifi hotspot for internet (50$ for 5GB) so I'll most likely be updating once a week or so.

 

[jsker]

Looking forward to the build updates

 

[ArcKatana]

Saturday is my next day off, so I'll be working on the lights, cutting the top so they fit, and the foam wall. Going to try something different with it (the foam wall), as I think the tank lends itself to a different kind of landscape. And on an unrelated note, my 77XL tank is finally clearing up after two weeks of cloudiness.

 

[ArcKatana]

Picked up a dremel this morning and cut out the spot for the lights and cut the back out for the HOB. Need to get some pond foam and egg crate tomorrow. So far so good!

 

[ArcKatana]

Made the hour trip to get pond foam and other supplies this morning. One corner done (needs sand):

And the cut outs for the top:

Going to work on the other corner tonight, and I'll have to figure out how I'll glue the sand to the foam.

 

[ArcKatana]

Test fit for the corner. Off a little, but close enough.

Still needs sand tho.

 

[ArcKatana]

With my current plans on whats going to go into the tank, Im skipping the sand on the foam. It should be covered once it gets in there anyway. Pic with sand for the bottom and top of the levels. Note the HOB filter is there for spacing, it will be hidden behind foam.

Close up of the other corner - shell is probably going, but there for effect.

 

[1WildBill]

Looks good. Love the Dremel work.

 

[ArcKatana]

Small update - with spring here in northern Mn it's get outside and do stuff time. I've not yet set up the tank (I keep changing my mind where I want it, and what to put in it), and have been focusing on my 80G Refugium. Macro Algae and leathers with four fish at the moment. Still building it up algae wise (three kinds of Caluerpa and some Dragon's breath for now), and some nice purple sponge. The tank has been running since December with nothing in it, added the fish in the past couple of weeks. Planning on finding a home for the Vista on Saturday and filling it up.