Fluval Chi

[MyLady]

Does anyone here have one of these tanks? If so, how handy are you with a tape measure? I am looking for outer dimentions as well as the dimensions of the light box/filter pump box thingie in the middle.

If I am not mistaken, the outer dimensions of the tank should be 10 inches by 10 inches by 12 something tall for the 5 gallon. I have no clue about the dimensions of the filter box. Thanks for any assistance.

 

[MyLady]

Aparently no one has one of these tanks? I know its not a common idea to turn one of these into a saltwater tank, but my hubby wants to do so. He has been working on an idea to get LEDs over it for the lighting since the stock lights are horrid. He also has an idea to use a hampster water bottle as the ATO since evap will be a concern. He would like to make some kind of back out of wood to create a place to hide the ATO as well as the majority of the wiring for the LEDs. The question is, would regular painted plywood be "waterproof" enough or should he get treated wood? Will the chemicals of the treated wood be a problem for the tank?

 

[btkrausen]

My buddy tried to do saltwater in one, but said it was just hard to keep the water to the top, and eventually just gave it because of that and it was super hard to clean.

I saw a saltwater setup at the LFS last week, they had two little clowns in it and some zoas at the bottom. Not sure what they were lighting it with, didn't think to look.

 

[cmcneil]

I wouldn't use wood but that's just me.I would use black acrylic or black ABS to make the piece.ABS can be glued using the same glue as the acrylic,weld-on #3 or #4.

 

[MyLady]

Acrylic is an option. Having it tinted black or smoke or whatever makes it cost more yes? How hard is it to mount something to acrylic with screws without cracking it? Pilot holes need to be drilled first?

 

[cmcneil]

its easy to mount to acrylic.just make sure you clamp a piece of wood behind the acrylic before drilling.this will keep the acrylic from chipping as the drill bit passes through.