Pre-Build 210g Planning Help

[BurlyWizard]

I am preparing for a new-to-me Aqueon 210g FOWLR setup that will be moved locally in about a month. The current owner's setup is functional, but lacking, and I plan to upgrade several parts of their setup over time. As a part of the planning process, I have a number of questions that (after hours of reading threads) I am still missing clear direction on. So, while I am not new to the hobby, I am new to large tanks, and the topics I have listed below.

I appreciate the guidance here.


Plumbing: After move-in day and initial settling, I will upgrade the soft plumbing to hard plumbing. I want to do this as aesthetic and efficient as possible.

1. Does R2R have a forum (or thread) that shows piece-by-piece hard plumbing guidance (I'm talking down to the X" this and threaded that) including unions, valves, elbows, etc.? I have been scouring Youtube videos and build threads that talk about the various components and showing pictures, but I am looking for an actual parts list & assembly diagram of the plumbing that could be followed
2. I have seen build threads level-up their visual aesthetic by spray painting certain parts of their plumbing system (like knobs to valves). I would have assumed spray paint is not safe to use around plumbing, but maybe I'm wrong? How far can you go with this, and if you seal the openings, can you spray paint the body of valves, outside of elbows, or even the pipes themselves?

Tank Leveling: The tank's current location is naturally leveled on the floor, but I am not sure mine will be so I want to be prepared to do this the right way, so let's talk FOAM.

1. Is it recommended that all tanks sit with some foam between tank and stand? Is there a thread or other guidance on thickness, density, places to purchase, etc.?
2. Is installation as simple as placing the tank on the foam and you're done, or is there some manual "leveling" that needs to take place after placing the tank down.

Thanks in advance

 

[mmorrison55]

Congrats on the new build. Where are you at in Florida?


Most of the plumbing techniques I used on my build were from YouTube videos and most notable the different BRS series.

Plumbing can seem daunting, but it’s really not that complicated. If you take your time and use a lot of unions to be able to slightly adjust angles etc.

As for painting what Pieces are you thinking about painting? Gate valves and such or the actual pipe and fitting?

 

[BurlyWizard]

Congrats on the new build. Where are you at in Florida?


Most of the plumbing techniques I used on my build were from YouTube videos and most notable the different BRS series.

Plumbing can seem daunting, but it’s really not that complicated. If you take your time and use a lot of unions to be able to slightly adjust angles etc.

As for painting what Pieces are you thinking about painting? Gate valves and such or the actual pipe and fitting?

We're in the Pompano / Deerfield area.

I do plan to use as many unions as possible, and thankfully the current plumbing "works" so I can take my time to measure and build out the hard plumbing without disrupting the flow (pun intended) of the tank as it exists today.

In terms of painting, I really don't know yet. Like I said, I assumed all spray paint around a tank would be a no-go but looking at @Fish Styx 's build thread, I saw they painted the handles on their valves, and it just got the wheels turning and I asked myself if I could even attempt something like this. I was questioning if it was possible to assemble and seal the plumbing (off-tank) and then disassemble at unions and paint valves, elbows, and even the actual pipe exterior itself for a more custom look. Personally, I don't love that even when you use colored PVC, all of the elbows and fittings still don't match, so I thought it could be cool to do something vibrant like a lime green on all pipes, fittings, and elbows, and then a black base / green handle look on all valves.