In my article, A Visit to Tank and his Amazing Fish Bins, I talked about a great deal I got on a large, 55-gallon plastic bins for growing out fish.

Here, I'll discuss how to double-plumb one of these bins to make water changes easy and to prevent accidental overfills. You can use this technique with just about any large container.

Here's what you'll need:

- Two one-inch bulkhead fittings
- One-inch PVC ball valve
- PVC Elbows
- Two PVC Barbed Connectors (for hose)
- One PVC barbed T Connector
- One inch ID flexible thin wall clear tubing

The actual parts you use may vary, but the basic principle is to drill two holes in the bin. One hole is the drain and other is the high-water level overflow. The high-water overflow bypasses the drain valve.

To drain the bin, you turn the valve at the bottom. To refill, turn the valve to off. The high-water level drain prevents flooding or may be used in a trickle system. The drain line runs to floor drain or sump pit for your home.

Make a Tank Divider

Make a tank divider with simple handtools for about $10

Why do you need a tank divider?

One common way to breed large, aggressive Central American cichlids is using the "divided tank method". A sturdy divider is used to separate the pair which then spawn on opposite sides of a barrier.
When you're low on tankspace and have incompatible species.
When you need some extra space for a recovering fish

You can complete this project using only simple handtools in about an hour.

Before you get started…

Be safe! Wear safety goggles.
This projects involves the use of sharp tools. Be careful! This is not a project for kids.

Step

Pictures

Tools Needed

a. Hacksaw
— or —
b. Backsaw

c. Ruler

d. Diagonal Wire Cutters

a.	b.
c.	d.

Materials

a. Purchase a 2' by 4' sheet of Styrene eggcrate material at a building supply store such as Home Depot. Expect to pay between $5 and $6.This is the cheapest material and works better

You will find this material near the drop ceiling section.

b. 1/2" PVC Elbow (Qty = 2)

c. 1/2" PVC Tee (Qty = 2)

d. 1/2" PVC Pipe (comes in ten foot sections)

e. 8" Nylon Cable Ties
(Qty = 10)

a.	b.
c.	d.
e.

Step 1

Measure the inside width of your tank.

Measure the water depth of your tank (from the bottom of the tank to the water level).

Subtract 1/4" from each dimension to allow for easy placement in the tank.

Important Note!

Take into account the size of the PVC fittings in your measurements!

Generally speaking, you will need to subtract another 1/2 to 3/4 inch for each fitting. We suggest you first cut the PVC pipe to size using the dimensions in Step 1. Then, press on the fitting(s) and measure the length to find the necessary adjustment. Measure twice, cut once!

Step 2

You'll need to cut 7 pieces of PVC pipe:

A) 2 Verticals

B) 1 Horizontal

C) 4 Legs (8" long)

Use the hacksaw or backsaw. A vise is helpful.

Step 3

After cutting all the pipe,
deburr the ends using a utility knife, file or sandpaper.

Step 4

a. Assemble all pieces excluding the legs.

STOP! Test fit the divider in your tank.

b. Add the legs, once you're sure everything fits.

NOTE: PVC Cement is not required. A friction fit is adequate and allows for easy
re-configuration.

Step 5

Using a pair of diagonal wire cutters, cut the eggcrate material to size. The eggcrate should slightly underlap the frame.

Step 6

Cut notches in the eggcrate for the base.

Use the diagonal wire cutter.

Step 7

Fasten the eggcrate to the frame using the cable ties.

Use one per corner and one in middle of each section.

Step 8

Cut off the excess cable tie.

Installing the Tank Divider

Step 1

Remove the bottom "legs" from the tank divider.

Step 2

Clear out gravel from the bottom of tank.

Place the tank divider in the tank.

Note: We've added a clay tile as a spawning surface for a pair of large Blackbelt cichlids.

Step 3

Clear out gravel from the bottom of tank.

Place the tank divider in the tank.

Insert the four legs securely.

Photos by Rick Borstein.

Paint a Tank

Make your tank beautiful!

It's easy and inexpensive to spray paint the back and sides of your tank. Not only will it look better, but your fish will be happier, too!

Before you get started…

Paint outside on a dry, sunny day when temperatures are above 70F and there is little wind.
Paint will not adhere to silicone sealant. Remove any excess silicone sealant with a razor blade… not for kids! Be careful and don't break the seal!
These instructions are for glass tanks, only.
We have had good results with a variety of paints. Krylon brand spray paints seem to drip the least.
We recommend the following colors: Black, Blue and Green.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and be safe!

Step	Pictures
Step 1 Place the tank with the front of the aquarium down on a pair of saw horses. Clean the back and sides of the tank with Windex and a soft, clean cloth.
Step 2 Mask the frame of the tank. We recommend 3M Scotch-Blue™ Painter's Tape for Multi-surfaces available at hardware stores and home centers.
Step 3 Apply a strip of masking tape to the front of the tank. This prevents overspray onto the front glass of the tank.
Step 4 Use newspaper to completely cover the top of the tank. This step prevents paint from adhering to the inside of the aquarium.
Step 5 Paint the sides of the tank. The spray tip should be 6 to 8" from the glass. Tip: Don't overspray. Avoid drips.
Step 6 Paint the back of the tank.
Step 7 It will take a minimum of three coats of paint. In between coats, invert the spray can and spray to clean the nozzle.
Step 8 Look through the bottom of the tank to check for coverage. After three coats, you should not be able to see light through the painted surfaces.
Step 9 Allow the last coat to dry thoroughly. Remove and discard the masking tape. Enjoy your tank!