View Full Version : My second bigish tank!!!!
Yey. Got the last pieces of my new tank from Neilh today (thanks Neilh).
waiting for black gravel. Going to fiddle with the overflow system of pipes to save space behind the tank . Also going to use the Prof's Palmfiber peat method. The wait while the tank cycles is going to kill me (not that i have any money left to buy fish lol).
Also cleaned/tried the tank today. Can anyone give advise on how to clean those stubborn water marks that get left on the sump?
Glad its gone to a good home :blink1:
Sugar soap or vinegar works to remove the calcium/lime deposits.
Return pump should be in the big/last chamber. Also move one of the 150 Jagers to the first chamber. Spreads the heating load. I had the 300 in the display due to the cold floor
Tanks still going to be moved. I don't want to keep it under my TV. And pumps just put there after i washed everything.But i am going to be doing more research on sumps.
Woops :eek:
The small overflow chamber makes plumbing interesting
I figured I'm going to have to have a big pipe coming from the OF chamber after i tested the Pump. 1750lph is allot. A small pipe wont cope.
Not really, the 2 90 degree elbows slow it down a lot. You might want to change the return configuration. Change the 45 degree to a 90 degree and have a T piece. Works very well to reduce flow
Congrats on the great buy Franna
This setup will need pics as it progresses
+1 Donny :D
Can't wait to see what you do with it Franna ^^,
i'm sure its going to be a beaut...
100X50X50, sump is slightly smaller
i'm sure its going to be a beaut...
Pressure.. Maybe i should sketch some designs lol.
Im open to ideas for plant and layout.
Don't have any idea on what fish im going to have.
my 2 talking catfish are definitely going in once the tank is ready.
nice long growing plants along sides and back and some nice drift wood with a lon airstone running along the back behind the plants :) :)
Getting exited now. Went to a few petshops to buy tubing ect. i have a few great ideas. i want to build some sort of wooden Cabinet around the sump aswell, with a removable front so I can get to the sump (doors would feel like a waste on such a big sump).
Something that looks good but wont cost me an arm and a leg. I'm good with cars/bikes ect. but I've never tried woodwork before and sadly they stole most of my late dads Wood working tools out of our garage. Any tips?
if you going to do it in wood make sure you use a good sealer and measure and re measure .. before cutting lol :)
Also use Marine plywood :)
100X50X50, sump is slightly smaller
nice size. Its not huge but wide enough. Keep us updated
Also use Marine plywood :)
The problem with Marine Plywood is the price! It's hellishly expensive!! :amazed:
Got these rocks. I was looking for red jasper rocks but they were 5 rand a kg. and jasper has allot of iron in so its heavy. would have worked out to be allot. so i got these instead. at least there is a little red in them. Red would work nicely with the black substrate . These rocks would also make nice caves. wanted to drill the jasper so that its hollow if its even possible.
Those are nice looking rocks! Where'd you get them from?
I see a puddy tat ^^,
Kuhli Loach
13-04-2010, 15:23
Have you done a vinegar test on those rock to see if they might change the parameters of you tanks water over time.
Test:
Pour some vinegar in a hollow on the rock. If it fizzes it will change the water parameters in your tank over time.
yip did that yesterday. didn't do anything i could see
Kuhli Loach
13-04-2010, 15:37
Great - sure they will look good with the black gravel.
Those are nice rocks you got their Franna. I wouldn't try drilling them, you might land up breaking them even further.
Love the kitty in the background... why is it we all see cat's in the background of fish tanks, and any fish related pics???
Those are nice rocks you got their Franna. I wouldn't try drilling them, you might land up breaking them even further.
Love the kitty in the background... why is it we all see cat's in the background of fish tanks, and any fish related pics???
Wanted to drill holes in the jasper rock cos they are big and heavy. would make nice caves. but this new rock is think slate pieces so i'm going to stack them on each other . should make enough hiding spots . Ignore the cats. we have 7 so they saw this as one awesome toy I just built. . I still have to figure out how i'm going to silicone this and still be abel to put it in the tank.
No worries about the cat's. My wife has been begging me for a cat ever since we got married. Last month I agreed... on condition we do the "humane" thing any adopt from the SPCA rather than support the pet store and the "kitty" mills which they in turn are supporting.
Last night we collected our new additions to the family... Griffin & Phoenix. They LOVE watching fish tank... and I think doing a water change is going to prove interesting. Griffen has also taking to sitting with me at the pc whilst TASAing... making typing one handed almost blind very interesting.
My wife has been begging me for a cat ever since we got married
Whats with married women and cats.
Tank is really starting out interesting Franna.
They are working on the N17 at the moment and they have awesome looking rocks there which they use as a base for the road.
Might have to get some just in case I want to change the tank.
lol. all our cats are unwanted/picked up cats ..
I still need to get rocks for the other tank I'm doing.
Got my rocks (there's lots more of all types) from a place on Lynnwood road PTA next to union caterers .
Just make sure you have enough gravel and substrate and stack away. Glass is 10mm thick
Ok My sump has got ceramic rings, filter wool, bioballs (cubes), Activated Carbon. But it still looks so so empty. what can i fill it with? Last huge compartment is going to have a shallow bucket with fluorite and pfp in for plants and a light above)
Are you putting plants into the sump?
Yip. its got a really really big last compartment. sump is 100cmx50cm I think.
Im just going to put a big sponge between them and the pump so no plant matter can go through
OK. Some of those big sumps have a very large last compartment that's not suppose to be used under normal circumstances, but is an overflow chamber for if the power goes off and the tank above overflows too much water.
You going to use the planted section as a type of flitration?
The tank uses an overflow so i don't think Power failures would be a problem in that regard. . And no its just where Im going to plant my clippings and let them grow until I can use them again.
and one more question. What would look better. a mirror at the back of the tank or a moss wall inside the tank?
A mirror I believe will scare the fish.
I have a mirror on my 470L. http://tropicalaquarium.co.za/showthread.php?t=2398
They just sometimes look at themselves for a while
I know off topic but elephants are the only animals that can recognize themselves in mirrors.
You are going to need a load of moss Franna.
Last chamber is that big for reverse siphon when the power does go out. If the DT is going to be planted, don't put plants in the sump. Both will be competing for nutrients and one set of plants will suffer
OK I want to start doing some reseach on what to keep in the tank as soon as its cycled(still waiting for gravel before I start). Lets have a vote. Should I have a Community (bv. Clown loaces, cardanals, congo tetras, glowlight tetras) Tank or just a tank with a few eye catching fish in? Any ideas on what fish would be great . I have the time to do proper research on all suggested fish. keep in mind its a 250L but with a very decent sump.
Depends. Are you going to put lights/canopy over it?
At fist i think im just going to be hanging a light over it. I want a canopy But $$$
Hmmm Franna... the list could be endless, but the decision is ultimately yours.
I have always advised, and would suggest have 1 or 2 big showpiece fish... Angels, Discus etc, and then have a few schoolingn fish to compliment it. I find if you have too many "nice fish" like dwarf cichlids mixed with Angels and other big fish, there isn't anything striking to look at and you get disctracted.
2 Angels, a school of Rummys (+- 30) and some Harlequins could look really good if setup correctly
Boesmani and Parkonsons Rainbows?
Another from left field is Tropheus
I was also thinking maybe angels.. thanks for the ideas so far.
Angels Cardinals and Clown Loaches - Sailfin mollies (different colours) with lots of Plants as the angels will look for the babies .. my Favorite fish :)
Getting my black substrate Wednesday. I cant wait. Going to start with the pfp process tomorrow. Also got a Job as an estate agent (still learning) so more $$$ to spend on my underwater friends.
Congrats on the job ... why not add a free aquarium to each house you sell and offer to register the new home - ah aquarium owners on TASA?
Maybe somebody has some convicts to donate to the effort ...
Would this be enough PFP or do i need to make another brick?
Sorry about the crappy photos
LiftCrazy*
04-05-2010, 15:12
Franna - Hi,
In the 1st pic, it that polystyrene under your tank?
I am just concerned that you don't have ply for your base, it's probably just not there for the pic right?
Franna - Hi,
ply for your base
HUH?
Yes it is polystyrene
LiftCrazy*
04-05-2010, 16:06
Marine plywood so that the base of your tank doesn't crack...
You wouldn't really need ply for that size tank. Granted yes, it would be better, but I am sure there is some kind of bracing going through the centre in the stand?
Nope there's just the metal stand going around the tank. but nothing in the center. but the base is thicker than the sides and its been running like this for a while before i bought it from NeilH
Marine plywood so that the base of your tank doesn't crack...
Polysterene is more than enough. Heck my 6ft with 20mm base is doing fine 2 years down the line with just polystyrene between itself and the stand
LiftCrazy*
04-05-2010, 16:51
Franna - The tank probably looks bigger than it is in the pic, if you are confident about it then no worries... i just thought i would ask.
Polysterene is more than enough. Heck my 6ft with 20mm base is doing fine 2 years down the line with just polystyrene between itself and the stand
Not questioning, just concerned. Good to hear it works like this on a bigger tank.
No it was a very good point that you pointed out. I'm glad you did. So no worries
Just for interest sake, i would suggest closed cell rubber instead of polystyrene on any new tank.
And now we all go google for closed cell rubber to find out W/T/F...
Have a look here (http://metrofoam.com.au/eva-foam.html)
Got my Substrate today. Thanks to Shaunventer and his wife Michelle.
fixed up my overflow . just made it look a bit nicer
Ok did the pfp , Substrate and Rocks/caves. now im going to start with plants. Stealing from every tank in the house.
Sorry about the reflections. only saw it on the computer
oscar freak
06-05-2010, 10:17
Yup cant wait for pics,how big is it?
TroyFish
06-05-2010, 10:18
Its coming together nicely! Cant wait to see the end results
Coming along nicely Franna ^^,
I look forward to seeing it with the plants in :)
Going to be a real show peace when its done.
Damn. I like those rocks!!!
OK but don't get your hopes up. my knowledge of plants suck and Im just taking wheat i have at home for now.
if got one question. my big Amazon swords in my display tank has hot tiny brown spots on all the leafs but they still look healthy . im going to move them to this tank with the pfp. will this go away in this tank or what can i do. i cant cut away every leaf
oscar freak
06-05-2010, 11:46
where can a person buy interesting fish in jhb,all the ones i go to seem to buy their fish at the same place all u see is the same old boring fish
Blackish pinholes? Think thats a potassium deficiency
Sounds like a potassium deficiency (my plants have it at the moment)
Busy reading up on how to fix it, and I see Prof Dirks Drupples should work if you use the correct quantities.
oscar freak
06-05-2010, 12:07
I have a mirror on my 470L. http://tropicalaquarium.co.za/showthread.php?t=2398
They just sometimes look at themselves for a while
my oscars are like siamese fighters when it comes to mirrors
Blackish pinholes? Think thats a potassium deficiency
dodgy phone pic but like this
OK planted. took a pic. last time this is going to be visible. i see the pfp makes a tank very brown for a few days. time to put water in and to let it cycle.
Should I Cycle with the heaters on? the small pieces need to grow. I recycled allot of plants
Cycle with heaters on. Just check, they might still be set to 30...
its on 24 for now. That fine?
oh pic is now attached to the previous post
TroyFish
06-05-2010, 12:58
Its looking good. Any idea what will be going in there?
It looks nice Franna ^^,
24 is good for plants :)
Don't know yet. when i got the gravel i saw that its a bit sharp(i Think). do clown loaches dig at all?
Hope the sword are ok. the tank is filling up but the leaves look like they want water badly
^&$^%$&^$^%( forgot to put iron nails is before the gravel and the hosepipe came out of the tank hehe. NeilH did you put the sponge filters in the first or last chamber? and would it make a difference.
Last chamber. Use filter floss/batting in the first to catch all the detritus and rubbish
TroyFish
06-05-2010, 13:48
^&$^%$&^$^%( forgot to put iron nails is before the gravel and the hosepipe came out of the tank hehe. NeilH did you put the sponge filters in the first or last chamber? and would it make a difference.
Happens to everyone, well to me it does:p
after the water is in. still need to install lighting but I need to figure out how.
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p30/Francois_1616/FrancoisTank.jpg
TroyFish
06-05-2010, 16:26
can only see image on phone....whys that?
Whats with the pipe by the overflow?
Its the return from the pump. I took it through the down pipe and over the overflow. also lengthened the downpipe so that its submerged in the sump (allot less noise) I did all this after you warned me about noise and so that a canopy can sit cleanly on the top. now the only noise I hear is the sponge filter bubbles. Hope my Afrikaans English makes sense hehe
That is really looking good this is going to turn into a show peace of a tank.
Thanks. I expected the water to go brown like some other members on the forum . but mine stayed Crystal clear.
Where in PTA can I buy perspex about 10mm or thicker
TroyFish
07-05-2010, 13:03
PTA im not sure. Plastic world probably has but they in JHB
Video of the tank. All the cichlids are going to be moved. they are just in here until the display tank is done with its cycle. As you can see the convicts are digging in the pfp so sorry about the dirty water. This is an HD vid but its taken with my digital camera (not dslr) so the auto focus is very slow and crappy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNPSiO3nbRA
at 50 sec you can see a hungry kitten looking at the tank on the left
Very Nice tank Franna,what fish are you keeping with your convicts?
at the moment 2 gourami's , 2 rapheal catfish , 2 sun catfish, 2 ottos/cae (not sure) 3 small plecos and one other cichlids. but its only temporary. all cichlids and plecos are going to be moved. their original tank's sump silicone came off.
Just a few update photos
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p30/Francois_1616/DSCF4842.jpg
and 2 new additions (Going to have to move the Tetras soon)
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p30/Francois_1616/DSCF4852.jpg
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p30/Francois_1616/DSCF4853.jpg
another update
with and without flash
TroyFish
25-08-2010, 09:01
Franna, where did you get that slate from?
That really does look awesome
"Great Job young simpson"
Looks Stunning! well done! :)
ok i saw ur later photo with ur cat on ur tank.. wanted to ask, what flood lights did u use? halide ones or cfl? :) very nice and clean tank BTW!
ok i saw ur later photo with ur cat on ur tank.. wanted to ask, what flood lights did u use? halide ones or cfl? :) very nice and clean tank BTW!
Normal 500watt halogen lamps. I got them for R60 each. but i don't use the 500watt globes as you will burn anything within 1 meter. I bought 24watt energy saving globes for R120 each. gives a nicer white light. My plants are doing very well in that tank and there has not been any sighs of algae. They are waterproof as well . (good thing as it has fallen in the tank before.)
nice! i have the CFL flood lights over my nano! also nice.. i dono.. was torn between this light and cfls! these lights get too hot and r heavy on the electricity bill but r very strong.. cfls r cheaper to run but not as powerful (ok, still not bad though)..
TroyFish
01-09-2010, 10:27
Normal 500watt halogen lamps. I got them for R60 each. but i don't use the 500watt globes as you will burn anything within 1 meter. I bought 24watt energy saving globes for R120 each. gives a nicer white light. My plants are doing very well in that tank and there has not been any sighs of algae. They are waterproof as well . (good thing as it has fallen in the tank before.)
Franna, did you get this from a store or from someone?
If from a store can you PM me where??? Need to get new lights for my planted tank
Franna, did you get this from a store or from someone?
If from a store can you PM me where??? Need to get new lights for my planted tank
pm sent
ya, that is unusually cheap for flood lights.. how heavy is it on ur elec bill though?
ya, that is unusually cheap for flood lights.. how heavy is it on ur elec bill though?
not at all. Remember its 500watt max lights but I'm using 24watt energy saving globes. tank is 50 cm deep and the light goes all way down. i've got one on my 650cm malawi tank and ive got no problems so far.
hmm.. interesting.. maybe for my next project i'll do that:)
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