The 360 Finally Came Today!

[ashleysomething]

I introduce you to my 25th birthday present from Matt!

... a.k.a. Our bigger grow-out tank.

:nilly: :headbang2:nilly: :headbang2:nilly: :headbang2:nilly:


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If I ever disappear for a long period of time and you're wondering what happened to me, this picture should give you a good idea of where I am. And probably with that same stupid look... except looking at my beautiful baby stingrays instead of at Jamie's crazy face. Because she'll probably be there, too. :)
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[ryansti]

WOW, that is a really nice setup!!!! :)

[FishDog]

Glad to see it finally came in, that will be awesome with rays in it.

[iwiied]

nice tank ashley!
does your house have a basement? i have been thinking of putting my 180 on the 1st floor but i'm afraid it would be too much weight to it had to go down to the basement

[benzjamin13]

That's going to be a fun tank:D

[ashleysomething]

nice tank ashley!
does your house have a basement? i have been thinking of putting my 180 on the 1st floor but i'm afraid it would be too much weight to it had to go down to the basement

Hehe, thanks! I'm really stoked about it. Actually, we're on the first floor of an apartment building. We're sitting right on top of solid concrete. Thank Zeus. :headbang2

[PhullTank57]

Congrats... very nice tank! :)

[iwiied]

i'm jealous lolz, nice tank
Hehe, thanks! I'm really stoked about it. Actually, we're on the first floor of an apartment building. We're sitting right on top of solid concrete. Thank Zeus. :headbang2

[tonymofo]

Beautiful tank, I can't wait to see it stocked.....Please post pics.......lots a pics!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jonnie5]

very nice 360

[random fish guy]

wow, very nice, happy B-day

[UNKNOWN_MALONE]

sweet tank, I like the stand too!

[ronin_man]

sweet ! thats the size i want ><
a year or so and it will be mine... muwahaha... lol
looks great keep the pics comming along

[neoprodigy]

wooo hooo nice tank!

[Mobatic]

nice tank!!

[DucatiDragster]

That's a sexy tank!

[Gr8KarmaSF]

Awesome! Congrats!

[choppah]

Very nice tank, Is that acrylic or glass? cant tell

[AROWANABE]

Glad to see you and Matt finally get the tank. Now let the games begin. Oh, and happy bday

[ashleysomething]

Very nice tank, Is that acrylic or glass? cant tell

acrylic all the way! :headbang2

[famous323]

any fish in particular that's going to be stocked in the 360?

[ashleysomething]

WOW, that is a really nice setup!!!! :) Glad to see it finally came in, that will be awesome with rays in it. Congrats... very nice tank! :) i'm jealous lolz, nice tank Beautiful tank, I can't wait to see it stocked.....Please post pics.......lots a pics!!!!!!!!!!!! very nice 360 wow, very nice, happy B-day sweet tank, I like the stand too! sweet ! thats the size i want ><
a year or so and it will be mine... muwahaha... lol
looks great keep the pics comming along wooo hooo nice tank! nice tank!! That's a sexy tank! Awesome! Congrats! Thanks, guys! I am super stoked to stock this beast of a tank up. Until i get my new water monsters in, I leave you with this crazy-looking fish:

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lol.

[ashleysomething]

Glad to see you and Matt finally get the tank. Now let the games begin. Oh, and happy bday

Yesyesyes. Let the games begin! I'm so excited. We'll be talking soon. :)

[ashleysomething]

any fish in particular that's going to be stocked in the 360?

Absolutely. But it's a surprise. ;)

[famous323]

all that swimming..you look tired lol

[happymidgetpaul]

Nice tank! Wish I could keep a tank that size. :]

[Knowdafish]

Wow! Wow! Wow!:headbang2:headbang2:headbang2:clap:clap:clap

:mwave::mwave::mwave::mwave::mwave::mwave:

[stingray man]

Looks great. Cant wait to see it filled

[cockroach]

Awesome tank Ashley.

why is it that whenever a fishkeeper gets a tank big enough, the first thing they put in it is themselves or another person? I did the exact same thing with my monstar tank.

[ashleysomething]

Awesome tank Ashley.

why is it that whenever a fishkeeper gets a tank big enough, the first thing they put in it is themselves or another person? I did the exact same thing with my monstar tank.

lol. i think it's a natural instinct that just comes with suddenly owning a large clear box, haha. matt and i were both wanting to put the black lab and our two cats in there, too, lol. but then realized that the hair would be too much of a pain in the ass. :grinno:

[angelo21]

congrats! that's a freakin' awesome tank!

[Amazon_Addict]

Happy Birthday and very nice setup

[Jamieishard]

I take fantastic pictures...the tank looks even better in person...very hot stingray heavan...

Tomorrow... rocks?

[Jamieishard]

We should take a pic of me and you in it... b4 the h2o

[Kevaldo]

great tank, you look so happy with it

[Sevillano]

Cool tanks...congrats!

[spotfin]

Sweet tank!

[abortedsoul]

Very nice tank; wish I had one like it!

[Miles]

:D

[DB junkie]

8 by 3 by 2?

How much and where from if you don't mind me asking?

[hmoobvwj]

Very nice! I got confused if you got an X-box 360 or a 360 Gallon tank...but it is MFK, so I figured you got a tank! Lucky you!

[Rmh]

That last picture is hilarious.

[ashleysomething]

8 by 3 by 2?

How much and where from if you don't mind me asking?

Not at all. The place was Tank's Aquariums (http://www.tanksacrylicaquariums.com/).

It came out to be about $4200 for:

1 96x36x24 Rectangular Acrylic Aquarium
1 96x36x42 Black Stand with (5) Doors
2 15x5 Overflows, plumbed
1 Wet/Dry Filter with Bio-Media (Size: 40-gallon)
2 Circulation Pumps
Bulkheads, check valves, ball valves, and all plumbing connections
Shipping

Drawbacks:
1. Delivery date was estimated to be the last week of November.
2. We were told it was going to be brought into our house. The delivery guy said it was to be curb-side, but he couldn't get it off his truck with how much all of it weighed (a little over 1,000 lbs.). So, we had to round up a bunch of neighbors to help us actually move it into the apartment (we just moved here and don't really know a lot of people yet).
3. We were also told there would be no problem getting it into our place after explaining the dimensions of our doorways and such. Not only did all of us have to bring it in, but we had to completely disassemble our back door to get it in. Thank Apollo we were on the first floor, ha.

[ashleysomething]

That last picture is hilarious.

Haha, I thought so. I'm glad someone else thought so, too, lol.

[DB junkie]

LOL.....

Did I call the dimensions or what.....

That is one tall stand!!!

You gus must be way excited. I know I would be..... Let me tell you there is NOTHING in this world that sucks more than having a monster tank that you just recently bought but have to keep in storage cause the house will NOT support it...... LUCKY ground level dwellers.

Well you guys have the rays for it...... Now go out and get yourself some Characins to keep the rays company!!!!!!!

[LeahisAwesome]

WOW! That is truly amazing!
Im very much jealous.
Congrats!

[ashleysomething]

LOL.....

Did I call the dimensions or what.....

That is one tall stand!!!

You gus must be way excited. I know I would be..... Let me tell you there is NOTHING in this world that sucks more than having a monster tank that you just recently bought but have to keep in storage cause the house will NOT support it...... LUCKY ground level dwellers.

Well you guys have the rays for it...... Now go out and get yourself some Characins to keep the rays company!!!!!!!

Haha, I forgot to mention that! Very good eye. :)

Yeah, when we finally get into a house in about nine months, I feel almost positive it'll revolve around being able to hold this beast, and the build of a 1200-1500 (hopefully!). :nilly:

[titanfish]

looks really nice

[Bogwoodbruce]

Thats a hell of a setup.

[lunk71]

sweet .. :D ... and the tank's nice too . I see some happy rays in your future . Good Luck .

[stingray94]

Nice tank and happy birthday!
Are all of the rays including the sick ones when they get better going to go in that tank?

[galactuz]

Wow that is one helluva tank. I just hope that I have the space, luxury and time to do something as such. Do keep us posted.......

[Kolossus]

Now that's what I call one helleva birthday gift! Congrats! You guys are quickly catching up to seasoned home aquarists. Eff dabbing your foot in the pool to test the waters...Just dive off of the effin diving board! That's what I'm talkin bout!:headbang2:headbang2:headbang2

[Mrs. Kitty]

Congrats, glad to see you finally got your tank! Happy Belated Birthday! It's beautiful!

[ashleysomething]

In the words of the great Mike Arowanabe, 'Let the games begin!'
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One question... is it a good idea to put pot scrubbies in the overflows? :naughty:

[carolines100]

Stunning set up maybe one day i will get a birthday gift like that

[ashleysomething]

getting close to being cycled... :nilly:

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[abortedsoul]

Very good choice on tank ornaments. You did a beautiful job at decorating it, and I think that tank is going to have some happy ray inhabitants. :)

I saw that DBJunkie mentioned Characins. I wonder what we could throw in there that wouldn't become a snack. With the fluidized bed filters that we have coming in, I'm not worried about the bioload, at least. :naughty:

[FishDog]

I would through a couple spotted gar in there with the rays but that is just me. When you look for a house, keep in mind that you will no longer be living on a concrete pad and you will have to support the floor to house these monster tanks. So buy a house with a taller crawl space since you will be spending some time under it with heavy wood LOL!

[Jamieishard]

abner thinks he has won the lotto....and now the awesome discus you got have some place to hide.... come over if your bored...

[abortedsoul]

I would through a couple spotted gar in there with the rays but that is just me. When you look for a house, keep in mind that you will no longer be living on a concrete pad and you will have to support the floor to house these monster tanks. So buy a house with a taller crawl space since you will be spending some time under it with heavy wood LOL!

Oooo. Spotted gar is a very appealing option. I love those. And if we can find more silver arowanas as heavenly as Abner, I think that would be sweet, too. :naughty:

Oops. I am under Matt's name, I just found out, lol.

[abortedsoul]

abner thinks he has won the lotto....and now the awesome discus you got have some place to hide.... come over if your bored...

lol. you make me laugh. i should at least come over for a little bit and see all the progress you guys have been making on the house, ha. but i want to go shopping for some spotted gars and possibly another arowana. you should come with. if i remember correctly, they had some at exotic aquatics. :)

oops. i am still under matt's name. :nilly:

[Jamieishard]

ashley do you realize your on matt's name lol??? you should deff come over stop by...id be down for a trip to EA after i get off of work...@ 5 i need worms, marley has been eating like a 400lb man...my severums love them too. i wonder hoe the discus will do with gar? i say just walk out of your door and throw them to me ill catch them and put them in marley's tank...

[SovietFireExtinguisher]

Beautiful tank. What an amazing birthday present. All I got for my 25th was........ oh never mind.

As for spotted and discus, they totaly do well together as long as the Gars don't see the Discus as a possible snack. ie the Discus are large. They are pretty relaxed fish so they do well together. I have three in with me two Spotted Gars.:thumbsup:

[sp33dstix]

At first I thought this was going to be about Xbox 360...
How could I be so naive..

[abortedsoul]

Just added 2 longnose gars... Ashley or I will post pictures when we get the chance. :)

[ashleysomething]

We just picked up two of these guys from Exotic Aquatics tonight. I've never really been into them before, but I enjoy them ridiculously. Very nice decorations for the stingrays who will be in there soon. :)

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[romosoldier]

thats really cool, i wish i'd have a new tank that big =) lol.. i had a 90g but sold it to a friend..

[SovietFireExtinguisher]

I was about to say, are those long nose gars? and then I scrolled up. Nice pick up, but beware, Gars are a slippery slope......

[abortedsoul]

I was about to say, are those long nose gars? and then I scrolled up. Nice pick up, but beware, Gars are a slippery slope......

What do you mean by "slippery slope"? Do you mean that they are addictive, or dangerous or something? Sorry, just didn't understand. :nilly:

[Jamieishard]

the gars are awesome....i love that tank ... i cant wait until your new rays get here...

[Bogwoodbruce]

Pix arent showing for me :(

[tonymofo]

Pix arent showing for me :(

Pics aren't showing for me either. I am thinking about adding some spotted gars to my tank too!. I know a store that sells 12" gars for $40 dollars a piece and when you buy two you get the third for free!!!

[ashleysomething]

Ha. Uh-oh. Let's try posting those again. :)

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Hmmm. I'm not really sure what's going on. :( I'm using the same type of files I always use..? Does anyone have any ideas? Might be MFK?

[FishDog]

What do you mean by "slippery slope"? Do you mean that they are addictive, or dangerous or something? Sorry, just didn't understand. :nilly:

Meaning they will jump out of the smallest of openings. Nice pick up.

[Mrs. Kitty]

No pics for me either.

[ashleysomething]

Okay. I tried uploading them to Facebook first, so let's see if using that location works...

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v648/150/125/558210954/n558210954_1966171_4136.jpg

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v648/150/125/558210954/n558210954_1966172_4419.jpg

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v648/150/125/558210954/n558210954_1966173_4734.jpg

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v648/150/125/558210954/n558210954_1966174_5024.jpg

Success... :headbang2

[Mrs. Kitty]

Love the gars! They make me miss ours.:( He was so friendly! They are great additions.:)

[SovietFireExtinguisher]

Meaning they will jump out of the smallest of openings. Nice pick up.
.....uh..... no...:ROFL: I meant that they are addictive and once you start it's very hard to stop before you get all the reasonable sized species. I still dream of getting a white spotted gar.:drool:

[abortedsoul]

.....uh..... no...:ROFL: I meant that they are addictive and once you start it's very hard to stop before you get all the reasonable sized species. I still dream of getting a white spotted gar.:drool:

Either way, there is no opening for them to jump out of, unless they feel like trying to move a ~10 lb acrylic lid. :naughty:

I like the gars, and they are very beautiful. I just think that our ray addiction will shield us from purchasing any more large fish (except for maybe a couple more arowanas). Every time I see a big tank, I always think about how many happy rays I could see in it. :)

[abortedsoul]

Okay. I tried uploading them to Facebook first, so let's see if using that location works...
Success... :headbang2

:clap:nilly: :headbang2

[IITUFFTOBEATII]

nice tank!

[abortedsoul]

:headbang2

The idea behind a fluidized bed filter (just in case anyone hasn't seen one before) is that sand has quite a bit of surface area. However, just dripping water through it doesn't give the bacteria very good access to the media, and it drips in inefficient patterns. To solve this, water is pumped up through the sand evenly to "fluidize it", causing it to flow evenly in the water and give the bacteria constant access to the entire surface area of each grain. This produces an exorbitant amount of bio-filtration and, because of the constant bumping of the sand, it is entirely self-cleaning. Miles recommended getting one, and here it is!

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This is the media. I know I could have used sand-blasting sand or something cheaper, but my DIY brain needs a bit of a rest due to heavy work schedule and house-cleanliness demands.

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Here is the filter, running beautifully! (Yes, it is running at exactly the maximum operating line. :naughty: )

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These are just some more pictures of it running off of the sump. I ghetto-rigged a hose-clamp to function as the check valve, because the stock one is teh suxorz and I am currently using a powerhead that is way too strong for the little 600 gallon model.

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Here is the picture of the 900 gallon model that we've also got. I eventually want to run it on the pair of 523 gallon tanks, but I'm probably going to set it up to cycle on the 150 hospital tank.

Thank you Ashley, for taking the pictures. I hope it helps your birthday present handle rays better! :nilly:

[skynoch]

Nice tank setup great work

[FishDog]

.....uh..... no...:ROFL: I meant that they are addictive and once you start it's very hard to stop before you get all the reasonable sized species. I still dream of getting a white spotted gar.:drool:

It's amazing how when you go back and re read something it means something totally different then your first impression.

[abortedsoul]

It's amazing how when you go back and re read something it means something totally different then your first impression.

That happens to me all the time.

[Aquaman]

Congrats on the tank!

[Tom_cullen]

i am sooooo jelous of you miss! this tank must have been a pretty penny.
so worth it tho, congtratzzzzzzz :) :) :)

[Jamieishard]

im soooooo excited... i just cant fight it ...

i need to come chek out all your monkey's soon:)

[ashleysomething]

Good news! The tank cycled last night!
Total cycle time: 15 days.

We've added Leland and he's doing great. He's picked his corner where he pretty much bounces all day long, ha. :grinno:

Tomorrow we'll be setting up a drip system for the 360. We've also added a fluidized bed filter rated at 600 gallons to the tank.

Here's some pictures!

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[SovietFireExtinguisher]

Looking good, very good!

[stingray man]

Great ray for a great tank. I cant remember if i read this or not but what sand are you using?

[ashleysomething]

Great ray for a great tank. I cant remember if i read this or not but what sand are you using?

Thanks! And sure, it's CaribSea's Super Natural Peace River gravel.

[renesis]

Beautiful tank with even more beautiful occupant. I feel so jealous:cry:

[ashleysomething]

He looks so good in there! I can't wait to get him a girly friend. :)

[abortedsoul]

He looks so good in there! I can't wait to get him a girly friend. :)

Posted under the wrong name. :irked:

I'm so glad that the tank is finally cleaned out, changed out, and cycled. :)

[cudatim68]

Beautiful setup.....congrats!

[LeahisAwesome]

Your setup looks awesome!!
ave any full tank shots?
Im diggin the rocks.
Leland is pretty sweet as well :D

[LeahisAwesome]

Ohhh nevermind derr
I sent back a few pages i see i see.
Looking pretty awesome.