First upgrade in 6 YEARS !!! ALL Tetra Equipment- w/pictures!

noob4lyfe

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Dec 10, 2010
54
0
6
Ontario
Going to walk you though a new setup that I'll be doing over the next little while. 25Gal -> 55Gal. This is a pretty big shift for me, seeing as its an upgrade from casual to a decent size (excluding the crazy tank sizes I've seen on this forum).

Been looking for an upgrade, and couldn't resist when i found a deal in the used market. Tank is still sitting in my garage. Nonetheless, here's a list of the equipment I've just acquired:

55 Gal Hagen Tank
200 Watt Tetra Sub. Heater
120 Watt Tetra Air pump
3 Watt Air Pump
2 - Tetra Whisper Ex70 (Rated 45Gal-70Gal)
2 - Halogen Lighting fixtures
2 Buckets of Gravel Rocks

Specimen: 5' Ruby Red Piranha

There's lots of cleaning to do. My main cleaning agent is Vinegar.

Few quick questions:

What to do with a 3 watt air pump?

Do i really need 2-Ex70's filters in the tank?

I've read reviews that the Tetra heater isn't that great. Should I look into getting another one?
Heres what it looks like: http://www.amazon.com/Tetra-26454-Heater-Submersible-200-Watt/dp/B0017UCW7Q

Meanwhile here's a few pictures:

IMG-20141005-WA0004.jpgIMG-20141005-WA0002.jpgIMG-20141005-WA0006.jpg20141011_124122.jpg

^Cant seem to have them show upright. Looks fine in my computer when opening the files.

Don't mind the messy garage. We just got our tiles done from lobby to kitchen. The tank will now compliment the new reno :headbang2:nilly:

Feel free to point out any tips. Would be much appreciated!


Keep you posted !


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noob4lyfe

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Dec 10, 2010
54
0
6
Ontario
Already finished the cleaning process. Things are into place :)

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Edit: Sorry guys. Unsure why the pictures aren't orientated correctly. Anyone know how to fix this?

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rodger

Polypterus
MFK Member
Apr 29, 2008
3,343
283
92
Kansas City
I think you need to ditch the 120 watt air pump! My Supreme AP 100 burns 100 watts, and it will more than power an entire fish room.
 

noob4lyfe

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Dec 10, 2010
54
0
6
Ontario
I think you need to ditch the 120 watt air pump! My Supreme AP 100 burns 100 watts, and it will more than power an entire fish room.
In my current setup i have one of these:
Marineland Max-Jet 600
ML90510MMJ600PowerHead081.jpg


Absolutely love it. It serves the dual-purpose of water circulation & aeration. The top valve controls the air flow. And boy I tell you it can get pretty intensive. For that purpose I removed my air pump. So I may swap the air-pump with that one, along with the power head since its a bigger tank.

ML90510MMJ600PowerHead081.jpg
 

noob4lyfe

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Dec 10, 2010
54
0
6
Ontario
Quick Update.

I'm going to be hyper accelerating the cycling process. Here's how:

- Yesterday I transferred all the media from my existing HOB filter into my 2 new filters. They are currently running running in my 25Gal. This should speed things up. Will transfer those to the new tank in 2-3days
- Purchased ammonia. Going to add that over 1 weeks time. Still figuring out quantity.
- Raise temperature to 85F.
- Transfer my existing sand from 25Gal little by little to the new tank.

Method is: Get ammonia going, with substitution of HOB & sand bacteria-ready. This should have the process up and running in 1-2weeks. My local store does free water tests. So I can check the params before setting any fish inside.
 

noob4lyfe

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Dec 10, 2010
54
0
6
Ontario
So there was a delay in the process. Got busy with school. Then an unexpected 2 week delay with the sink.

I will be using the laundry room sink to do water changes. We decided since the tiling was all new, that we would replace the sink tub as well. Plumbing, welding the pipes, and tub install was all done in-house. The problem was when the stupid old faucet was leaking. We bought replacement parts, and took multiple days & visits to the local hardware store. Then finally decided to replace it. So we just got that finished moments ago.

Decided to clean the gravel. Realized then after, i should have put my existing gravel on the bottom (sand type) since its harder to clean. And the stuff i have in the pictures below are more gravel, rocks, which are preferable for maintenance. So I will do a work around once there's some water present.

A little side tracked the job, but its all part of the reno. Few pictures.

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^ That slight square carving in the wall is for the electrical stuff. Already have the cabling done. Just got to make it more formal. Bought a wall socket with one of my many trips to the hardware store.

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Again. Sorry about the upside down pictures. Pictures seem fine on my laptop, couldnt find an option in MFK.

Woot woot for progress !!!

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noob4lyfe

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Dec 10, 2010
54
0
6
Ontario
Quick question.

I have bacteria supplement. Which is supposed to be live bacteria in a bottle. Should i use that or ammonia to start my cycle?
 

noob4lyfe

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Dec 10, 2010
54
0
6
Ontario
Having problems with my heater.

It turns on for a few seconds. Goes back to turning off. Water is dead cold.

I did leave the heater inside to adjust overnight. But I think there may be something wrong with the unit. Is there anything I can do to test?
 
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