New 125g build

The tank should be here in the next 2-3 weeks. It's taking awhile because I had the lfs custom order one with black silicone. I picked up the stand off CL for a steal and gave it a light standing and 2 coats of exterior acrylic paint, it looks better then brand new. Aqueon does a poor painting job and I would of been upset if I paid $285+tax for a new one just to have to paint it anyway. I have thought about beefing it up but I'm sure it will hold and I don't want them saying anything if it tank or stand fails. I still need to call for a rider on my insurance. I figure the tank is covered for life because I'm using it with their stand and if the tank fails and damages the stand and house the insurance with cover it. The stand is dead level and in the corner of the house with some pretty beefy beams under it.

That radiator is off 24/7 because 2 high end pc's keep that room a constant 80F and the one in the next room is even hotter and can heat the whole floor. I'm going to keep a 55g drum in the basement under the tank for aged water. I'm planing to drill a hole in the wall behind the tank and drop a clear hose down to the basement. The barrel is right below a faucet. When I need to fill the tank I will have the pump in the barrel connected to one of those remote control outlets filling the tank with proper PH/TEMP water will be a breeze. When I'm done I can just click to turn the pump off and tuck the clear hose in the cabinet. To empty the tank I plan on using the the back flush feature on the fx5. As long as it's not below freezing outside it will go down the driveway or water the lawn.

The tank will house 12-16 Discus and a L-091. I'm going to tile the bottom with red and black granite. I'm not sure if I will just lay the tiles down or use a small amount of aquarium silicone and "glue" rubber washers to each corner of the underside of the tile . This way even if dirt gets under there it wont become anaerobic, also I will be able to slide my fingers under the tile if I need to lift and clean under them. There is also less chance of scratching up the bottom. My main concern is scratching up the tank constantly having to mess with tiles. I don't know the exact inner measurements of the 125 but I think I will only need 9 tiles. 6 full ones across the front (maybe a 1/4" off the last one) then 3 cut in half for left over 6" gaps in the the rear.

Anyway those are my plans, I'm going to set up the barrel and stuff this weekend and if I have some spare time try a diy canopy.

The tank was delivered a few days ago. I have been very busy with other things, but I love it!. First pic is the tank right after being delivered. The next are of my fx5 plumbing/heater/power cords. I think everything tucked nicely in that corner. I may get some white braided sleeving for the hoses and wires behind the tank or at least zip ties. I still don't have the red granite tiles or a water changing system., but other that that she's finished. I called my insurance agent and It turns out I'm covered no matter what happens to the tank. If the tank breaks all damage is covered even the stand. Even the tank is covered depending on the scenario. The seams are very well done and the tank is level so it should be fine.


The other pics are of my basement rack. It's built from 14- 10ft 2x4's a box of exterior 3" screws and a tube of liquid nails. All weight is transfered to the floor. The bottom holds 2 new 55's with a AC110 w/ filtermax III prefilter. Each 55 has a fluval M 300watt heater and boy do they suck (they will only get to 81 @ max of 86?). I still need to pick up bulbs for the shop lights. 6500k fine for discus?

The top shelf holds 1 55 and 2 29's with room for a supply shelf. The top 55 was just filled with 38f water so I can't put my cycled filters in yet. It will be filtered by an ehime liberty 200 with only bio max rings and 2 hydro V sponge filters. The 29's each has a hydro V. Every tank except 1- 29 has a brand new fluval m 300 watt heater and they all will only get to 81 and the heaters turn off. The one 29 has a used 200w blue ebo and it keeps the water at 85 no problem (dial say 79 lol). Forgive the messy wires I can't do final hiding until that last 55 is ready for filters. I'll be switching from that rena 400 to a superluft sl-65, thoes hydro V's won't know what hit them.

The top row will be discus only. The 29's fpr pairs and the 55 for fry. One bottom 55 will be reserved for larger discus fry and the other I'm not sure yet.

The top shelf holds a 55 and 2 29's with a little room for a shelf.

My rack pic didn't upload and here is a pic of my 20g cycle tank. All of those rings are going in the fx5.

New pic's of the basement rack. All finished execpt 2 things. I'm going to replace the 2 29g 30" strip lights with another $12 4ft striplight. I bough a 10 pack of the florecent blubs so I may of well use them and that far right strip light was $48... I like the color of the shop light bulbs. I think they are 5000K I will have to check. The other thing is break out the messy wet saw to cut a few of the tiles seen in the photo for the bottom 55's.

I picked up my first 2 new fish since coming back to the hobby. L091 and a flag tail proch. The 29's have been fully cycled for a few days now so it was time. I just tested the bottom 2 55's and they are finally showing fully cycled.

I have my eye out of a nice sunshine or a scarlet.

I think the granite bottom came out well. The seams are very hard to see and the tiles seem to want to stick to the bottom with suction force. I picked up a new pleco over the weekend. I couldn't pass up a L-14 for $50. I think I settled on the granite tile for the 125g, it's called "Ruby red".

pic's got messed up

Finished! Still can't find 55g barrels in nyc...