Hi and thanks for the kind words....
I only have 6 cory cats but am looking to increase their numbers to 24-30 total. No loaches, sorry.
First post - new custom build
- Thread starter gerryd
- Start date
Hi and thanks for the kind words....
I only have 6 cory cats but am looking to increase their numbers to 24-30 total. No loaches, sorry.
Thanks much! I have the ATI up and running now and will get some pics up soon.
I expect to use no more than 50% of the available PAR but we will see later...
Beautiful tank. Could you talk some more about your C02 setup. I have a 240gal planted and with an external reactor from aquariumplants.com pushed by an Eheim 2023. I am planning my new tank (480gal planted with overflows and a sump) and would like better ideas for co2.
For a bigger schooling fish, have you thought about rose line barbs? I have 5 in my tank right now, they make a good display. For my big tank im thinking rose line barbs, tapajos earth eaters, koi angels and black phantom tetras. I had a school of bleeding heart tetras a few years ago, they get pretty big but mine did not swim around much.
For a bigger schooling fish, have you thought about rose line barbs? I have 5 in my tank right now, they make a good display. For my big tank im thinking rose line barbs, tapajos earth eaters, koi angels and black phantom tetras. I had a school of bleeding heart tetras a few years ago, they get pretty big but mine did not swim around much.
Hi,
Thanks for the compliment...
Re: your setup. IMO/IME the reactor/filter combination you are using on your 240g is way too small for such a large tank. You would need 3-4 of that size for your tank honestly...
I have a sump with a mag 18 driving it. This is split to two outlets, one on each side of the tank. I took a Rio 1000 gph pump, and modified the impeller blades by cutting/splitting them a bit. Rio sells a true needle wheel impeller kit btw which I have on order. The c02 line is simply fed into the intake of the modified rio pump. This chops/mists the c02 via the modified impeller blades. The output of the rio pump then feeds to the main sump pump for distribution back to the tank.
Easy and out of the way. Also not impacted by a clogging canister
You may want to use several large DIY reactors (fairly ez to make) or several NW pumps for your new project. Very interested to hear about that if you have a thread going...
As for fish, I like/admire the rose lines, but now with the cardinal school, the fish are more visible, so no need for a larger schooler. The black phantoms don't move much either, esp as they get older, so you may be disappointed...
Hope this helps.
yea, its surely not enough c02 as i have it setup. The plants do ok but i am not seeing the growth that ive had in the past with smaller setups (sagitarria, vals, crypts and swords). I really like the idea of having it in the sump like yours and not having to worry about the filter slowing down, kinda makes me wish i could move my tank about 6" out from the wall and get an overflow...i will start a thread when I get close to setup. Will probably be a year though, i have to move my back door and widen the door way into my game room 1st. Then cut up the wall. The tank will be in my game room with a window cut out in the living room so it will be enjoyed from two rooms and two views. I would like a 8'x4'x2.5'. Makes sense about the black phantoms, guess all those similar disc shaped tetras don't move around much. I love cardinals, my old 125g planted had tons of them. One of my favorite fish. If i end up keeping my 240 after the big tank is setup, i might fill it with cardinals and shrimp. thx for the info
Hi,
Thanks for the compliment...
Re: your setup. IMO/IME the reactor/filter combination you are using on your 240g is way too small for such a large tank. You would need 3-4 of that size for your tank honestly...
I have a sump with a mag 18 driving it. This is split to two outlets, one on each side of the tank. I took a Rio 1000 gph pump, and modified the impeller blades by cutting/splitting them a bit. Rio sells a true needle wheel impeller kit btw which I have on order. The c02 line is simply fed into the intake of the modified rio pump. This chops/mists the c02 via the modified impeller blades. The output of the rio pump then feeds to the main sump pump for distribution back to the tank.
Easy and out of the way. Also not impacted by a clogging canister
You may want to use several large DIY reactors (fairly ez to make) or several NW pumps for your new project. Very interested to hear about that if you have a thread going...
As for fish, I like/admire the rose lines, but now with the cardinal school, the fish are more visible, so no need for a larger schooler. The black phantoms don't move much either, esp as they get older, so you may be disappointed...
Hope this helps.
Your tank looks Amazing!! How much did it approximately cost for the whole set up? Im looking into getting something like this because they just look so cool!
Hi,
Thanks for the compliment.
Sorry, but do not really want to discuss the financial aspect.. You can easily take the hardware list on page 1 and use google to determine the retail price of the filter, lights, ADA, sump, pump, c02, etc. A quote for the tank/stand can easily be gotten from CTC, or Miracles, or several other tank builders...
Please note also that a certain amount of effort and planning went into the build as well. You just don't buy a setup like this at the LFS...Well, not MY lfs anyway
Much however that I purchased retail can by DIY (like the sump) and there are much less expensive alternates to lighting than the ATI and powerheads like the vortech. I tried to purchase the best I could for my budget with any eye towards reliablilty, flexibility, and long term use w/o a need to upgrade later even if I switch the scape, fish, or whatever. Even to saltwater...Thanks,
Hi all,
Here are a few pics of the new ATI fixtures and the hardware used to mount to the light bar. I scavenged the hardware from the old Aquaticlife fixture...
I really like the lights so far. One fixture has two defects: 1) the 'up' scroll button requires a small tool to access and needs to be shifted and popped out. 2) the second channel does not dim at all, even in manual mode. This of course if the 6 tube channel
I am in contact with my vendor and will post any results. I can use 100% of the two tubes and since is over ferns, anubias, etc not a big deal till I get it fixed. Assume it will be a ballast and have the youtube ballast replacement video in my favorites
I can use 35% of the power for the 8 tubes, and SURPASS the PAR levels from 100% of the old fixture. Glare spillover is MUCH reduced as well, and the noise level is dead silent. Comparable to an eheim canister..
The controller is easy to use/setup as well. I need to finish up tidying up the cables and whatnot. Off to the hardware store to look for a nice new extension and other stuff to neaten it up.
Here are a few pics of the new ATI fixtures and the hardware used to mount to the light bar. I scavenged the hardware from the old Aquaticlife fixture...
I really like the lights so far. One fixture has two defects: 1) the 'up' scroll button requires a small tool to access and needs to be shifted and popped out. 2) the second channel does not dim at all, even in manual mode. This of course if the 6 tube channel
I am in contact with my vendor and will post any results. I can use 100% of the two tubes and since is over ferns, anubias, etc not a big deal till I get it fixed. Assume it will be a ballast and have the youtube ballast replacement video in my favorites
I can use 35% of the power for the 8 tubes, and SURPASS the PAR levels from 100% of the old fixture. Glare spillover is MUCH reduced as well, and the noise level is dead silent. Comparable to an eheim canister..
The controller is easy to use/setup as well. I need to finish up tidying up the cables and whatnot. Off to the hardware store to look for a nice new extension and other stuff to neaten it up.
Hey all,
Well, here are a few pics approx a month since the last ones...
Things are progressing well in terms of plant growth and health. Only one species is having issues atm, my long time nemesis, downoi. One ATI is back for repairs, but am getting by fine with one
One 8x39w fixtures over a 72x36 tank.
Fish are good though and overall things are going very well. It is now almost 11 months old, so next month will be a year old.
It is progressing about as I had expected so long ago. About a year I said would start to look decent. I am getting there.
Hope all is well out there. Thanks for dropping by...
Well, here are a few pics approx a month since the last ones...
Things are progressing well in terms of plant growth and health. Only one species is having issues atm, my long time nemesis, downoi. One ATI is back for repairs, but am getting by fine with one
One 8x39w fixtures over a 72x36 tank.
Fish are good though and overall things are going very well. It is now almost 11 months old, so next month will be a year old.
It is progressing about as I had expected so long ago. About a year I said would start to look decent. I am getting there.
Hope all is well out there. Thanks for dropping by...
I just read through the whole thread...amazing! You are too modest, it's looking a lot better than "decent." That is the best looking tank on this site. Gorgeous! 
We need more tanks like this to elevate the hobby.
I too came here to learn about setting up and maintaining a large tank, but monster sized fish (Arapaima, Red Tail Cats, etc.) are not my cup of tea. At times I think I'm the only one that thinks you can't jam a square peg into a round hole.
If you ever need to replace that Mag Drive 18, consider using the Laguna Max Flo 1500. It puts out 15GPH more than the Mag Drive at 5' of head pressure and it uses 45 watts less (100 watts versus the Mag's 145). The Lagunas are very quiet, reliable pumps. I'm using their 4200 model and I love it. I'm not affiliated with Laguna or the website I referenced, but when I saw that you are running 8x39 lighting, I figured you would want to save on your electric bill wherever possible. =)
The 1500 is on sale right now for $116.95 here: http://www.azponds.com/New_webpages/New_subpumps_Classic.html
Thank you for sharing and please keep us posted.
We need more tanks like this to elevate the hobby.
I too came here to learn about setting up and maintaining a large tank, but monster sized fish (Arapaima, Red Tail Cats, etc.) are not my cup of tea. At times I think I'm the only one that thinks you can't jam a square peg into a round hole.
If you ever need to replace that Mag Drive 18, consider using the Laguna Max Flo 1500. It puts out 15GPH more than the Mag Drive at 5' of head pressure and it uses 45 watts less (100 watts versus the Mag's 145). The Lagunas are very quiet, reliable pumps. I'm using their 4200 model and I love it. I'm not affiliated with Laguna or the website I referenced, but when I saw that you are running 8x39 lighting, I figured you would want to save on your electric bill wherever possible. =)
The 1500 is on sale right now for $116.95 here: http://www.azponds.com/New_webpages/New_subpumps_Classic.html
Thank you for sharing and please keep us posted.
