180 Gallon Mbuna Tank Journal
- Thread starter kevin007
- Start date
Sounds like a great setup. I would go with pool filter sand. Many of the play sands cause a lot of problems, which I won't go into. I had to replace play sand in 2 large tanks.
DeepWater;2629605; said:
- I'm actually interested in what the problem may be. It took me around 2 hrs to clean the playsand for my 55G but that was it. Water was clear after 48 hrs. I'll have to wash around 3 x as much for a 180G
Pool filter sand is alot cleaner but I can't locate it. What are some problems with playsand?
Well not all play sands are create equal. About 3 years ago I had some play sand that was pretty decent.
The last couple of years I wasn't happy with any of the play sand I bought.
The main issues I had was poor aeration; it settled down in the tank like mud. I like the loose grain of the pool filter sand because cichlids like to push the sand around. Also, the play sand was hard to clean & caused problems with the impellors in my filters.
But, you have play sand in your 55 Gallon, so if your happy with it, I would say go ahead & use it.
The last couple of years I wasn't happy with any of the play sand I bought.
The main issues I had was poor aeration; it settled down in the tank like mud. I like the loose grain of the pool filter sand because cichlids like to push the sand around. Also, the play sand was hard to clean & caused problems with the impellors in my filters.
But, you have play sand in your 55 Gallon, so if your happy with it, I would say go ahead & use it.
Update!
I went to the lfs hoping to ask for more details on a 180G and then I saw the incredible 220 reef show tank.
Now all my plans have to change.
The extra 6 inch on the tank will make a huge difference when I am trying to reach down to the bottom of the tank. But I figured I won't be down there too often..and the foot print is the same as a 180G, the tank looks alot more impressive with the extra 6 inches. I talked to the store owner, and he really thinks a sump is the way to go on a tank this sized. He showed me the one he had set up, built in overflows, custom sump, etc.
So, now I'm planning to get a 220G tank and converting my 55G into a sump. I never thought about sumps because I thought it was risky, but I'll give it a try.
Do you think 1 sump + 1 2217 is sufficient? What about 1 sump + 1 FX5? Or all 3?
Since the tank is larger + the extra volume in the sump, I'm changing the stocking plan again, suggestions welcomed!
I'll be keeping Demasonis, Yellow Labs, Aceis and rusties for sure.
I went to the lfs hoping to ask for more details on a 180G and then I saw the incredible 220 reef show tank.
Now all my plans have to change.
The extra 6 inch on the tank will make a huge difference when I am trying to reach down to the bottom of the tank. But I figured I won't be down there too often..and the foot print is the same as a 180G, the tank looks alot more impressive with the extra 6 inches. I talked to the store owner, and he really thinks a sump is the way to go on a tank this sized. He showed me the one he had set up, built in overflows, custom sump, etc.
So, now I'm planning to get a 220G tank and converting my 55G into a sump. I never thought about sumps because I thought it was risky, but I'll give it a try.
Do you think 1 sump + 1 2217 is sufficient? What about 1 sump + 1 FX5? Or all 3?
Since the tank is larger + the extra volume in the sump, I'm changing the stocking plan again, suggestions welcomed!
I'll be keeping Demasonis, Yellow Labs, Aceis and rusties for sure.
Man you still working on this, i thought you be done by now..
Whats up Kevin haven't seen you on AC in a while hope everything is going smoothly, later buddy..
Whats up Kevin haven't seen you on AC in a while hope everything is going smoothly, later buddy..
Pittbull@MFK;2764180; said:
Hi there, I decided to do more read and now im making a sump, which means even more reading and work. I also saw a 220G when I was going to buy the 180G so yet another delay
(I also posted this on AC, I just wanted more feedback, thats all)
The 220 is an awesome tank....
Build a little step stool and your golden. Mike D has an awesome 55 gal. sump made w/Corian dividers. Check out his thread on the DYI of it. You don't need the X5. A little overkill and the money saved can go towards the tank or a bigger pump that will provide flow to all corners of the tank.
Build a little step stool and your golden. Mike D has an awesome 55 gal. sump made w/Corian dividers. Check out his thread on the DYI of it. You don't need the X5. A little overkill and the money saved can go towards the tank or a bigger pump that will provide flow to all corners of the tank.
kevin007;2764251; said:Hi there, I decided to do more read and now im making a sump, which means even more reading and work. I also saw a 220G when I was going to buy the 180G so yet another delay
(I also posted this on AC, I just wanted more feedback, thats all)
Bigger is better in this case
