Help Me Setup My Tank!!!

[vaine111]

I have my 120 gallon disassembled, and my fish are at my apartment in a 18 gallon rubbermaid tub.

When I took everything out I was debating on wether or not to go bare bottom with driftwood but losing the big piece so my Datnoid don't hide as much.

I'm just up in the air with what I want to do cause I am going for the modern look in the apartment and I think the way it was before might stick out like a sore thumb.

Here is some pics. I took out most of the slate except for 2(all are out now of course), the one hiding the areator and the big one one the left that stays propped up with nothing underneath it.

Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks.

 

[bigcol]

Keep the bogwood and go for some black gravel or sand, depends what other stock you got aswell too much decor can really spoil a tank imo, keep it plain and simple but effective

 

[haynchinook334]

I like the bare bottom and wood. But it all depends on how much time you can spend on cleaning the sand/gravel. as for me, I do a 20% water change after every feeding, which is every other day.

 

[vaine111]

Keep the bogwood and go for some black gravel or sand, depends what other stock you got aswell too much decor can really spoil a tank imo, keep it plain and simple but effective

thanks for the reply. I have a jardini, NTT, pbass, 2 ornate bichirs, royal and gold nugget pleco. I had all the slate in there cause i had a EBJD and JD pair, but as soon as i got rid of them i took most of it out. but if i did keep the substrate i would keep all the fake plants but keep them all bunched up to one side cause the bichirs really like to hangout in them.

 

[bigcol]

thanks for the reply. I have a jardini, NTT, pbass, 2 ornate bichirs, royal and gold nugget pleco. I had all the slate in there cause i had a EBJD and JD pair, but as soon as i got rid of them i took most of it out. but if i did keep the substrate i would keep all the fake plants but keep them all bunched up to one side cause the bichirs really like to hangout in them.

sounds like a plan, i would still go for black substrate, keep the bogwood nearer to the right of the tank and place all ur plants in a bunch nearer to the left build some sort of small diy cave for the middle out of the slate u have, i think it will look really cool and also acomodate all the needs of ur stock at the same time, keep us posted on whatever u decide as i would love to see the finish result

 

[vaine111]

I like the bare bottom and wood. But it all depends on how much time you can spend on cleaning the sand/gravel. as for me, I do a 20% water change after every feeding, which is every other day.

HEHE... another WC/gravel cleaning freak like me... i WC 50-60% or more a week. sometimes 2 or 3 times a week if i am really bored. and i siphon out any uneaten food 30 minutes after i feed which is only about 2-3 gallons.

my 75 is BB and i do like the ease of cleaning but i only did that cause it is temporary but have been debating on doing it, hence the point of the thread.

 

[vaine111]

sounds like a plan, i would still go for black substrate, keep the bogwood nearer to the right of the tank and place all ur plants in a bunch nearer to the left build some sort of small diy cave for the middle out of the slate u have, i think it will look really cool and also acomodate all the needs of ur stock at the same time, keep us posted on whatever u decide as i would love to see the finish result

how easy is the sand to vac? i really like the look of the black sand and if i was to go BB i would paint the bottom black like i am doing to the back which i think i should anyway. but i was thinking that alot would get sucked out during vacs?

 

[bigcol]

how easy is the sand to vac? i really like the look of the black sand and if i was to go BB i would paint the bottom black like i am doing to the back which i think i should anyway. but i was thinking that alot would get sucked out during vacs?

ive never used sand but will be when i build the pond, i have been told that sand can hold nitrate and nitrite pockets which can cause probs in the long run........... the solution to this was disturb the sand as often as poss and frequent water changes helps, i wouldnt have thought too much sand would be sucked up by the vac if theres alot of movement, thats just my opinion though dude.

Try searching the forums on sand substrates to get a better idea

 

[vaine111]

ive never used sand but will be when i build the pond, i have been told that sand can hold nitrate and nitrite pockets which can cause probs in the long run........... the solution to this was disturb the sand as often as poss and frequent water changes helps, i wouldnt have thought too much sand would be sucked up by the vac if theres alot of movement, thats just my opinion though dude.

Try searching the forums on sand substrates to get a better idea

thanks alot for the help, i'll check the forums out. i just see how easy my vac picks up some of the smaller bits of the pea gravel and just always figured it would get sucked up easy.