how to setup a tank?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

svxtech

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 15, 2016
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Background- 125 gal black silicone, led hood, black sand substrate, Aqueon 75 HOB, cascade 1200 canister, 6ish inch sponge filter, no plants or wood. How do y'all hide the pickups and heaters etc? Thinking about adding another ac 110 but i want a clean empty tank look! As is, it looks like a sketch of a predator mask, can i run another canister and "Y" the pickup or return to reduce the tubes in the tank? Would that offer better and cleaner looking tank than another HOB? Thinking about getting a split log cave to hide the sponge/heater in the corner. I see these large tanks that look so neat and i'd like to make a smooth looking set-up like thoes! Was also thinking of trying putting some colored electrical tape over the white leds to throw a few more hues into the mix, anyone tried that with any success? Have the local sign shop making a custom backdrop of a few offshore racing boats catching air, and a great white breaking water, I'll see whichever i like more! Should look pretty slamming once its finished- if i can clean up the cords and hoses! Any ideas and pictures?!
P.S. the tennants are an albino and tiger oscar and a poly bichir.
 
Cleanest way to keep as much out of the tank as possible is to drill it and set up sumps or drill it and shell out for in-line heaters to keep your canisters or drill it set up sumps and have return pump push through canisters back to the tank. The last option only eliminates the need for pre filters in the canisters. All of the options for clean looks delete the use of HOBs. Good luck!
 
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Get some black acrylic to seal to cover up most of the corner of the tank and slide the intake down behind the acrylic.
 
Get a sump for the clean look and paint the back of the tank to hid the wires and tubing behind the tank
 
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Thanks y'all. I was afraid everyone would say sump it... :)
Cleanest way to keep as much out of the tank as possible is to drill it and set up sumps or drill it and shell out for in-line heaters to keep your canisters or drill it set up sumps and have return pump push through canisters back to the tank. The last option only eliminates the need for pre filters in the canisters. All of the options for clean looks delete the use of HOBs. Good luck!
If I run multiple canisters, can I run them in series, (the outlet of one into the inlet of the next) or can I "T" Off one inlet to two seperate canisters, and "T" back to a single return?
Thanks everyone, sorry for the late reply!
 
Yes you can daisy chain them. One into the other that is. Keep the hose as short as conveniently possibly between each canister. I don't recommend using a "T" to go to the canisters as the flow would be uneven. Water takes the path of least resistance. One thing to keep in mind is that if you plan to run higher flow rates than the canisters would normally see then you might want/need to run two pumps. A canister filter is designed flow only so many gallons and if you cram water into them they may pop. Yes literally pop.
 
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