Just picked up a 120

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ecal468

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 21, 2007
141
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South Florida
Hello all! This past weekend I have picked up a 120 gallon tank that measures 60" x 19" x ~26" I think. I am planning on ordering a few EBJDs from Jeff Rapps as the main fish in this tank. After seeing who survives growing a few more inches I would like to add a Hujeta, and hopefully a Delhezi. I would like to see if I can get any of these EBJDs to breed for me, so I want to throw in an opposite sex regular JD. I plan on setting up two XP3's as filtration. I also want to throw some nice pieces of driftwood and slate rockwork in there. Here come the questions.

1. I want to try a sand tank, but a dark one to hopefully bring out the color of my fish more. What are your thoughts and which type of sand is dark and works in an aquarium?

2. As I am going to spend quite a bit on filtration, are there any other precautions I can take to ensure that sand will not foul up the motors other than placing the intakes atleast 4" from the sand?

3. Where can I find large pieces of driftwood? I have searched ebay, but the largest I have found is 13" or so tall.

4. How should I got about obtaining some nice pieces of slate, and what can I use to stack them to provide adequate shelter?

5. I was thinking about tinting the back, but are there any alternatives besides painting it?


-Overall, I would just like to know everyone's opinions and suggestions. This is my first big tank and I would like everything to work out well for it as it is in the living room.

Thank you all very much.

-Eric
 
Este's Reef Sand is the best.

Use a pantyhose and wrap it around the filter intake with a rubber band.

Driftwood... I don't know, try a local stream around you or something. Buying a large driftwood can be very expensive.

Your local gardening shop should have slate... stacking them... I don't know.

Use a solid background that you can get at a local pet store.
 
Great. Thanks a lot. They have this new sealant that you can apply to the background and "stick" on to the tank. I might give that a try instead of taping it on. Will the pantyhose allow the water to be filtered as well as without it?
 
2. As I am going to spend quite a bit on filtration, are there any other precautions I can take to ensure that sand will not foul up the motors other than placing the intakes atleast 4" from the sand?
Get a Rena Filstar XP3 or XP4 filter. The sand won't bother the motors because the motor is on the outtake side of the filter and the sand will never reach it because the water is filtered prior to hitting the impeller. I've used sand and sucked up quite a bit into my XP3's but it always sitting in the bottom. The only downside of using pantyhose or nylon covers is that the "stuff" in the tank will get stuck on it and could cause the filter to not get as much water. I've got a nylon stocking on my filter intake in my fry tank and it is covered in junk. Additionally, you could get a pre-filter sponge but it also will have the same problem.

4. How should I got about obtaining some nice pieces of slate, and what can I use to stack them to provide adequate shelter?
Just stack them. You can use some aquarium safe silicone to "glue" them together. Don't get the epoxy, it doesn't work well.

5. I was thinking about tinting the back, but are there any alternatives
besides painting it?
I'm going to use some spray painted plastic to put on the back of mine. You could also do a DIY 3-d background (see DIY section).
 
Instead of tinting it. I guess you could get a vinyl and put it on. My friend did it on his reef and planted tank and it looks awesome.
 
I have black gravel and a black background on my 55 gallon and it looks great, i also have dark rocks too. Similar setup and the fish's color look great.
 
ecal468;902589; said:
What do you guys think about the colors? Dark sand, dark background, and dark wood also? Would that be too much?
Click to expand...

Many members here have similar setups. It's all up to personal choice. Darker colors make the fish look darker/colors stronger usually and lighter usually the opposite.

Follow the other advice and you should be good. :)

Also on question number 2 add the sand and allow it to settle before running your filter. A little tip I once forgot. Not doing it that way will have sand clogging your filter.
 
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