Just picked up new (to me) 180 gallon!

[johnnytaboo]

Well, it may very well cost me my marriage, but I finally got my hands on a 7x2x2 180 gallon aquarium. What I picked up was the tank, 3 glass canopy covers, and a black painted pine stand.

Now it is still a VERY sore subject with my better half, so I will not be in a rush to get this baby set-up. Instead I think I will piece together the things I want so I have everything ready when I do want to fill it up.

What I need:
1. Lighting
- I'm not growing plants or anything, so I THINK a simple fluorescent with the corresponding bulb of my choice shall suit my needs; however, I do not know how many lights are recommended. one 72" fixture; two 36" fixtures; or three 24" fixtures? What do you all recommend?

2. Filtration
- Ideally, this tank will eventually house a Jardini. Not sure as of yet, whether I will try to keep a friend in there with it or not. Regardless, powerful filtration is assumed to be mandatory. Now I would REALLY like to stay away from the sump systems, but I am very comfortable with canister filters. I've read many reviews on the FX5, but that wouldn't give me the 9x turnover I have in all my other aquariums. Is that necessary? Again, what do those of you with tanks this large recommend?

3. A Canopy
- I have the glass covers, but I would like this, like all my other tanks, to be a nice looking tank. Does anyone even make a wood canopy for a 7x2x2 aquarium?

Anything else I should be considering?

Thanks for the help everyone.
- John Y.

 

[Nate Dogg]

the 7x2x2 is a 210

 

[johnnytaboo]

Apologies, I meant 6x2x2. I've been searching for components for a 72" tank all day. just got the number 7 stuck in my head I guess.

Also, fun note I forgot to mention: The tank came with a MFK sticker centered on the front. Guy says he used to frequent the forum 5-6 years ago, but hasn't had time for a while. Nice guy.

Will post pics tonight.

 

[virgil2090]

congrats on the tank.wait till the wife goes away for a weekend....then get it up quick! haha.tank lights i like way a tank looks with the sides not lit,so 6 ft tank with 5 ft light.there are some great reasonable priced ones,aquatrader has some good prices.they have a couple biga@# canisters,not sure about the quality though

 

[johnnytaboo]

This is what I picked up. I was cleaning it out last night when I realized how big this thing really is. I mean, I know there are some true, MONSTER tanks on this forum, but this is double the size of the biggest tank I've ever owned!

Thanks for the idea on the lighting Virgil. That does sound really cool looking. I'll search around for some pics of the lighting done that way.

 

[leafs and cats only]

congratz i just got my 370g lol

 

[DIDYSIS]

fx5 should be plently of filtration for the tank, 9 to 10 times turn over is great but more than always hard to accomplish with larger tanks. Anything over 5 is good. And also depends on your stock, feeding habits, I would advise adding a power head or two to help with water movement so more of the crud in the tank will make it to the intake on the filter. Congrats on the nice tank. ya my monster tank is crazy, lol

 

[johnnytaboo]

Way to make a guy feel small. Kevin's got double my size tank, and you have almost double HIS tank. There wouldn't even be a question at that point; my wife would have just walked out of the front door and I'd never see her again is I brought home a tank larger than I did.

That's good to know about the FX5 being adequate. Obviously I prefer overkill for filtration, but chances are the tank will house 1 or 2 large fish, who will be hand-fed. If I wasn't in VA, there would be a little school of Rhoms, but alas, its not meant to be. As it is, I'm leaning towards my life-long dream of owning an Aro (Jardini given the size of this tank) or maybe a larger knife fish.