Hey all just wanted to show you my 180 setup. After much work, research and lots of help from the forums I have water in my tank (Woo Hoo)!
I bought an all glass 180 used from craigslist. It already had 1 holes drilled in the corner but the previous owner took out the overflows. I took it to a not so local LFS and had them drill 2 more ¾ holes and put in the over flows.
I had a buddy of mine help me build a stand and canopy. The stand is 36 tall and the canopy is 18 tall. With the 2 tank that makes this bad boy stand 66 tall.
I plumbed 1 drains into 100-micron filter bags and I am using 40# of ceramic rings in a rubber maid tote for the sump. I originally tried to use a 55 gallon tank I had but I ran into some difficulties trying to get it drilled. I was a little apprehensive about using the tote but it seems to be working fine. I got a Little Giant 4-MDQX-SC pump going into ¾ returns with Lok Line at the end.
Inside the tank I have plastic basement venting with Black Color quartz sand and 560# of Texas Holy Rock. The canopy is not quite finished yet I still need to do some wiring and put the doors on but it will house four T5 HO bulbs and there is a light switch on the outside to control them individually.
I hard wired this sucker right into the breaker box and it uses 2 breakers (one for the base, one for canopy). If you notice in the pictures there is a ball valve that is coming out of the top of the sump. This will be used for my auto water changing system, which will be controlled, by a sprinkler timer and drain into the house drain.
I am very pleased with the set up and it seems to be working great. I only bought one Fluval 200 heater on the suggestion of my LFS. Against my better judgment I took their advice and I can only get the tank up to 74 so I will be adding 1-2 more heaters in the next couple of days.
I have a few questions that maybe someone can help me with.
The water has really cleared up but there are a million tiny bubbles that make it look somewhat cloudy. Is there a way to eliminate these? I am not using air stones, ect
I plan on keeping all male Peacocks and I am going to Fishless cycle my tank using old filter media from an established tank. I was planning on getting my fish from a local breeder who used to be a sponsor on this forum but he is no longer in business. I was planning to stock my tank up once it was established but Im not sure how I am going to do that now.
Is it better to buy a bunch of Juvi fish and put them in at the same time?
Can I just add fish as I find them?
How will I maintain my bacteria colony with just a couple of fish?
Can someone please recommend a good place to order fish from? Possibly an experience w/ a site sponsor?
Thanks for your help!
I bought an all glass 180 used from craigslist. It already had 1 holes drilled in the corner but the previous owner took out the overflows. I took it to a not so local LFS and had them drill 2 more ¾ holes and put in the over flows.
I had a buddy of mine help me build a stand and canopy. The stand is 36 tall and the canopy is 18 tall. With the 2 tank that makes this bad boy stand 66 tall.
I plumbed 1 drains into 100-micron filter bags and I am using 40# of ceramic rings in a rubber maid tote for the sump. I originally tried to use a 55 gallon tank I had but I ran into some difficulties trying to get it drilled. I was a little apprehensive about using the tote but it seems to be working fine. I got a Little Giant 4-MDQX-SC pump going into ¾ returns with Lok Line at the end.
Inside the tank I have plastic basement venting with Black Color quartz sand and 560# of Texas Holy Rock. The canopy is not quite finished yet I still need to do some wiring and put the doors on but it will house four T5 HO bulbs and there is a light switch on the outside to control them individually.
I hard wired this sucker right into the breaker box and it uses 2 breakers (one for the base, one for canopy). If you notice in the pictures there is a ball valve that is coming out of the top of the sump. This will be used for my auto water changing system, which will be controlled, by a sprinkler timer and drain into the house drain.
I am very pleased with the set up and it seems to be working great. I only bought one Fluval 200 heater on the suggestion of my LFS. Against my better judgment I took their advice and I can only get the tank up to 74 so I will be adding 1-2 more heaters in the next couple of days.
I have a few questions that maybe someone can help me with.
The water has really cleared up but there are a million tiny bubbles that make it look somewhat cloudy. Is there a way to eliminate these? I am not using air stones, ect
I plan on keeping all male Peacocks and I am going to Fishless cycle my tank using old filter media from an established tank. I was planning on getting my fish from a local breeder who used to be a sponsor on this forum but he is no longer in business. I was planning to stock my tank up once it was established but Im not sure how I am going to do that now.
Is it better to buy a bunch of Juvi fish and put them in at the same time?
Can I just add fish as I find them?
How will I maintain my bacteria colony with just a couple of fish?
Can someone please recommend a good place to order fish from? Possibly an experience w/ a site sponsor?
Thanks for your help!
I have a 180 as well.