My 265 gallon Chocolate and Geo Tank

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JasonsPlecosCichlids

JasonsPlecosCichlids

Goliath Tigerfish
MFK Member
Jan 23, 2010
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jasonsplecoscichlids.com
Had a slight algae bloom which is why its still a little cloudy, the UV has it almost cleared up.

265 was recently converted to corner matten filters from FX5s and Eheims. Best thing I have done to my tanks, easy to clean, easy to maintain, easy to add more sponges, everything is easy about this setup and my electric bill has gone waaaaaay down. No more hauling out canisters full of water from under the stand. Filters are powered by a 1744 GPH air pump, which the air pump is powering another 265 and a 210.

So far both 265s and done, I have two 210s left to convert and several more canisters to sell. Will probably convert the 75 in my office as well.

Anyone who is thinking about doing this, you can't go wrong.

Not that I saw anyone else do it but I removed the media from the canisters and since I had them in media bags I cleaned them because they were very dirty and stuck them behind the sponges and I added bioballs along with an air stone. I then tested the water every day for 3 weeks, all the levels are perfect, same with the other 265 which is my Madagascar tank but not yet ready to be filmed as I need to move some stuff around and add more fish. I have to paint the background of this tank and figure out how to mount the LED strip lights. Other than that, its done.

 
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Very easy, I sold a lot of my fish that I didn't need and just concentrating on peaceful cichlids for this tank. I got some acrylic scraps from the LFS that builds tank, I bought the sponge from foam factory and then siliconed the arylic, let it sit over night, made sure they were tough enough to hold the sponge back and then cut the sponge to shape and slid it in. I do need to cut the sponge some, the other 265 is perfect. I didnt cut it at the correct length so its kinda lose in there but it works for now.
I didnt know this but those chocolate cichlids are hungry, they ate 20 tiger barbs over 2 weeks. I thought the tank was going to cycle so I used them but it never did cycle, I guess the bio bags from the canisters were good enough. I want a big school of something small but not sure what to get yet. I like filament barbs and congos.
 
That does sound pretty simple, Those chocolates must've been real hungry, I just picked up a small school of Diamond tetras to get my small Stalsbergi to come out of hiding and they have some nice flowing fins and are super fast
 
It's unusual for chocs to get that predatory. I have kept them with penguin tetras in the past and they never eat one.
Nice geos by the way.
 
I cant say 100% that it was them as I never actually saw them eat one but I doubt its the geos or the single clown loach. Tank is sealed off so they cant jump out, they can get behind the filters but there are none there. So I blame the Chocos :)
 
Nice video. Fish look great.
 
All of your fish have beautiful colors, but those Chocolates all I have to say is wow must have them 1 day.:)
 
Nice tank!

I'm really curious about these matten filters. My energy bill is insane and I hate the canister maintenance as well. Can you show some close up pics of your filters? I want to see how I can make my tanks more energy efficient. Was always worried about the look of them.

Thanks for sharing!
 
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