My 72 Gallon Bowtank 3D Background

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
leave it bare bottom before the blue gravel man. Anything with that much color will take away from the color of the fish and the background itself.
 
Well, I tend to be somewhat impulsive sometimes, and while I was working I just ran into a pet store and grabbed 2 bags of this:
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I took the picture with my camera phone so its not the best quality. I think time permitting I will just have enough time to wash it prior to putting it in the tank.
I am open to any strategies or short-cuts if any exist to washing sand. So far, it looks like I am just filing about half of a 5 gallon bucket with sand and flooding it with water until it runs clear. Sounds simple enough. If I am missing anything please feel free to chime in.
 
Considering how much space the background takes away from the tank I want to see if 50 lbs will be enough. If not, I'll just grab another bag. It was only $10 bucks per bag for 25 lbs. Could have been worse. :)
 
discuskent;5097755; said:
that dosent look like enough room for discus and they dont like alot of current thats going to be way to much

Definitely something to consider, which is why I'm glad in both of my devices (FX5 and the Rio Water Pump I have flow control. If I am successful in making this set-up work the way I want, I can always dial the flow down somewhat with both devices. So I guess we will have to see about how that works out.
But thank you for the heads up. :)
 
Having second thoughts...looking into Flourite as we speak. It is difficult to find in local pet stores. (Black in color) Then I must also purchase additional black gravel to top it off.
 
So here is the decision:
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Sorry for the drama.
Its in the tank so there is no turning back. Highly recommended and no one had sufficient Flourite. This is equally beneficial for my plants.
Filling the tank.
Already tested the water pump. Works great! Not too strong and I can always put on the regulator and turn it down if necessary.
 
rrmedicx;5099796; said:
I also have to check Home Depot very close to home since they carry a playground type sand which is supposed to be decent.

You would have been sorely sorry if you went with Play Sand. It's extremely fine, clouds water horribly, and poofs up into dusty clouds at the touch of a fish.

I had this in my 125g and despised it so much I sucked it all out with a tube siphon while the tank was stocked and full and then replaced the sand with PFS. Exactly same color and much less of a mess.

The substrate you got should look real nice. Post some pictures when it's in there and filled. :popcorn:
 
Some pics of my after work project:
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Close up of the substrate:
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Still not quite done. Missing the final piece which is busy soaking for a few days, and of course the fish.
Well I have my tank starter fish which are relatively die hard. Gonna let the tank settle overnight and may transfer them tomorrow. Any ideas on making the transition easier for my little friends is greatly appreciated. I get way too much hear say, I am not really sure what strategy is best.
Quick video to follow shortly.
 
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