New 125 Gallon 72X18X24

[ragin_cajun]

New tank, haven't bought it yet. First tank in 15 years. I want to have SA/CA Cichlids in it. LFS has the tank, hood, and stand for $650. The LFS guy talked me into sand or "dolomite" -- it's white. Do I vacuum that out when I do water changes, like I used to do with gravel back in the day? They're also telling me to go with a pair of Eheim 2217's and nothing else. Sound right to ya'll? I'd really like to go with Eheim's because that's what I used last time I did this. I had one in a 90 Gal Hex. Do I need a powerhead just to move water around inside the tank, or will the Eheims return be enough circulation?

Thanks

 

[fishman61]

I have (2) SA/CA tanks, 125 and 150g. I use silica sand in both of the tanks. It's a fine white sand with very minimal rinsing involved. It takes about a week for the water to become crystal clear. I have (2) Filstar XP3's on each tank. I do weekly 50% water changes using the same gravel vac I have used for years. When vacuuming the sand, hold the vac tube at an angle. Gently go back and forth across the surface of the sand. You must also remember that sand will trap gasses within the sand. I run my hand through the sand to release these harmful gasses. I don't use any powerheads in my tanks, this may stir up the sand which in turn may end up in your filter system and possibly harm it.

 

[ragin_cajun]

What about Pool Filter sand?

 

[ragin_cajun]

How much Pool Filter Sand would I need?

 

[Jacolby]

I have a 125 gallon with 2 ehiem 2217 and it works out great the water is always crystal clear. I still do 50% water changes every week.

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[ragin_cajun]

Any advantage to adding a fluidized sand bed? And what is a good water test kit?

 

[darth pike]

Those dimensions are a 135 gallon tank btw ... 3" taller than a 125 gallon.

 

[Conlin2]

Pool filter sand would be the way to go it's cheap and very heavy doesn't get kicked up to easy and if it does settles down pretty quick. The 2 Eheim 2217s would be a good match for that tank.

 

[F1 VET]

Pool filter sand would be the way to go it's cheap and very heavy doesn't get kicked up to easy and if it does settles down pretty quick. The 2 Eheim 2217s would be a good match for that tank.

+1 def pfs


Also an fx5 or 2262 would be awesome, you don't need two filters on a 6' tank if you have correct circulation. Ime add a circulator like a korillia 1400gph http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4588+23592&pcatid=23592 on the opposite end on the filter intake that way it blows almost everything into the filters intake!

And I always recommend a hydor sponge filter. Good to have for added agitation and if the power goes out you can run the SF on battery backup air pump http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3669+8044+3693&pcatid=3693 and save your tank cuz the SF will have some bacteria in it allowing ammonia to nitrate conversion. And a jager 300watt heater will do.

All the above can be found on the link I gave you for approximately 90$ with free s&h and the filter will be 320$ for the fx5 and more for the 2262. Fish stores charge a lot for these items. My lfs has a Xp4 for 399.99$ and that korillia evo for 95$ lol. F that and save some cash!




×Go S Vettel #1 Infiniti Redbull! 3x WDC!!!×
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Cheap way to decrease nitrates and keep your fish healthy: http://monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=504763

 

[fatmatic]

ive got a 125 like that and i used pool filter sand. a 50 pound bag for about 10 dollars covered the entire bottom. its only an inch or 2 deep but thats perfectly fine for me. I also use 3 hydro sponge filter 5's. They arent tooo pretty but i think it looks kinda cool. water is crystal clear and its cheap!