New 125 setup & thanks for previous help!!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
M

Myarbro

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 31, 2010
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Memphis TN
So, I have made numerous posts asking for advice and opinions from you guys in regards to filtration and stock for a new tank I had planned on buying soon. Well, I found the one I want on Craigslist and am pleased with how close it is and the price. I ended up deciding on your standard 125 gallon size tank with furniture stand and furniture top that I will be picking up tmrw after work. It also comes with a Rena Filstar XP3 canister filter. For starters, I want to say thanks for those of you that have answered all my questions! You guys rock.

Sooo…. My plans for this 125?

As I stated in other posts, I am just as fascinated with filtration as I am with the fish I keep. Money not being an issue, I am going to go all out and make some fairly costly purchases. I am sure some of you might think some of my choices to be “more money than it’s worth” but I’m cool with my decisions and utterly stoked!

It will be a mainly S. American Cichlid stocked tank. Knowing how some S.A. Cichlids can produce more waist than a 300lb pig, I am going overboard on my filtration.

Will be running…
-Rena Filstar XP3 (bc it came w the tank)
-Fluval G6 w/ Fluval Surface Skimmer at the intake.
-Eheim 2229 Wet/Dry Filter w/ Eheim pre-filter base housing to reduce solid waist input. (the 2229 does not have mechanical filtration so I don’t want solids clogging the 2229 up)
-Air pump w/ 4 Air bubble discs
-Black Sand
-Black Background
-Light system that can run day and night settings (Any good suggestions?)
-Decoration will be live plants and driftwood.

So, with that said, I have a few questions…
-Should I ask the guy to keep some water in the Rena to keep the bacteria on the media alive, or should I just try and start completely fresh?
-Any suggestions on a lighting system that has multiple lighting options?
-Know of good and cheap black sand that is already prewashed? Best I have found while browsing is Aqua Terra Black sand for $3.99 per 5lb bag.

Any other suggestions and comments are very welcome! This is quite an investment so I want all angles. Sorry about post length. :WHOA:
 
if you are running another filter that is already established you can run new media in the Rena but having him keep tankwater in it is a good idea...If you like LED marineland has new led systems with day/night lights that are decently priced..there are many other led options though check out foster and smith or big als online...there is no prewashed sand that I know of and the only black sand I know of is tahitian moon sand and its pretty pricey...(you will also have to rinse it but its not hard). If you dont have to have black get pool filter sand its like 10 bucks for 50 lbs and a nice white color... nice tank good luck with it!
 
Redearsunfish;4220498; said:
personally, i wouldn't want anyones water or filter media, personally.
Click to expand...

I understand your view on this and that's why I asked. FYI, I went to view the tank 2 days ago and the water he had in it looked great and had 2 very large and very healthy Jack Dempsey's in it. He sold them to pet store because they are too large for me to put in with my S.A. Cichlids(all under 2') that are in a smaller grow tank.

If the water looked awful their weren't fish in it, I would definitely start fresh.
 
Picked it up Friday and cleaned it as best as possible. However, there are still white lines on the tank that I can't seem to get off. I suppose this is mineral deposits? Any ideas on how to get this off?
 
Myarbro;4227071; said:
Picked it up Friday and cleaned it as best as possible. However, there are still white lines on the tank that I can't seem to get off. I suppose this is mineral deposits? Any ideas on how to get this off?
Click to expand...


I use distilled vinegar on hard water deposits and scrub it right off. Just make sure to rinse really well.
 
So here it is so far. Have the sand and driftwood in. Got a bunch of feeder minnows and goldfish from a friend that breeds them to help with the cycle process. Also using some of his media, as well as Prime and Stability. Cycle is pretty much finished. Later, I will move some fish from the 40gal to this one and purchase a few more. The feeders will go in a much smaller tank to keep as num nums. Still have a lot to purchase. 2 more filters, CO2, plants, better lighting, etc.

newtank.jpg
 
I had it set with the feeders on the 18th, so not long at all. The pre established media, prime, and stability really helped though. It isn't quite done yet. My water tests show 0 Ammonia, and BARELY any nitrite. I expect that to go to 0 by the time the weekend is over.
 
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