The tank should be here in the next 2-3 weeks. It's taking awhile because I had the lfs custom order one with black silicone. I picked up the stand off CL for a steal and gave it a light standing and 2 coats of exterior acrylic paint, it looks better then brand new. Aqueon does a poor painting job and I would of been upset if I paid $285+tax for a new one just to have to paint it anyway. I have thought about beefing it up but I'm sure it will hold and I don't want them saying anything if it tank or stand fails. I still need to call for a rider on my insurance. I figure the tank is covered for life because I'm using it with their stand and if the tank fails and damages the stand and house the insurance with cover it. The stand is dead level and in the corner of the house with some pretty beefy beams under it.
That radiator is off 24/7 because 2 high end pc's keep that room a constant 80F and the one in the next room is even hotter and can heat the whole floor. I'm going to keep a 55g drum in the basement under the tank for aged water. I'm planing to drill a hole in the wall behind the tank and drop a clear hose down to the basement. The barrel is right below a faucet. When I need to fill the tank I will have the pump in the barrel connected to one of those remote control outlets filling the tank with proper PH/TEMP water will be a breeze. When I'm done I can just click to turn the pump off and tuck the clear hose in the cabinet. To empty the tank I plan on using the the back flush feature on the fx5. As long as it's not below freezing outside it will go down the driveway or water the lawn.
The tank will house 12-16 Discus and a L-091. I'm going to tile the bottom with red and black granite. I'm not sure if I will just lay the tiles down or use a small amount of aquarium silicone and "glue" rubber washers to each corner of the underside of the tile . This way even if dirt gets under there it wont become anaerobic, also I will be able to slide my fingers under the tile if I need to lift and clean under them. There is also less chance of scratching up the bottom. My main concern is scratching up the tank constantly having to mess with tiles. I don't know the exact inner measurements of the 125 but I think I will only need 9 tiles. 6 full ones across the front (maybe a 1/4" off the last one) then 3 cut in half for left over 6" gaps in the the rear.
Anyway those are my plans, I'm going to set up the barrel and stuff this weekend and if I have some spare time try a diy canopy.
That radiator is off 24/7 because 2 high end pc's keep that room a constant 80F and the one in the next room is even hotter and can heat the whole floor. I'm going to keep a 55g drum in the basement under the tank for aged water. I'm planing to drill a hole in the wall behind the tank and drop a clear hose down to the basement. The barrel is right below a faucet. When I need to fill the tank I will have the pump in the barrel connected to one of those remote control outlets filling the tank with proper PH/TEMP water will be a breeze. When I'm done I can just click to turn the pump off and tuck the clear hose in the cabinet. To empty the tank I plan on using the the back flush feature on the fx5. As long as it's not below freezing outside it will go down the driveway or water the lawn.
The tank will house 12-16 Discus and a L-091. I'm going to tile the bottom with red and black granite. I'm not sure if I will just lay the tiles down or use a small amount of aquarium silicone and "glue" rubber washers to each corner of the underside of the tile . This way even if dirt gets under there it wont become anaerobic, also I will be able to slide my fingers under the tile if I need to lift and clean under them. There is also less chance of scratching up the bottom. My main concern is scratching up the tank constantly having to mess with tiles. I don't know the exact inner measurements of the 125 but I think I will only need 9 tiles. 6 full ones across the front (maybe a 1/4" off the last one) then 3 cut in half for left over 6" gaps in the the rear.
Anyway those are my plans, I'm going to set up the barrel and stuff this weekend and if I have some spare time try a diy canopy.
