Hello all, first post here. I have a few set up/equipment questions, but wanted to introduce myself first. I'm still pretty new to African cichlids and fish in general, less than a year experience, but I'm now in the process of building a glass 200g tank and stand. The glass is currently in and ready for pick up. My basic equipment list is below and I'm looking for some feedback on my equipment choices. I basically want to make sure that I'm choosing some good or better than average supplies and that my plan is a good foundation for future success.
In addition to the below, I also plan to drill an additional bulkhead in the bottom glass of the main display tank. I plan to install a ball valve and hose to this and cut two different lengths of PVC to use for set and forget water changes. Meaning that I'll measure out the height for 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50% water changes and then cut a PVC standpipe for each level. Once done, if I want to do a 20% water change, I'll stick that standpipe in place, put the hose end out my back door, open that valve and wait. Once the water stops draining, close the valve and start adding my replacement water.
My current Cichlids, also listed below, are currently housed in a 20g tank that is set to become my quarantine tank. This list will obviously grow substantially once the new tank is up and running...
Am I missing anything that most would view as a necessity?
Is the main display drain a bad idea? Why?
Have I made any poor decisions on equipment manufacturers?
Should I look into more filtration options?
Are the UV or Fluidized bed filters not beneficial for what Im doing?
Are there any digital controllers that can handle up to 3 heaters?
Tank - 60" W x 32" H x 24" D (front to back depth)
Stand and Canopy - built by me
Background DIY built by me
Lighting - T5 fixture from eBay - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290379867401&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
Bulkheads - 1-1/4" (qty 3) for use with the following overflow system - http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1310585
Sump - 36" x 18" x 18" (stuffed with scrubbies and possibly other media)
Return pump - Pan World 250PS-MD 100R - http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...&Product_Code=PW-250PS&Category_Code=Panworld
UGJ pumps - Rio 2100 power heads (qty 3) - http://www.marinedepot.com/Taam_Rio..._Powerheads-TAAM-TA3111-FIPHFF-TA3152-vi.html
Substrate - pool filter sand and live aragonite sand (50/50 mix)
Fluidized bed filter - Nextreef MR1 monster (1 chamber sand and the other filled with carbon. or maybe sand in the second chamber as well???) - http://www.marinedepot.com/NextReef...cal_Reactors-NextReef-NX1121-FIFRISCR-vi.html
UV Filter - Ultralife sterilizer - http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...uct=YUL3111&idCategory=FIUVUUFE&child=YUL3111
Heaters - Either Jager or Hydor, not sure yet. Either way I plan on 6-800 watts of total energy.
Current Cichlids - (all males and only 1 of each) also only about 2-4"
Nimbochromis venustus
Copadichromis borleyi
Haplochromis ahli
Placidochromis milomo
Placidochromis phenochilus
Thanks for looking and any input would be welcome. And, thanks in advance for all the useful info found on this site! I never knew that some of the tanks on this site were even possible in the home. Amazing.
In addition to the below, I also plan to drill an additional bulkhead in the bottom glass of the main display tank. I plan to install a ball valve and hose to this and cut two different lengths of PVC to use for set and forget water changes. Meaning that I'll measure out the height for 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50% water changes and then cut a PVC standpipe for each level. Once done, if I want to do a 20% water change, I'll stick that standpipe in place, put the hose end out my back door, open that valve and wait. Once the water stops draining, close the valve and start adding my replacement water.
My current Cichlids, also listed below, are currently housed in a 20g tank that is set to become my quarantine tank. This list will obviously grow substantially once the new tank is up and running...
Am I missing anything that most would view as a necessity?
Is the main display drain a bad idea? Why?
Have I made any poor decisions on equipment manufacturers?
Should I look into more filtration options?
Are the UV or Fluidized bed filters not beneficial for what Im doing?
Are there any digital controllers that can handle up to 3 heaters?
Tank - 60" W x 32" H x 24" D (front to back depth)
Stand and Canopy - built by me
Background DIY built by me
Lighting - T5 fixture from eBay - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290379867401&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
Bulkheads - 1-1/4" (qty 3) for use with the following overflow system - http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1310585
Sump - 36" x 18" x 18" (stuffed with scrubbies and possibly other media)
Return pump - Pan World 250PS-MD 100R - http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...&Product_Code=PW-250PS&Category_Code=Panworld
UGJ pumps - Rio 2100 power heads (qty 3) - http://www.marinedepot.com/Taam_Rio..._Powerheads-TAAM-TA3111-FIPHFF-TA3152-vi.html
Substrate - pool filter sand and live aragonite sand (50/50 mix)
Fluidized bed filter - Nextreef MR1 monster (1 chamber sand and the other filled with carbon. or maybe sand in the second chamber as well???) - http://www.marinedepot.com/NextReef...cal_Reactors-NextReef-NX1121-FIFRISCR-vi.html
UV Filter - Ultralife sterilizer - http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...uct=YUL3111&idCategory=FIUVUUFE&child=YUL3111
Heaters - Either Jager or Hydor, not sure yet. Either way I plan on 6-800 watts of total energy.
Current Cichlids - (all males and only 1 of each) also only about 2-4"
Nimbochromis venustus
Copadichromis borleyi
Haplochromis ahli
Placidochromis milomo
Placidochromis phenochilus
Thanks for looking and any input would be welcome. And, thanks in advance for all the useful info found on this site! I never knew that some of the tanks on this site were even possible in the home. Amazing.
