Putting together a 180gallon Tropheus Tank.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
SO I added a few NEW Rock from Universal Rocks in this tank and thought that I would share the pics with you guys!

Enjoy!

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And Finally..........

Some Video of the Tank with it's new rocks... nothig crazy but it adds some charater to it all!

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Hey! Just found this. Great build thread with a great result! I like the whole set up and I think the plants were a good addition.
 
Question. I am in the process of designing my own background setup for a much smaller 72 gallon set-up, but my concern is the efficiency of the filter resulting in a dirty tank.
I have a sense that with the entire filter intake concealed inside a rock that it would never be as efficient as if it was exposed.
My idea is to have the intake run down into the back of the tank, concealed by the BG. The using a 90 degree bend route the intake pipe forward passing thru the BG and exposing only the intake head on the front side of the BG. Of course I could hide it from sight with a plant or short shrub. The intake would be very low and not blocking any of the BG.
I have thoughts of utilizing my Fluval 405 and 205 with intakes on each end of the tank. Leaving about 15% gap from the side walls. I would then install a vent on 1 end of the background for full flow of water from in front of background to back and the water would be propelled forward on the opposite end of the background with a water pump.

I am hoping for some REAL feedback on the effort of your filtration to make the decision whether or not to conceal my filter intakes (as you did) or expose them as in my plan.
Please advise.
Thank you.

P.S. You did a fantastic job on both the interior of your tank and the stand. Kudos. Love the DIY'ers.
 
Also debating on whether or not to upgrade to an FX5 and 1 additional filter. Rather than 2 somewhat smaller filters (405 Fluval and 205 Fluval). All for a 72 gallon with background. Seemingly the 405 should be enough for a 100 gallon tank, but due to the extra cloudiness I supplemented a 205 filter. Any input is greatly appreciated.
 
rrmedicx;5053385; said:
Question. I am in the process of designing my own background setup for a much smaller 72 gallon set-up, but my concern is the efficiency of the filter resulting in a dirty tank.
I have a sense that with the entire filter intake concealed inside a rock that it would never be as efficient as if it was exposed.
My idea is to have the intake run down into the back of the tank, concealed by the BG. The using a 90 degree bend route the intake pipe forward passing thru the BG and exposing only the intake head on the front side of the BG. Of course I could hide it from sight with a plant or short shrub. The intake would be very low and not blocking any of the BG.
I have thoughts of utilizing my Fluval 405 and 205 with intakes on each end of the tank. Leaving about 15% gap from the side walls. I would then install a vent on 1 end of the background for full flow of water from in front of background to back and the water would be propelled forward on the opposite end of the background with a water pump.

I am hoping for some REAL feedback on the effort of your filtration to make the decision whether or not to conceal my filter intakes (as you did) or expose them as in my plan.
Please advise.
Thank you.

P.S. You did a fantastic job on both the interior of your tank and the stand. Kudos. Love the DIY'ers.


Well from my experince and thought about this exact issue.... It actually works out the Entire Rock acts as the intake for the FX5'(S) in that the Grates, which there are 3 on that large feature rock Total, take in the water from 3 Different level and areas of the tank. Compared to one little ole intake of the typical FX5. The ROck is Sealed to the glsas with silicon therefore everything inside the rocks get's sucked up through the flow of water from the outer portion f the tank and in through the rocks grates and into the intakes. Once again, I have 2 FX5's on this tank that do the job VERY efficiently! Even with only the 1 that I had, it was still pullig nearby items into the grates. I aso have a powerhead in the rightside coreners rocks that moves about 400GPH and is point towards the front of the tank which in turn gets deflected right into the far right intake grate.

So, IMHO.... I would keep them inside Your Background and get 1 FX5 for your 72gallon! That will pull the water into the BG VERY well and you shouldn't have issues with water quality. One thing that I considered before getting a second FX5, was to add some type of camouflaged sponge media over the intake grates. This help stop larger debris from possibly settling inside the BG. But with the second FX5, the water moves so quickly that there was no need.

The choice is really up to you on whether or not duplicate my water flow design or not... But I haven't any issues with water quality and I've received nothing but great compliments on hiding the intakes and using the grates.....

Thanks for the compliments from you both... :D
 
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