New tank coming next week

[Jonesy]

Ok folks...After looking at the big al's boxing day ad, it's a green light on the new tank. So it's going to be a Perfecto 65G...I would go bigger but the apartment won't let me:mad:. Where all you guys come in is the equipment to run.Basically, if this was you, what would you get??

Filter?
Lightstrip?? (Tank will have low light potted plants)
Substrate? Thinking a sand....
Heater?? Thinking a Ebo submersible not sure on wattage

Thanks

[blainep]

Hey Jonesy

Sounds like your getting things all planned out.

I really can't give much advice on filtration for 65 gal tank, on smaller tanks I use AquaClear HOB filters, anything large, I prefer to use a sump.
On my first large tank, I used a Fluval 404. Worked well for a few years, but I've since had a 204 and 205 crap out very quickly, so they seem to be a little hit and miss.

For lighting, unless you're wanting lots of fast growth from your plants, a standard florescent light strip will be fine.

For a sand substrate, alot of people use pool filtration sand, but find that it's to fine to clean. There is good thread on AA about sand here http://albertaaquatica.com/index.php?showtopic=8097

Heaters, Ebo Jager are generally considered the best. Probably about 300 watts will give all you need without taxing the heater.
Some people like to use multiple heaters, maybe 2 150 or 200 watt heaters, one at each end of the tank. That way if one fails, some heat is still getting into the tank.

Hopefully a few ideas for you.
Make sure Santa brings a digital camera so you take pictures for us. :D

[hp10BII]

Oh boy, a new tank!!

What kind of budget are you setting? Are you buying a kit, I wouldn't be surprised if there are discounted kits (tank, stand, glass tops, heater, light strip, filter) marked down as well. If there's something you don't like, they can swap out for credit for another sale item. The math may get tricky so I wouldn't do this on boxing day...the sale IIRC will last to Dec 31st.

[CACAdmin]

My two cents worth:

Not sure of brands (and I'm not bout to extract my heater from my 70G) but personally, I'd go with a submersible heater. They're so easy to hide in the tank & I put mine at the bottom to be more efficient (after all heat rises). Also, you don't need to worry about the water level dropping below the minimum due to evaporation (in the heat of the summer or if you're away)... or accidentally filling the tank above the max level... which I have done... and then having to remove the heater to dry out before plugging it in...lol.

[Jonesy]

Startin to think i may go with a HOB x2 setup.....may consider the canister though....Don't really have much of a budget at all for this one. I guess i'm like everyone else out there and don't want to pay a fortune. I am the type that would rather pay the extra money, and be sure of a better quality....That sand article was interesting.....May go with Taitian moon (sp)..........I know that Al's has that same kit on for 369 right now with tank, stand, and light. No filtration or heat....I'm kinda planning on going later in the afternoon once the crowds die down and see if i can swing them into a deal when purchasing the whole nine yards....

[Jonesy]

Also, anyone have any suggestions on size of powerhead?s??

[hp10BII]

Why not a 75 instead of a 66? I think it's the same footprint, just a couple of inches taller.

[mixixe]

I used two HOB's with biowheels for my 75 gallon tank when I first had it, and it didn't feel like enough filtration so I bought a cannister filter (eheim ecco) and now there is one cannister, one HOB and the filtration is great. But it depends on the fish you want to put in there too.

I like the Double corallife T5 strip lights. They are nice and flat and my low light tank does great with them.

[Jonesy]

Why not a 75 instead of a 66? I think it's the same footprint, just a couple of inches taller.


The one at Al's (According to the flyer) is 48x18x21
the 65 is 36x18x24


That extra foot would really make things too tight....

Never had a canister filter before.....would i be able to fit it in the stand so it is concealed. I have seem ppl have the in all sorts of different locations......With canister filters, what is the maintenance on them. Do i need to change the media as often as a HOB?

[hp10BII]

The one at Al's (According to the flyer) is 48x18x21
the 65 is 36x18x24


That extra foot would really make things too tight....

Never had a canister filter before.....would i be able to fit it in the stand so it is concealed. I have seem ppl have the in all sorts of different locations......With canister filters, what is the maintenance on them. Do i need to change the media as often as a HOB?

Never realized they made a 36 65 gallon, I just got rid of a 66 that was a 48 length.

Depends on your stand and canister, I have fit both inside and outside.

The bio media I don't change, I toss out the fine filter floss, the coarse sponges you can rinse hard. Fishstore people say I can go 6 mos w/o servicing, but I typically go 3 mos. That would vary depending on manufacturer and your fishy waste load. The HOB I'm rinsing out every week or 2, but much easier to service than the canister.

I have heard many rave about Filstars, I'm happy with my Eheims, but a canister/hob combo would be pretty good.

[hp10BII]

Forgot to add, amongst canister brands or vs hob's, if the tank is going to be located anywhere near where you sleep, it may be better to spring for the quieter filter. A quality canister, you shouldn't be able to hear that it's working. An hob will let you know it's running.

[Jonesy]

wow....so much info:confused:....So where i'm at is i think i'll go Fluval 304 or the Rena XP2. I'll add a HOB at some point soon but i think for initial setup will be just the caninster.......

Anyone want to add anything about powerheads?? better to have 1 big MoFo or two smaller ones?

Thanks for all the help everyone

[thegrandpoohbah]

I'm running an XP2 and I love it. It is a bit noisy compared to Eheims that I've had in the past. But I have it inside a cabinet stand and sitting on a towel to absorb vibrations. That way I can hardly hear it. It works great and can be configured just about any way you would want. For the price you can't go wrong.

[Jonesy]

The new tank is here!!! Just got back from Al's....spent too much money but ah well.....so here's what i got

65 gallon perfecto 36x18x24
Stingray stand
Xp2 canister (thanks for the advice Mr. GP)
Stealth 250 watt
Coralife dual t5 lightstrip
20lbs of Taitian moon sand
Maxijet 900 powerhead rated at 230 gph......


ya i'm broke :)

[CACAdmin]

ya i'm broke :)

Broke but happy, I guess... now all ya gotta do is get it set up & cycled. That'll give you time to save up some money for more fish!:yes:

[Melody]

Sounds like an awesome set-up! We have to be good to ourselves on occasion :D .

[Jonesy]

ya that's the plan....just finnished moving and leveling the 25 to it's new location....In the process of building the stand for the 65....I'm going to syphon some water from the 25 just to get a bit of a jumpstart on the cycle......anything i can do to speed up my filter?? I've never used a canister before and i'm not too sure if i can put in seeded media from my HOB......Thanks for your help guys!

Al

[hp10BII]

Congratulations, you have some nice stuff to put together. Nothing like the excitement of a new set-up.

[hp10BII]

ya that's the plan....just finnished moving and leveling the 25 to it's new location....In the process of building the stand for the 65....I'm going to syphon some water from the 25 just to get a bit of a jumpstart on the cycle......anything i can do to speed up my filter?? I've never used a canister before and i'm not too sure if i can put in seeded media from my HOB......Thanks for your help guys!

Al

There's not too much nitrifying bacteria in the water column, your best bet is as you suggested...to put in your old media from your HOB into your canister. Alot of old timers don't even use the commercial media for their canisters, wet/dry's etc., they use plastic pot scrubbers, lava rock, hair curlers so whatever you have in your HOB should be fine. If you're moving your old gravel to the new tank that would be good too, but if you're getting new gravel just put some old gravel in a media bag/old stocking and sit that in the tank. Just be sure to give your bacteria something to feed on unless you're putting in fish right away.

[Jonesy]

would it be worth getting a few tetra's right away to help with some bioload??? All i was planning on doing was syphoning some water from a mature tank, and adding some media to the canister from the HOB, letting it go for a few weeks , then adding the fish....

[Melody]

Putting small amounts of food in the tank will also produce ammonia for the bacteria. I often wonder if its the right KIND of food to keep them going, but I suppose ammonia is ammonia and I'm no scientist.;)

Mr. hp10BII has offered you sound advice to be sure. About the only thing I would add is that you can also squeeze the established filter media so that the 'juice' seeds your filter - the bacteria is highly concentrated there. I would do all of the above, just to be sure.

[hp10BII]

would it be worth getting a few tetra's right away to help with some bioload??? All i was planning on doing was syphoning some water from a mature tank, and adding some media to the canister from the HOB, letting it go for a few weeks , then adding the fish....

Were you planning on stocking the tank slowly ie. a couple of fish every week or so? The amount of nitrifying bacteria that builds up is proportionate to the bioload of your fish, so everytime you add more fish, you may go through a mini-cycle. That itself is o.k. as long as you test your water and do necessary water changes.

So a few tetras may not build a large enough colony of bacteria that can support your new fishies in a few weeks. Like Melody said, ammonia is ammonia and what I would do is do a mini fishless cyle using household ammonia. It would probably build up a colony of nitrying bacteria that can support a fully stocked tank. Just remember to do a complete water change the day before you stock your tank.

[Jonesy]

I don't think i'll be buying any new fish for a bit...What i was thinking about doing is adding my baby clown loaches and maybe my common pleco from the established 25. Mainly because the loaches are hardy fish and well, the pleco poops alot:smile:. I'm not in any hurry to go out hunting for new fish.....so what i'll start doing is when i do my weekly maintanence on the 25, i'll wring out my foam and filter floss into the canister just to get the bacteria going......

[Jonesy]

stand is up, equipment is built/assembled, sand is washed.......gettin ready to fill, after i run out to get more sand....Damn that stuff is a pain to wash......will update soon.......may also get batteries for my cam so i can post some pics.....

[Melody]

:pompom: I always get excited about setting up a new tank, but it wears thin about half way through the second rinse...lol. Can't wait to see the pic's!

[MobileImage]

stand is up, equipment is built/assembled, sand is washed.......gettin ready to fill, after i run out to get more sand....Damn that stuff is a pain to wash......will update soon.......may also get batteries for my cam so i can post some pics.....

Yep, you have to rinse many many time for washing the sand. I have the moon sand in my tank and they look amazing;) Well worth the many wash!

[thegrandpoohbah]

What kinda sand did you go with?

[Jonesy]

40lbs of taitian moon (sp)....

[Jonesy]

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o155/jones345/fulltank.jpghttp://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o155/jones345/damncloudy.jpghttp://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o155/jones345/fulltank.jpghttp://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o155/jones345/highfins.jpg

[Jonesy]

so ya....my pic taking needs some work....damned if i know how to get these in the right order or add captions for the pics.....I wanted to get some pics of the plants that i added tonight but i couldn't get any to turn out. Not sure if it's my lack of phota taking capability or if my camera licks.....anyway....i attached a few java ferns to some driftwood that i had in the 25g.....added some orange sailfins.....yes i know i shouldn't have but i was tired of looking at an empty tank.....they seem to be doing well.......I think the big pleco might make the move tomorrow........;)

[Melody]

Looks great! Don't worry about the photos - you'll get the hang of it. They're up there and that's what counts!

Nice Mollies. Probably not the best fish to cycle with, but with a seeded filter you should be ok. They're great indicator fish though - if the parameters are in the least off, Mollies will start acting out of sorts.

[blainep]

Looks like a great start, personally I've always liked the Orange Sailfin Mollies.
I've got one male here I need to find a couple of girlfriends for.
The other fish in the tank just don't seem to appreciate the constant showing off he does for them. :laugh:

[Jonesy]

Thanks for the kind words.....I'm going to add some stone work later this week..A friend of mine is a stone mason and i get scraps for free:smile:. I think i'll add a few more low-light plants later as wel....The problem with sand is that you aren't able to plant in the substrate due to the densley packed grains...I think i read somewhere about potted plants?!?!?:laugh:

[Melody]

What you need for that sand is MTS. Planted tank enthusiasts swear by them for keeping the substrate from compacting. When those pretty Sailfin Mollies give birth, I will trade you some fancy MTS for female fry. Notice I just said "I will", without actually giving you a choice in the matter :Neener: .

[Jonesy]

well, i believe i've been told.....lol

ya sounds good.....

[blainep]

What you need for that sand is MTS. Planted tank enthusiasts swear by them for keeping the substrate from compacting. When those pretty Sailfin Mollies give birth, I will trade you some fancy MTS for female fry. Notice I just said "I will", without actually giving you a choice in the matter :Neener: .

Then Melody could pack them up for a plane ride out to me ! :rofl:

[Melody]

Just when I think you people are intimidated by me and I can push you around, you let me know that I can only do so when it is convenient for you to let me :laugh: .

[Jonesy]

I think we let you have the perception that you intimidate....If only you could hear what is said as opposed to what is typed;););)lol

[Melody]

ROFL I am sure the comments I don't hear are filled with love and devotion :rolleyes: . You just don't like to gush:laugh: .

But back to the topic at hand, the plant gurus could probably give you some better sand advice in the plant section - I'm sure that a lot use sand so it must be doable, snails or no snails.

[Jonesy]

ya for sure.......i think for now till i decide on occupants (flirting with a cichlid tank) i'll stick with some lowlight/non co2 requiring plants....the ferns that i transplanted make for a nice aquascape with the wood....Another idea i had was to grow some fern or hornwort on a piece of slate/stone, then bury it in the sand.....May have to put that idea to the plant gurus though

[Melody]

If you decide on a Cichlid tank, you know where to rehome those Mollies ;) . I am SUCH an opportunist....lol...but I come with a wallet.

Good thinking on the occupant thing - no sense in going backwards. I have seen some tres cool plantless Cichlid tanks. Its a whole different aquascaping talent.

[blainep]

If you decide on a Cichlid tank, you know where to rehome those Mollies ;) .

Yep, right here with me ! :rofl:

[Melody]

<Elbows Blaine out of the way> Forget it buddy - I'm much prettier than you are :Neener: . You get to charm the female Molly owners out of their fish....lol.:laugh: