new tank...180

Mother of God, that tank was heavy! We Got the tank and stand into my place and set the egg crate on the bottom, applied the black background, dumped in 200 pounds of sand and filled it with water. I put the glass tops on and an AC 110 and began the cycling. Tuesday my canisters arrive and my heaters, so I will set those up then and be ready for fish in a week. Now for a few pictures. Not much to see, but I am stoked as all hell that it is set up!

Did I mention the damned thing is HUGE?

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More pics will come during the week as the canisters are added and the Texas Holey Rock is added. I can't wait to get my Fronts in this bad boy!

Nice!!! I'd love to have a tank that big. Maybe in the future.

it was good times and it wasn't that bad . those are some nice fonts and boy were they itching to get in there. cant wait to see it all done

TJ, thanks for all your help, I couldn't have done it without you!

You should bring it to the summer meet up, we could all swim in it. : )

wow, nice!!!

sorry dude, i would have helped; had to work today.

but...

great tank!!!

Spyral wrote:I can't wait to get my Fronts in this bad boy!

Just be sure the tank is fully cycled before you move them. You have a beautiful colony, don't get overly anxious and put them at risk.

I'm going to add some "cycle fish" mid week. I have all the time in the world, I won't be rushing it.

I look forward to seeing the new tank all set up and occupied.

Hey, nice meeting you yesterday! Holy crap, that tank is huge! It's going to look gorgeous when it's all decked out.

Oh, and I too am a member of the 'TJ is awesome' club. Seriously nice guy and always willing to help.

how much did you pay for it?

protocl wrote:how much did you pay for it?

$1070 for the tank, stand and glass hoods. Then add about $30 for sand and the egg crate and about $200 in rocks, $500 in filters and heaters, $600 in fish and about $100 in lighting..so about $2500 after incidentals.

This is all new, mind you, I am sure you could do it a lot cheaper buying used, but I have a phobia about buying large used tanks since a buddy of mine had a 125 let go on him a week after he got it off CL.

Spyral wrote:

protocl wrote:how much did you pay for it?

$1070 for the tank, stand and glass hoods. Then add about $30 for sand and the egg crate and about $200 in rocks, $500 in filters and heaters, $600 in fish and about $100 in lighting..so about $2500 after incidentals.

This is all new, mind you, I am sure you could do it a lot cheaper buying used, but I have a phobia about buying large used tanks since a buddy of mine had a 125 let go on him a week after he got it off CL.

oh man, a 125 G losing strength?! now that is BAD.

would you mind informing about what kind of filtration units and heating units you are planning to use?

protocl wrote:would you mind informing about what kind of filtration units and heating units you are planning to use?

I am using 2 400W Marineland Stealth heaters (unbreakable), 2 Rena xP2 canister filters and 2 Aqua Clear 110 HOB filters. I will be building a sump for the tank eventually, but the bio-load of this tank will be low with only 14 fish (eventually it will only be 9) in it.

Sorry I couldnt come up and help brother...... tank looks huge!!!! Hey, a good way to get the tank started cycling allot faster is cleaning out your frontosa tank in a 5gal bucket.... take a couple loads of fish waste over to the new tank.... Starts cycling the next day!!! Your cycle will be done in a week.... make sure to test the water before the fronts get in there though.
Get some pictures up when its all done! That thing should be sparkling with thoughs filters you listed running.

I have been doing that for 3 days now. I have set up a few hundred tanks in my time.

Wow there you go. now you got it done. Congrats. Nice tank. I wish you all the best for your Fronts.

Spyral wrote:I have been doing that for 3 days now. I have set up a few hundred tanks in my time.

Lol, figured you got that covered.... just wanted to make sure... .some people do the whole ammonia thing, Dunno why if they got existing tanks???? Congrats on the tank anyway! how many you have in the house now??

Just 2 tanks. The 55 is going to be torn down as soon as the 180 is done.

update...everything is up and running. Rock will be added tomorrow. Levels look real good. Been cycling with filter media from the established tank.

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The blue is from dual Coralife T5 actinic bulbs.

Cant wait to see the rock looking good your all ready making me want to get a bigger tank now

Nice Nice Nice. I like how the blue lights reflect on the sands.

Great..... Now i'm weary of buying a used tank.

Looks big. My oscar would get a tiny cichlid hardon after being in his 55gal for 5years [6 months with me].

I am SO JEALOUS! The tank's beautiful, can't wait to see it after it's all set up! Keep postin' pics!

Thanks everyone! More pics to come today after I get home and set the rocks in the tank!

I got rock.

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AWESOME!!! how much you say those guys run you??? after shipping?

About $2.00/pound.

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Princess Pia lending a hand
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I still have about 35 pounds in my other tank to put in there.

Where'd you get the rock from?

regan24 wrote:Where'd you get the rock from?

Texas

Spyral wrote:

regan24 wrote:Where'd you get the rock from?

Texas

AND ITS CALLED TEXAS HOLEY ROCK

conspiracy

cute kitty btw

So, all the levels have been dead on for a few days. The rocks are in and...so are the fish. Everyone is happy, checking out new territory and really swimming! They knew it was coming, but they had no idea how big their new home was! All 4 filters are on the tank, both heaters and all the rock is in the tank now. I will snap a few pictures in a minute. Just want to let them settle down and eat a little bit.

Think you should spread it out.... and stand the rocks up... leaning back against the back of the tank..... just a suggestion... dont know if you tried that and it looked lame????

Man, they are REALLY digging all the cool hiding places and the wide open sandy areas. I swear the little ones are playing in the sand..lol

sandnuka wrote:Think you should spread it out.... and stand the rocks up... leaning back against the back of the tank..... just a suggestion... dont know if you tried that and it looked lame????

I wanted to make one central area with rocks, I like the way it is laid out, when you see it in person, you will know why. They did just as I expected, they followed the big Front around and deposited themselves where they felt comfortable. It is like an apartment complex..lol..I wanted to have two distinct sandy, open areas separated by a rocky area. It looks just how I want it to look.

LOL can't wait to see it. I'll stay at the computer for a moment just to catch those photos you'll gonna post.

new pics uploading now!

sweetness next time im out that way im knocking on your door to see it in person looks great

Frontosas Said: "And that's what we call Home!"

Nice job Spyral. I know you will enjoy your set-up. Keep it up!

They look happy!!!

are you using black vinyl? the static stick kind?

protocl wrote:are you using black vinyl? the static stick kind?

No, black aquarium background.

Those are some happy cichlids Nice tank!

SPYRAL! Your fronts are freaking gorgeous man!!!!! just beautiful!!!! There is one pic though that I noticed some Mooning on one of your fish! thats not good! is it just the glare from the flash??? Well, i will see them when i stop by saturday! Im excited to get a close up of that tank dude! CONGRATS!

Yes, one has some mooning, it's not necessarily "bad" it can go away as they grow, he is still a juvenile. I'm not breeding show fish, I like my tank inhabitants.

i had a Front with mooning once, luckily it was the runt of the group, so it never spawned.... I dont cull fish.... but I wouldnt have sold them, sooo I wouldve had allot of frontosa if he bread... lol.
SO I know exactly how you feel! I am excited to see ya saturday! Good job Spyral!!!