si_sphinx

I have done a freshwater test with the whole system and found I need to redo the layout of the sump to prevent micro bubbles returning to the display tank. The MD55 return pump I have used is very quiet, I just need to reduce vibrations through the stand to make it quieter.

Looking awesome. :cophot: I was going to say you need to hide your waterline :thup:

Removed all the partitions from the sump and rearranged them as needed. Just need to remove the end panel and replace it with a drilled piece for overflow and return pump.

Thanks guys, Spent $300 today on plumbing connections, pipes, flexible hose, loc-line fittings. $200 on return pump.

So its time to start this thread as its been a long time coming. A bit of work has been done last weekend, moving this tank into its new position in my lounge. Thanks to those who helped :thup: This tank use to be my planted tank. I have been working on it since getting rid of the last of my plecs on Saturday, cleaning and waterproofing beneath the stand to prevent future floods, painting the back of the tank blue. Re-plumbing the return pipes, valves etc. I have been cycling the rock in a drum since mid November so It should hopefully make cycling the tank easier. Old open fireplace removed and space prepared for the tank Tank in place and painted Coral Rock cleaned Rock in drum to cycle More photos will come as more progress is made :cofn:

:lar: Thanks :thup:

anyone find out where to get this stuff from?

Could just be the stress Extra aeration wouldn't hurt.

Your welcome to come see my 130ltr any time for ideas and to pick my brain for what I have learnt so far. The 800ltr tank is also in progress now. I just gotta sort out plumbing.

I always throw in a hand full of salt and melafix when I see a wounded fish in my tank And I never have any trouble with fish loss.

I have always used Oyster grit/shell. Coral rock also keeps it around 8.1. Well it did in my cichlid tanks, I only had the coral rock and no other scaping.

I see that. it was a typo in the original post that said 200x70x70 but changed to what it is now Sorry off topic :oops: If you can't find any live rock then just buy some dead rock. It is cheaper and if you make it the first thing you buy then you can get it curing in a drum and by the time you have everything to set the tank up, it will be cured enough to make a quick start and no long waiting is needed. This is what I am doing. I have been curing all my dead rock since mid November and I am still setting up my tank.

Obviously! I was taking into account glass thickness and the last few cms at the top that you wouldn't fill to the brim. But as it was, there was a typo in the OP.

I have lost my rams from them just disappearing. I had two and one disappeared and the 2nd lasted about 14months on his own and then disappeared too. I suspect the 2nd one killed the 1st one and the plecs cleaned him up. I never find dead fish in my tank with the amount of plecos I have. If anything dies, it just disappears. Not that I have fish dying all the time. If I notice a fish missing I do a quick scan of the tank to try and find it and then do a water change.

nice. My one grew quite big by himself but never coloured up. How are the discus doing anyway?

You said your tank is 2000 x 700 x 700, wouldn't that be 900+ liters? unless you are taking into account the rock and substrate? I am setting up my marine tank soon too. If I was you I would go for LEDs as they seem to be the way marine tank lighting is heading at the moment. I want LEDs but need to save up for them so in the mean time I will be using the MHs and T5HO that I already have. If you are worried about the skimmer being to small then go for bigger then you will never have to upgrade and you will save money that way. I haven't seen seahorses in a reef tank before and only ever on their own as LA said. I am going to use coral sand and rubble for my substrate, given to me by a retired reefer so I know it will be perfect.

They use to have one of the display tanks as a cichlid tank and they had some dems and yellows in there and the dems were breeding. It was good to look at every time I went in there and watch the fry.

For the amount of people down here that have them it would probably be easier for the lfs to order them in as people want them. Seriously , they will get some in and they will sit in the tanks for months and months because no one buys them. Look on TM and you will see people down here also trying to sell them with very little sales. Southland is very much behind with the demand for tropical fish.

Don't buy any of the African cichlids from the LFS. They have been in the 50ltrs max tank for a while now and most likely stunted since I seen a 3cm fish holding eggs a while ago. I did see those fire mouths though and they don't look like hybrids to me. I would ask them to guarantee they are true breeds and if they can't then there is your answer if you should get them or not. They some times buy from good breeders with quality fish, but not always because usually their Africans are hybrids with fancy names to sell them. If you really want them then just buy them. If your not sure and want 100% assurance if the LFS doesn't give it to you, then get some shipped down.

That sound deadener for cars looks interesting, I wonder how much of an effect it would have on it. I suppose it would only work if the pump was vibrating too much...? This would be perfect for saving space and easy to apply. Would the filter wool soak up moisture? I had thought of filter wool and could be worth a try. Egg cartons wouldn't be practical, soaking up moisture and wouldn't stay clean. Also would use up too much room. Yes they are good for rooms with musical instruments or band practice. I haven't got the new pump in the cabinet yet. At present there is no vibrations with the current pump.

I am thinking ahead for my next big tank project (Marine) and I will be wanting to sound insulate my tank cabinet as much as possible. The main source of sound will be from a Blueline external pump from my sump to the DT. The tank is in my main living room where i watch TV so too much noise will be an issue. I have thought of lining the inside of the cabinet with 20-40mm poly. However I think this would take up too much valuable room. Has anyone sound insulated their tank stands successfully with a noticeable difference and how did they do it?

Plants will take a while to realize that the lights are on before they start to take in the Co2 so could be a good idea to turn your Co2 on when the lights come on. (just if you want to save a little Co2). That way by the time the plants start to take in Co2, the water will be full of it with less wastage. Same with when the lights turn off, they don't realize the lights are out straight away therefore keep going for a bit. In nature the sunlight comes in and out slowly and not so instant. I always had my Co2 on the same timer as my lights.

I also looked at get a uv filter for my tank. They are very pricey as reef said. the LFS ones are a waste of money. The proper one I looked at getting was around $700-$800. I think I will spend this money on an upgrade to LEDs before this. I will get one eventually but for now I will go without.

I have a bubble magnus curve 7 skimmer for my 800ltr tank. I have used it a little already and I recommend Bubble Magnus. They work very well and are built for the job. $200 sounds like a good deal to me, if you brought it elsewhere online it would cost you more incl shipping, and its almost new.

I have just bought some acrylic rod so I will be pining my rocks together. Will the near-it type puttys work to help hold the rods in the rocks? I have some epoxy glues I could use but not sure if it would work with wet rocks?