bewarebrunette Posted August 18, 2010 Report Share Posted August 18, 2010 Hi all, A few weeks ago we were offered a free tank from my friends dad. Of course being the good people we are, we took him up on his offer. So we brought the tank home and began cleaning it (and oh boy did it need a clean). Pulled out the old bits and pieces inside (heater, chiller, and one Eheim filter and one older one). I think it must have been an old marine tank. This weekend just been we had a good opportunity to get into getting it ready for display. Gave it a good sanding for half a day, and stained it. It has now been moved into the living room ready to be set up. I just don't know how to set this one up. At the moment it is going to be a community tank - getting some free discus this weekend (we know some great people) so they'll be going in there too. I would be interested in hearing everyones thoughts/suggestions/comments. I'm thinking we may get some dark coloured substrate. Do you think it would be a good idea to have the bottom layer as peat? Here are some piccies! 3.5ft wide, 2.5ft high, 2ft deep ------------------------------------------------------ I've got more pics can someone post something so I can put the rest up please ? :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul Posted August 18, 2010 Report Share Posted August 18, 2010 here you go... you mentioned free discus and great people... don't think they'd all fit in that sized tank. :giggle: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bewarebrunette Posted August 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2010 hahahaha Paul, didn't you know I captured people? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishbites Posted August 18, 2010 Report Share Posted August 18, 2010 The tank and cabinet look great!!! A brilliant size for a display tank too! Peat in the substrate won't hurt the discus - will help in keeping the pH down quite a bit for them - having the bottom layer as peat though makes it harder to control - a bag of peat in a canister filter is easier to control... I like dark substrates and some say that it helps bring out colours in fish - I think it also helps bring out the green in mosses and plants too.... with that size tank a really nice piece of driftwood could go nicely.... with that depth of water either really strong lighting will be needed for plants or use normal lighting and some larger leafed lower light plants such as swords.... Discus, rams, other South Americans that like similar conditions, some bottom dwellers, and mid and high water fish would work to fill the vertical height of the tank..... Whatever you choose though I'm sure that tank is going to display your fish well.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bewarebrunette Posted August 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2010 Thanks fishbites. I'm very pleased with the way it came up. I'm still thinking maybe we should varnish the wood? anyway, these are the last two photos I couldn't post last night. It has two inbuilt lights in the hood, one big one (the bottom photo) and the little one obviously the first photo. The big one is really bright so hopefully the plants can survive. Do you think it would be a good idea to keep the canister filter, or have the normal - stick to the side of the tank- ones (the name for them has escaped me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracey6565 Posted August 19, 2010 Report Share Posted August 19, 2010 Absolutely LOVE that tank and cabinet, what a freebie!!! You've cleaned it up a treat bewarebrunette Personally I'd stick with the canister filter, then again I'm biased. I've only used canister combined with under gravel filters so perhaps our more experienced and learned members will be able to advise you more expertly than I. Again, LOVE that set-up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yanagi Posted August 19, 2010 Report Share Posted August 19, 2010 Looks great! You've done a nice job fixing it up. In a tank that size, I'd stick to a canister. Internal is the kind of filter you were talking about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishbites Posted August 19, 2010 Report Share Posted August 19, 2010 definitely a canister filter for that size tank - you've got over 450 litres of water to process and clean and an internal power filter just doesn't cut it for that amount of water. Put one in if you want to increase water flow or use the venturi inlet to aerate the water more but watch you don't use one that's too strong and blow the scales off your fish and your plants out of the substrate! Depending on how many watts light you have there will depend on what type of plants will thrive in that depth of water - definitely fine for low to medium light plants from the looks of the brightness but others more in the know will be able to advise you more on the lighting for plants..... Keep the pics coming :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bewarebrunette Posted August 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2010 Thanks everyone we're very pleased with how it's turned out. I have to go hunting for black substrate today at some point. Then we can set up the landscape as we'd like it - we have some pretty neat bits of wood to go in too. Though i'm sure they'll be some tweaking, new bits added etc. Might even be some more pics this evening. -watch this space- :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitch Posted August 20, 2010 Report Share Posted August 20, 2010 Brilliant tank and setup, you have GREAT friends. The discus will love it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bewarebrunette Posted August 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2010 Managed to set up and fill up the tank today so thought i'd post some pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delyall Posted August 22, 2010 Report Share Posted August 22, 2010 Looks amazing! Im so jealous :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bewarebrunette Posted August 23, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2010 Thanks Delyall the fishies are loving it so much swimming room hehe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracey6565 Posted August 23, 2010 Report Share Posted August 23, 2010 That's looking fantastic Bewarebrunette! :applaud: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laura77 Posted August 23, 2010 Report Share Posted August 23, 2010 it looks awesome! Are you going to blackout the back?? it would bring the colours out in the discus!! also if your considering a community tank with discus remember to take in the water pH needs of the discus and other fishy inhabitants..(sorry if this is old news) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bewarebrunette Posted September 29, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2010 Thanks Laura, probably will black out the back of the tank. What would you suggest would be the easiest thing to do this with (don't really want to paint it.) Also looking for some black gravel, a few of the local LFS can get it in, but it tends to be pretty pricey, and I don't want to use the painted stuff. Fishies are loving the tank. I will post some photos soon - I should be doing uni study!!- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bettarazzi Posted October 5, 2010 Report Share Posted October 5, 2010 Easiest way is to just buy some black aquarium backing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bewarebrunette Posted October 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2010 So on my search for some black substrate, without spending hundreds! Someone told me to go to a pool shop.. So I walked in there, asked for some black pebbles... $28/20kg. Hell yeah! Was going to cost me about $100++ for gravel from pet/aquarium shops. So will be doing that this weekend. I have also realised we have a silk plant shop in the city centre, my friend bought this big fern for his tank for $20, instead of the insane prices you pay at LFS.. So keep an eye out for an update after next weekend. Will also be re-arranging/Re-scaping my shrimp tank YAY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yanagi Posted October 25, 2010 Report Share Posted October 25, 2010 You have to worry about black gravel raising your pH, make sure it doesn't before you add it in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bewarebrunette Posted October 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2010 Thanks Yan I will, do you know why this is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yanagi Posted October 25, 2010 Report Share Posted October 25, 2010 I think it's got something to do with the black gravel being high in calcium.. Not 100% on 'why' just know that some of it does raise pH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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