130 Gallon build journal

[J1Time]

SO here is the start of hopefully a successful build journal:

I recently decided to get back into the hobby after about a three year hiatus. I purchased a 130 gallon tank/stand/hood/lights off of Craigslist and hope to have it in the house this Friday, and start a fish-less cycle this weekend

So What I need / to do list:

Decide substrate (thinking pool filter sand)
Choose canister filter (Ideas here?)
Get a heater
Decide tank decor and layout (no desire for live plants at this time)
Come up with a stocking list (long way from adding fish though)

Thoughts or ideas are all appreciated! Even support!

I will have pictures Friday and will keep the thread updated with them as I go.

Thanks,

J1Time

 

[J1Time]

So question, How many pounds of sand will I need for the 130 gallon tank? I do not intend to plant it, though that's not out of the question at a later date.

 

[josh7]

You need about 130lbs of sand. How long is the tank though?

 

[J1Time]

Tank is 72 inches long, 18 inches wide and 23.25 inches tall

 

[jwh0818]

Following! Like josh said, around 130lbs is needed to cover the bottom. PFS comes in 50lb bags for around 5$ each so 3 bags will do the trick.

As far as filtration, we need an idea of stock but your gonna need around 1300gph of filtration to do the job successfully.

 

[J1Time]

I am going to go with the Fluval X6 for a filter. It will be stocked as a community tank. Not sure what all will be in it, but nothing larger then some Barbs I imagine. Later down the road if the X6 wont handle the bioload I will throw on a Aquaclear HOB.

Pool filter sand was my initial thought.....Then My wife brought up black sand. Hate the extra cost but my goodness its pretty.

 

[jwh0818]

I am going to go with the Fluval X6 for a filter. It will be stocked as a community tank. Not sure what all will be in it, but nothing larger then some Barbs I imagine. Later down the road if the X6 wont handle the bioload I will throw on a Aquaclear HOB.

Pool filter sand was my initial thought.....Then My wife brought up black sand. Hate the extra cost but my goodness its pretty.

I would go with 2 fx6s

 

[J1Time]

I would go with 2 fx6s

I would love to.... Will have to make do with one for the time being. $$ is always fun when it comes to a build!

 

[J1Time]

This is a picture of the setup prior to the move. Anticipation is killer.

 

[jwh0818]

This is a picture of the setup prior to the move. Anticipation is killer.

Oh man that is gonna be amazing. 1fx6 will do for now and later if you decide on different fish, they other fx6 will be needed

 

[J1Time]

I figured it would be. I am a long way from having it fully stocked though. Still debating when the inside will look like. First time having a tank since having kids, so I am sure they will want their own input

 

[GreenLily]

Following! How fun for you!

 

[jwh0818]

I figured it would be. I am a long way from having it fully stocked though. Still debating when the inside will look like. First time having a tank since having kids, so I am sure they will want their own input

Are you gonna paint the back black?

 

[J1Time]

Not sure. ideas? I have never painted a tank in the past, always just used a background tapped on

 

[jwh0818]

Not sure. ideas? I have never painted a tank in the past, always just used a background tapped on

Well I can asure you, painting is the way to go. It took 2 cans of krylon fusion gloss black for my 75g

 

[GreenLily]

But would painting the back black be a bad idea if you decide to go with black sand? I think a black painted back would be awesome with white-ish pool sand.. Would make fish pop!

 

[jwh0818]

But would painting the back black be a bad idea if you decide to go with black sand? I think a black painted back would be awesome with white-ish pool sand.. Would make fish pop!

Well all black will make colors POP as well if not more because the focus is now the fish

 

[GreenLily]

Well all black will make colors POP as well if not more because the focus is now the fish

Gotcha! I guess it's been a while since I've seen black sand with black background.

 

[jwh0818]

Gotcha! I guess it's been a while since I've seen black sand with black background.

Yeah me too but I've done it with a betta before and loved it. The fish really stand out. I just go with PFS now because its way cheaper

 

[J1Time]

Well I can asure you, painting is the way to go. It took 2 cans of krylon fusion gloss black for my 75g

What paint did you use? Krylon like the classic spray paint Krylon?