125 gallon build log - Aquarium Advice

**neilanh** · 02-16-2008, 10:34 AM

So, it's starting. 125 gallon ( 72 1/2 x 18 1/2 x 23 3/8 ) FW planted tank. I've been debating what to do with this tank for a while now, but it's time to finally get down to business.

I've decided on 2 36" TEK 4x39W fixtures for lighting, mixing the midday (6000K) bulbs and the 10000K bulbs for starters. That should put me at around 2.5WPG, which is probably more than enough.

I already have pressurized CO2, just may have to upgrade my 5# tank to accomodate the larger tank at some point.

For filtration, I'm debating whether a pair of XP4s will be too much. May drop that down to a pair of XP3s. I really like the Rena filters, currently running 3 of them for a year now with no issues.

Substrate is still on the table. I had convinced myself to go with the Schultz Aquatic Soil, I'm running that in my shrimp tank right now and have had huge success with it, plus you can't beat the price. But kind of wishing to go with a darker color, but don't want to spend the $$ on a full run of Eco, and I hear Turface MVP and SMS are no longer readily available. Any other ideas?

Probably going to start out with rainbowfish as the center, with the grand idea of going Discus ultimately with it. There will be a wide array of plants once I get the hardware up and running.

Off work for a week, parts going on order today, and hoping to get a bulk of the stuff underway next week.

**Purrbox** · 02-16-2008, 01:23 PM

Where did you hear that Turface MVP is no longer readily available? I just checked the manufacturer website and it's still listed with the rest of their products. I'd recommend contacting them for a list of retailers in your area before ruling out Turface as an option.

**neilanh** · 02-16-2008, 03:10 PM

I just recall reading that somewhere recently. I'll doublecheck it. Never used it, do I need to mix peat or anything with it?

Lights are ordered, expect to be here on Wednesday the guy said. Called him up and he gave me a huge discount too. Thanks Seeds Etc.!

Also just won an XP4 on ebay for $125. Now I just need another. Maybe an XP3. But, the one is enough to get me started.

**Purrbox** · 02-16-2008, 07:34 PM

You don't need to mix anything with the Turface MVP. It can be used as is, though you'll of course want to rinse it some.

Sounds like you're making quite a bit of progress. I look forward to seeing pictures.

**Zagz** · 02-16-2008, 09:33 PM

I think a 125 gal planted discus tank would be fantastic! Of course it is no secret that I love planted discus tanks.

**neilanh** · 02-17-2008, 03:50 PM

Picked up the stand today from Centreville Aquariums. I chickened out on building my own, and they had them in stock.

Tomorrow I'll move the 29 up to my bedroom, as it's sitting in the place the 125 will go. I expect to start receiving equipment on Wednesday, so between now and then I'll get everything cleaned and prepped as much as I can. I'm going to hang the lighting over the tank, so I'll have to rig that up. Quick trip to Lowe's tomorrow should cover that rather easily.

Pics when I start to get everything in place.

**neilanh** · 02-18-2008, 04:17 PM

So, it's the SMS that's being discontinued, not the Turface line. Noone, however, in my area carries the MVP, only the pro-league, which is a much smaller grain than I wanted.

So, I happened upon a place that had a few bags of SMS charcoal left, so I bought it up. Think that's what I'll use. Some have suggested mixing in some black fluorite to give it some added weight, but I'm not sure about that yet.

**neilanh** · 02-21-2008, 01:04 AM

Made some progress today.

Had to move my 29 gallon that was sitting where I wanted the 125 to go. That got moved to the other side of the room, where it will reside until the 125 is up and I can transfer the stuff I want out of it. Then it will be moved upstairs into my bedroom, on the wife's request. She's decided it's her turn to give aquascaping a go, so the tank will be torn apart and redone from the ground up later on.

Once everything was moved around my basement, got the stand in place and leveled off, ready to accept the tank.

The tank was cleaned, and I started the background process. Black background installed using the "oil method". I've had huge success with this method on multiple tanks so far. Well, on a 6' tank, it's much, MUCH more difficult. Work is still underway on getting out all the air bubbles, but it's getting there (hopefully).

The first of 2 XP4s arrived today as well. Watching ebay for another good deal on the second one. Got this one for $125, won the auction on Saturday, and even with the Monday Holiday it still got here today. Very impressive. Hoping that my lights will arrive tomorrow. Got all the stuff I need to DIY hang them using electrical conduit and chain last night at HD. Prepping that is tomorrow's project. F&S slacked a bit on shipping my order I put in over the weekend, but hopefully it'll be here this weekend - that includes my heaters and UV and miscellaneous parts I need.

Few pics to get things going.

LOL - looking at these pics it doesn't look that big, does it?

David14259 · 02-21-2008, 01:40 AM

Looks good, I'm anxious to see how the substrate looks. I love the Discus and German Ram tank at my LFS. Its a cool combo and both look awesome in a planted tank. I still like the idea of a tank with 400 neons though.

**Zagz** · 02-21-2008, 08:11 PM

Looking good, I can't wait to see how it goes along as you progress. Having 2 6' tanks I can empathize with backgrounds. I gave up and painted mine.