prmsdlndfrm
Aquarium Advice Newbie
Hello, new to this site, but I have grown up with the typical aquariums from fish bowls to 55 gallons, with the angel fish and mollies and guppies etc.
Have not had a tank for the past 7 years, and now wanting one again.
The family and I are renovating our home, and we have a wall between the dining room and family room we are opening up and want to put a large tank in that can be viewed from both sides. We have located a tank with the right dimensions of 72 inches long, 30 inches wide, and 36 inches tall, it holds 336 gallons, I know its biggg.
I want to create a pond theme, Ive been poking around reading info, and I know my aquarium is a real good size for this project, but I want to hear input from everyone on how to proceed from the ground up.
The wall will have a large header beam spanning the space above the aquarium, like a window, I have chosen this wall due to the concrete basement wall coming directly up under this wall, therefore transfering the weight to the footer, as this aquarium will likely aproach 2 tons when finished. I plan on running plumbing from the basement, providing a drain as well as a water supply. I am putting a small closet on north end 30 inch wide wall to house the filters, and tubing, and pumps. A swinging access hatch above the tank on family room side will provide access, and I will hang grow lights from the header above tank to provide natural light.
I never ever have had a tank this size, what filters will be needed? Our water is hard, and from a well, what will I have to do to condition it properly ? I am going to set up the tank and let it age before ever introducing the fish, how long do you think I should wait? I am going to pay the extra money and purchase the fish from growers, as these fish are accustomed to captivity and prepared food. I also want to add live plants, any suggestions on what plants to add ? I will add a sand bottom, and I want to put a 3d backing on the north 30 inch side to hide the "guts" I am hoping to add some native flat head bull heads, green sunfish, pumpkin seeds, some minnows etc... any sugestions ?
please everyone I want to hear your 2 cents
thanks Josh
Have not had a tank for the past 7 years, and now wanting one again.
The family and I are renovating our home, and we have a wall between the dining room and family room we are opening up and want to put a large tank in that can be viewed from both sides. We have located a tank with the right dimensions of 72 inches long, 30 inches wide, and 36 inches tall, it holds 336 gallons, I know its biggg.
I want to create a pond theme, Ive been poking around reading info, and I know my aquarium is a real good size for this project, but I want to hear input from everyone on how to proceed from the ground up.
The wall will have a large header beam spanning the space above the aquarium, like a window, I have chosen this wall due to the concrete basement wall coming directly up under this wall, therefore transfering the weight to the footer, as this aquarium will likely aproach 2 tons when finished. I plan on running plumbing from the basement, providing a drain as well as a water supply. I am putting a small closet on north end 30 inch wide wall to house the filters, and tubing, and pumps. A swinging access hatch above the tank on family room side will provide access, and I will hang grow lights from the header above tank to provide natural light.
I never ever have had a tank this size, what filters will be needed? Our water is hard, and from a well, what will I have to do to condition it properly ? I am going to set up the tank and let it age before ever introducing the fish, how long do you think I should wait? I am going to pay the extra money and purchase the fish from growers, as these fish are accustomed to captivity and prepared food. I also want to add live plants, any suggestions on what plants to add ? I will add a sand bottom, and I want to put a 3d backing on the north 30 inch side to hide the "guts" I am hoping to add some native flat head bull heads, green sunfish, pumpkin seeds, some minnows etc... any sugestions ?
please everyone I want to hear your 2 cents
thanks Josh