Day 1 my big kahuna

[Angel_fish]

I got this tank last night and i m gonna put together a log of how i se it up on this site. Its 75 gallons. I got it from a guy on cl for $300. It came with canister filter and other accessories. Im deffinently gonna do angels as i always liked them, but ill add other types too. Im thinking maybe a zen aqua scape theme. The gravel he gave me is brown but im gonna get white gravel.

 

[Angel_fish]

It dosnt even have water in it yet lol. Some signs he had algae on sides. Ill have to bleach it first.

 

[kdklovesfish]

I recently went through the same thing with a 55g I bought from Craigslist. I used vinegar, a brand new algae scrub pad, as hot of water that I could stand and lots of elbow grease. Good luck and can't wait to see the results!!

 

[Angel_fish]

Vinegar huh. I would rather use that. Thanks

 

[Cichlid Kid]

Vinegar is alot easier to rinse clean but bleach will kill any undesirables left lurking around. If you use bleach just be sure to use triple strength dechlorinator with the final rinse.
Sweet find!

 

[Angel_fish]

I think im gonna do something like this.

AVATAR Landscaping aquarium

 

[DavidAl]

After you bleach it, use a good amount of dechlorinator through it while testing for leaks. If all is well, empty it out and let it sit in the sun for a couple of days.

David

 

[Angel_fish]

After you bleach it, use a good amount of dechlorinator through it while testing for leaks. If all is well, empty it out and let it sit in the sun for a couple of days.

David

Lol the sun in december lol. But yeah i checked it dosnt have any leaks and im gonna take my time with it.

 

[DavidAl]

Lol the sun in december lol. But yeah i checked it dosnt have any leaks and im gonna take my time with it.

Ah yeah, I sometimes think that because I live in sunny South Florida, that everyone else does as well! Shame on me. Anyway, you want to let the tank air-out...

Taking your time is a good thing. Lack of Patience is one reason many tanks end up on Craigslist.

David

 

[Angel_fish]

So update. I built my own backround with foam board and dry loc. there are two methods of filtration completely hidden. First the canster filter (obviously) second the background itself is basically an air pump filter. There is two 14 in bubble stones behind the back sucking water from under the gavel and pulling it up threw the back and up top. The heater is hidden in the back also. Tonight i just added dolomite gravel (not shown as water got a bit cloudy) and over all its looking pretty sexy. Soon it will be time for fish. Also there is a beach along the entire back about feet long and 3-4 in wide in case i get fiddler crabs, though the beach isn't noticeable at all. Over all it combines both function and design. Ill update when i get fish

 

[Angel_fish]

Oh i forgot. There are 7 caves and 14 little caves or nooks for cherry shrimp. The plants on the back round are fake, just because i wasn't sure if plant roots would tear up the foam or if foam would be good for them. And the goldfish in one of the pics is my Chief Inspector named Bruno, though he has his own tank, I wanted to test if the foam and dry lok would be suitable. After 2 weeks of test bruno was still alive and healthy and as happy as a chipmunk.

 

[Angel_fish]

Some more pics

 

[Angel_fish]

Some pics of how i made the back round. In order from begging to end. All materials used are non toxic and the project was very simple. Total cost was 64$

 

[Angel_fish]

The first pic is my cat oliver, hes helping me measure the tank.

 

[Angel_fish]

Oh and the chenicals i added: 1 bittle of stress coat, 1 bottle of flourish, 1 cup Kent's sea salt and 1 cup himalayan rock salt. Its a fresh water tank but i always add salt to tanks because it prevents algae and most fish diseases.

 

[Angel_fish]

The water cleared up a bit heres what i got

 

[thursyanna]

I love that video of the Avatar tank!! Yours is looking awesome so far! Keep posting pictures, I can't wait to see what it looks like when you get done. I bet it will be great!

 

[Angel_fish]

The water is cleared up a bit more

 

[Angel_fish]

This is Rizo the paradise gourami. I suspect hes a boy. Named after a local gourmet chef family, that refuses to cook any kind of fish. I Thought it was appropriate enough.

 

[Angel_fish]

This is Sunny, a yellow glofish barb. I should get a couple more