125 gallon lake malawi build

[kjacks]

Mine too i had to get it at tractor supply

 

[vance1013]

Mine too i had to get it at tractor supply

I've been given s lead on a place where I can get some I'll be checking it out here in vs couple days I'll report back on my find

 

[vance1013]

Another question would sand from a topsoil supplier would that be OK to use as well

 

[vance1013]

For instance this stuff http://www.pacifictopsoils.com/products_all.htm#Rock

 

[kjacks]

Im not real sure.. im gonna let someone with more experience help with this

 

[vance1013]

OK so for lights I want to diy my lights with LEDs since I think it would be more cost effective the paying an arm and a leg for a 6' light lol are there any good brands for led strips I could get Aldo what kindve power source do I need

 

[MMantelli]

Look up my thread diy led strip it will help you a lot there

 

[vance1013]

Look up my thread diy led strip it will help you a lot there

Cool thank you

 

[vance1013]

Look up my thread diy led strip it will help you a lot there

Just checked it out exactly what I was looking thank you helps alot

 

[MMantelli]

Oh and after some time with those cheap brand led strips they seem to fade some I would reccomend getting the 5050 ones there brighter.

 

[vance1013]

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?index=0&sbk=1&nav=SEARCH&itemId=181135629221

Would this one be good to use

 

[MMantelli]

Should be I would also reccomend doing as many strips as you can since its a 125 that a lot of depth.

 

[vance1013]

Stopped in at a lps and got 40 pounds of black sand no larger then 20lbs a bag was available so I'm going to do a two layer two tone sand bed I'm going with play sand on the bottom with black on top total of about 100lbs will be used will be a washing fool today lol also scrubbing my DW today and start soaking as well also will be using some river rock I have as a base underneath the sand for when I get my lace rock and coral from my LFS will be getting that in next 2-3 weeks along with my getting supplies for my diy lights

 

[vance1013]

Egg crate down and some base river rock























Black sand




Play sand and finishing begins

 

[vance1013]

Almost there couple more times to go should be good then onto the black sand

 

[vance1013]

Black sand in need couple more bags I think

 

[kjacks]

Looking good.. i did a mix myself in my 125g i used black and white.. i really could use a bag more of black well maybe not a bag bc it came in 50lb bags.. cant wait to see the finished project

 

[vance1013]

Looking good.. i did a mix myself in my 125g i used black and white.. i really could use a bag more of black well maybe not a bag bc it came in 50lb bags.. cant wait to see the finished project

Thank you can I see a pic or two of yours my bags come 20lbs so need I think maybe 2 more and then my lace rock got the drift wood in the dishwasher right now will do that a few times then soaking for a week or 2 won't be filling it for awhile

 

[kjacks]

Here is a older pic of mine ... we plan to go to branson,mo in sept im gomna go and try to find some rocks and driftwood as i have been lucky here with anything i can use ... couldnt get photos to post so i ha to improvise ... sry if they get huge

 

[vance1013]

Here is a older pic of mine ... we plan to go to branson,mo in sept im gomna go and try to find some rocks and driftwood as i have been lucky here with anything i can use ... couldnt get photos to post so i ha to improvise ... sry if they get huge

Looks good I like how the colors pop I'm glad I went with the darker sand really does make the colors stand out