New 125 Gallon beginning....

[nmarc3627]

Hey, that's a novel idea.

This is the way I have done it, but unless you either full tape the entire outside edge (and I do mean the entire outside edge) or silicone it water gets inbetween the background and the back of the tank. Thus creating a mess and when you have the right amount of tape across the back you end up not being able to clear it and it can take days to clear.

I just wanted to point out that I have had a background for say 10 months now and have never once gotten water between it and the glass. I only have it taped twice on each side. I just don't see where the problem comes from.

 

[konrad05]

Same here

Maybe if I worked from the back of the tank, then I'd understand. Where would the water come from otherwise?

 

[enchanted]

For one, my secondary filter is a HOB. Occasionaly these have to removed for cleaning or moved and water can be spilled which runs down the back of the tank. Also I've noticed that when I move or change around the glass tops it can happen occasionaly also.

 

[MNfishy]

I have a question, did you boil or wash the sand? If not what did you do, just put it in there, is that ok?

 

[enchanted]

Playsand comes sterilized. The first time I did playsand I washed it in a 5 gallon bucket, but after that I decided I didn't like that method.

This time I placed it in the tank first, then added water and did 4 full water changes and 2 1/2 water changes. As you can see from the last picture it worked well.

 

[c1tyfc]

I used vegetable oil to attach the background to my tank, gives a much better adhesion than water and i have only used tape on the top to stop pollution. Dont get it in the water though. Never had any air bubbles or any other problems with it. Nice tank, cant wait for the finished article.

 

[fufanu360]

hmm ive never had that problem with my backround. and ffg is tottaly rite about the guppy thing, guppies are for 10 gallon tanks

 

[enchanted]

Guppys are for whatever tank someone wants to put them in. My guppys are enjoying the 125 Gallon and I have no intention of removing them, although I do intend to add more fish as I have already done.

What fish go in a tank are a persons choice and what they enjoy (and will fit size wise w/ the tank). Asking and recieving advice on fish is excellent if the person takes the time to research the fish and make sure they will enjoy the fish they are adding.

Personally, I'm not into larger fish such as many of the chiclids that grow in excess of 12". A 3" to 6" fish is more than big enough for me, although I do realize that my pleco will grow up to 12"+ eventually.

The other thing you need to take into account is that this is a planted tank and many of the larger fish tear planted tanks apart, which is something else I have to be careful and watch for.

The plants, the guppys, the corys, are all what supports me in this hobby and earns me some side money. I just took in a bunch of trimmings from my plants to one of my LFS and recieved a $15.00 in store credit, and that was nothing as for amount compared to what I hope to take in within the next 2 months.

I enjoy my fish and taking care of them, but I would also like them to cover their own expenses and eventually pay me back for the money I have invested. I know this is possible and just takes time. BTW, I get $1.50 per cory and $1.00 per Guppy at my LFS w/ 50% instore credit and 50% cash.

As for the background, I haven't decided what I am going to do for a background for sure yet. I'm looking at the option of an attached one, painted one (which a lot of people agree is popular and works well), or a planted one.

 

[The-Wolf]

PAINT ARE YOU KIDDING DONT PAINT THAT TANK!!!, jsut buy a black background

Firstly
please don't type in capitols it implts shouting and is considered very RUDE!

secondly, many people paint the back of the tank. You will see this if you search this forums for background(s).
I have a tank with a painted background and it is much better than a sick-on one.

Painting the back of the tank is fine as long as it's the exterior of the tank and not the interior.

 

[tear-scar]

What's wrong with guppies!? Guppies are great!

Good fish selection enchanted. A pleco would not be my personal choice as an algae eater, because it'll eventually get to big to browse on the plants and causes a lot of waster, but it's not the worst choice. Get an army of ottos.

Anyway, small fish are great-- that's my feel. Who needs big ol' clumsy oafs-- and not everyone needs to be a discus keeper (though discus are beauties). Dwarf cichlids like apistogramma are a lot more pretty than bigger cichlids, and just as interesting. That'd be my suggestion, especially with all the great rock hide outs you've made. Any apistogramma or other dwarf cichlids would be super happy to live there. Plus having them makes schooling fish school instead of wandering off. And, apistogrammas good parents.

 

[enchanted]

The Pleco wasn't a choice on purpose originally. We had one for years when I was a kid, very definitely a common, and he never became more than about 6" so until this site I had no clue they grow to 12"+. But I have him and I just don't have the heart to rehome him to someone else....

He actually stays away from the plants, I trained him against that when he was attacking my sword and got him addicted to Algae Wafers and bloodworms.

I'm hoping to add 3 more Otos soon. I'm doing research because I hope to possibly figure out how to breed them. I've learned it is less expensive to breed than it is to buy.

I'm still researching some of the Dwarf Chiclids. I can't seem to get them anywhere locally at this time of year. I keep getting told they are seasonal.

I'm looking at adding a school (9 or 10) black neons soon, but I'm waiting for the plants to grow in more.

 

[enchanted]

And now for the picture update. Here is the tank as of tonight.

 

[Sorrell]

I thin kyour tank looks beautiful! You have obviously put a lot of time and thought into it and I bet your fish are in absolute heaven in there

I also think that many people in here are being exceptionally rude A person's tank should be filled with whatever they are happy with. I'm not a huge guppy fan myself, but imagine 125 gallons of guppies and plants, that would and will be a sight to see. Background wise, who cares?! Painted or paper, it really isn't going to affect anyone else and both would look nice. I'm sorry, but I see a very well done tank with fish in exceptional care and all the majority of you can do is b*tch about anything you can think of.

 

[lizard]

Your tank is coming along nicely, enchanted! Keep up the good work! I can't wait to see how it looks when the plants get to really growin'

I also think that many people in here are being exceptionally rude A person's tank should be filled with whatever they are happy with. I'm not a huge guppy fan myself, but imagine 125 gallons of guppies and plants, that would and will be a sight to see. Background wise, who cares?! Painted or paper, it really isn't going to affect anyone else and both would look nice.

I'm with Sorrell - each person's tank should be how s/he wants it to be, not how other people think it ought to be. I, too prefer small fish I like my little Neons, Corys, Kuhlis, and the like. I didn't catch what all you plan to put in the tank, but from what I've picked up on, you're planning to keep some Guppies in there. I think that'll look great! Guppies, Corys, lots of plants - pretty! I'm sure those little fishies will love having so much space to roam, too! Please keep the pictures coming! As far as backgrounds go - I spend very little time looking at the back of my tank: I prefer to look at the fish and plants They're nice, just to hide the cords and the like, but if you don't want one, you don't have to have one

Pamela
aka Married Lizard

 

[enchanted]

I am going to add a black background, just to better accent the fish and plants.

As for fish, so far I have Guppys, Corys, Kuhlis, 1 Gourami, and 1 common Pleco.

In plans at the moment are 2 Female Sunset Fire Gouramis to go with my male, 1 Male Neon Blue Gourami and 2 Females.

The Gouramis will be in and out because I understand that they need a lower tank for breeding and I'm beginning to think my 30 Long would do good for this purpose.

I haven't decided on other fish because I'm still researching heavily. I do enjoy my guppys. Not only are they colorful they are the most friendly fish in the tank. I can't even reaquascape without being nibbled.


As for how a tank should be, as I had said earlier and both Sorrell and Lizard said, a tank is most important to the one who owns it because the tank we own is what we have to look at day in and day out.

Personally, the greatest compliment to me so far was when my father should up this morning, walked in the living room and said "That is one good looking tank". Getting compliments out of my father is not always easy........