First 75G Dirt Tank project

AquaTank · 03-10-2012, 04:34 AM

*updated photo* 3/30/12
added some new plants and rescaped.
Any thoughts? Suggestions?

MG ready to prep

MG all sifted out and ready

Vinyl picked up from local sign shop for background

Eco-complete x 6 bags

75G up and background installed

eco border prepped

dirt here we go...MG is in!

DriftWood is in

All is up and waiting for the plant package to be installed today!

Alright, here I go. I am currently running my 55G DIY tank with moderate success.

Recently two significant things happend!
1. A buddy of mine hooked me up with his 75G tank ($60)
2. I got bit by the dirt tank concept.

So here I go, I'm diving in and upgrading to the 75G starting today. I'm going to go high tech and suggestion are always welcomed!
Here is my plan.

- 75G (prepped and ready)
- CO2 setup (ordering parts now)
- 48" T5HO dual bulb (received)

I just purchased the Miracle Grow Organic and going to prep that tomorrow.

I was thinking of capping with eco-complete.
Any thoughts?

I will take pics and take this step by step.

Daximus · 03-10-2012, 04:47 AM

Are you looking for opinions, lol, cause mine opinion is don't go high tech hahaha.

Seriously though...I don't know, advice on what?

Capping with Eco Complete is cool...you can save a ton of money capping with other stuff if you are interested. Dirt tanks can be capped with anything and be very effective. The light sounds acceptable...not all T5HOs are equal, the one you ordered may or may not give you high light. No worries, it will grow stuff regardless. What are you looking at for Co2 stuff...you don't have to spend a fortune, but don't skimp.

That's all I got. I have a 90 gallon dirt on Co2, so if you have specific questions let me know and I'll try to answer.

tatersalad · 03-10-2012, 07:16 AM

I have a 65 gallon dirt tank. MGOP capped with black diamond blasting media. I am also EI dosing and running preasurized CO2. I would have to advise against capping the soil with eco-complete. I have eco in my shrimp tank and is tough to plant in by itself, I think it would not keep the MGOP from getting into the water and making a big mess. It's just too light of a substate for capping. Pool Filter Sand or any colors of the sandblasting media that is on the market will be great, just rinse very well before use. They make a blast media that is the same grain size as the black diamond but it is more of a "river rock" looking color.
When I first started my tank I did not dose EI and my stem plants just all wilted and died. All my heavy root plants did great of course. Now that I dose EI I can grow some stems.
Get ready to do alot of water changes the first month or so after setup. Also be prepared to heavily stock the tank when you first set it up. A step I wish I would have taken care of.

Daximus · 03-10-2012, 10:39 AM

I didn't know Eco Complete was that light. I amend my previous comment, you do want to use something fairly heavy. Small gravel, sand, or as stated black diamond...that's what I use on all my tanks.

AquaTank · 03-11-2012, 03:31 AM

Alright, so after some consideration...I'm going to cap the MG with black diamond.

question is how much will I need to properly cap this 75G?

AquaTank · 03-11-2012, 03:33 AM

@ Daximus - yea ECO complete seems pretty decent, but will get a bit pricey for the 75G
I think I will leave that for the 20L project.

tatersalad · 03-12-2012, 12:57 PM

You can pretty much only get it in the 100lb bags, so you won't need more than that

AquaTank · 03-14-2012, 03:13 AM

UPDATE

After some debate and not being able to come to a resolution...I purchased 6 bags of ECO-complete for the 75G and a 50lb bag of black diamond sand for the 29G that I will set up as well! So one project just turned into two! AWESOME!

Picked up vinyl for the background and the MG is now in its first soak.

I'll post some pics tomorrow. This is starting to get fun!

n8_crizzle · 03-26-2012, 04:21 PM

So excited! you need to put up some pics...good luck buddy

nonconductive · 03-26-2012, 05:50 PM

nice start!

AquaTank · 03-27-2012, 12:31 AM

I am running a rena xp3 and was wondering if that should be good enough for flow?

or should I hook up my maxijet 900?

AquaTank · 03-27-2012, 04:48 AM

Sneak preview of the 20GH NPT

AquaTank · 03-30-2012, 06:51 AM

I got my CO2 tank in today. super excited. just waiting for the co2 tubing tomorrow and in-line heater.

cant wait

n8_crizzle · 03-30-2012, 10:39 AM

Dang! Tank is looking good. It's gonna explode when that CO2 gets started. The only thing I would think to change or adjust would be the DW on the left of the tank as you face it. I would just move it to the right a little bit into the 2/3 area of the tank. Man. wish my tank looked like that. You're doing good Freddie.

**carpalstunna** · 03-30-2012, 01:25 PM

Looks great man, keep us updated on the substrate. I am planning an 55 gallon planted build and I was considering either all Eco complete or Eco complete over mgops. Can't wait to see it grow!

03-10-2012, 04:34 AM	#1
AquaTank Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: denver, co Posts: 70	First 75G Dirt Tank project updated photo 3/30/12 added some new plants and rescaped. Any thoughts? Suggestions? MG ready to prep MG all sifted out and ready Vinyl picked up from local sign shop for background Eco-complete x 6 bags 75G up and background installed eco border prepped dirt here we go...MG is in! DriftWood is in All is up and waiting for the plant package to be installed today! Alright, here I go. I am currently running my 55G DIY tank with moderate success. Recently two significant things happend! 1. A buddy of mine hooked me up with his 75G tank ($60) 2. I got bit by the dirt tank concept. So here I go, I'm diving in and upgrading to the 75G starting today. I'm going to go high tech and suggestion are always welcomed! Here is my plan. - 75G (prepped and ready) - CO2 setup (ordering parts now) - 48" T5HO dual bulb (received) I just purchased the Miracle Grow Organic and going to prep that tomorrow. I was thinking of capping with eco-complete. Any thoughts? I will take pics and take this step by step. __________________ * 20H NPT * * 20L Crayfish * 75G "The Beast" NPT Journal Projects: * 20L Shrimp Tank * * 55G planted, DIY C02 (torn down) * Last edited by AquaTank; 03-30-2012 at 06:15 AM.. Reason: updated pics

03-10-2012, 04:47 AM	#2
Daximus Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,623	Are you looking for opinions, lol, cause mine opinion is don't go high tech hahaha. Seriously though...I don't know, advice on what? Capping with Eco Complete is cool...you can save a ton of money capping with other stuff if you are interested. Dirt tanks can be capped with anything and be very effective. The light sounds acceptable...not all T5HOs are equal, the one you ordered may or may not give you high light. No worries, it will grow stuff regardless. What are you looking at for Co2 stuff...you don't have to spend a fortune, but don't skimp. That's all I got. I have a 90 gallon dirt on Co2, so if you have specific questions let me know and I'll try to answer. __________________ The Fraternity of Dirt #47 Low-Light, High-Tech 90! Low-Light, No-Tech 30!

03-10-2012, 10:39 AM	#4
Daximus Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,623	I didn't know Eco Complete was that light. I amend my previous comment, you do want to use something fairly heavy. Small gravel, sand, or as stated black diamond...that's what I use on all my tanks. __________________ The Fraternity of Dirt #47 Low-Light, High-Tech 90! Low-Light, No-Tech 30!

03-11-2012, 03:31 AM	#5
AquaTank Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: denver, co Posts: 70	Alright, so after some consideration...I'm going to cap the MG with black diamond. question is how much will I need to properly cap this 75G? __________________ * 20H NPT * * 20L Crayfish * 75G "The Beast" NPT Journal Projects: * 20L Shrimp Tank * * 55G planted, DIY C02 (torn down) *

03-11-2012, 03:33 AM	#6
AquaTank Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: denver, co Posts: 70	@ Daximus - yea ECO complete seems pretty decent, but will get a bit pricey for the 75G I think I will leave that for the 20L project. __________________ * 20H NPT * * 20L Crayfish * 75G "The Beast" NPT Journal Projects: * 20L Shrimp Tank * * 55G planted, DIY C02 (torn down) *

03-10-2012, 07:16 AM	#3
tatersalad Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (9/100%) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Henderson, TX Posts: 207	I have a 65 gallon dirt tank. MGOP capped with black diamond blasting media. I am also EI dosing and running preasurized CO2. I would have to advise against capping the soil with eco-complete. I have eco in my shrimp tank and is tough to plant in by itself, I think it would not keep the MGOP from getting into the water and making a big mess. It's just too light of a substate for capping. Pool Filter Sand or any colors of the sandblasting media that is on the market will be great, just rinse very well before use. They make a blast media that is the same grain size as the black diamond but it is more of a "river rock" looking color. When I first started my tank I did not dose EI and my stem plants just all wilted and died. All my heavy root plants did great of course. Now that I dose EI I can grow some stems. Get ready to do alot of water changes the first month or so after setup. Also be prepared to heavily stock the tank when you first set it up. A step I wish I would have taken care of.

03-12-2012, 12:57 PM	#7
tatersalad Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (9/100%) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Henderson, TX Posts: 207	You can pretty much only get it in the 100lb bags, so you won't need more than that

03-14-2012, 03:13 AM	#8
AquaTank Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: denver, co Posts: 70	UPDATE After some debate and not being able to come to a resolution...I purchased 6 bags of ECO-complete for the 75G and a 50lb bag of black diamond sand for the 29G that I will set up as well! So one project just turned into two! AWESOME! Picked up vinyl for the background and the MG is now in its first soak. I'll post some pics tomorrow. This is starting to get fun! __________________ * 20H NPT * * 20L Crayfish * 75G "The Beast" NPT Journal Projects: * 20L Shrimp Tank * * 55G planted, DIY C02 (torn down) *

03-26-2012, 04:21 PM	#9
n8_crizzle Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Warner Robins, GA Posts: 40	So excited! you need to put up some pics...good luck buddy __________________ ____________ n8 Fraternity of Dirt #79 29 Gallon Dirted Tank

03-26-2012, 05:50 PM	#10
nonconductive Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Deep Space Posts: 2,936	nice start! __________________ 125g Mud tank. (A)narchy Love *The Fraternity of Dirt #2*

03-27-2012, 12:31 AM	#11
AquaTank Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: denver, co Posts: 70	I am running a rena xp3 and was wondering if that should be good enough for flow? or should I hook up my maxijet 900? __________________ * 20H NPT * * 20L Crayfish * 75G "The Beast" NPT Journal Projects: * 20L Shrimp Tank * * 55G planted, DIY C02 (torn down) *

03-27-2012, 04:48 AM	#12
AquaTank Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: denver, co Posts: 70	Sneak preview of the 20GH NPT __________________ * 20H NPT * * 20L Crayfish * 75G "The Beast" NPT Journal Projects: * 20L Shrimp Tank * * 55G planted, DIY C02 (torn down) *

03-30-2012, 06:51 AM	#13
AquaTank Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: denver, co Posts: 70	I got my CO2 tank in today. super excited. just waiting for the co2 tubing tomorrow and in-line heater. cant wait __________________ * 20H NPT * * 20L Crayfish * 75G "The Beast" NPT Journal Projects: * 20L Shrimp Tank * * 55G planted, DIY C02 (torn down) *

03-30-2012, 10:39 AM	#14
n8_crizzle Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Warner Robins, GA Posts: 40	Dang! Tank is looking good. It's gonna explode when that CO2 gets started. The only thing I would think to change or adjust would be the DW on the left of the tank as you face it. I would just move it to the right a little bit into the 2/3 area of the tank. Man. wish my tank looked like that. You're doing good Freddie. __________________ ____________ n8 Fraternity of Dirt #79 29 Gallon Dirted Tank

03-30-2012, 01:25 PM	#15
carpalstunna Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: canton, ohio Posts: 263	Looks great man, keep us updated on the substrate. I am planning an 55 gallon planted build and I was considering either all Eco complete or Eco complete over mgops. Can't wait to see it grow!

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