Zachary 908's 75g "Collectoritis in a big way" Update 1/29

[zachary908]

So, I've been gathering up the supplies for my new 75 gallon tank for a little while, and next week I plan to make the switch from my 65 to the new tank. I just finished putting the first coat of black paint for the background. Tomorrow I should apply another coat and go from there.

Finally it is all coming together, I've been waiting for this!

Flora *Updated 1/29*
Bucephalandra 'Sintang'
Blyxa Aubeti
Crypt x Purpurea
Crypt Nurri
Crypt Nurri 'mutated'
Crypt wendtii 'red'
Crypt Wendtii 'bronze'
Crypt Wendtii 'Green'
Crypt Albida
Hygrophila polysperma
Hygrophila Bold
Hygrophila Odora
Ludwigia Repens
Ludwigia Ovalis
Pogostemon helferi (downoi)
Rotala Rotundifolia
Glosso




Fauna *updated 1/29*
15x Cardinal Tetra
25x Rummynose Tetra
6x Microrasbora Kubotai
4x Garderi Killi fish ( 1 male 3 females)
8x Sterbai Cory cat
3x ( Trio) Aru II rainbows
1x Gold Nugget Pleco
12x Y. Sidthimunki Loaches

[zachary908]

Finished painting the back ground yesterday. Today when I go in to work I'm going to grab some lace rock, and when I come home I will play around with hardscape arrangements. Should have pictures coming either this evening, or tomorrow.

[gene4christ]

Sounds like my 75gal. adventure but you are closer to completion it seems !
I've been collecting goodies for three years now I have everything and in the process of building the stand ,anyway I am looking forward to the pictures and updates as you progress with your tank

[lurrch]

I'm planning on setting up a 75g in a month. I mostly have the materials, I'm just waiting to move into a new (larger) apartment.


You should take pictures at each stage if you can.

[zachary908]

I haven't been gathering stuff for quite that long, but definitely for a couple months! I will try to take pictures of everything, but no promises, ha! Today while I was at work I purchased five bunch plants, Some val, and rock. Anyway, I'm going to plumb the over flow into the tank tonight hopefully, and I'll get some pictures of the tank sitting on the stand for the heck of it. Might even get a picture of the driftwood piece I've created. The plan as of right now is to bring the rest of the supplies home from work Tuesday, along with two 30 gallon trash cans, and some extra water. Ideally I will tear down my existing 65 completely, and transfer the fish and some of the plants over to the new 75, and have it running by the end of the day.

[zachary908]

Behold, a picture! I know it's not much, but hey, it is better than nothing!

I just finished putting this piece of wood together, it is actually comprised of three or four different pieces of wood collected locally. They are held together by stainless steel screws. The larger bottom piece serves as the base, and will will most likely be buried completely under the substrate. I'm hoping that by doing this I will be able to set up the tank without soaking the wood and if not well..... who knows.

You can also see the black painted on background. I used Rust-oleum black oil based paint, and a plain old sponge roller, it took two coats of paint.

Anyway, I will be setting up the tank Wednesday, and I will try to take pictures of that.

[zachary908]

Wow, I've been so excited about this new tank I completely forgot about entering some specs......

Anyway,
Substrate is 120 lbs of Eco-Complete.

Lighting will be a 4x 54 watt T5HO from Catalina. I will most likely only run one bank of lights, so two bulbs. I got a mix of bulbs that way I can play around with it. I have two plant grow bulbs, one 10k, and one 6700k. The plan as of now is to run one bank of lights for 4 hours, then run the other bank of lights for the remaining 4 hours of the 8 hour photo period.


I have a pressurized CO2 system from my 65, and I will most likely use that on this tank.

Filtration will be a sump, the sump has tons of bio balls on the right, and two spots for filter pads, and of course a spot for the return pump. I am currently using this on my 65 as well, it is made out of a 20 gallon tank. I know most people don't like to use sumps and CO2 together, but it has worked well for me in the past.

Plants well... I'm not actually going to make a list honestly I will probably add whatever I feel like, ha! I know I will be using X mas moss, Java fern, Anubias, various crypts, val, and of course some stems.


I will warn you guys now I do overstock my tanks, but I also over filter my tanks. I'm not sure on numbers, but I plan to have Discus ( probably red turquoise), Rummy nose tetras, Cardinals, Sterbai cories, and a Gold nugget pleco ( Maybe more than one if I can get a hold of some more. ( the one I have now is about 4 inches.)

Let me know what you guys think, and if you have any questions. Also looking at the fish list what kind of numbers do you guys think I can get away with?

[zachary908]

Tank is up and running! I think it looks pretty good for just the initial planting! I can't wait to see it fill in. Pictures to come once the water clears up.

[lurrch]

I'm a fan of this site for getting a rough idea on numbers:
http://aqadvisor.com/

Obviously you still have to monitor the tank as you add stuff, but it's fun to play around with. It doesn't have an option for a sump though; you'd have to guess at the equivalent filter capacity.

[zachary908]

Okay, I know I've been doing terrible with this whole journal thing already, but here are the pictures I promised! I finished planting the tank at around 4:30, so it has been running since then. Water is still a bit cloudy, and all of the pictures look yellow because of my crappy point and shoot, but oh well.

Let me know what you guys think!

[zachary908]

Added 25 Cardinals and 25 Rummy Nose today, I figured since they are fairly sensitive fish I should get extras in case I have any losses. Did a two hour drip acclimation, and all are doing pretty well so far. Hopefully at least half of each live, but I don't expect many to die. This looked like a pretty nice batch.

I'd still like some input on the tank, guys. almost 300 views and hardly any feedback!

[zachary908]

So far so good. Haven't lost any Cardinals or Rummy Nose yet. They are all eating well! And already getting good color.

Again, I'd love your feedback, guys!

[zachary908]

Thought I would share a picture of my Gold Nugget Pleco. Anyone know if this is a male or a female? I think it's a male, but I'm not sure.

[kamikazi]

you added the discus to the new tank right away?

[zachary908]

The tank isn't really new. I had a 65 before this, and all of the water went into this tank the sump and all of the bio balls from the 65 gallon also went into the "new" tank. Really the only thing new about this tank is some of the equipment and the tank it's self.