80 Gallon Amazon Build(Pic Heavy)

[williamsonaaron]

Hi All,

I am about to embark on a new tank build for a new 120 gallon tank that I have just bought.. I am planning out the new build and have been looking back on my pictures etc from my 80 gallon amazon display. I always had intended to journal the build and the tank progress but I guess I never got around to it. So here it is, the first post is the actual building of the back ground. it is always my intention to build displays and environments that make my fish feel at home and comfortable and for the viewers of the tank to feel like they are catching a real glimpse of nature. Hope you enjoy, feel free to ask any questions.

Equipment

Tank
80 gallon Bowfront from Marineland 26HX48X18(widest point)

Heater
Jager 125 - I highly recommend this brand of heater I believe it is and Eheim product.

Lighting
Coralife Freshwater Aqualight 4X65w power compacts. I use two colormax bulbs and 2 6700k bulbs.
I have the fixture hung approximately 8 inches off the top of the tank.

Light Timing
I have the 2 color max bulbs on 8 hours a day and I give a 3 hour burst by turning on all 4 bulbs for 3 hours midday.

Filtration
1 Eheim 2217
1 Eheim 2215
The fish and plants both love the flow from the dual filtration and I love the water clarity from the over filtration. I also personally think that the extra flow helps to prevent some algae types from getting rooted on my plant leaves.

Substrate
Inert black sand and inert gravel. I originally used root tabs through out the tank for the first 6 - 8 months. This is not necessary anymore as fish poop provides all the ferts I need.

Ferts
mostly none.
occasionally API plant zone
occasionally flourish excel for algae control..


The back ground has been cut into 3 pieces so I don't have to remove the tanks top brace.


Putting in the pieces I called risers - simply just foam insulation board.


Cutting in the vents to allow water behind the background for filtration and heating.

Glueing the Background back together in the tank using a light bead of silicone.

Always plan ahead for your heater, plumbing and airlines. In my next tank I am planing underwater lighting and will put the wires down and in behind similar to how the airline is done here.

Glueing final piece in.

Siloconing the back ground in place my one regret is using clear silicon I attempted to cover the joints with sand but was never satisfied fully with the results. A mistake I will not make with my next display.

The Finished product with out water or inhabitants.


The First days with Flora and Fauna.



I will go back through my pictures and update the progress over the last two years as it happened. And I will begin documenting my new build of the 120 gallon which will again have a 3 dimensional background but this time I am going to make it a bit more interesting(and complicated). With the new build I won't wait 2 years to begin the journal on here. Hope you all enjoy.

Aaron.

[LetThereBeFish]

Wow that backround is incredible!

[ibmikmaq]

I love the back ground wish I could afford one of those at the time I put together my tank!

[williamsonaaron]

Originally Posted by ibmikmaq

I love the back ground wish I could afford one of those at the time I put together my tank!

Yeah The background was about 180 plus 70 for shipping such a large package. I tell you though from the enjoyment I got from building it and the 2 years of enjoyment of viewing my tank plus the compliments when people come over and see it for the first time.. it was money well spent. Which is why I didn't have a problem dishing out 315 for the back ground for my new tank which I only pland to use less than half of.

[williamsonaaron]

Here are some photos of about 2 years ago leading up to 1 year ago when my Rams arrived. I no longer have the beautiful hygro bush pictured here and I miss it dearly.. it feel victim to some bba and was never the same after the trim back. I plan to get some more really soon if I can find it.

First inhabitants Tetras playing.


Hygro Bush has really taken off in this one.. I miss it so much.


My prized bosemani


A Ram I named "Pretty Boy"


Rainows breeding and Rams eating the eggs as they fall.

[williamsonaaron]

Here are the most recent pics of my tank that I took just yesterday.

Recently added apisto pair


Pretty Boy


Prized Bosemani


Full tank shot - again really miss the hygro bush.


A tank Native - bron in tank a cross between a yellow rainbow female and Bosemani Male.


Apisto Male

[The Gipper]

where did you get the background?
tank looks great

[williamsonaaron]

Originally Posted by The Gipper

where did you get the background?
tank looks great

Thanks - Gipper,

I got it from www.gillsnfins.ca a guy named Patrick runs a store in Edmonton or that area and he's very helpful. Their site has plenty of details on the finer installation points that I didn't include here.

I just ordered a second background the Malawi rock formations for my next project which will be up in the next few weeks once I complete it.

If you are in the states I also know a site that sells them which I tried to buy from but they were difficult to deal with and not good at answering and responding to emails in a timely way.

Aaron.

[CorrinaCorrina]

Your apistos are gorgeous! Thanks for pointing me to your journal! So they are ok in pairs? I found a site that only sells pairs of them. I am a bit concerned since I have never kept cichlids before and they say they are finicky eaters and odd inhabitants of the community tank. I do kind of want a nice centerpiece fish. How long have you been keeping them and can you explain some of the finer points of maintaining a good life for them?

[bmwguy525]

That is a great looking tank. What equipment are you using? Filter/lighting/ferts/etc?

[williamsonaaron]

Originally Posted by bmwguy525

That is a great looking tank. What equipment are you using? Filter/lighting/ferts/etc?

Good question - I'll update the main post as well. but here it is below as well.

Tank
80 gallon Bowfront from Marineland 26HX48X18(widest point)

Heater
Jager 125 - I highly recommend this brand of heater I believe it is and Eheim product.

Lighting
Coralife Freshwater Aqualight 4X65w power compacts. I use two colormax bulbs and 2 6700k bulbs.
I have the fixture hung approximately 8 inches off the top of the tank.

Light Timing
I have the 2 color max bulbs on 8 hours a day and I give a 3 hour burst by turning on all 4 bulbs for 3 hours midday.

Filtration
1 Eheim 2217
1 Eheim 2215
The fish and plants both love the flow from the dual filtration and I love the water clarity from the over filtration. I also personally think that the extra flow helps to prevent some algae types from getting rooted on my plant leaves.

Substrate
Inert black sand and inert gravel. I originally used root tabs through out the tank for the first 6 - 8 months. This is not necessary anymore as fish poop provides all the ferts I need.

Ferts
mostly none.
occasionally API plant zone
occasionally flourish excel for algae control..

[williamsonaaron]

Originally Posted by CorrinaCorrina

Your apistos are gorgeous! Thanks for pointing me to your journal! So they are ok in pairs? I found a site that only sells pairs of them. I am a bit concerned since I have never kept cichlids before and they say they are finicky eaters and odd inhabitants of the community tank. I do kind of want a nice centerpiece fish. How long have you been keeping them and can you explain some of the finer points of maintaining a good life for them?

oh I forgot to mention in my PM they will be happier in pairs than being alone.. so yes M/F pair all they way. Also the female is much smaller than the male so any tank that could handle a male could handle a M/F combo.

[bighollywood]

Looks awesome

[williamsonaaron]

Forgot to show my female apisto

[nalu86]

I can send you some hygro Siamesis for shipping cost if you want.
Tank looks awesome btw