[The Dude1]

Picking up the rack tomorrow morning and getting going on the second 75 gallon. I've got a good amount of wood and I'm picking up a little more tomorrow. Also going to pick up some black lava rock to grow fissidens and buces on. For now here's the wood I'm working with. The one piece is huge

I may just pick up whatever else I need tomorrow and deal with the consequences. I'm going to put a cycled AC70 on it from my 150 so I can add fish immediately giving my new syno's a grow out

 

[mbkemp]

I can't wait to see this


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[The Dude1]

Putting together the rack now. Have to drain the 75 and take all the rocks out and transfer it to the bottom shelf. The new one will go on top and I have room for 4 -10 gallon growouts on the bottom.
Got an AC70 and I'm going to swap media from one of my established 70's. I'll add another filter later on once I've got a light figured out. Hopefully 1 group of Syno's will arrive today and be comfortable in the tank by tomorrow. Another 5 are arriving next week.
Any.suggestions as to what to start stocking first? Maybe a couple Bolivians? I could maybe do Apisto's at the same time. It will take a while to get all the Rainbows sourced and budgeted in. I want to have a big 8 foot tank in my office when I open my own practice and I'm thinking a healthy mature group of Rainbows and some cool dwarf cichlids would keep the kids entertained. Everyone does saltwater... and its super cool.. but I think a mature planted tank could be just as impressive.

 

[Dman911]

Putting together the rack now. Have to drain the 75 and take all the rocks out and transfer it to the bottom shelf. The new one will go on top and I have room for 4 -10 gallon growouts on the bottom.
Got an AC70 and I'm going to swap media from one of my established 70's. I'll add another filter later on once I've got a light figured out. Hopefully 1 group of Syno's will arrive today and be comfortable in the tank by tomorrow. Another 5 are arriving next week.
Any.suggestions as to what to start stocking first? Maybe a couple Bolivians? I could maybe do Apisto's at the same time. It will take a while to get all the Rainbows sourced and budgeted in. I want to have a big 8 foot tank in my office when I open my own practice and I'm thinking a healthy mature group of Rainbows and some cool dwarf cichlids would keep the kids entertained. Everyone does saltwater... and its super cool.. but I think a mature planted tank could be just as impressive.

It may be a good idea to put something under those legs. That's a lot of weight to have on 4 tiny spots on the floor. Just a thought but I'm not saying it will be an issue but rather it may be.

Dan

 

[The Dude1]

It may be a good idea to put something under those legs. That's a lot of weight to have on 4 tiny spots on the floor. Just a thought but I'm not saying it will be an issue but rather it may be.

Dan

That's not a bad idea
Any tips on an air pump that can comfortably run sponge filters in 4 10 gallon tanks? Would one rated at 50 gallons work or more? That will be the only filters in them

 

[Dman911]

I use a fluval Q2 and it would have no problems doing 4 10gal tanks with sponge filters. For the cost there are also other options that will run many more than 4 tanks for a reasonable price like https://www.amazon.com/EcoPlus-Comm...ncoding=UTF8&refRID=DG173MYJ7W8CNX6QA6ZH&th=1 but I have never used them and would assume they would probably be a bit noisy if that is a concern. I also could not comment on the quality or life expectancy. I am very happy with the Q2 and it is adjustable. I use it to power my underwater waterfall and have had 2 sponge filters and a 1 gallon container of saltwater mixing at the same time while I was setting up stuff for shrimp breeding.

Dan

 

[The Dude1]

That Fluval looks perfect. I'll pick one up. Is this what I would need to split it to the 4 tanks?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01N...=MP0D3BHJP69GRT5ESB5M&dpPl=1&dpID=61mVAnsmCvL

Bump:
Measured out the rack, but one of the shelves has to be right in the middle to "stack" the two parts. I would prefer the frame rails to be single 6 foot rails, but that was not available in this style and rating. The 10's will go on top. I'll switch the tanks over tonight after the gym.

 

[Dman911]

That Fluval looks perfect. I'll pick one up. Is this what I would need to split it to the 4 tanks?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01N...=MP0D3BHJP69GRT5ESB5M&dpPl=1&dpID=61mVAnsmCvL

Never used that one in particular but pretty much any manifold will do. I use penn plex https://www.amazon.com/Plastic-4-Way-Control-Aquarium-Accessories/dp/B0026XWLQA and never had an issue with them. I have used other cheap plastic ones that have been garbage and often leak. Cheap check valves can really restrict air flow and I don't use them on my pumps because I'm to cheap to buy decent ones. I don't recommend not using them but if you hook it up and get less than desirable airflow that's the first place you should look.

Dan

 

[Dman911]

Just wanted to add incase you were unware that when the diaphragm(s) on these pumps fail you can but a repair/replacement kit for a fraction of buying a replacement pump. I used to fix quite a few elite air pumps before I went to one central pump when I was breeding.

Q1, Q2 Air Pump Repair Module | A18832 | Replacement Parts | Fluval

Dan

 

[mbkemp]

I love Bolivian rams. Some cockatoo's with them might work in a big tank. I tried borelli and that did not. Let it season a little.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[The Dude1]

I feel terrible. Last night was awful. After the gym I got to work. I ended up having to remove everything from the tank to move it... including fish... all I had was a 3 gallon bucket so I tried to do I quickly... then realized that there wasnt enough room for me to get into the bottom tank... and fit filters etc... then once I figured that out the wife was getting irritated with the aquarium supplies in her bathroom... started pumping water back into the tank and basically just dumped the fish back in and started reworking the rack and moving out the old furniture.... then the dog got out... once I convinced her to come back in and got the stands to the garage every one of the fish was dead... no dechlorinator... I'm guessing... my water comes from a well, but what else could it be?? They were dead in 10 minutes... I feel awful...
I just stopped and I'm going to take a break. Hopefully I can get the room situated today and get the second tank on the rack and clean up the room... but I am stumped... I haven't used dechlorinator in well over a year and never an issue...
There's alot more to doing a rack than just setting one tank above the other I am learning.

 

[mbkemp]

I did something similar last week. Tragic!! We learn from our mistakes and get better


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Dman911]

Your well has chlorine/chloramines? It could be several things and more than likely not a single cause. Lack of oxygen, big change in temp and overall stress would come to mind first. I have made similar mistakes over the years and I usually attribute this to my lack of patience which has become much better in the last 10 years. Use this as a chance to learn and don't beat yourself up over it. Yes there was loss of life but it was not intentional and you have gained a lesson out of it. If I sound a little uncaring its probably because I am a little desensitized as over the years of breeding and culling euthanizing fish when needed has probably influenced my views.

Dan

 

[The Dude1]

Your well has chlorine/chloramines? It could be several things and more than likely not a single cause. Lack of oxygen, big change in temp and overall stress would come to mind first. I have made similar mistakes over the years and I usually attribute this to my lack of patience which has become much better in the last 10 years. Use this as a chance to learn and don't beat yourself up over it. Yes there was loss of life but it was not intentional and you have gained a lesson out of it. If I sound a little uncaring its probably because I am a little desensitized as over the years of breeding and culling euthanizing fish when needed has probably influenced my views.

Dan

This has me puzzled as well... then inwas reading Greggz thread... again... and noticed the mention of an ammonia spike when breaking down and moving an established tank... is that what happened?? Tank has been set up with no gravel / sand disturbance for about 18 months...
If so how long until it is safe to restock? I'm going to pick up more Prime tonight, but I'm not sure what I'm dealing with. I guess I will test when I get home. Hadn't even considered this. I'm hoping to finish getting this tank running and planted so I can get the other tank on top and start working on my tanks together.. since I'm starting over both will now be HEAVILY planted and at last one large Red sword. Is there one that you recommend?
There will be no plant eaters... no Pleco's, no Congo Tetras...
For the "wood" tank I'm thinking Bolivians, Apisto Caucatoides, 4 species of Rainbows and what bottom dweller? I'd love loaches. Any that don't touch the plants?

 

[Dman911]

This has me puzzled as well... then inwas reading Greggz thread... again... and noticed the mention of an ammonia spike when breaking down and moving an established tank... is that what happened?? Tank has been set up with no gravel / sand disturbance for about 18 months...
If so how long until it is safe to restock? I'm going to pick up more Prime tonight, but I'm not sure what I'm dealing with. I guess I will test when I get home. Hadn't even considered this. I'm hoping to finish getting this tank running and planted so I can get the other tank on top and start working on my tanks together.. since I'm starting over both will now be HEAVILY planted and at last one large Red sword. Is there one that you recommend?
There will be no plant eaters... no Pleco's, no Congo Tetras...
For the "wood" tank I'm thinking Bolivians, Apisto Caucatoides, 4 species of Rainbows and what bottom dweller? I'd love loaches. Any that don't touch the plants?

Definitely possible that could be the cause. Possibly huge spike in nitrogen or big release of H2S from substrate disturbance. Either way I would not add fish to the tank until you have tested parameters are can verify they are safe. Do you have a test kit by chance?

Added: H2S would explain the extremely fast death rate but again no way to be sure. Did you notice a rotten egg smell at all?

Dan

 

[The Dude1]

Definitely possible that could be the cause. Possibly huge spike in nitrogen or big release of H2S from substrate disturbance. Either way I would not add fish to the tank until you have tested parameters are can verify they are safe. Do you have a test kit by chance?

Added: H2S would explain the extremely fast death rate but again no way to be sure. Did you notice a rotten egg smell at all?

Dan

Yes it did. Not as bad as when I had potting soil, but very noticeable
I have a test kit

 

[The Dude1]

ended up finding another lfs today. It was simply incredible. Planted tanks all over. If I had to guess I would say maybe a thousand gallons of water filled with nothing but plants in addition two several sections of tissue cultured plants. I picked up several types of Crips some Corkscrew Val's some swords and pretty much everything I wanted except for the compacta... I also picked up seven synodontis multipunctatus and one synodontis green leopard hybrid. my six synodontis petricola should arrive today or tomorrow

 

[roadmaster]

Synodontis multipunctatus will grow to seven inches(easily) and keeping rooted plant's in place could be problematic due to the fishes habit of rooting around the substrate in search of food's.
The Synodontis petricola stay much smaller, and would create less issues IME.

 

[The Dude1]

Synodontis multipunctatus will grow to seven inches(easily) and keeping rooted plant's in place could be problematic due to the fishes habit of rooting around the substrate in search of food's.
The Synodontis petricola stay much smaller, and would create less issues IME.

I didn't know that... they will only be in this tank until they are large enough to go in my 150 Peacock and Hap tank. It's just a growout for them

 

[The Dude1]

They are all out checking out the new tank. I think it will look good once stuff grows in a bit. I may do some moss on some of the rocks and probably a little more java moss on the left side on top of those stones. Water is still a little cloudy from the addition of more PFS. I'll probably start working on the top tank which will be the "wood" tank tonight and figure out hardscape. I know if like some Blyxa as well as a piece of wood with a good amount of Buces. Definitely some of that hygro compacta... They also had a very deep red rotala at the store that I couldn't stop looking at. I'm going to start making my plants list today.
You can now see some of the silicone from where I affixed the old 3d background... the vals should hire that quickly.
I've also decided given the number and cost of my various hobbies that these two tanks will be the recipients of a pressurized system rather than the 150 which is inhabited by the plant munching African cichlids. Probably just use 2 of the long atomizers from GLA as I really don't want to get any additional canisters.