[Jerad Wilson]

Hello! After cutting my last projects short (West African Biotope) and moving into a different house, it's time to start fresh with a 210 gallon tank. (84" x 24" x 24") Not sure what I want to do, but I'm leaning towards these options:

Discus tank?

Rainbow Fish Tank?

High Tech Community Tank?

Single neon tetra?

Something else??

Something to consider: This tank does not have an overflow, and I believe it is tempered. If I did want to run with a sump I would need an HOB overflow...

What filtration options would you guys consider? A couple aqua clear 110's? A couple canister filters?

This build could take a little while, so that I do everything right. I guess the first question is high or low tech, but that depends on the fish. If I am going with discus, I am going to want to go low tech... And If I want some geophagus in there, I am going to want to stick with mostly anubis and java fern and buses, etc. to keep an open sandy substrate.

Let me know what you guys think!!!

Also, I work at my LFS so I can get most fish, plants, and equipment at a pretty good discounted price.

 

[MasterofCloak]

You have a lot of options with such a big tank which will make this project way more fun. For starters if you went high tech lighting for a tank that size would be crazy expensive not to mention the cost of substrate and a co2 system. It would look really good and you could have a lot of space to scape. High tech would be very cool. Low tech would be easier to maintain and still look as good. For filtration I would stay away from hob filters. Maybe a large sump or several FX6 filters. I’m not sure about hob overflows though. I think the tank would look better as a species only rather than an all out community. Maybe one species of rainbow or discus and a bunch of dither fish as well as some Cory cats or apistos. Discus would look great in the tank for sure. If I got a tank like this I would probably dirt it or invest in a nutrient rich substrate (if dirt isn’t your thing) since it’ll help in the long run. I would scape with a lot of manzanita and lava rock or other dark stone and make it low to medium tech. I would probably add some Amazon Swords since there is so much space to grow and put in a single species of angelfish or discus as well as a giant school of tetras.


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[Jerad Wilson]

Well, if you haven't seen my other thread, (help me chose rare plants to tissue culture) my LFS is going to be getting a lot of rare plants. So, with those resources, I decided to go with a high tech tank, for the needy plants I will be keeping.

Today I picked up a 20lb C02 Tank with a Blueline regulator. Now, on to the lights and filtration...

 

[Aquatic Athlete]

I'd definitely go with a high tech, planted community tank. I like @MasterofCloak 's idea of a giant school of tetras as well.

 

[MasterofCloak]

Jerad's New 7 foot 210 Gallon Tank!!

There are some really good options for lighting. As of now radions seem very promising and are feature rich.

Also be prepared to make/purchase a co2 reactor since your tank is large.


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[Greggz]

Jerad it sounds like you have the makings for what could be a spectacular tank. 210G of high tech planted is not something you see every day. No matter the direction you choose, I am looking forward to see how this develops.

My advice would be to spend some time looking at journals of other larger tanks. You will get a lot of ideas, and can further research whatever catches your eye.

Myself I keep a high tech planted Rainbow tank. That being said, I have seen all types of beautiful tanks that I truly admire. From Discus to Rainbows to small shoaling fish to no fish, high tech to low tech, they can all be quite stunning in their presentation.

The most important thing is what do YOU like? Needless to say, subscribed and looking forward to seeing lots of pics.

 

[The Dude1]

The temps required for Discus limit plant selection so that has always kept me away from them. A large school of Corys and tetras (1 species) along with some Apisto's and Rainbows or maybe Philippine blue angels....
My next large tank will have
10 Amano shrimp
10 Nerites
15+ Panda Corys
50 Rummynose or Cardinals - maybe more
Groups of 2 or 3 species of Apisto's
3 - 4 Phillipine Blue Angels.
Do you want the constant action of Rainbows or the social interactions of cichlids?
Definitely high tech, but you're already there

 

[Jerad Wilson]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'll definitely take that into consideration.

I definitely don't want to be limited with plant selection, so with that, discus is off the stocking list.

I think I have decided to run with a giant eheim canister filter (Rated for nearly 400 gallons)


As much as I like radions, I feel like there is much more proved success with T5's. I don't know... tell me what you guys think...
Pics coming soon.

Bump: As far as stocking, I want to keep the sense of scale. I think I might limit myself to smaller fish.

A couple pairs of apistos, some ancistrist pleco's, dwarf cories, and a large group of smaller tetras to start off. I think dwarf cichlids are a good mix of size and cool behavior.

 

[sohankpatel]

I have some lighting that is extremely powerful and DIY that I will post when I get home. My friend made this fixture and it outputs over 400 PAR at full brightness @ 24". It cost him though.