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New 75 gallon Tang tank

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theswede
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Post by Norm66 Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:38 am

I know some of you will see this at the other forum, but I wanted to post this here too to get more ideas. Besides, this is the place that "talked" me into going to the ACA Convention next month. Smile

I'm starting planning for my new Tanganyikan community tank. I really wanted a 6 foot tank, but I just don't have the room for it. I'm going to DIY a stand that will hold the 75 gallon with a 40 gallon breeder under it for down the road when some of what goes in the 75 needs to come out as pairs develop. Right now I'm just putting up the 75, the 40 will be down the line.

Since I'm putting another tank under this one I won't have space for a sump so I'll probably use a combo of a canister and a HOB along with an UGJ system. I'm picturing a few rock piles with some open sand and of course a shell bed, but no floor to top rocks like a mbuna setup.

I'm attending the ACA convention in DC in late July and plan to have the tank cycled and ready by then so I can stock it from the convention which I understand will be easily done.

What I like is relatively small fish and I would really like to have 4 species if possible (so I'm not interested in tropheus or fronts right now). I'd like to provide space where each can thrive and spawn, but raising fry will not be my priority.

I know for sure I want alto Calvus (I like black, my wife likes the warmer colors), a shell dweller (something besides multies which I already have but that will populate a shell area with their young) and some type of cyps. I'd like another rock dwelling species if possible. I've had juli transcriptus and while they look cool, I find them relatively boring. I've looked a little at caudopunks and buescheri but am totally open to suggestions.

Please feel free to make any suggestions that occur to you. I've kept cichlids for a long time, but I only have limited Tanganyika experience with juli transcriptus and multies really (though I have had a single comp. and a breeding tank of nl. brichardi the past few months.

Thanks in advance.

Norm66

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Post by football mom Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:23 pm

I love the calvus. I have juvie black calvus, and comps, and have the adult pair that
spawned the juvie comps (although at the Captain and Nicoles's house, not mine)
and I love them, too. They are just such neat-looking fish.
The male adult Comp and both male and female gold occies are the only fish I have that will bite me (or the net) if I stick my hands in the tank.

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Post by Norm66 Sun Jun 05, 2011 12:16 pm

So as it turns out, my wife wants a tank bigger than 75. So now I'm looking at 6 foot tanks which I think would allow a total of 6 species, maybe a sand sifter and another rock dweller? Paracyps? Hmmmm.........

And of course if I'm going that big I'll probably go with a sump system. tee hee. I'm getting giddy.

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Post by football mom Sun Jun 05, 2011 11:24 pm

With a 6ft you could have some cyprichromis. I have a few paracyps.
I don't like them as much as I liked my C . Utinta that i kept years ago.

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Post by Norm66 Tue Jun 07, 2011 1:59 pm

So far I'm looking at a 180 gallon. If nothing else changes I'm gathering the stuff Friday and a buddy is helping me build the stand Saturday. Right now I have my design being looked at by one of the engineers I work with. Can't be too careful with that much weight. In fact, I have a plan to reinforce the floor too. It's near an outside wall and perpendicular to the joists but still...

Still looking at cyps, calvus (or comps), moving my multies in, caudopunks and maybe two other species I haven't figured out yet. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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Post by Norm66 Tue Jun 14, 2011 7:12 am

Well, this has turned out to be the incredible growing, then shrinking tank. Originally I was planning a 75 but when the wife said she wanted a 6 foot tank I started thinking 180. Problem is, a 125 is $317 and a 180 is $799. So guess who's getting a 125 now.... Someday I'll have a really big tank, but after building the stand the 125 will be plenty big for now.

Anyway, here's an in progress pic of the stand we built Sunday. It doesn't have the plywood or knee braces on it yet in this pic. That's my drummer and builder friend Layne with his boy Super Seth there supervising.

New 75 gallon Tang tank Photo1
It got a coat of primer last night and I'll be painting it tonight and tomorrow so I can get it inside before we get any rain.

I ordered an FX5 canister, the powerheads (for the UGJ) and heater last night and today I order the tank for a Thursday delivery. Still on schedule for stocking it at the ACA convention!

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Post by Aura Tue Jun 14, 2011 9:21 am

That's quite a price difference. I'd go with the 125 as well. (I don't think I'd be able to reach the bottom of a 180 without getting wet anyway.)

The stand is looking good.
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Post by Norm66 Tue Jun 14, 2011 10:15 am

I may have goofed on my dimensions on the height thing now that you mention it. I'm not sure if I'll be able to reach down inside all the way to the back without a stool or something. Once I get it in there I'll knock up a little step stool for me to fall off of... er, I mean stand on. Smile

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Post by theswede Tue Jun 14, 2011 10:02 pm

Wow, $317 for a 125g is a very good price. I think it would probably cost me at least the double over here.
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Post by Norm66 Wed Jun 15, 2011 7:12 am

the 125 is on sale this month for some reason. I'm just hoping I dont' find out the 180 is on sale next month... I've asked the lfs guy not to tell me if it is. ;^)

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Post by Aura Wed Jun 15, 2011 11:02 am

I have to use a stool to reach the bottom of my 75 gallons. Laughing
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Post by Norm66 Fri Jun 17, 2011 10:59 am

I got the stand into position last night and with a measuring tape I don't think I'll need a stool after all. It's pretty close though.

As of now I have everything I need except the heater and powerheads (en route), the tank itself (should be in today, waiting to hear from the lfs) and lights (which will come from Home Depot). It's PVC shopping Sunday because my parents are coming down to see my wife's debut as lead singer of her first band (I play bass) so Saturday will be shot and then next week get the UGJ, the DIY Spraybar set up, the tank leveled, filled, drained, leveled etc., clean sand, gather rocks. Whew. Still lots to do. I can't wait.

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Post by jmcfive Fri Jun 17, 2011 2:21 pm

We are all excited to see the finished set-up (at least I am)... Keep the updates coming!
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Post by Rift_Lakes_Rule Fri Jun 17, 2011 10:03 pm

Stand looks great. Definitely looks strong enough to me. Your definitely making good progress on this project. It's really gonna be cool to be there when you get the fish and then get to see them grow up on here.

Be sure to tell em over at the CCA site about the little ole forum that turned you onto the ACA convention Wink
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Post by Norm66 Sat Jun 18, 2011 8:39 am

RLR- will do! I wasn't sure about the policies there. Some forums don't like you promoting other forums on their site.

As it turns out, when I picked up the tank last night it's 22" tall so I might be back to building that stool after all. hehehe

Busy day today, but I'm still going to try to get the back of the tank painted and the tank and stand preliminarily leveled. My dad and his buddy will be here to help for a while. Can't let cheap (not free, I'll have to feed them) labor go to waste. ;^)

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Post by Rift_Lakes_Rule Sat Jun 18, 2011 10:14 am

As long as you don't post something like "this site sux, come to RLC" you'll be aight lol!

It'll make em feel good to know that the convention is being bragged up on other forums. Of course with me being a member of the CCA they would expect nothing less over here but it's still good to be represented.

Make good use of the cheap labor today, I'd ride em like pack mules!!! Laughing
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Post by football mom Sat Jun 18, 2011 12:14 pm

Your project is looking great!
Can't wait to meet you (and Mike) face to face at ACA!
I sold some fish this week to a guy who has been to several ACA conventions, he tells me
we'll have a blast!

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Post by Norm66 Sat Jun 18, 2011 8:54 pm

Ah well, nothing got done today. Golf yesterday made me sore and a gig today in the heat followed by a couple brews and an excellent pasta dinner ( I didn't have to cook!) with my parents along with the Glenlivet I just poured are probably going to combine to prevent anything from happening today other than a bit of surfing.

On the upside though, the last of the supplies I ordered Monday evening arrived yesterday so it's only sand, and lights I have to buy and I'm pretty sure I know where my rocks are coming from. The rest of the budget gets to get spent on fish. I'm counting the hours til we leave for Silver Spring. I'm giddy and getting worse by the day. hehehe

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Post by Norm66 Tue Jun 21, 2011 9:24 am

Progress has slowed with the hectic band schedule. Tried to buy my PVC for the DIY spraybar and UGJ but the local hardware store didn't have everything I needed yesterday. I'll hit Home Depot Wednesday probably and get my supplies. I still need to relocate two wall guitar hangers, my 29 gallon and computer as well.

I did get the back painted last night. It took longer than I remember it taking when I did my other two tanks. Of course having to fix spots where the cats jumped up on the tank didn't speed things up.

Today my buddy is coming to help me get the tank up on the stand and we'll get it preliminarily leveled. I say preliminarily because I fully expect the floor to move a bit in one direction or another when it gets filled. I have a plan for shoring up the basement if the floor gets spongy, but ideally I won't have to do that.

This weekend and the next two weeks will slow down for me and things will go faster. There's still time so I'm not losing my mind yet.

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Post by Norm66 Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:02 pm

Tank painted, leveled and on the stand. Got the glass tops on too.

New 75 gallon Tang tank Iphone%252520pics%252520009

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Post by Aura Tue Jun 21, 2011 6:34 pm

Awesome! cheers

I hope you have a more comfortable chair nearby so you can sit and enjoy.
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Post by bulldogg7 Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:36 pm

Looks great!
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Post by theswede Wed Jun 22, 2011 12:58 am

Very nice!
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Post by Norm66 Wed Jun 22, 2011 7:41 am

Thanks folks.

Aura, I will probably get one.

You know, in looking at this picture I'm wondering if I should paint the sides of the tank as well. Do any of you paint the sides of tanks? It's not like I'm going to be viewing from the ends because of where it is. Or maybe I will. Thoughts?

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Post by Rift_Lakes_Rule Wed Jun 22, 2011 6:46 pm

I have some with the ends painted and I kinda like it, if you think it would ever be viewed thru the sides I wouldn't do it tho. IMO it shows the depth front to back better and really makes it look cool.

Lookin great btw!!!

Git 'er Dun redneck
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