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If I had a 220 Gallon Aquarium, I would stock....

On my way to getting my dream aquarium...

122K views 1K replies 53 participants last post by  djembekah 
#1 ·
We have a 20, 35, and 2 x 55 gallon tanks. Today we took the plunge and put a 6 foot, 125 gallon tank with stand on layaway. It will be our last tank.



It'll take a couple of months for me to pay off the tank, stand, heaters, filter, etc which gives me plenty of time to figure out what kind of substrate I want, whether or not I am finally going to try live plants, and what kind of fish to keep. Actually, i'm not even sure what kind of filter to get yet.

Our current tanks are very colorful and artificial looking (think Vegas, tacky but entertaining) as you can see in these pictures:





I'm thinking I would like the new tank to look more natural. We're going to use it as a room divider in our basement so it will be visible from both sides of the tank, we won't be using a background. So far I'm leaning toward some Balas, Barbs, and Loaches, if the tank is big enough.

Can't wait to get the sucker home and set up! Going to be a long couple of months. My 3 year wedding anniversary is July 18 and I'm hoping to have it then, as this is my anniversary gift.
 
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#2 ·
We have a 20, 35, and 2 x 55 gallon tanks. Today we took the plunge and put a 6 foot, 125 gallon tank with stand on layaway. It will be our last tank.



It'll take a couple of months for me to pay off the tank, stand, heaters, filter, etc which gives me plenty of time to figure out what kind of substrate I want, whether or not I am finally going to try live plants, and what kind of fish to keep. Actually, i'm not even sure what kind of filter to get yet.

Our current tanks are very colorful and artificial looking (think Vegas, tacky but entertaining) as you can see in these pictures:





I'm thinking I would like the new tank to look more natural. We're going to use it as a room divider in our basement so it will be visible from both sides of the tank, we won't be using a background. So far I'm leaning toward some Balas, Barbs, and Loaches, if the tank is big enough.

Can't wait to get the sucker home and set up! Going to be a long couple of months. My 3 year wedding anniversary is July 18 and I'm hoping to have it then, as this is my anniversary gift.

Your going to enjoy it. Mine has been up and running for 4 weeks now. Started planting and adding some of the fish I wont. Check out my tank, it may give you some ideas if you are going the natural route.
 
#62 · (Edited)
planted tanks are definitely more rewarding i don't know if this may be too much but soil would be the way to go i got a lot of good information from this channel.
Dustinsfishtanks - YouTube
I've had a horrible experience with a dirt tank. It was a nightmare.
I do not recommend it. And yes, I followed Dustin's advice exactly.

Some people get lucky though.
 
#5 ·
A 6 foot tank would be the minimum for Bala Shark, you would need to get at least 5 of them.

As for fish that can go with them, they would have to be large enough not to fit in their mouths.

However, these guys do not work with most plants. About all you could have is Java Fern (it tastes bad to fish). Most everything else they will eat.
 
#8 ·
Congrats! I wished I had the room=money for a 125. I think going planted along with playsand for substrate would look great!! As for fish, you can fill it all kinds of colorful and interesting schooling fish. Just my opinion.
 
#9 · (Edited)
I just finished reading about Java Fern, and it sounds like a great way to try live plants for the first time. My LFS carries a bunch of plants, i'll have to check next time I'm in and see if the Java Fern is one of them.

As far as playsand goes, is that harder to maintain than the typical sized ornamental colored substrate I have in my current tanks? I hadn't really considered going with sand.
 
#11 ·
I just finished reading about Java Fern, and it sounds like a great way to try live plants for the first time. My LFS carries a bunch of plants, i'll have to check next time I'm in and see if the Java Fern is one of them.
Anubias, Java Fern, and theres another (one that taste bad to fish), but I can't remember the name of it. All are fairly easy to keep maintained.
 
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#10 ·
I would say go with cichlids. If large, go Central American or South American,. If smaller go with Africans =, Dwarf Cichlids, or even Rams. Whatever you choose, have fun with it. Can wait to see the whole process unfold, it was exciting for me to just get mine up and running, and now I'm beginning to add all the fish I truly want in it!
 
#12 ·
I was thinking about cichlids once before, and my LFS said my city has soft water, and the PH and softness make it best for South American Cichlids. HOWEVER, they mostly stock African Cichlids, due to a greater demand, despite water conditions. Is it difficult to raise the PH and hardness in water to accommodate African cichlids? That's something I'll have to research more while I am waiting for the tank. There certainly are some colorful, interesting cichlids, though I've had a hard time finding ones that can live together.

I looked at that other plant you mentioned, and they both look promising. They both state "low light", I'm not sure what the brightness or intensity of the bulb that comes with my tank is. Something else to research.

I have a friend with a 150 gallon aquarium who runs 2 x aquaclear 110 HOB filters. Would I be better off doing that, or getting a canister filter? Is there a brand of canister filter that is reliable but not prohibitively expensive?

Thanks everyone for the info.
 
#13 ·
I would skip the Bala sharks unless you really want them. If you do plan the tank around them. The loaches and barbs should get along good together. I'm not sure about the larger species like Tinfoil barb but smaller barbs like tiger barbs and Cherry barbs really need plants to feel happy.

Dont skimp on the equipment like heaters, filter and lights either. Get good stuff and do it right from the begining. I really wish I had understood how much easier this would have made my life before getting all my tanks and then trying to upgrade equipment.

Get a canister filter. It is so much better then HOB.
 
#14 ·
I agree, when it comes to equipment get very BEST you can afford, don't cheap out. It'll save alot money in the long run. I'm saving to get an canister filter I want the very best I for my tank.
 
#22 ·
Hello Fellow Ontarian!!
Eheim canister all the way. Had mine 15 years now on my 75 gallon. It is the work horse of filters. In a tank that size... 2 heaters. If your one heater fails...and it has happened 3 times to me in the last 1.5 years, and the temp dropped by 10 degrees and it's sitting on the main floor in my living room. Yours is going in your basement. That's total stress and a poss ich outbreak and meds and expenses. AND you know the silly thing will break down on a Sunday night!!
Good luck, post lots of pics please. Is that a Big AL's you are standing in??? Newmarket branch is the BEST!! Amazing service and support. (JMO!!)
 
#23 ·
nice man! i dont have any room for anything bigger than my 46, my snakes are in the way lol. i second the nomination for cichlids. i just like fish that get big. anytime someone sees my tank their amazed by it. i also vote for the natural look. ive had my tank setup for prolly 12 years and its never been better.
 
#24 ·
Inga, I am quite interested in tiger barbs. I've always thought they were entertaining, but were a little too nippy for what I currently keep in my tanks. Might have to try them in the big tank!

Jakiebabie, it is Big Al's in Ottawa. They've been really helpful to us. The first time we tried keeping fish was over a year ago, and we got lousy advice from a big box store, and it was a disaster. We got discouraged and gave up. January we decided to try again (since the tank was just sitting empty in our living room) This time we went to Big Al's, got much better advice, and we've been there once a week (at least) ever since. Getting our water tested, checking out the new stock. Our 3 year old LOVES the place. He runs around like a maniac, but they're very patient and all call him by name.

What size Eheim would I need for a 125 gallon tank? With the HOBs I always over compensated (ie 2 x Aquaclear 70s on a 55 gallon tank) do I need to do that with canister filters as well, or will one do?
What size heaters do I need?

Skelator, now that I know there are some easy plants out there I am very interested in a more natural look. I'm not crazy about sand though. Any feelings on black substrate? I've heard it brings out the colors in the fish. Up until now we've had really flashy substrate.
 
#26 ·
The filter depends on your budget, fish breed you intend to keep, bioload of the chosen fish, your routine and cleaning habits....or lack there of like me...lol
I have the original 2215 from 15 years ago running as a river. Input at one end, out put in a spray bar at the other and the fish they all face up stream. lol. Rainbowfish and Congo Tetras. Only the Mollies face downstream. huh?
I do not ever change the filter bio media stuff, not the tubies or the stones. I occasionally rinse the filter pad/floss in old tank water, or de-chlor new water and make sure the hoses are not clogged. I am 100 percent fully planted too tho.
As for HEATER size, yes go for 2 that are slightly stronger/bigger than half the volume of water. IE. 120 gallon, get 2 75 gallon heaters. I have 2 50's on my 75 gallon. That way the remaining one isn't straining, never able to turn off for a couple of days till you get a replacement. And if the temp drops it won't get too dangerous.
I went into Big Al's to buy a new Eheim and the owner refused to sell me a new one... he gave me a list of things to go home and check on the old one and come back for parts or to bring it back in with me if his list didn't work. It turned out to be one of the things on the list. (I don't get the same feeling/service at the Barrie or Whitby location tho). Glad you have found a good one!!
 
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#28 ·
i use large gravel. its a tanish color. i have rocks stacked to make 3 caves. i also have a lave rock and a large realistic looking plastic log. it used to be a center piece but i pushed it to the side to give the fish more room to swim. i put a large ozolot (spelling) sword plant in the center of the log. with a piece of driftwood next to it. it also helps hide some equipment aswell.

i never tried black substrate. i have no experience with sand. i figured it would be hard to vacuum and keep clean.

ive also started growing pothos out of the top of the tank and i think it looks really nice. its growing like crazy in the tank too.
 
#29 ·
Wow, lots of posts since yesterday =)

Lots of things to comment on.

Substrate:
Dark is best, both for the fish and for making them happy. The technicolor is unnatural and fish can tell. If you are planning on loaches sand is best for them. They root around in the sand, some even bury themselves. Sharp substrate can cut them, they do not have scales. Same goes for cory catfish, they like to dig in the sand, and while they have scales their barbels can still get injured from sharp gravel.

Playsand is the cheapest option, and a lot of people use it including myself in my 125 gallon tank. It requires a lot of cleaning, but for under $15-20 you can have that entire 125 gallon tank covered in a 2 inch sand substrate. You won't find a better deal.

Lighting:
I'm not sure what yours will come with, the ones down here in the states that Petsmart sells come with two Aqueon 36" T8 fixtures with 8000K tubes. The fixtures are 36", but the tubes themselves are only 24". These have a good enough color spectrum for plants (but with a kind of purplish hue) however they are no where near bright enough except for the lowest of light plants. Which Java Fern and Anubias are.

If you want a fully planted tank, I recommend going to a hardware store like Home Depot or Lowe's and picking up shop lights. You can get dual T8 48" and 24" ones and are fairly inexpensive (I had to add a power cord to the 24" one, it was meant for permanent installation). That's what I use on mine, with the 6500K daylight bulbs which is ideal. Make sure they have a reflector so that when resting on your tank the tubes themselves are not touching the glass tops. With this much light though floating plants are required, fish don't like bright lights and floating plants provide a 'roof' that all fish enjoy.

Fish:
As you know, the Tiger Barb is a fin nipper, so best kept with active species that do not have long fins. A large school of them will help curb aggression.

If you go with cichlids do your research, they are generally speaking an aggressive bunch and that comes with its own challenges. In my tank I'm going with Angelfish which are a South American cichlid, they love soft water and are for the most part peaceful if kept in the right conditions. But that's a perfect example of what NOT to put with Tiger Barb.

If you go with cichlids, just keep the lights the tank came with. They'll handle the Java Fern and Anubias just fine.

Filters:
Eheim is the old standby, and nearly everyone recommends them. I've never personally owned one. They are one of the oldest brands out there so they have the track record. A lot of people report having one for 15 years and they are still going strong which makes them a worthwhile investment. I would really go out and find reviews for the specific model you are looking at. When looking for my own filter I too looked at Eheim but noticed that some of their newest models are getting really low reviews. It may be a case of 'they don't make them like they use to' or it could just be a faulty new design that will get fixed.

Other big brands in this area are Fluval and Rena. I would pick Rena over Fluval, and I don't think Fluval makes one large enough for a 125 anyways. Their 406 model goes up to 100 gallons, and their next up model the FX5 is for 400 gallons o_O The Rena XP3 is a good model for this size aquarium.

Go with a canister though, it's good to have a gentle (not strong) current going from one end to the other. Two HOBs won't get you that.

I'm using an AquaTop CF-400UV ... it's a no-name brand. Trying it out because it is half the cost of the others but that could very well mean trouble in the future if it breaks (ultimately costing more).

Heaters:
Definitely go with two, and don't buy the cheapest one you can find. That dosen't mean expensive, just search reviews and go with the most highly rated.

You will want as a minimum 2x 250W heaters. If the temperature differential in your basement is huge, maybe 2x 300W. Aqueon Pro have the highest reviews that I've seen myself, but they only go up to a 250W.

A canister with the current it creates will ensure even heat throughout the tank. Put one at the intake of the canister, and the other in the out take.

Some people use an in-line heater with a canister. It's a heater that you attach to the plumbing of the canister so the water passes through it before or after it hits the canister. They are very effective, but you won't find one large enough for a 125 gallon.
 
#30 ·
I checked and this is the light that comes with my tank:

Perfecto - PF DBL FLO STRIP 72" BLACK 72" Black flo Double Bright Strip Light Double Bright Strip Lights provide twice the light in the same space as a standard strip light. Instant-start feature allows the use of timers. Top vents provide heat dissipation, and interior reflectors provide maximal light output into the aquarium. Water resistant rubber boots protect switches from corrosion. Fits all brands of aquariums.

Is that going to be too bright for the Java Fern and Anubias plants?
 
#33 ·
Filter Question

Everyone seems pretty unanimous that a canister filter is the way to go. I was just looking at the technical specs of a couple of them (the prices listed are local prices in Canadian dollars):

Eheim Pro 3 2075 $299.99 FLOW RATE: 330 GPH
Eheim Classic 2217 $199.99 FLOW RATE: 264 GPH
Aquaclear 110 $89.99 FLOW RATE: 500 GPH

I guess my question is, how important is Flow Rate? I could have 2 aquaclear 110s for under $200 with a combined flow rate of 1000 GPH. Would that not do a better job cleaning the tank than a canister filter with 330 or 264 GPH flow rate?
 
#40 ·
Everyone seems pretty unanimous that a canister filter is the way to go. I was just looking at the technical specs of a couple of them (the prices listed are local prices in Canadian dollars):

Eheim Pro 3 2075 $299.99 FLOW RATE: 330 GPH
Eheim Classic 2217 $199.99 FLOW RATE: 264 GPH
Aquaclear 110 $89.99 FLOW RATE: 500 GPH

I guess my question is, how important is Flow Rate? I could have 2 aquaclear 110s for under $200 with a combined flow rate of 1000 GPH. Would that not do a better job cleaning the tank than a canister filter with 330 or 264 GPH flow rate?
Buy these used locally or online and you will save a ton.
Bought an AC110 online for $50 US a couple months ago with free shipping.
 
#36 ·
Wen are also going for a 125 gallon within the next 2 months I have been doing a lot of research on an aquarium this size so this thread is very interesting to me I have been looking at the Rena XP3 filter my self does anyone have feed back on this filter? and want to have 2 smaller heaters also I have looked at the same tank at Big Als in Whitby :-D
 
#37 ·
Nice! I hope to have mine home and set up with the filters and heaters within the next two months as well. Thankfully Big Al's does layaway. I'm sure I'll have the tank and stand home before then, but filters and heaters, substrate, etc also add up.

What type of fish do you plan on keeping in it?
 
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