It has been a long time...

MPH

...actually about 15 years to be exact, since I have had an aquarium set up. When I was a kid, I had everything from a 10 gallon to a 125 gallon tanks and from Guppies (feeder fish mostly) to an
Alligator Gar, but that was back in the 70's. Since then I have only had a few tanks set up and the last one (15 years ago) was a 55 gallon with a Tiger Shovelnose cat, Tinfoil Barbs and a big Pleco.

Most of my knowlege came dirrectly for experience. Like the time I decided to have an aquarium full of live plants. My Gaint Vals were so tall they draped over at the top of my 55 Gallon tank, untill I decide that having a Clown Knife, Tinfoil Barbs, and large Black Shark wasn't enough. So I went out and bought a Pacu. So much for my mature, well planted tank! Live and learn and I have never forgot that one!

Right now I have a few tanks left in the garage, one of which is a 110 gallon tank and I promised my kids that we would set it up. There are a few things that I will need to work on... a new stand that fits our decor, a new filtration system, lighting, etc. Since I have been out of the hobby for such a long time, I know the technology has changed and I have alot to learn so I have come here to learn.

Now since the technology has changed so much I need get back up to speed. For instance the filtration that I have are a couple of the original Marineland Magnum 350s and a few old Diatom Filters and such. I understand the Wet/Dry Tickle Filter systems in general, but I would like to learn a little more about them and then maybe upgrade to one.

So, here is what I am looking for... a new stand that is actually more of a piece of furniture (I might have to have it custom made), a good filtration system and a new lighting system for a nicely planted tank. All of this... for a community tank for my kids... you know Congo Tetras, Hachet's, some loaches, etc.... Any direction for me on the items above would be greatly appreciated.

Mike

willow

hello and warm welcome to you and your family.
hopefully someone will be along soon to guide you in the right direction.
i think you'll find you slip back very quickly.

Angel079

Hello & Welcome to the forum!

125g niceee choice there. Just make sure before you fill that one IN the house that while it was stored outside it didn't get no crack, leaking seals etc, that would not be cool 125g on the floor in the house

Here's a recent thread incl building ideas, discussions and pictures on a sump for a large tank 180 Gallon W/3 hole Sump

With that kinda size, had you considered built in rather then a 'normal' stand where it'd look more like built into a wall with lights and sumps hiding behind cabinet doors?

Teammuir1

Welcome... and glad to see you here ... there are alot a great people
here and very willing to give a helping hand....

MPH

Hi Angel079, I noticed that you are one of the live plant people. If you don't mind I will be picking your brain for new knowledge?

Actually, the one I have now is the 110 gallon (48" X 18" X 30"), but what is 15 gallons.

Thanks for the reminder. Noticed I said reminder.

Lessons
#1) Plants + Pacu = No Plants
#2) Always reseal and then test a tank (in the garage) that has been sitting for a while.
#3) Shop vacuums are a tremendous help with sucking up 50 - 60 gallons of water out of the carpet on Halloween.

We have a lot of antique furniture and have thought about building the tank into an antique fire place mantel, but we decided we did not want the stand to out shine the tank. No real place to build in a built in tank concept, though I have always wanted one!

Thanks
Mike

Mean Harri

Howdy and welcome.

I too haven't been in the hobby for some years. First thing to decide is if you want to do live plants or not. If yes, decide if you want lower tech low lighting or high output lighting. The latter, HO requires co2 added to the aquarium and lots of fertilizing, trimming, etc...

Once you've decided whether you want a nice easy slower growing low tech set up or hair on fire growing wild the rest is fairly simple. Canister filters seem by far the most popular, and perhaps the better in filtering tank water. In reading a lot about all this stuff, including reviews up the whazoo about all the different makes/models, I would feel confident in recommending the Eheim classic canisters of the Rena Filstar. Both are rated well and I haven't seen much bad about either one. Marineland, Fluval I've seen a lot of negative about. Some say Eheims are over rated but people love them. Rena Filstar seem simple and effective to me. As well as easy to maintain. There is a google video on the Rena here: YouTube - Filstar Demonstration
Be warned though. The video is almost as bad as those 1960's educational videos that are more corny than corn itself.

Angel079

Hi Mike feel free to look at my tanks under my name to the left there's a tap called "Aquarium" it lists all tanks *almost* up to date lol
Anything I can help with, I will be glad to help or at least point you into a direction that'll help

Yea well 15g at some 100's tank don't fall into account any more

Oh nooo you had a tank bust on you before - Hell......

That's what I'm dreaming of yet is a built in accessible from 2 sides (like as a 'wall' between dining & livingrm) but one step and one tank at a time

MPH

Angel079, thanks for the link. We use to use small tanks for filter sumps but this makes me think, though I don't know about plastic. But it has got me thinking... thanks.

Mike

MPH

In short, was on our way to a Halloween party and couldn't find it, so we returned home to make a call, back in the days of no cell phones, was standing 10 ft from the tank when the bottom seam started to leak (stand failed) and the support went away allowing the bottom to sag and the tank started to leak water all over.

Luckily I was able grab another tank, drain some water in to it, and save my Oscars, but by the time I was able to drain the tank, about 50 - 60 gallons had leaked all over. I will never put one of my tanks on a store bought tank stand. Only 2X4 or 2X6 framing (depending on the tank) for me.

Mike

Angel079

DANG!!!!

Not that I was unhappy before, but now I'm double happy I built my own (thou some carpenter here commented it was too thick wood I used, I could have used thinner stuff, but rather overkill then 55g on the floor right?!)

Sure glad you were able to safe the Discus thou, thank God you didn't have a cell phone nor knew the way otherwise that could have easily been a very rude awakening after the party hours later.