[Flint]

I am adding a new tank to my list of projects - my 75 gallon!
My filters came in yesterday along with my new test kit and I sold my otterbox so I am itching with MTS. After this it will be a tough decision between another tank or an iguana....

I went to Walmart this morning and got the stuff I need to reseal the tank (it's a CL tank and I don't trust the chips in the glass at the seams) and something for my 10 gallon project. Here is everything I have for my 75 so far;

Silicone
Caulk Gun
Masking Tape
2 Emperor 400s
150w Heater

I think I am going to cycle it barebottom so I may not get the sand this week and get the power strip I need instead. As of right now, the intended inhabitants are goldfish but that could change. (suggestions welcome)

I have to say, stripping the silicone out of an aquarium is not all it's cracked up to be. My thumb and forefinger are raw from holding the razor blade with so much pressure and it's taken me an hour to only strip the corners. I still need to do the bottom seam and figure out how to get the silicone off the top frame so it can be removed. It doesn't help that I'm 6.5 months pregnant, 5'2 and the tank is up to my armpits. lol I may not do anymore today, I'm beat and it's only 10:30am!!

 

[rsskylight04]

You seem like you know what your doing so I don't want to sound like a know it all or like I'm questioning your ability, but I would cycle with gravel. Gravel is a primary location for good bacteria to grow. Also unless you live where it never gets cold I would reccomend a 300 watt heater for a 75 gal. I've built tanks from scratch and I don't think you need to remove the top frame.

 

[Flint]

I'm in Central Louisiana but the heater is a 300watt. I wasn't thinking straight. I wanted to remove the top frame so I could paint it and possibly leave it off. I will probably be using sand not gravel but I am putting ceramic rings in the media baskets of the filter (and I may leave it barebottom for goldies).
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[rsskylight04]

Best of luck with your tank! I have a 75 gallon set up and another comming from santa, I think its a perfect size.

MTS IS A WODERFULL THING. I'll never have enough tanks. Best wishes to you and your fish
- skylight

 

[Flint]

Thank you!

We'll see what the hubby thinks of MTS when he comes home to the 20 gallon set up.... Haha. We're in an 800 sq/ft apartment littered with baby furniture, a 75, a 10 gallon on the only table we own, a 2.5 gallon in the bathroom that's getting moved either in the kitchen or on my nightstand when I get a heater tomorrow, and the 20 gallon (I'm gonna try to fit it in the stand of the 75) will be set up on the floor next to the crib lol. But that one is just temporary (for now) lol. We all know it won't be.
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[rsskylight04]

There's a thread in the diy section of this forum that shows how to build a stand for multiple tanks out of 2 by 4's. If you or your husband are even slightly handy with tools it might clearup some space for you. The thread is "40 stack rebuild" by badxgillen. Then you can get more tanks!
-skylight

 

[Agent13]

You seem like you know what your doing so I don't want to sound like a know it all or like I'm questioning your ability, but I would cycle with gravel. Gravel is a primary location for good bacteria to grow..

Actually thats not true. I run my Qt tanks bare bottom( except with my crazy sand digging cichlids) with transfered media and cycles are always very stable in there. Ive also many times done complete substrate changes( gravel to sand) with a good tank cleaning as well and yet the cycle was absolutely fine. Never a glitch or mini cycle. Had my BB main colony been in my subtrate nearly all of my tanks would be screwed lol.
I know lots of really great discussions have been covered lately about the cycle and where the bacteria grows but i've been too busy to follow and add my input with work overload and two new petslove . My oppinion is that only in NPTs (with no to little filtration) or tanks with subpar filters or such would tha statement possibly be true. or mybe someone intentionaly doing that with an absurdly deep(4inch) gravel bed.