[Super4Ever]

Hey everyone. So, me and my girlfriend will be moving in the next couple of months and I've gotten the go ahead to get myself a nice big tank. Currently I have a 20 gallon and a 36 gallon. I'm looking to get a 125 gallon tank. I'm really excited to be getting such a large tank. I know i'll be moving the plants from my current tank and maybe using some of the decor as well. I think I want to try some driftwood as well, I always like how that looks on the tanks I see here. Anyone have any ideas on decor?

Next up, filtration. I know, know, know, I'm going to need a canister filter now. Anyone have specific recommendations?

And then of course, my next question is stocking. Here's my current crew of fish:

36 gallon
3 German Balloon Rams
2 Bolivian Rams
3 Kribensis
1 Opaline Gourami
7 Odessa Babs
2 Corys
2 Otocinclus
1 Albino Bristlenose Pleco "Lilly"

20g
1 Angelfish "Fred"
2 Clown Pleco
2 Panda Cory

My plan is to combine these two populations in one tank. But what else should I get? I want to have this planned out beforehand.

Another question. The Angelfish was moved to the 20 gallon because he was getting picked on and nipped at by other fish. In a tank that size, is this still something I would need to worry about?


I would like to thank anyone who replies to this thread now. I just really want to do this tank nice and I would love some ideas. And of course there will be a thread once I start setting the tank up showing my progress. Thanks again guys.

 

[DKRST]

If "Fred" was getting picked on before, a larger tank's probably not going to solve the problem. My bet is the opaline gourami. Gouramis and angelfish usually do not work well in the same tank. I don't know anything about your species of barb, but some barbs are bad fin-nippers.

Regarding a centerpiece for the tank, driftwood is always nice. For driftwood, use all the same type of wood if you have multiple pieces to help the continuity. I have one huge piece in my 125. The piece is 16" tall x 40" long and has a diameter of 8". It's a neat piece, curving up and across in an off-center arc. I was fortunate enough to get it from a local club member for $50. Would probably cost $150+ to buy at a store.

Another option is the "Cichlid Stones". They look fairly realistic (especially if you turn the cave entrances backwards), are lightweight (a really nice feature), and stack easily. Your BN pleco and corys would love them.

 

[jaysee]

In my experience larger tanks can definitely solve aggression issues, especially when going from a small tank to a large one like that. However, it may not help... But I would expect it to help. It's certainly not going to make it worse.

There's a lot you can do with a 125. I would start by picking some fish that you want to stock the tank around, and go from there.

For filtration recommendations, I would get 2 sunsun 304s (525 GPH each). They are available on eBay for less than $100 a piece. You'll have to purchase media for them thought.

 

[DKRST]

Regarding filtration, you have several options. You can go with a "combo" setup. A large HOB, like a Marineland penguin 350 and a canister. I like that combo because it tends to quickly suck out floating "stuff" better than a canister alone. I'm currently using an Eheim "classic" 2217 with a H.O.T. Magnum Pro on my planted 125 (it's overkill, but the tank was overstocked at one time). The HOT Magnum is, in essence, a blend between a HOB filter and a canister. A compromise design, it works ok.

Lots of canister options out there. Honestly, you can even use large stacking sponge filters (recommend also using a good size HOB for particulates in this case), air or powerhead driven with good results, but make sure you clean them regularly. When pricing canisters, calculate in the media cost also. Some canisters come with media, some don't ($$$). Also, watch the build quality, some canisters leak more often than other brands...

Fancier filter options include "matten" filters, really massive sheet sponge filters, but they work well and are mechanically foolproof.

You could do a sump, but unless the tank's drilled, don't bother rigging up a sump unless your going to massively overstock.

You can basically move your current filtration until you save up to get exactly what you want. I've had a single tank running with a combination of different HOB's sponge filters and undersized canisters. As long as you have sufficient filtration, you can break it up however you want. Not energy-efficient, but it works.

BTW, an Eheim 2217 uses less than 25 watts, if I recall correctly.

Get shopping and see what's on sale!

 

[jaysee]

There are people who have had leaky canisters from all brands of filters. It's rare but it does happen. Which do you find leak more than others? I'm sure the OP would like to know.

 

[Super4Ever]

In my experience larger tanks can definitely solve aggression issues, especially when going from a small tank to a large one like that. However, it may not help... But I would expect it to help. It's certainly not going to make it worse.

There's a lot you can do with a 125. I would start by picking some fish that you want to stock the tank around, and go from there.

For filtration recommendations, I would get 2 sunsun 304s (525 GPH each). They are available on eBay for less than $100 a piece. You'll have to purchase media for them thought.

So for instance, if I went with the SunSuns, these for instance:

Amazon.com : SunSun HW-304B 5-Stage External Canister Filter with 9-watt UV Sterilizer, 525 GPH : Aquarium Filters : Pet Supplies



I would need something like this:

 

[Super4Ever]

Regarding filtration, you have several options. You can go with a "combo" setup. A large HOB, like a Marineland penguin 350 and a canister. I like that combo because it tends to quickly suck out floating "stuff" better than a canister alone. I'm currently using an Eheim "classic" 2217 with a H.O.T. Magnum Pro on my planted 125 (it's overkill, but the tank was overstocked at one time). The HOT Magnum is, in essence, a blend between a HOB filter and a canister. A compromise design, it works ok.

Lots of canister options out there. Honestly, you can even use large stacking sponge filters (recommend also using a good size HOB for particulates in this case), air or powerhead driven with good results, but make sure you clean them regularly. When pricing canisters, calculate in the media cost also. Some canisters come with media, some don't ($$$). Also, watch the build quality, some canisters leak more often than other brands...

Fancier filter options include "matten" filters, really massive sheet sponge filters, but they work well and are mechanically foolproof.

You could do a sump, but unless the tank's drilled, don't bother rigging up a sump unless your going to massively overstock.

You can basically move your current filtration until you save up to get exactly what you want. I've had a single tank running with a combination of different HOB's sponge filters and undersized canisters. As long as you have sufficient filtration, you can break it up however you want. Not energy-efficient, but it works.

BTW, an Eheim 2217 uses less than 25 watts, if I recall correctly.

Get shopping and see what's on sale!

Yeah, I would definitely like to know which ones leak in your experience.

And yeah, I have an Aquaclear 70 and an Aqueon Quietflow 30 on my 36 right now so I was hoping to at least move the Aquaclear 70 onto the larger tank, maybe even the Aqueon too.

EDIT: And what do you think about the basic H.O.T. Magnum like this:


Amazon.com : Marineland PC0250HSB H.O.T. Magnum 250, up to 55-Gallon, 250GPH : Aquarium Filters : Pet Supplies

 

[DKRST]

I've been pretty lucky with canisters, but I know of folks who have had leaks from a variety of brands (one of my 3 Eheims leaked, but I'd damaged a seal, so my fault). On reflection, I don't know that it's been any particular brand I've read about (leaks were from Sunsun but also brands like marineland, rena, fluval...).

The HOT filters are ok. Reaching over my 125 to pull it for cleaning was a pain (my tank didn't have side or back access at the time). I think you'd be happy with it as a supplemental filter. My Marineland 350 removed large suspended stuff faster and better than the HOT filter though.

 

[Super4Ever]

Canisters are a whole new world for me so I just want to make sure I don't make any mistakes with choosing one because they aren't cheap either.

 

[DKRST]

Canisters are a whole new world for me so I just want to make sure I don't make any mistakes with choosing one because they aren't cheap either.

The thing to remember is you don't actually have to use a canister, even for a large tank. Other methods work, but they tend to be more visually intrusive (ex=massive sponge filters).

 

[Super4Ever]

I had considered potentially using a couple of AquaClears. The 70 that I have now and a 110.

 

[DKRST]

Just HOB's? I'm personally not a fan of using only HOB's as the primary filtration in a tank (not actually certain why I'm not :-? ). The Aquaclear design looks interesting (I've never had an aquaclear, so do some research on operating cost, noise, and long-term reliability). When you clean the media, the frequency depending on feeding and fish loads, you'll temporarily lose some of the bacteria. Even washing the filter cartridges with dechlorinated water, the HOB's (even with the "biowheels") won't typically have anywhere near the surface area other types of filters will have, like canisters and sponge filters. Having said that, the Aquaclears are going add some good nitrifying surface area and should clear out particulates. You may need to extend the intake to get near the bottom, but not so low as to pick up substrate. Try it and see how it works for you!

When considering any of my comments, please take into account that I tend to over-engineer my tank filtration (I almost always have excess filtration capacity). Heck, I run an Eheim 2217 on my 55, way too much for it! It's not necessarily a good thing to have excess filtration on a tank (for instance, in a planted tank where you actually want some nutrients left for the plants!)

 

[jaysee]

If you want silence from your filters, go with canisters.

I wouldn't want big ugly sponges in my tank.

 

[DKRST]

If you want silence from your filters, go with canisters.

True, you can't beat a canister for quiet combined with lots of water movement!

 

[Super4Ever]

Yeah I can definitely see the need for a canister filter. I might be leaning towards the sunsuns just for budgetary reasons.
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[jaysee]

I've got 4 of them and my girlfriend has 1. I think they are terrific for the price.

 

[Super4Ever]

Yeah, I've read a few reviews and people do seem quite pleased with them. I'm going to do a bit more research but so far that's where I'm leaning.

Now I understand that they have UV sterilizers. Will this interfere with nutrients for my plants. I thought I read somewhere that it might.

 

[jaysee]

There is an on/off switch for it. I would leave it off - I think the rate of flow and size of the bulb make the UV pretty much worthless.

I have my filters set up as such: bottom tray is fluval ceramic prefilters, trapping large particles while not restricting water flow. Takes two 750 gram boxes to fill the tray. The next tray is all the filter pads that came with the tank. The next 2 trays are biomax - two 500 gram boxes in each. If you can shop online it'll cost you $60 to fill each filter with media. Of course that's having them all full, which isn't exactly necessary. You wouldn't have to have them all filled to start - can always add more later.

 

[Super4Ever]

Well I found this deal on eBay that comes with some media

200 Gallon Aquarium Canister Filter UV 9W UV Sterilizer Fish Tank Sunsun HW 304B | eBay

Is that enough media to start?
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[jaysee]

Yeah that will get you started - you can customize it later if you like.

Some of them have a surface skimmer built into the intake, some don't. I would get one with it - works great for keeping the surface clean.