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Post by deez on Apr 8, 2016 15:52:23 GMT -5
I admit, I feel a bit overwhelmed by the size of it! lol. I thought that if I ever got a larger tank, it would be a 55, max... but even so, I'm okay with this turnout! I'd love to try a dirted tank, so I might do just that! How thick would you say each layer ought to be? Best to have an idea of cost before I go jumping in... Sounds like a trip out to the water is in order~ Though, perhaps when it gets a bit warmer out there... Trust me the 75 is way easier than the small ones. I just set up mine and it's doing great. I did 1-1 1/2 inches of dirt than the same with black gravel. You can use whatever you want as a cap. Keep in mind it's a lot of substrate in a 75 so I'd suggest finding a cheaper way to do it like gravel from lowes or pool filter sand. As for dirt I just used organic miracle grow potting soil.
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Post by Xander on Apr 8, 2016 16:04:43 GMT -5
I was thinking of the Quikrete play sand from Home Depot; $6.20 for 20kg is a great price point, though there are mixed feelings in the aquarium hobby about play sand over pool filter sand. Still, I've read of many tanks which have used it successfully!
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Post by deez on Apr 8, 2016 18:21:32 GMT -5
People find a way to use anything in this hobby and the fish live. There's always critics go, go what you want and if it doesn't work out try something else lol that's what I do.
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Post by gabor129 on Apr 8, 2016 18:41:28 GMT -5
Play sand is a bit dirty for aquarium, however if you wash it good, no reason why not to use it!
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Post by phish on Apr 8, 2016 18:57:11 GMT -5
I was thinking of the Quikrete play sand from Home Depot; $6.20 for 20kg is a great price point, though there are mixed feelings in the aquarium hobby about play sand over pool filter sand. Still, I've read of many tanks which have used it successfully! It's $0.20 cheaper at Toys R Us, lol. However, the 25kg bag is $6.65 at Home Depot.
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Post by Xander on Apr 8, 2016 20:00:24 GMT -5
All great points! In any event, as Gabe pointed out earlier, I have time! We'll set this puppy up right!
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Post by lesfromlakeshore on Apr 8, 2016 20:20:06 GMT -5
All great points! In any event, as Gabe pointed out earlier, I have time! We'll set this puppy up right! I have no doubt you will knock it out of the park with this tank .... Really looking forward to the build .
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Post by deez on Apr 8, 2016 20:20:48 GMT -5
All great points! In any event, as Gabe pointed out earlier, I have time! We'll set this puppy up right! It took me two months to set mine up Lol I let it cycle for 6 weeks too. long wait!
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Post by gabor129 on Apr 9, 2016 13:17:19 GMT -5
I always tell people to set up their tanks slow, and wait for the cycle to finish before adding new fish. However when it comes to my own tanks I can set one up in 20 min. flat, and add the fish in 5 min. later! It helps to have established media to support bacterial growth!
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Post by Xander on Apr 9, 2016 16:38:11 GMT -5
Hahaha luckily, this tank has been in use for many years. I assume that it should come with a whole bunch of bacteria already, though I will have to watch for crashes after the move. Not certain if its current owner knows about the nitrogen cycle, so it's entirely possible he might replace the filter's media when he maintains it...
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Post by freshwater on Apr 9, 2016 22:21:09 GMT -5
You could put an extra filter on the 20g tank to get media and bacteria ready for the new tanks.
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Post by gabor129 on Apr 9, 2016 22:30:45 GMT -5
Keith, you beat me to the punch line! LOL... I was going to suggest extra media in the filter, but an extra filter will work just as well!
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Post by Xander on Apr 10, 2016 6:22:07 GMT -5
I've got a sponge filter III running in the 20g that could suit the purpose, if needed. It's been running for nearly a month now. Plus, there's a lot of other media hanging both in and out of my HOB that's been around since the beginning of the year. Backup media, I have!
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Post by Xander on Apr 16, 2016 15:21:59 GMT -5
Well, it's in. And it's in rough shape. I'm a little nervous about all the love (and cash) it's going to take to be presentable...
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Post by deez on Apr 16, 2016 16:20:48 GMT -5
Build it slow and you'll save money. I find you'll spend all kinds of money if you try to make it look great right away.
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