My first big tank (step by step)

[mark razmandi]

well the biggest tank i have owned up to this point is a 20 gallon. i drove to austin last week and came back with this 90 gallon...it was very dirty and gross but i did alot to make it how i wanted it....tell me what yall think


cleaned the tank with white vinegar and a razor blade


cleaned the stand and bought new plastics for the lids


taped off the back and prepped it for paint


used krylon fusion and put 3 heavy coats on until no visible light could be seen through with a flashlight


my sink water is so disgusting for some reason....


as it sits tonight with some of the aquascape and some real plants...the water has been cycling since saturday


i had to replace the ballast in the light because it was bad...but everything works now and im so excited

[kevinly]

what kind of livestock do you plan to have in there?

[jughead]

most people on the box poo poo spray paint background....painting back glass=smart

[mark razmandi]

what kind of livestock do you plan to have in there?

right now i have a breeding pair of firemouths from rico and the female is about to lay....i plan on adding them along with an eel, and any south/central american that doesnt get above 6in or so and that would mix well

[Rico]

looks good. those firemouths are going to love it. you should tie that small anubias to the driftwood. in a few months it will have grown all over it.

[mark razmandi]

looks good. those firemouths are going to love it. you should tie that small anubias to the driftwood. in a few moths it will have grown all over it.

oh i just planted it right next to it...i should put it on it?

[Rico]

tie it here so it can get alot of light. it will spread eventually. click on pic

[myjohnson]

next or on would be fine.

On would be better because it's going to be closer to the light. Which makes it grow faster.

Nice set up so far!

[mark razmandi]

tie it here so it can get alot of light. it will spread eventually. click on pic

how do i tie it...with string? and i have a question about my light....i know i need to leave it on for like 12 hours for the plants...but my light gets HOTTTT and raises the temp of my tank......i thought fluorescents were cool

[CichlidFan]

You did a nice job on the prep work and all....everything looks great...maybe down the road you can buy some nice lights with fans???

Thanks for the pics...

CF

[mark razmandi]

You did a nice job on the prep work and all....everything looks great...maybe down the road you can buy some nice lights with fans???

Thanks for the pics...

CF

what do you recommend? thats not like 500$

[myjohnson]

used 4 footer CF 4x65w.

Goes for 100 bucks and it will do the tank just fine.

[myjohnson]

http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp18369/si1383185/cl0/coralifefreshwateraqualightdeluxedoublelinearstrip484x65watt

Something like this would work fine. But like I said above. Try to fine a used one. They go for 75-100 bucks.

Check out this site for good deals. http://www.marshreef.com/modules.php...=viewforum&f=2

This is were I get most of my higher end stuff. The BOX seem to have a lot less of those things for sale.

There actually might be one or two of those lights for sale right now.

[cichlid1409]

www.marshreef.com is a good place to look for high end used lighting. i bought a used metal halide fixture half of origonal price and good condition.

[Mzungu]

how do i tie it...with string? and i have a question about my light....i know i need to leave it on for like 12 hours for the plants...but my light gets HOTTTT and raises the temp of my tank......i thought fluorescents were cool

Do you just have the 2 normal fluorescents over the tank right now? How much does it raise the temp during a day?

You can use just plain cotton sewing thread (brown works best for me because you can't see it) or fishing line to tie the anubias to the driftwood. The thread will eventually break down and all you"ll have left is the roots of the anubias, which cling to the surface of driftwood, rocks, etc. The rhizone (rootstock) will actually decay if planted in the substrate, so if you plan on keeping the anubias planted, just make sure the rhizome is above the substrate. :)