new used 180

[JJ..Bequiet]

So i worked a little trade, a few corals and two bubble tip anemones for a 180G and stand.
Got it home my back feels broken. Leak tested. Passed.
Now what?

i know i want lights suspended, open top with emmersed growth of some driftwood poking out of the top.
I have a left over 175watt MH light but i think i need a different light.
I also have a left over wet dry and a cascade 700 canister filter, but i think i need another option.

i dont know if wet dry is the way i want to go. i want something really quiet.
so im thinking canister filters.
substrate i like ada but dont think i can afford that much, so maybe miracle grow organic/ flourite cap?


Im very new to freshwater planted tanks. I have bred riftlake cichlids and did the salt water thing but i am really excited and into aquatic plants.
Ill take all the help i can get.
Thanks
-Jasen

 

[JJ..Bequiet]

I'm scarred to drill glass so I don't think thats going to happen, even though I really like how clean the plumbing on 180 thread of Tom's is.
I'd like to EI dose, use CO2 as well.
I dont mind heavy maintenance as I have plenty of time on my hands and enjoy it.

 

[jerrybforl]

First congrats! I'm not too sure about MG as a sub-substrate. I understand that potting soil to be loaded with phosphate. As far as filtration, it depends on how much fish you wanting to keep. The plants will break down the waste of the fish but you will need help circulating the water flow. Also, the mulm that will fill up your filters is a lot. Will have to clean them often IMO. Co2 you will need pressurized!!! You should consider using a 10lb tank as it will last you longer. EI is very effective for dosing ferts. I don't know a thing about MH so you should ask Gerry D. I have always used PC with much success. Others like T500HO. On my 75 right now I use a combo of 6700K and 6700/10000k bulbs. They are mounted about 3ft from the substrate. I like to use flourite and eco complete but there are other options. Just do some research on here and ask questions.

 

[Tom Barr]

If you like Rift fish, you might try some more mellow peaceful species and do Ech tennellus and a rock cave hotel in the back. CO2 is fine etc.
I'd not try Cypri/Xenos etc, but most of the Malawi species and smaller fish(some lamps, Juli, etc would do well. S multipunctatus cats etc.

Just an idea.

The wet/dry would be a good option and be pretty quiet if you set it up well.

Light, maybe 8x 39 W T5, or or might DIY a LED system, take about 30-40 3w cree.

You'll spend less $ on the wet/dry and electric and it's easy to clean.

 

[Htomassini]

Well you have come to the right place. We are all willing to help. Dont forget to use the advanced search feature of Google and type "www.barrreport.com" under domain, you will get excellent search reuslts.

Let us know how we can help

Nice setup by the way, and I would keep the wetdry and a canister for polishing

 

[JJ..Bequiet]

I noticed today my stand has no ports for plumbing so I'm going to have to cut some holes.. also want to paint trim black.

After looking at CPR overflow style I really like that much more than the u tube style I was familiar with. So wet dry is going to be the way I roll.

I'm also reconsidering the soil base substrate as i am reading about people who may replant often having messy substrate.
I was trying to be cheap and just have a decent cap.

Having a hard time choosing lighting (keep getting stuck in reef light mindset) , the Tek light I like would be 6inches short on both sides I think. sometimes i really think the shimmer from MH is worth it.
LED sounds great! but I'm no bueno at the super tech diy stuff.
also The only room for the tank was near the T.V i wonder how high I will be able to suspend the lights with out making TV for the family unenjoyable.

Fore sure taking jerry's advice on the 10lbs co2 unit.
Have decided to sell my new ipad2 so I can generate extra $$$ to make sure I don't have to be "cheap"

For fish I think I'm going South American on this one. and possibly only fish from either colombia, brazil, or peru. Not totally set in stone yet though.

On the brain = flow, and flow patterns.