Doc_Polit

Thanks a million for the time and effort you spent taking/posting the pics Ryan! I enjoyed hanging out with ya for the afternoon.

There is not really a "hard and fast rule" when it comes to sumps although the general consensus seems to be 1/3 of your tank volume. I am going with an 80 gallon sump for my 225.

Hey Darrin, Welcome aboard! Glad I finally convinced you to join. :smokey: Talk to you soon.

Thanks for the kind words, everybody! It makes me a lot more confident starting the stand for the 225.

Hey there cowboy, Another 225....we'll have to compare notes! :thumbs: Best of luck.

Thanks Nick. Between my brother working shifts and my kids visiting every second weekend it took longer than it could have. Start to finish was about 4 weeks. Our next project is a stand for the 225 that I just bought. :boxed:

Well, since the tank has been up and running for a few months now, I decided it was time to post the build up of my 90 gallon stand. It is the first stand that my brother (a hobby carpenter) and I have built from scratch. It is made from 2x4 frame and skinned with oak ply, hardwood and mouldings and stained "red chestnut" with 2 coats of polyurethane to seal it. We went a little overboard structurally but better safe than sorry. If a bomb goes off, I'll be hiding in my stand. -roll- I wanted it to look like fine furniture. What do you think? Sorry about the crappy photos. My brother's camera sucks. Basic frame. Side view. Top bracing. Bottom bracing. Rear view. Interior. From the front. Interior side panel. Hole for canister hoses. Getting there. Bottom moulding. Waiting for doors. The finished product. I will try to take a better pic of the finished stand and post soon.

Another vote for Option #2.

Hey cowboy, I saw your tank today....very nice. I actually just bought a 225 myself. The lack of bracing on yours would concern me though. Anyway, I am going to use an 80 gallon sump with dual overflows and an FX5 or Eheim 2260. If you insist on HOB I would scrap the Penguin and stick with AC110's. The bio-wheel really won't contribute much. Also, rather than Rena, I would consider an Eheim or FX5 canister like sharuq1 has suggested. For powerheads, I think an AC802 would be about the right size. Good luck with the tank. Keep us posted.

Excellent photos, Patrick. Nice tank!

You can paint on acrylic. Just be sure to use acrylic paint found in any craft store or department store. Once wet, you can peel it off in a single sheet without scratching your acrylic. I used this for my betta tank and it worked like a charm. Easiest is to apply with a foam brush. Good luck.

Nice work, Patrick. Thanks for sharing!

Very artistic, Patrick. Your tank looks terrific! Please post update photos when your fish are added.

Great tip, Patrick. If anyone tries this method, be sure to leave feedback for the rest of us. Thanks.

Yes, the Maxi-Jets are fully submersible. No worries. :thumbs:

No problem, Derek. :hey: That "spirit of cooperation" and the willingness to help other members is one of the things that make AA such a great forum. You agreed to transport fish to Punman for me in return. Thanks a bunch! Doc

I am using the Hydor 301 (300 watt) inline heater on my 90 gallon. I am surprised at how precise the temperature stays. I put on the output of my Classic 2217 and it has been working great for me. Uses clamping nuts just like the Eheim quick disconnects...very simple hook-up. I've only had it a couple of weeks so we are still in the "probationary period" but so far I am impressed.

My main motivator for getting them from BC is the ludicrous prices that LFS here charge. A well-known LFS had 1" Demasoni for $19.99 each. 25 x 19.99 = $499.75 plus gas to Edmonton. :tongue: Shipping included, I paid $145.00 total. :thumbs: As well, the gentleman that I got them from has a good reputation as a breeder.

PM Sent.

Just had to share my good news. :smokey: Yesterday morning I received a shipment of 25 Pseudotropheus Demasoni juvies from Kamloops and they are beautiful. They range in size from 3/4" to 1 1/4" and their coloration is awesome. I will try to post pics in the near future.

It is definitely a Labeotropheus. How large is this fish? He looks too stocky to be Labeo Trewavasae so Val is likely right.......Labeo Fuelleborni of some kind. They are not easy to find locally. I would look to sell or give away before freezing him.

If the labs were added first, they may be just adjusting to the new tankmates. My lab fry from punman were only 1/2" when I got them and they have been sociable from day one. They are the life of my grow out tank so far. We'll see what happens when they go into the fully stocked 90 gallon. Caeruleus usually aren't all that shy IME.

Glad to see you were finally able to find some Demasoni. :thumbs: I can't wait to get mine (coming from BC in 2 weeks). Good luck with them.

Your 230 is SWEET! :thumbs:

Gorgeous stand, Leon. I hope the DIY stand for my 90 turns out that nicely.