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65 Gallon Amazon Biotope Startup (Jan01/14)


Realevil1
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On New years eve I finished cleaning what used to be my 65 gallon salt water tank. It was a big job I had to used a plastic razor blade to take the hair algae off the glass. I finished cleaning up the salt deposits and filled it with treated water.

My project goal is to build a 65 gallon Amazon Biotope.

Started with my Penguin 350 filter(35PGH 70GAL), which makes loud noises because of sand damage to the impeller housing i presume. I started using a bacteria substitute 2nd day. I followed the instructions which stated 10 ml per 50 L, and only to use it on the 1st, 7th, and the 14th day.

Because i was worried about my Penguin quiting on me, i strapped on a Marineland C-220 (220gph 55gal) canister filter. So it would turn over 570 gallons per hour supposedly, which is almost an 8.8 turnover rate.

Right now it only has plastic 1" bio balls, which i dont like. I also have Nitra-Zorb in one of the trays now.

I run a 250w (guessing not sure) Eheim Jager heater and a HOB refugium.

My tank has 2 full bags (not enough) of white river sand, 1 small bag of oak leaves, and 2 pieces of drift wood

so far.

Haven't really got my lights set up yet so right now I'm just have the t5 tubes I used for my salt tank.

Jan. 15th

So 2 weeks have past and my ammonia is gone and I'm almost ready to put some fish in.
Will post when I get fish.
Edited by Realevil1
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Good luck with your new tank! I also just setup a new tank (60 gallon cube) on Dec. 27th and my cycle is pretty much complete now. I started to slowly add some of my livestock on the weekend, and so far everyone is really happy and healthy.

Just a heads up that Aquarium Central had a tank full of some really nice red head Tapajos.

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Tank is running awesome, because of the snails I think there is too much of a bio load on the tank so those have to go.

I have now added an Eheim Ecco 2234 (60 Gal) for more filtration because I plan on getting rid of the Penguin 350.

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If they are apple snails kill it! Just as bad as the asian carp for being an invasive species. If you have intension of having some what of a planted tank grab MTS and pond snails. Both will do good for the setup. Do at least a 25% WC once a week.

Suggestion for the tank is to have height. Throw something that will either break or be near the water surface that originates from the substrate. Get funky...think outside the 2box.

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Suggestion for the tank is to have height. Throw something that will either break or be near the water surface that originates from the substrate. Get funky...think outside the 2box.

Enlighten me, what do you mean? and for what? :)

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All that I mean is that a vast majority of tanks I see have 90% of plant and decor such as wood or whatever at the bottom 20% of the tank's height. Of course each to their own, specific plant and decor placement is needed for different looks but few use the full height of the tank and above for a scape. Many aquatic plants grow very well at least a few inches above the water's surface and high demand plants that need tonnes of light that might be thought out of range for a particular tank can flourish higher up in the water column.

To answer for what...just to have something that is different that's all.

Just some quick examples off google of using the height.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MOTNQWz_Hf0/TGG7y-5S3hI/AAAAAAAAAJc/cB8yF9uCG7U/s1600/2+standard.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MOTNQWz_Hf0/TGGyicKvhgI/AAAAAAAAAJE/M2UiEeiV7TY/s1600/2+nano.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MOTNQWz_Hf0/TGG-FWmHTiI/AAAAAAAAAJk/mCjvdgEeaEU/s1600/3+standard.jpg

http://www.tropicalaquariumexpert.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Chileanaquascape.jpg

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/pHosting.php?do=show&type=v&id=12579&title=Tank_3_days_inb.jpg

http://www.fishtanknewbies.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/bogtank1.jpg

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So tank is going steady, no Ammonia N3 or N4, I think i am going to add another large bag of the same sand as i plan on adding more plants and possibly some rock in the back.

Right now there is a pair of Pearlscale Marble Angels and a Megalechis thoracata all eating well, i also have a small BN pleco but it is segregated in my HOB refug.

My tank water seems to eveporate so fast i find i have to add 5 gallons every couple days not includng from my water changes.

Just did 10 gallon change monday, ans same last Wednesday, so sunday ill prolly do a 15-20 gal change. and keep doing that every week.

I plan on lower the water level a few inches to start giving it more of a paludarium feel as I work on it :)

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  • 2 weeks later...

So we finnally got some more fish in the tank.. and my penguin 350 has pretty much given up its fight

Now have 6 rummy nose, and 6 hachets in the tank in with the 2 pearscale marble angels, hoplo cat and bn plec

they all seem to get along great and its pretty awesome to watch the feeding frenzy .

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