New 125 Gallon

[RD.]

I'm just in the planning stages for a new 125 gallon, which will house a colony of C. moorii (thanks Punman!) and a colony of L. caeruleus.

Background will be black (not sure if I'll use felt, or a thin sheet of acrylic?) with solid black Visi-Therm Stealth heaters. Filtration will be 3 AC 500's (I already have 2 established 500's that I can use) and Connie just provided the third one. The lighting will be 2 single strip 36" all-glass lights, with power-glo lights. I may pull the lights a bit forward as well, to give a deep dark feel to the tank. No equipment will show, and the fish will have some darker areas to retreat to if they feel the need. With no serious algae eaters (no plecos!), over time it will have a more natural look to it. The rocks will be supported by a panel of light diffuser (eggcrate) and Target pool filter sand will used as the substrate. (approx 2")

Majestic Aquariums will be building a custom designed stand for this tank.

I just took this pic today of the 'first draft'.

It's difficult to see in my pics, but my rock pile on the right has a lot of caves running through it. Big caves, as well as some smaller caves, and all of them have an entrance, as well as an exit, so the labs should be quite content, as will the female moorii. There's also enough room behind the boulders for fish to swim the entire length of the back of the tank. The rocks look small in the pics, but a few of them are bigger than my head, and will stand approx half way up the tank (11-12") Approx 180 pounds worth altogether. IMO rocks are a waste of water space/volume, unless they serve a function, which in this case they most certainly will. I went to Burnco yesterday & hand picked each one.

The rocks are granite boulders, just like the granite boulders found in Lake Malawi. Smooth to the touch, so no worries about injuries from the rocks.

If anyone can think of something I haven't considered, please feel free to comment or critique my set up.

Thanks!

[Vallisneria]

Looks like you have it all under control

The rock design is very nice. Its simple and natural looking. What do those rocks look like wet? Are they a dark grey?

[RD.]

Thanks Val. I had two boulders left over, that are now out in the garden, and very wet with the rain here, and they are light grey in color. They look great with a 'wet' look to them, but with no plecos obviously over time mine will lose the grey tones.

I was initially considering limestone boulders, but they simply didn't fit into the large smooth look that I was going after, and granite boulders were a natural choice.

[nevchewy]

looking good!

have you bought the tank yet?

nev

[RD.]

Thanks Nev, and no, I haven't bought the tank yet. This may end up being a winter project, with the grand opening being closer to early spring. I wanted to make sure I had the sand/rocks etc before the snow flies, and by the temp here today that could be any day now.

The most important thing is, I have the fish!

[dunl]

If you decide to use limestone, it can be easily chipped and sanded down for a smoother look. I would use one of those long fiberglass files... for smoothing after chipping down to the desired shape.

In any event....the granite looks great as well. I can't say I would do all that work with the limestone myself to smooth it down.

[RD.]

The nice part about granite boulders collected in rivers, is that mother nature has been smoothing them out for the past 1000 years or so.

BTW - granite river rock comes in a multitude of colors, not just grey. I hand picked these for both shape & color.

[dunl]

In my first tanks I had all hand-picked river rock that was worn smooth. I eventually leaned towards the more jagged limestone.....to each his own, I guess.

[RD.]

Yeah, I remember that set up. This tank will be designed with the species of fish that I'll be keeping in mind, not so much for me personally. The moorii will appreciate the open spaces, the yellow labs will appreciate having some deep dark caves. Although these 2 species would most likely never be seen together in the wild, I did my best at creating a natural biotope for both of them.

[Sammy]

Nice setup RD, going to be a nice looking combo of fish once all together.

I think leaving the back of the tank completely open is the way to go. I use to build the rock from the back to the front, sorta pushing the fish towards the front of the tank. Now all my tanks have a path all the way through the backs of them, it opens up so much more real estate for them to explore and take shelter.

Sammy

[African_Fever]

Great looking setup Neil. Should keep both species happy and content.

[RD.]

Thanks, I'm looking forward to setting this tank up.

Now all my tanks have a path all the way through the backs of them, it opens up so much more real estate for them to explore and take shelter.

I agree. The rock on the left side is large enough for a full grown male moorii to disappear behind. With this set up the fish will be able to move freely throughout all portions of the tank.

Edited September 23, 2005 by RD.

[ÐÉÅÑ]

Where are you getting the sand from?

[nevchewy]

pool filter sand no doubt?

nev

Edited September 23, 2005 by nevchewy

[RD.]

Yes, I use Target pool filter sand. Most pool supply stores carry it. It may not be the cheapest pfs, but I like the natural tones, and uniform grain size.