Help! new 125 gal tank need setup info

[Mgamer20o0]

I am about to get a 125 or so gal fish take. But I don’t know what to use to filter it. I want it to be a common tank. I wanted some smaller school fish. I have a 20 gal now and have had some problems with my ac125 killing my fish. I plan on adding low light plants later on. So what is the best way to filter my 125 gal tank? Also if anyone has any ideas about lighting, fish or anything that can help me I would appreciate it.

[Cearbhaill]

On a tank that size I would use two filters- you can change one out and not upset your bacteria, you have backup, plus I just like having two.
An Eheim Pro II 2028 and an Emperor 400 maybe?
The cannister filters do a great job of mechanical filtration, and the bio-wheels are great for the biological end.

You have lots of options fish wise- is there a species on your "must have" list? You can design a happy community around any fish but you need to get an idea where you are headed first.
I'd look into my local water supply and adjust my species list to suit that. If your water is very hard you'd be battling mother nature to keep Discus- better to set up with Mollies. Make it easy instead of difficult.

Lighting is for plants and people. Have plans for real plants or just need light for viewing?

[Mgamer20o0]

i am plaing on having real plants. i am seting my fish tank under a window so natual will help me. i also just bought a couple of books for plants and fish, so i can find out what kind i want. i still have to check on my water. i have no idea on what kind of water it is. i dont have any must have fish at this point. i am trying to stay open about the fish. like you said i would rather go easy than hard at first.
I also wanted to know about the swamps?
should i set one up now or just wait until until i get everything figured out? thanks for all your help

[OrionGirl]

Swamps? Lost me there...

I'd wait on any setup until you know more about what kind of fish you want. Keep in mind that some fish will not go with plants--they'll either dig them up, eat them, or both.

[Mgamer20o0]

i prob got the wrong word for it. i have seen pics of it but i dont really know what it does. water is pumped from the tank to a smaller tank than back into the big tank. i dont know what it is used for but thats why i am asking

[OrionGirl]

Ahh...Sumps!

A sump is used to provide additional water volume, filtration and a place to hide most of the equipment, like heaters. Water usually flows into an overflow, down into the sump, and then a pump returns it to the main tank. Not a required part of a system, but if you have a tank drilled for it, or with corner overflows, very easy to add in. Search on sumps in DIY and I'm sure you'll find lots of information.

[bayoupr]

On my 125g I ran two Eheim 2217 and everything was fine. Iv'e added a fluval 404 and a AC500 since. Really didn't need to add these but the added filtration can't hurt.

[grace]

For a 125 I would go with an AC500, filled with just sponges, and the Eheim 2028. You'll have both great bio- and mechanical filtration.

For low-light plants you will need 2-2.5W/gal., so about 300W of light. Check your local home improvement store for bulbs that are for plants. A good one is the Chroma 50 (Sunshine) bulb from GE; its cheap AND it works well.

I second the advice to check the paratmeters of your tap water and go from there to decide what fish will work for you. I think a school of about 100 neon tetras would look great in there with pearl, and/or other species of gourami.

[Mgamer20o0]

i just tested my water for the ph it is 7.0 i think its light blue. the test also came with ph up and down has anyone used this before i am a little worryed about using it.

[Cearbhaill]

If my pH tested 7.0 I would not attempt any change at all- a huge number of interesting species and combinations of species would love to live in 7.0.
Why would you want to change it? Unless you have your heart set on Rift Lake cichlids I'd strongly suggest leaving well enough alone.

[OrionGirl]

pH Up and Down both come with a whole slew of unintended consequences for most people, and there are better methods available if you really need to alter the pH, but Cearbhaill is right--very few fish won't be quite happy in your water. Look around and see what you're interested in, and realize that the pH is not as important as many other aspects of the tank. Getting close is good enough for most fish.

[Mgamer20o0]

the bottle of up ph and down ph came with it thats why i asked. i read how to change it naturaly but i dont think i will change it. i still havent got my tank out, but i did pick up dr axelrod mini atlas of freshwater aquarium. i am looking for fishes i like, but its hard with so many.

[Mgamer20o0]

oh yea has anyone ever had any problems with the ac's with there fish. i have had a lot of fish get stuck to the filter. they die if i dont catch it when it happens. is there any way to provent it from happening. i was thinking of making a little cage but i dont want mess up the filters.


thanks for all your help

[grace]

You can wrap filter foam (AC or Fluval) around the intake with a cable tie or rubberband. I had to do this just the other day because one of my oto cats had it's tail stuck in the intake of the Whisper filter I am seeding. I was so glad it happened when I was there to see it and save him!

[brianfl]

Oriongirl,

I have used ph down in the past at another house. Out of curiosity what are some effects?

Thanks,