Help With Tank Setup

[Habaceeba]

Yesterday I bought a 100g tank and stand for my Malawian Cichlids. Of course it didn't come with any filtration or heating. I have never set up such a large tank before, and was wondering what and how much of each I should use for them.

I have a 55g setup right now with my Malawians in it. I was planning on using sand as the substrate. I've never used sand before. The sand will come from a creek bed here in Texas, so I don't think I will have to worry about it changing the pH of the water. Is that true? How difficult is it actually to clean the sand? Any advice would be gratly appreciated.

[val]

Habaceeba, to Aquaria Central, home of the most cichlidiots on the internet:)

Well, what kind of filtration do you have for your current tank? You prefer bio - wheels, HOBs, cannisters? I would think two of whatever you have now would be good. What kind of heater do you use? I would think a pair of 150 or 200w heaters would be fine. The other question is, are you going to use your current heater and filter(s) or are you going to get all new? And what is your budget (OK, that is two question...)

I can't help you with the sand question, but you'll get that answered soon enough....

Regards,


Val

[Habaceeba]

For my 55g setup, I'm using one HOB and one 300 watt submersible heater. I'm going to continue using this tank for my rainbowfish, so I will probably keep those in there. I will probably just get a couple more HOB's and a couple 200 watt heaters for the 100g unless anyone else has any interesting suggestions.

In the first posting, I forgot to mention anything about lighting. I have two hoods. Since it is going to be a cichlid tank, I don't think I'm going to plant it, so what kind of lights should I use.

My questions about sand are still unanswered. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[Robert]

Congrats on the new tank. I just finished setting up a new 265g myself. IMO sand is a great substrate. As for cleaning there isn't much to it. I have two emporor 400 filters with the intakes positioned just a few inches (3 or 4) above the sand and two 802 powerheads on the top on one side with thier intakes positioned about halfway down the tank to provide good water flow. So far this seems to be working well. The water circulation keeps everything suspended and the filter suck up most of the waste. For the few places where waste collects around the rocks and driftwood I just suck it up with a gravel vac held above the sand so as to lift the waste without disturbing the sand. As for heaters I have a single ebo-jager 250w in one corner and the tank maintains a temp. between 70 F at night to 75 F during the day with the light on. i hope this info helps.

[Habaceeba]

If I were to go with the IMO sand, where would I get it?

[SBee]

hehehe I think "IMO" meant "in my opinion"

sometimes hard to tell with these things on the internet!!!


i use black sand in two of my aquariums......I really really like the looks of it, and it's staying clean and such.....but I had to pay just over 30 dollars for 20 pounds. The price, hence, adds up quickly...I dont know anything about taking sand from creek or river beds though.

[missinglinks14]

I live in wisconsin and took river sand for my 55 gal. , I rinsed it thoroughly and repeated probably five times just to be safe. I read in an older aquaria book that some parasites and or other dangers may lurk in the sand. Mostly scare tactic I think. Mine worked out well, the sand doesn't allow waste to seep down so most of the cleaning is quite easy, just vacuum off the waste from the top of the sand and you are done, I usually had to keep going after cleaning just to get enough water for a water change.
I also red somewhere that some Texas Sand can raise the Ph of your tank but should not be a problem for lake M/V Cichlids. Just be aware of this and monitor tank. All in all sand is a good choice and looks quite natural.

[Woozledad]

Cool, another Lubbockite, what's the odds of that happening, LOL...

Good luck with the new tank....I have sand in my 29g which I bought at Lowes for like $3 50lb bag....just Quik Crete(sp) medium construction sand....

[Hennessy4ME99]

IM NOT SURE IF THIS WORKS JUST A THOUGHT but... if the sand does have "parasites" than maybe soaking the sand in a bleach solution for a bit might clear that up or even boiling the sand in some water??? any input from the more experienced? Of course a through rinsing is in order :D

[Dr. Fishenstein]

I used Black Beauty (sand blasting sand) in my tank. Looks great, and only cost 9.00 for 100 lbs. I got it from a local equipment rental place.