Glock's 120 Build

Well I decided to make a build thread to keep track of everything so far.

I got this tank off craigs list for $150. It was in surprisingly good shape and just needs a good cleaning.





Thats what I was working on today, cleaning all the crap off it. I got a lot of the calcium deposits off by hand but need to go back with a sharper scraper to get the rest, especially the glass tops.







I would have taken more photo's with the top on it but I got stung by a ground bee on the last photo.



I decided I am going to use pool filter sand as substrate for the sting rays with a large piece of manzanite wood as the center piece. I might put a few plants on the manazanite to grow in.

As far as filters..

http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp17290/si1382183/cl0/marinelandmagnum350filter

I will be running 2 of these. The inputs will be put on the corners to maximize the debris pick up with the out flow blowing from the center downwards in front. I may buy a third one at a later date to keep as a back up in case one craps out on me.

As for heater, I will also run 2 x 250 watt heaters.

http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp18534/si1382763/cl0/jagerheater250watt

Though I have a feeling I may want 300 watt heaters...

I will be getting 2 teacup stingrays for this aquarium. My angel who has gotten quite large will also be the other inhabitant along with 10 CAE's.

Reason i'm doing Big Al's is because there shipping is pretty cheap for me and I don't want ot pay for shipping from 2 different sites:

http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsU.../aquariumsystemsvisithermstealthheater250watt

So that's the new heater.

As far as lighting, this came with 4 x 30" light strips that will have day light plant bulbs put in them. I haven't decided on plants yet, my father is a plastic plant fan boy.

I think i'm going to steal Zigman's puck light idea and have those put in the top

DarkDH said:

looking good! Is this tank going to be sand or bare bottom? No plants I would guess?

Click to expand...

Pool filter sand as the bottom. If there are any plants it will be growing on the manzanite.

After reading more about FW stingrays, particularly the Colombian Ray (Teacup Stingray) i'm starting have doubts about getting ray's. They look cool to have when there younger but when they get large it would break my heart to have them suffer due to them getting 14" wide and almost 30" long.

I'm drawn between looking more into this and if they really do get that large or just do a nice school of Angel's and Neon tetra's.


Edit:

I also just thought of something. Would a UV sterilizer be worth putting on? I was thinking about one to help kill algae pollen and bad bacteria.

12 Volt Man said:

great stuff.

I would consider getting 2 -200W heaters for a tank that size.

2-300w or even 2-250w is a lot for a tank that size.

3w per gallon is a good rule of thumb.

Click to expand...

Im getting the larger heaters because my basement is really cold in my new room and in the winter i'll need the extra power anyways. I can always turn down the heaters to low to keep it at 78 or even turn one off for the time being. Because this tank is large I will be ordering 2 digital thermometers (one for the bottom and one for the top).