150 Gallon Build Thread ... From the Start

DrVader said:
Personally, I prefer the fishless cycle as it doesn't impart any stress on a specimen. The next time you crack your existing tank's filter, pull off some of the biomedia to use as seed for the new filter(s). I pulled off 50% of the biomedia from my Fluval 405 to seed my FX5 with no problems (still, watch your water parameters). My newer 90 gallon tall Lake Tang. tank was cycled within 2 days using this method.
Click to expand...

Excellent - had thought about doing something similar. Please explain "pull off some of the biomedia."

DrVader said:
As you know, plants can be added immediately. First step however will be deciding on (and washing/adding) the substrate. Have you made that decision?
Click to expand...

Washing the crap out of the substrate is vital - no question. Plan on doing the washing before the tank arrives.

As far as substrate goes, I may be at the mercy of the LFS (I suppose they can get exactly what I ask for - if I know what to ask for).

Here are BK's suggestions:

Black gravel!! lol go different from that river colored gravel. Or maybe try turface (got money go for eco complete)

Question: Laterite? Suggestions??
 
Draal5 said:
I have just setup the same 150 tank you are buying It's REALLY hard to get to the bottom of this tank to Plant anything I am 6' and I will have to drain down some water and stand on a step stool to plant this thing.

You may want to get a shorter stand for this monster tank. I will be posting my build pic's soon.

I cycled mine in a day I bought the same canister filter I have on my 90 and swapped the whole filter plus I put 2 bio-wheels for other tanks.

Good luck you are going to love your tank
Click to expand...

Thanks for the great feedback Draal5!! I am 6'5" - hopefully I will be able to plant (lol).

Would love to see a couple of your pics - feel free to post a couple of them on this thread if you get a chance.

Very, very excited about the end result. The tank should be spectacular!!
 
Draal5 said:
I have just setup the same 150 tank you are buying It's REALLY hard to get to the bottom of this tank to Plant anything I am 6' and I will have to drain down some water and stand on a step stool to plant this thing.

You may want to get a shorter stand for this monster tank. I will be posting my build pic's soon.

I cycled mine in a day I bought the same canister filter I have on my 90 and swapped the whole filter plus I put 2 bio-wheels for other tanks.

Good luck you are going to love your tank
Click to expand...

Draal, sounds like you had fun with it! Any shots to showcase? :)
 
cfsinc said:
Excellent - had thought about doing something similar. Please explain "pull off some of the biomedia."

Just dumped one of the biomedia trays into the new filter's tray and readded biomedia back in to repopulate (I use Seachem biomedia).

Washing the crap out of the substrate is vital - no question. Plan on doing the washing before the tank arrives.

As far as substrate goes, I may be at the mercy of the LFS (I suppose they can get exactly what I ask for - if I know what to ask for).

Here are BK's suggestions:

Black gravel!! lol go different from that river colored gravel. Or maybe try turface (got money go for eco complete)

Question: Laterite? Suggestions??
Click to expand...

I like black flourite and it eliminates the need for laterite:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+10741+4870&pcatid=4870

I agree with Bk you should go with black!
 
cfsinc said:
Excellent - had thought about doing something similar. Please explain "pull off some of the biomedia."

Washing the crap out of the substrate is vital - no question. Plan on doing the washing before the tank arrives.

As far as substrate goes, I may be at the mercy of the LFS (I suppose they can get exactly what I ask for - if I know what to ask for).

Here are BK's suggestions:

Black gravel!! lol go different from that river colored gravel. Or maybe try turface (got money go for eco complete)

Question: Laterite? Suggestions??
Click to expand...


for biomedia.. just take out some of the bio media from your current filter (one running on 45) and use it on the 150 to get the bacteria in there.. Another suggestion is once you get the 2217.. hook one up to the 45g and let it run for a few days..

For gravel, if you get black regular gravel then the rinsing is 10-20 min lol.. if you go for turface then goood luck buahahhahahha

laterite is good you can actually use a layer of it under the black gravel.
 
Bk828 said:
for biomedia.. just take out some of the bio media from your current filter (one running on 45) and use it on the 150 to get the bacteria in there.. Another suggestion is once you get the 2217.. hook one up to the 45g and let it run for a few days..
Click to expand...

Perfect - here's the plan (I love symmetry - lol): Add a 2217 to the 45 for a couple of days (should be pretty **** clean) and take a tray of bio media from each of the Fluval 305s and move it over to the other 2217s. That should do it!!

Bk828 said:
For gravel, if you get black regular gravel then the rinsing is 10-20 min lol.. if you go for turface then goood luck buahahhahahha
Click to expand...

Is there any advantage to turface?

Bk828 said:
laterite is good you can actually use a layer of it under the black gravel.
Click to expand...

That is the setup I used in my 45 (turned out okay - lol)!
 
Bk828 said:
True that!! lol just avoid the river gravel

http://www.plantedtank.net/substratecalculator.html to calculate # of pounds needed

Also advantage to turface.. not sure about turface but they say its same as SMS.. with sms my plants developed better roots.
Click to expand...

LOL - no more river gravel here! I'll just stick with the laterite I used in the 45. BTW - Thanks for the calculator!

Question: Anything else before liftoff?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom