150 Gallon Build Thread ... From the Start

[12 Volt Man]

12 Volt - in your opinion is the Discus "payoff" worth the work??

depends. what many discus keepers do to avoding doing the w/c's on massive tanks is to start the small discus in a smaller tank and grow them up to sub-adult size before moving them into the main big display tank.

many go barebottom as mentioned - much easier to keep good water quality that can stunt juv. discus.

 

[WaywardSon]

it would, but trust me, the extra 5 inches in height makes a huge difference.

the 150 makes the 130 seem 'small'

I hear you 12 Volt - it seems like the conversation keeps coming back to how "awesome" the 150 tall looks! Really leaning towards lighting it up and what grows grows and what doesn't gets replaced ...

 

[WaywardSon]

If I start with the tetra schoolers (79-80 degrees), what luck would I have in "adding" Discus and turning the temp up?

 

[WaywardSon]

Any more lighting input? I don't think I'm confused enough (lol)!

Seems no matter which way you go there is a bit of "it'll work" involved, but no clear cut answer!

 

[12 Volt Man]

If I start with the tetra schoolers (79-80 degrees), what luck would I have in "adding" Discus and turning the temp up?

if you want to put tetras in there too, consider rummynose and cardinals.

both are very popular tetras with discus, and they can handle the higher temps.

 

[WaywardSon]

if you want to put tetras in there too, consider rummynose and cardinals.

both are very popular tetras with discus, and they can handle the higher temps.

Exactly what I was going to use - I have a small school of each right now in my 45. Plan on moving them over and adding to each ...

 

[12 Volt Man]

as I mentiioned, I too am planning a 150 gallon AGA tank, my progress thread will be up soon. so far I have the strip lights, filters and heater sitting in the spot where it will go, I am getting the stand probably tomorrow night. finally. I have been planning this tank for over a year - I just moved and now its time!

you said you have never seen the tank in person, I have pics of the tank at my LFS that I took that I will try and upload later. I have been having computer trouble lately and as such cannot upload pics from my camera (my picture software is normal, but my computer won't acknowledge the camera when I plug it into the USB all of a sudden) grr.

the proportions on the 150 are really nice. the extra height combined with the 6 foot length give the tank a real 'wow that tank is huge' look..

 

[WaywardSon]

you said you have never seen the tank in person

That must have been a mis-quote. Actually I "have" seen the 150 tall in person - that's what hooked me on the whole idea of a taller tank to begin with ... probably said "I wish I had never seen it ..."

Doing more research on lights now ...

What kind of lighting did you get for your 150 12 Volt?

 

[12 Volt Man]

okay, my big tank is going to be non-planted because I like big barbs, redhook silver dollars etc.

ie fish that eat plants.

so I am using 2 36" All-glass brand double flourescent strips with 4 Hagen Powerglo bulbs.

it would not be enough if I had plants..

 

[WaywardSon]

okay, my big tank is going to be non-planted because I like big barbs, redhook silver dollars etc.

ie fish that eat plants.

so I am using 2 36" All-glass brand double flourescent strips with 4 Hagen Powerglo bulbs.

it would not be enough if I had plants..

The quest continues ...