This here's a great forum! It's about time I registered & started a thread. Less than a year ago my friend moved to LA & I adopted a Blood Red Parrot & a Pleco in a 20 Gallon. They're up to 6" now so I bought a new aquarium... yup, I got the bug now. It's a glass 65 gallon used custom aquarium with a hard plumbed glass 20 gallon wet/dry filter with a 113watt pump, 36"x18"x24"tall. I got it on Craigslist for a steal but I didn't realize just how big 65 gallons is plus all this plumbing, I'm in over my head now. But this wouldn't be as fun if that were not the case. I'm making trips between Home Depot & the LFS trying to get this thing ready for water. New World Aquarium in NYC is incredible btw. I only have a few questions, really I'm going to list my process in hopes that someone will catch something I do wrong.
Currently I'm building a level platform for the stand (my apartment's so crooked).
My LFS guy is adamant I replace all three bulkheads or at least the rubber since it was used & then dried out. Make sense?
Little Giant 113watt pump: I can't seem to find the ratings on this particular model but a comparable one is listed at 800 Gallons per hour. That sounds insane to me. I assume this tank was made for a reef but will this water flow make this tank like a river? And if so, would my fish dig it? If not, can I just partially close a valve to limit flow or do I need to get a new pump? There's well over 5 gallons of bioball media.
I'm currently designing a DIY light. It seems there's a lack of stylish 3ft florescent shop lamps out there. There's a halogen 3-footer that everyone sells & I guess that put many 3ft florescent shop lamps off the market. It seems like there's better options in 2ft & most especially 4ft lengths (all in ones that have a hood, hang from the ceiling & are very inexpensive). I think I'll do the basic Home Depot 3' light in a wooden DIY hood. I figure I'll leave enough room for 4-5 of these but I'll probably start out with just a couple. Bulb selection is around the corner. I have plants.
Cracked glass: the bulkhead that connects my sump to the pump has a crack. LFS recommends I get glass cut & reinforce both sides of this cracked pane. Interesting I was planning on doing this with Plexi but I was told plexi & glass won't silicone to one another. It must be Glass to glass (or plastic-plastic). the sump will have less than 10 gallons in it.
Know any glass cutters in NYC? I need a 6" piece with a hole drilled in it x2.
I read up on Blood Red Parrots & while I do love this particular fish & i want to spoil him, I don't think I will get another one. My taste seems to be pushing me in the more natural direction. I'm liking the primitive fish. I need to start considering Bichir-proofing this aquarium plumbing before I put water in it.
This forum rates the Black Ghost Knifefish at 90 gallons. All the other websites seem to rate them below 60 gallons. I do want one. My filter is going to really rock & I'm in a position to limit the stocking of this tank. Worst case scenario, how many years do I got on a BGK in a 65 galon before needing to upgrade?
I'll try to get some photos up to add pizzaz to my thread. More to come later...
Currently I'm building a level platform for the stand (my apartment's so crooked).
My LFS guy is adamant I replace all three bulkheads or at least the rubber since it was used & then dried out. Make sense?
Little Giant 113watt pump: I can't seem to find the ratings on this particular model but a comparable one is listed at 800 Gallons per hour. That sounds insane to me. I assume this tank was made for a reef but will this water flow make this tank like a river? And if so, would my fish dig it? If not, can I just partially close a valve to limit flow or do I need to get a new pump? There's well over 5 gallons of bioball media.
I'm currently designing a DIY light. It seems there's a lack of stylish 3ft florescent shop lamps out there. There's a halogen 3-footer that everyone sells & I guess that put many 3ft florescent shop lamps off the market. It seems like there's better options in 2ft & most especially 4ft lengths (all in ones that have a hood, hang from the ceiling & are very inexpensive). I think I'll do the basic Home Depot 3' light in a wooden DIY hood. I figure I'll leave enough room for 4-5 of these but I'll probably start out with just a couple. Bulb selection is around the corner. I have plants.
Cracked glass: the bulkhead that connects my sump to the pump has a crack. LFS recommends I get glass cut & reinforce both sides of this cracked pane. Interesting I was planning on doing this with Plexi but I was told plexi & glass won't silicone to one another. It must be Glass to glass (or plastic-plastic). the sump will have less than 10 gallons in it.
Know any glass cutters in NYC? I need a 6" piece with a hole drilled in it x2.
I read up on Blood Red Parrots & while I do love this particular fish & i want to spoil him, I don't think I will get another one. My taste seems to be pushing me in the more natural direction. I'm liking the primitive fish. I need to start considering Bichir-proofing this aquarium plumbing before I put water in it.
This forum rates the Black Ghost Knifefish at 90 gallons. All the other websites seem to rate them below 60 gallons. I do want one. My filter is going to really rock & I'm in a position to limit the stocking of this tank. Worst case scenario, how many years do I got on a BGK in a 65 galon before needing to upgrade?
I'll try to get some photos up to add pizzaz to my thread. More to come later...
You just never know! :huh: