Getting Started

WaywardSon, Kashta, Fish-Addict, Rbishop, Chrisk, rocker92, dirtydawg, jpappy, proaquatics, Arturo, Blue2fyre -- Thanks again for the kind words. This absolutely is my dream aquarium.

I am very happy with how the stand has come out. It was built by a local woodworker, he was the first guy I called from the yellow pages. He came the same day that i called, we shot some ideas around about what I had wanted and three months later (getting the specifics on the tank was the big holdup) it was done. He built this in two weeks. Carcass is maple. Doors are veneered (sp). I think I just got lucky with finding a dependable, professional guy who did a great job with this. I'll post some pics of it in the shop.

I will probably need help with stocking options - I'm like maybe......90% sure that I will not do the planted discus tank, just due to the time commitment thing. I'm going through some of the african ciclid threads to learn more about the fish and compatability. I want to go for light to moderate stocking - maybe a species tank or 2-3 groups. malawi vs. tang? i have no idea, unbeliveable diversity.

Local person will be comming by to help plan the plumbing. One of the drawbacks of having a short tank is -theres no room! I have only 19in of vertical space inside the stand so will pose some challenges - just need a shorter sump i guess. Will continue to update when things happen. Thanks again.

It really felt like X-mas morning when the tank came in. Havent had that much fun unwrapping something in a long time!

- Prashanth

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Wow.. That stand is sharp! Can't wait to see this flesh out.
 
Oh wow! What a great setup! You know a rewarding and simple fish to keep is a Victoria Lake cichlid. They are endangered in their natural habitat so you can keep a species-specific rock/substrate tank while feeling good! Most Victorians are passive, so you dont get the fin nipping and complexity of Malawis.

Look into it. The American Cichlid Association has a group that maintain and distribute Victorian species. It's $25 to join and you can be apart of maintaining something endagered for minimal effort. Just do some research, it's rewarding to keep the Victorians.

If you want to go more colorful, Malawis are great! Do a labrochromis mix! the Blue and Yellows are stunning! :D

Can't wait to see this tank stock!!!
 
Wow.. That stand is sharp! Can't wait to see this flesh out.

Thanks. I think the rate limiting step is getting the sump. The LFS gentleman came over yesterday to take a look. Will need a shorter sump as I had thought, 12-15in in height, 18 in wide, i'm not sure how long he suggested. Components will be pretty simple actually - two heaters, two submersible pumps, area for biofiltration, area for carbon (this was a no no with discus just based on general consensus, but I said ok, i'm sure it's still somewhat of a controversy), will be some type of contraption in each overflow -kind of like durso stand - to decrease spalshing noise - and will be placing filter media/sponge i think - for some mechanical filtration in the overflows. Actual plumbing will be combo of soft and hard - new lingo and jargon for me - hope to learn more about this for myself and document w/ pics when we do this. He did his own plumbing for saltwater display at his store, and seems to be knowledgeable. Thanks again.

- Prashanth
 
There's no way, that is going to be amazing !!!!!!!!!!!!!. Post as many pics as you want on your progress.
 
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