New 75 gal. Need Suggestions!

[dorkopolis]

My neighbors have four aquariums for sale in their front yard. They had a 5 gal, a 10 gal, a 30 gal, and a 75!

I bought the 75, dual bio-wheel filter, heater, lights, hood, and background for only 50 bucks! It's a dream come true for me, really, because I've wanted a 75 my entire life. The biggest I've ever had was a 55 gallon.

First of all, what is the best method for cleaning a used tank? Secondly, what is an excellent substrate? Thirdly, the local water has a very high Ph, so should I try cichlids? If so, what kind?

Thanks!

[zackish]

Someone before has said that plain water and vinegar is good for cleaning your tank.
As far as substrate, if you want a planted tank you may want to go with soilmaster select or eco-complete. I have had real good luck with eco-complete with just a simple lighting system and C02. Today I get my 65 watt light so I am sure I will be even more satisfied. If you don't want planted then you need to pick just a regular substrate that you like. However, I reccommend picking a darker one because most cichlids are so bright.
Also, how high is your PH in your water. It might not be as high as you think. If it is around 8 and you want a different fish besides cichlids you can try putting peat under your substrate to lower the PH.

[Lady Hobbs]

I am so jealous of you lucky ones who are able to find used fish tanks. (Make sure it's a fish tank and not a repitle tank.) I don't know of anyone soul around here that has tropical fish. I check Craigs list and the ones there are nearly 3-5 hours drive one-way so buying used is just never an option for me. Drives me nuts.

You got a very, very great deal! I would run right back there and grab the 30 gallon, too!

You can get some larger fish now if you like.....perhaps an Oscar OR a couple severums, festivums, blue acura or have a tank of smaller cichlids like Labs, peacocks, etc.

[dorkopolis]

Someone before has said that plain water and vinegar is good for cleaning your tank.

yeah, I remember my mom doing that years ago. But I also remember that people use bleach sometimes, and I have no idea what concentration to use if I choose to do that. I'm concerned that I might have something awful left over in the used tank.

As far as substrate, if you want a planted tank you may want to go with soilmaster select or eco-complete. I have had real good luck with eco-complete with just a simple lighting system and C02.

What if I might want to go planted later on? Should I go ahead and use a substrate that would support plants and maybe toss in a few cheap bulbs?


Also, how high is your PH in your water. It might not be as high as you think. If it is around 8 and you want a different fish besides cichlids you can try putting peat under your substrate to lower the PH.

It's pretty high. I'd say that it ranges from 7.6 to 8.0. Usually a solid 7.8. I have no problems with the fish I have at the moment, but I've noticed that it is sometimes harder to get new fish to "stick."

I do best with tetras and rasboras, though. I have lost one lemon tetra to ich and about 3 neons due to NTS and one neon to a MYSTERY.
I currently have 6 neons, 5 harlequins, 2 lemon, 2 black skirt, and 3 "stop-and-go light" tetras.

Are cichlids particularly rewarding? I've never cared for them besides their nice colors. I particularly like livebearers and the labyrinth fishes for some reason. I always have *shrugs*

[dorkopolis]

I am so jealous of you lucky ones who are able to find used fish tanks.

I am very grateful! I've never found a used one, either. It's as if the god of fish took pity on me and dropped one out of the sky!

You got a very, very great deal! I would run right back there and grab the 30 gallon, too!

30 gallon comes with everything the 75 gal did, but for 30 bucks. But the lady is going to throw in some fishkeeping books and extras if I get it. Thing it, she mentioned that it had some sort of "etching" on the glass, and the glass does indeed look a bit milky. How would one fix that?

You can get some larger fish now if you like.....perhaps an Oscar OR a couple severums, festivums, blue acura or have a tank of smaller cichlids like Labs, peacocks, etc.

My husband wants an Oscar, but I doubt that I could devote my dream tank to a fish. I'm thinking of going community again, but now having room for a nice pleco and a few others that I had to miss out on by only having a 30 gallon.

What I REALLY want is something unusual. I remember loving my knifefish and my hatchetfish and my loaches when I was a kid.

[Drumachine09]

I reccomend Severums. They are not the most peacful of South American cichlids. Big peices of driftwood, large plants, and rocks make it feel homey for them. You could get anywhere from 2-4 severums (IMO), but you will need more filtration. I reccomend getting a large cannister, and possibly another Large HOB filter.

[dorkopolis]

I reccomend Severums. They are not the most peacful of South American cichlids. Big peices of driftwood, large plants, and rocks make it feel homey for them. You could get anywhere from 2-4 severums (IMO), but you will need more filtration. I reccomend getting a large cannister, and possibly another Large HOB filter.

Those are some handsome fish! I do, however, currently prefer smaller fish. The bright yellow and blue cichlids have always looked pretty to me, but lacking much personality. (I've never kept cichlids and know little about them, though, so I could be wrong.)

Unfortunately, I don't really have the resources for a cannister at the moment. I've been eating a LOT of black beans and rice this year since my property taxes and homeowner's insurance went up (I live in Florida.)

My father-in-law is going to make a stand and canopy for my tank as a christmas present, though! YAY!

Anyway, I'm hoping to start something with a minimum investment (fish prices don't count,) that I can expland on later. That's why I was concerned about the substrate. Whatever I am going to eventually want to use as substrate needs to go in at the beginning.

[Lady Hobbs]

If there is etching, it might be a good tank for getting plants started or even in the event of fry. Perhaps the backside that was covered might be in better shape? If not, it is still worth it. It's always nice to have a back up when breeding is going on, etc. You might not want to plant it as the bright lights would show up the etching even more but as stated, a good starter tank. Heck, the filter alone cost more than the whole thing.

Bleach is fine if you're worried about killing bacteria. Just rinse it well and let air dry for a bit. Vinegar works for removing lime scale but you have to turn the tank on the side, pour the vinegar on the area and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Just pouring it on and quickly removing it won't do much. The acid in the vinegar eats away at the lime scale.

[dorkopolis]

If there is etching, it might be a good tank for getting plants started or even in the event of fry. Perhaps the backside that was covered might be in better shape? If not, it is still worth it. It's always nice to have a back up when breeding is going on, etc. You might not want to plant it as the bright lights would show up the etching even more but as stated, a good starter tank. Heck, the filter alone cost more than the whole thing.

Bleach is fine if you're worried about killing bacteria. Just rinse it well and let air dry for a bit. Vinegar works for removing lime scale but you have to turn the tank on the side, pour the vinegar on the area and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Just pouring it on and quickly removing it won't do much. The acid in the vinegar eats away at the lime scale.

The vinegar sounds GREAT then, because I probably won't be setting up the new tank(s) until the weekend.

You gave me a great idea for the 30 gallon, btw. FANTASTIC quarantine/hospital tank! It hadn't crossed my mind at all!

ETA: I have a nice, quiet closet upstairs with power, heating and AC. It also has built-in cabinets. It would be a good place to keep such a tank.

[Lady Hobbs]

My quarantine is used to keep my zebra danio's in since I can't stand them!!!!! They keep the bioload going for when I do need it. I don't know how many times I've had to use this tank for angelfish aggression or to just move fish around. Comes in very handy!

[zackish]

I am so jealous of you lucky ones who are able to find used fish tanks. (Make sure it's a fish tank and not a repitle tank.) I don't know of anyone soul around here that has tropical fish. I check Craigs list and the ones there are nearly 3-5 hours drive one-way so buying used is just never an option for me. Drives me nuts.

You got a very, very great deal! I would run right back there and grab the 30 gallon, too!

You can get some larger fish now if you like.....perhaps an Oscar OR a couple severums, festivums, blue acura or have a tank of smaller cichlids like Labs, peacocks, etc.

I was going to say the same thing. go grab the 30 gal, 30 gallon is a nice size tank.
Also Lady, what is the difference if it's reptile or fish tank?

[dorkopolis]

UPDATE:


I just spent 90 dollars. I now have a 75 gallon, 30 gallon, and they gave me a five gallon with a stand for free. The woman gave me 6 cardboard boxes full of filters, slate, caves, general decor, food, meds, etc.

I filled my car and trunk with the extras, and her husband drove the tanks home in his SUV.

I'm .... thrilled!

I now have:
2 gallon
5 gallon
10 gallon
30 gallon
30 gallon
75 gallon

[Drumachine09]

I was going to say the same thing. go grab the 30 gal, 30 gallon is a nice size tank.
Also Lady, what is the difference if it's reptile or fish tank?



The bottoms of reptile tanks are not tempered, like aquariums are. I witnessed this first hand when my neighbor dropped a reptile 10 gallon. the bottom was most certainly NOT tempered.

UPDATE:


I just spent 90 dollars. I now have a 75 gallon, 30 gallon, and they gave me a five gallon with a stand for free. The woman gave me 6 cardboard boxes full of filters, slate, caves, general decor, food, meds, etc.

I filled my car and trunk with the extras, and her husband drove the tanks home in his SUV.

I'm .... thrilled!

I now have:
2 gallon
5 gallon
10 gallon
30 gallon
30 gallon
75 gallon




You, my friend, are the latest victim of MTS.

[dorkopolis]

You, my friend, are the latest victim of MTS.

Yep! And I'm loving my disease!

[Drumachine09]

Yep! And I'm loving my disease!



Sure is contagious, isnt it?

[Bill M.]

UPDATE:


I just spent 90 dollars. I now have a 75 gallon, 30 gallon, and they gave me a five gallon with a stand for free. The woman gave me 6 cardboard boxes full of filters, slate, caves, general decor, food, meds, etc.

I filled my car and trunk with the extras, and her husband drove the tanks home in his SUV.

I'm .... thrilled!

I now have:
2 gallon
5 gallon
10 gallon
30 gallon
30 gallon
75 gallon

I hate you.. so much... :P

[zackish]

That's sick you have that many tanks now. I already want a 55g and I wanna do discuss. and I want oscars....and I want a saltwater tank, the list goes on.
The thing is my 29g right now isn't even fully stocked and I am just getting the rest of my equipment and building my Co2 this week.