Longshots 150 gallon

[Longshot]

I finally filled my new tank, there is a lot more to do before it is complete, but I figured I would cycle it while the rest of the work was being done. I will start with a few pictures and a little info about it, and I will update as I make progress towards moving my fish from their current 55 to this new home.

Older used 150 gallon glass aquarium
DIY pine stand and canopy
3x 300 watt heaters
36" Coralife t5ho fixture with 2x 6500K bulbs (mounted in top of canopy as opposed to sitting on the tank top. this lights the inside of the canopy so I can see what I'm doing.)
2x 792 GPH pumps
building DIY canister from 8 gallon drum (will be running a Jebo canister in the meantime to cycle)
20 gallon tall inside canopy to house heaters
artificial plants
slate pieces for cave, driftwood, and gravel
4 outlet petco air pump

The plan is to install bulkheads into the 20 gallon and plumb into the canister return. The water will re enter the display via 1 1/2" PVC standpipe. I am currently debating trying to plant some Java moss and Java ferns in the 20g which is located next to my light fixture. This will be a first attempt at live plants, might as well try it out in here, should help reduce some nitrates while gaining experience. If this goes well I will begin to live plant the display with low light plants. A few of my friends think that I have gone off the deep end because of this Overhead idea instead of just running a wet/dry underneath- but they obviously haven't figured out that I am a weirdo and don't usually stick to convention, lol. I am awaiting the arrival of the diamond hole saw I ordered, then I will be able to install the bulkhead fittings.
I need to buy a few more artificial plants to hide my 2 submersibles behind the driftwood, I decided to put them inside the tank because they are near silent under all that water, so far the only noise I hear is from the air pump.



pumps behind wood
sorry for the poor quality images.

[Limming]

Tank looks great but I would go for live plants. They look a lot better and there are many that you can grow very easy.

[mojosodope]

Looking good, +1 to the live plants.

[steeler1]

Tank's off to a great start, I look forward to seeing how you stock it.

[talldutchie]

10 times tank volume/hour is a lot. Combined with the air bubbly things.. I'd advice you to go for very robust plants.

[Longshot]

for the past few days I have been mulling over the idea of transitioning to live plants in the display, I can't afford better lighting right now so I was strongly considering planting the 20 gallon, in the canopy, with a mat of java fern, java moss and maybe some anubias. I would have to find a way to diffuse the return water so that it doesn't turn them into salad. I have ZERO experience with plants of any kind, but I'm not afraid to try it out. Maybe if I bring the return from the filter into the center top 1/3, end cap the feed and drill holes in the pipe down two sides, it might divert the water by creating a spraybar effect and reduce the concentration of force? But all that aside, my light (2 bulbs x 6700K @ 39w ea.) are right next to the heater tank, it should be enough for low light plants, or am I mistaken? I would like to do a trial on a smaller scale instead of going for broke right off, without prior knowledge. I wish I could devise a way to keep the water calm enough to put some sort of critters in there with the plants. would like kind of cool- but 1 step at a time here, lol. If I were to go with a planted tank ( and I agree wholeheartedly that it would look incredible), what would you guys suggest for live plants and lighting? I am totally game for live planting but I don't want to screw it all up and waste what little money I have to save up. BTW, the return to the display will be via a 1.5 inch gravity feed so it should be pretty docile.

[Longshot]

And this danged water is turning yellow from the wood, already. just hooked up a DYI reactor full of carbon housed in a 55 gallon drum, don't know if it will help with the color but gonna try it out.

[genocidex]

well if you get the current down enough to not salad up all your plants then we can certainly help you with lighting. since you have a canopy allready, maybe working with some spiral CFL and clamp lights would help you. if not then look into t5ho fixtures. 150g are high tanks so you would need to stay with some of the high powered lights. if you did like 8 clamp lights with 23w bulbs in them (6500K) im sure that would give you at least medium light in the tank. but i dont have experience with deep tanks yet so i dont know for sure.

[mojosodope]

I like where you're going with the 20G idea, it has the potential to be a good Refugium IMO, if one of the filter returns are plumbed through it.

[Longshot]

Hmm, when I have a moment I will make a drawing of what I have planned for filtration and I will post it. Would be curious for input.