need advice for a big tank...

[Chris24]

hi everyone!

i havnt posted in quite a while...i guess thats a good sign my tank isnt having any problems...

you all helped me start a 10 gallon tank, and ive had going for about 6 months now. my rainbow shark is growing steadily, and i knew when i got him the 10 gallon would be too small someday....well, someday is getting closer!

i have a perfect spot in my living room for a very large tank, like 100 gallon, maybe even 125 depending on dimensions, but i am thinking i will be more than satisfied with 100. the area is about 72" wide and 24" deep.

so here are my questions...

TANK ITSELF:
-where do i FIND a tank that big???
-whats a good brand of tank for one that large?
-should i just get one made custom? ask my LFS?

FILTRATION:
-so many options. ive read that UG filters are needed in tanks that big, ive also read they do more harm than good!
-will i need multiple power filters or one big one? will noise be an issue?
-what kind of heaters will in i need/how many?
-any other gadgets/dohickeys/gear i might need?

STUFF:
- i want to try real plants in this one, does this effect what kind of gravel i should use?
-i live in a 2nd story apt, im paranoid about leaks/flooding. is it possible to build some kind of catch-all tub into the stand, so as not to damage my carpet and neighbors ceiling?

BTW, i plan to do a fishless cycle, and then add some plants, and once everything is stabilized and ready then mr. rainbow shark will get his new home, and maybe a new roommate. i think he has just about had it with the 3 fancy guppies i got for my girlfriend...lol...

i do have "some" time to get everything built and put together. but i would like to have a plan for everything before i start, and i would like to have it done within 6-8 weeks.

[Futureboy]

first off you should make sure the spot your going to put it can hold the weight because a big tank like your suggesting will have some serious weight to it

finding the tank isnt so hard just ask at some LFS's or look in the classifeds and you should easyely be able to find what your looking foor

As for a tub anythings possible but im not sure about practical it would have to be very wide in order to catch any water forced out from a decent leak on a tank that size at least an extra foot or so wider and longer then the tank

for filters go with a canister set up

heaters and such just need to be rated for the amount of water the tank will hold

thats all i can think of right now

[CAF]

where do i FIND a tank that big???

order one from your LFS.

-whats a good brand of tank for one that large?

All Glass (Aqueon)

-should i just get one made custom? ask my LFS?

Custom tanks generally cost more than premade tanks.

FILTRATION:
-so many options. ive read that UG filters are needed in tanks that big, ive also read they do more harm than good!

UG... I would try to avoid UGs.... Get a canister filter with a spray bar.

-will i need multiple power filters or one big one? will noise be an issue?

It depends on how heavily you plant the tank. If you split the return from a canister so it goes to both ends you should be fine.

-what kind of heaters will in i need/how many?

two 250w heaters on opposite sides of the tank. I recommend the Visi Therm Stealth. OR 1 inline heater attached to the return line of the canister filter before the split.

-any other gadgets/dohickeys/gear i might need?

If you are going to do plants, you may want to look into a pressurized CO2 system for a tank that large OR you can do DIY CO2

STUFF:
- i want to try real plants in this one, does this effect what kind of gravel i should use?

Yes and no. It SHOULD effect it, but you can make do without. I use a homemade mix of pea gravel, peat, and flourite.

-i live in a 2nd story apt, im paranoid about leaks/flooding. is it possible to build some kind of catch-all tub into the stand, so as not to damage my carpet and neighbors ceiling?

You probably could, however, you would need to have the tub go around the stand completely to do any good, as inside the stand only covers some of the area and most spills come over the sides...

[~Erik3.8.07~]

just another thought, make sure your floor can hold the weight of a tank that big full of water, its roughly 8 pounds per gallon of water, i believe, so thats about 800 pounds concentrated on one area plus the weight of the stand and anything else you might have there