40 tank Journal

[Sandz]

I have been watching a lot of DIY videos and the 22 im picking up are all bottom drilled to hook up a system just like an aquarium shop. I am looking to make a standing wall anchored shelf with port holes on the bottom and to set up a central filtration.

If anyone has their favorite step by step sites or anything youtube related I would love to see them to get ideas. I love UjaruJoey. That guy has some insane info.

[scotchbonneteater]

I removed the paint from the back of one of mine with a razor blade scraper and it came off real easy

[Sandz]

Ok, so now that the mods have been kind enough to move this to a journal, I am going to continue this whole adventure on here.

Latest update: Yesterday I had a comp day so between some yard maintenence and some hunny do's I got to clean all 18 tanks. I also got wife approval for an entire wall of tanks in the garage for fry tanks/breeding tanks. Temp shouldnt be an issue here because I live in Florida and have a stucco house which even in these 30 degree nights I have been holding 65+ in the garage.

I have enough 20 longs and 10 gals to make a full 25 tank wall. I will be relying on some help here to get the plumbing right though! I plan on running everything through a large DIY refugium and then maybe into a DIY canister after that depending on what ya'll recommend.

At this point 18 tanks are water testing for the week. I will be going next saturday to pick up the other 22 tanks. The next step I guess would be to start constructing the stands and wall mounted shelving unit for the fry tanks.

Advice questions:

1) On the wall mounted tanks, I have a 10 ft cieling so height isnt an issue, I have 5 ft of space wide and I have 4 ft of floor space. What wood would you recommend for shelving and does anyone have a design they have used that they know stands the test of time? (I am a novice at anything outside of tanks stands. Oh and no pun intended lol)

2) On a DIY refugium, I am looking to use a 55gal rubbermaid bucket and install the baffles with silicone beads. I read cliff's responce on the 20gal diy help in the DIY section, so I am going to use that design and I planned on putting Cherry Shrimp and a crap load of Hornwart in the refugium. Is there any better plant to use for eating Nitrates?

[Sandz]

Also... a parting shot of my Blue Ram male displaying in my work tank as I sit at my desk typing..

[Sandz]

Anyone have an answer for the prev questions at the end of my post?

[Sandz]

Ok, so I spent the weekend hauling a lot more human gravel than fish gravel but at least I got some things done. I saw a nice stand at petco on sale for 130 for my 75gal dining room tank so I picked it up. They dont make those things well at all, the holes are always drilled a 1/4in off and become a PITA!

An hour later I had the stand done, took my 75 out of the water test room and put it up, put in some generic gravel and the texas rock and here is take 1:



cloudy and all, here is the full set up:



Also, my largest tank in the water test room has proven to not hold water. After a full week, I came out this morning to discover a half tank of water on the floor running out. I drained it before work and once it drys I will be resealing all the silicone.

On top of that, the connection for my python broke so I had to fill that 75gal with 5gal buckets. Needless to say, a glass of Makers was in order to end the day along with the Patriots swift kick to the rear. All in all, a good night.

[fishmommie]

Wow. I just found this journal. It's been so much fun to read. You are so kind to help the lady out with things she couldn't do her self and would have had to pay someone to do. I'm sure it's making her feel good that a fellow fish lover is getting the tanks.

Can't wait to see how you work this out. No advise on how to build those stands but I'm thinking: anchor, anchor, anchor to the wall!!
Good luck and I hope you find time to keep posting

[Sandz]

So I still am yet to pick up the other 22 tanks because of some issues with schedule but I should have all the bottom drilled tanks next week along with some more 29s. I set up one 29 grow out tank that is going well so far. Its just bare bottom with 3 cichlids, 2 sunshine peacocks and 1 jacobfriebergi. I believed I had 2 female Sunshines but was wrong. Heck, I might be wrong about the female. I am uploading pics to get some opinions.

So obviously I have the room to move tanks for the Jake but they are doing great in the 29 I have for them. They are just 2.5in-3in long and the filter on the tank had preseeded media from a prev filter. All ammonia nitrite and nitrate register 0 0 3. So help me out, is this a M/F or M subdom M?

Male:


Female:


Jacob:


You cant see it well but the Jake has the prettiest red crest on his dorsal fin. The tank isnt much to look at but I wanted it as clean as I could to grow out well.

[steeler1]

Ok, so I spent the weekend hauling a lot more human gravel than fish gravel but at least I got some things done. I saw a nice stand at petco on sale for 130 for my 75gal dining room tank so I picked it up. They dont make those things well at all, the holes are always drilled a 1/4in off and become a PITA!

An hour later I had the stand done, took my 75 out of the water test room and put it up, put in some generic gravel and the texas rock and here is take 1:

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fish...iving_room.jpg

cloudy and all, here is the full set up:

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fish...ving_room1.jpg

Also, my largest tank in the water test room has proven to not hold water. After a full week, I came out this morning to discover a half tank of water on the floor running out. I drained it before work and once it drys I will be resealing all the silicone.

On top of that, the connection for my python broke so I had to fill that 75gal with 5gal buckets. Needless to say, a glass of Makers was in order to end the day along with the Patriots swift kick to the rear. All in all, a good night.

Glad to see you moved to the journal section so we can follow your journey. Good luck.

I'm so sorry about the Patriots, not, LOL. Always next year just like the Steelers.

[Sandz]

Haha dont be sorry about the pats I loved watching them lose! I am a Jags/49ers fan of all things so GOOD BYE BRADY!