Mandy's 130g Community Tank

**Sandz** · 02-05-2013, 02:00 PM

Mandy... not to alarm or anything but did you water test this in a safe location? Moving the tank alone puts you at risk for seal issues... just like the guy putting the stand on top of the tank... Just a conscern.

**KevinVA** · 02-05-2013, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by Sandz

She is doing discus, bare bottom is recommended.

What's the reasoning behind that? I've seen Discus tanks with substrate. Is it because some substrates can alter pH?

**Sandz** · 02-05-2013, 02:32 PM

Its because its more sterile. Basically with smaller discus, the 1.5in that shes getting, she will be feeding 4-6 times a day on an autofeeder or personally. Daily water changes are then required to keep up with that bioload and cleaning of the substrate... Sand and all that is going to be harder to clean every day than a bare bottom tank. Its just overall more sterile.

**genocidex** · 02-05-2013, 02:45 PM

i thought with bare bottom tanks its a good idea to paint the bottom of the bottom. ive hear dof textured paints (and will be trying it soon) to make it look like something is there.... also it cuts reflections (so im told) not sure if thats a problem with discus or not but my leopard bush fish seems to hate the reflection...

but everything is looking great, i cant wait to see this thread down the lines XD

**MandyK** · 02-05-2013, 03:05 PM

Hey everyone!

As Sandz explained, I'm doing the bare bottom because it is easier to keep it clean for Discus!

Kevin-Thanks for your compliment on the scape. This def isn't the final position for everything. We were tired and were just putting stuff in. All my things look like ants in this tank! I think the first thing we're going to want is a new, large piece of driftwood to be my center piece. I've gotten lots of inspiration from Aeonflame's 100g set up. We'll be going for something like that.

Sandz- We did not test the tank. Risky, I know. We were pretty worried all last night. We did see the tank full of water before we moved it though, and there are no percievable leaks since last night. I think we will be okay for now.

There ARE some substantial chips in the tank. I think we are going to silicone them just to be safe.

They are pretty big, but they don't seem to have touched the seam. Lol.

And of course we still have a load of cleaning to do.

I don't know what this is, or how to get it off at the moment. I can barelly even scrap it off, and windex has no affect.

There is also what seems to be a substrate line on the back of the inside glass. You can't see it too well any more because it's painted, but I still want it gone. Annnnd there's some stray sand and leaves floating around in there that I'll suck up eventually during a W/C. . .. .

Man I'm tired already!! I forgot that it took me 6 months to get the 55g the way I wanted it.... This thing is going to take FOREVER!

Oh yeah, Genocidex-- We did paint the bottom as well. It is also black. Didn't want to look down there and see the guts of the thing. :)

EDIT: Sadly I missed out on my chance at a Rena XPS4 plus a theo heater last night. They were BRAND NEW. The heater was still in the box, and the lady wanted $110 for both! My husband called on them, and she had already sold them........................................ That was the exact brand I wanted for a canister and EVERYTHING! BOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

**KevinVA** · 02-05-2013, 03:23 PM

Looks like calcium buildup or limescale. Try white vinegar? That might work. If it's really tough to get off, you may need to soak a towell in vinegar and leave it on the stain for a bit, then work it off. Maybe use a toothbrush, as well.

**genocidex** · 02-05-2013, 03:56 PM

or you can make a paste of equal parts vinegar and flower and cake it on. let it sit a few hrs and it should come off. thats what i used on the side of my tank once and worked wonders...

**Sandz** · 02-05-2013, 04:59 PM

See they do it the nice way, I take a paint scraper to mine. I have liquid rock in my faucets. I hope the tank goes perfect, im just paranoid after my 180 that held water prior to move busted after 2 weeks of water. All the bottom seems leaked.

**Cermet** · 02-05-2013, 05:01 PM

I use white vinegar like KevinVA says and use a copper pad (these are great for SS pan cleaning) since copper will not scratch glass but will remove strong scale.

**MandyK** · 02-05-2013, 05:05 PM

Oh Sandz, you're going to make me a nervous wreck!

The vinegar worked like a charm! I just put some on a towel, held it over the stain, then wiped away. :)