180gallon- Bottom up, the whole 9 yards!

HI All,

So I decided to start this thread now because my mind is absolutely reeling. I just finished the first phase of stocking (as some of you may know) my 75 gallon but tomorrow the work on the 180 starts. Hopefully I can keep this one thread through the whole development of this tank.

Feel free to pick and choose what to reply to specifically but I have lots of questions and opinion-asking to do below!

So my uncle is fabulous and has a fish obsession. He originally was mostly a goldfish guy and took them to shows and all that. Now he mostly has cichlids in species-only tanks and some goldfish I think. Had 21 large tanks at one time and has scaled back to about 6. He's also an artist and just a totally creative and inventive guy who I just love. I called him about a month and a half ago with a filtration question for my 75. Over the course of several phone calls and texts he said he is making some more room for his painting and offered me one of this 180 gallon tanks. Oh my! Well I just couldn't say no, obviously, amazing, so my sweet hubby entertained me and agreed we would take it.

Initial plan was for it to be in the den/basement. Safe on the foundation.

1. Fast forward. I will not be happy with that. I have a huge great room begging for decor and this would be an amazing display tank. That said, yesterday my dad and husband reinforced the floor joists and added 2 floor jacks below where the tank will be, luckily in an unfinished part of the basement. I am STILL a nervous wreck, so is my dad, and my uncle. I did call my insurance company and switched my policy to one that would cover the tank and any catastrophic event that could possibly happen to this thing but still!! Am I just nuts? Don't people do this all the time!

2. The stand. The one he has was built into his basement specifically for his floor and tank. Just by pictures alone I can tell it is not level (it's level for him because of an uneven floor). Picture below. I can't risk it. I'm buying a black cabinet stand from the semi-local fish store. It will look better with my decor too this way and I won't have to jimmy some kind of curtain around the other 2x4 stand. It's not cheap, $500. Sound reasonable when the tank itself is free?

3. Sunday we drive out to his place. We got a hotel for the night because it was a good excuse for a hotel night no kids Then Monday morning I have a moving company coming to take the tank out of his basement and place it on my flatbed trailer. My husband is worried about bouncing with the shocks or something on this thing and suggested fitting it into our 6ft bed truck. The mover/friend on this end says no way. Says the guys won't be able to lift it well into the truck bed and with the tailgate needing to be open its not safe. Says plenty of blankets and tying it down in the bouncy landscape-style trailer is fine. Thoughts? Anyone do this before?

4. I have only used HOB filters but for both appearance and the size I think I need canisters. Probably 2. I like to over filter btw. Thoughts?

5. Lastly....... Then what! Lol. I have no idea what I want in this thing.

All STOCKING suggestions welcome!

Maybe of help is that my water is a ph of 8.2-8.4 (I have trouble reading the kit), my KH is about 18 and my GH I would say is about 4. I have softened water but bypass it for water changes.

I know cichlids would just love it so that's an obvious option but I'm not sold at all yet. I would love a species-only angelfish tank but what about that ph? I am literally open to any and all stocking lists of any kind of fish.

I would really like black sand substrate, black or maybe a deep blue background (should I paint it on?) and fish that will pop against these. I am not good with live plants, love the idea but the few in my 75 are not happy with me so I don't expect this to be a planted tank. Maybe a few here and there down the line but I'm gonna concentrate my efforts on plants in the 75 first to see if I can keep them alive.

Thank you everyone who looks at this!

 

So awesome! I have no idea what to say except that I want to follow this adventure;D

 

Thanks! It is an adventure for sure. This is way new territory for me

 

180gallon- Bottom up, the whole 9 yards!

I could only dream to have a tank that size! (For now). Been playing with getting a 125g for a pair of oscars! Will follow this thread! And getting a 180 for free! *drool

 

I clearly remember the day I brought home my 180g in a Silverado extended cap.
I strongly suggest suction cups to carry the monster. Six people will do.

 

Suction cups? I believe we have 3 men... That won't do it?

Well I guess my uncle, husband and I would make 3 more people. But none of us are really able and/or supposed to be doing much lifting. I'm just weak, uncle isn't as young as he used to be, and hubby just had cervical spinal fusion. We might not be much help!

 

This sounds like so much fun! I'd suggest a community tank, that's what I have and then if you want a one fish kinda tank maybe do angles in your 75

 

Suction cups? I believe we have 3 men... That won't do it?

Yes. Window glass suction cups. They were lent to me by the tank's manufacturer. It made the job a lot easier.

 

This sounds like so much fun! I'd suggest a community tank, that's what I have and then if you want a one fish kinda tank maybe do angles in your 75

Possibly! So many many choices in that one choice too lol!

Yes. Window glass suction cups. They were lent to me by the tank's manufacturer. It made the job a lot easier.

Well that's interesting... I might have to make some calls to see if we can find those somewhere. I don't think either of the moving companies have them or I would think they would have told me. Thanks for that tip.

 

Granite or window installers will have them

 

Very long day is it is still early BUT got the monster up out of the basement and safely into our trailer. Packed it in all nice and safe. The tank is about 18 years old by best guesstimate and it's pre-tempered glass era so the glass is literally a half inch thick. I think all my panicking about it breaking wasn't necessary. 2-hour drive home and I can almost relax. Wednesday we will move it into the house. I'm totally stoked!

 

For a tank that size, two things come to mind:

1 - you can probably build a fantastic stand out of 2×4s or 2×6s and plywood for cheaper than the $500. Check out the DIY King on youtube. Joey just last week posted a video on the making of a stand for a 375 gallon tank. Advantages to this include making it look how you want and matching the existing furniture in the room. I think a giant black box would be an eyesore in most rooms.

2 - Filtration. Look into a giant freshwater sump, trickle tower or wet/dry filter. That's what I'd do with a tank that large. These can be done very cheaply (relatively) and can reportedly work just as well as canisters. The only thing that you'd have to worry about is an overflow to get the water to the filter. Again, Joey has lots of tutorials on his channel. And you can find all sorts of ideas from others online too.

EDIT:
Also, I'd just like to state how jealous I am that you get to embark on this journey. I will try to stay updated and live vicariously through you.

 

For a tank that size, two things come to mind:

1 - you can probably build a fantastic stand out of 2×4s or 2×6s and plywood for cheaper than the $500. Check out the DIY King on youtube. Joey just last week posted a video on the making of a stand for a 375 gallon tank. Advantages to this include making it look how you want and matching the existing furniture in the room. I think a giant black box would be an eyesore in most rooms.

2 - Filtration. Look into a giant freshwater sump, trickle tower or wet/dry filter. That's what I'd do with a tank that large. These can be done very cheaply (relatively) and can reportedly work just as well as canisters. The only thing that you'd have to worry about is an overflow to get the water to the filter. Again, Joey has lots of tutorials on his channel. And you can find all sorts of ideas from others online too.

EDIT:
Also, I'd just like to state how jealous I am that you get to embark on this journey. I will try to stay updated and live vicariously through you.

Thank you!

1.... Well I knew the stand wasn't quite what I wanted, and I am not a patient person so, I already bought a new stand. See pic below. I appreciate the suggestion tho! I'm pretty happy with this one. It fits the decor well and once the tank is on top it should look nice. I also think adding a canopy at some point could look nice.... But I like no canopy for functionality.

2.... I am checking out Joey and the videos tonight! I love the idea of a sump but I literally have no clue what it entails. Do they all have to be drilled through the tank??? See? I truly am uneducated in that department. Never had to be before but I do now! If I go with canister filtration, I will actually use 2 because I like having a backup whenever possible.

I will keep everyone posted on this journey!!

 

That's a very nice stand! Looks like mine, only 3 times the size

 

I'm definitely following this! Yeah, that huge empty space in your great room is just screaming for a giant tank! I'm jealous.

 

I'm definitely following this! Yeah, that huge empty space in your great room is just screaming for a giant tank! I'm jealous.

Right? That's exactly how I justified this... "But what else could we possibly put on that wall?".... I must say I have a very patient and understanding husband (I think he has a motive here tho, he wants a new car to play with lol)

 

I can admit when I'm wrong. That stand works in your room.

As for the overflow, you CAN drill your tank... but there are other options that could work and look decent enough. a DIY PVC overflow could work.

Canisters are definitely easier if you have the funds though... on the other hand, for a tank that large you could even do a DIY canister filter and make it the size you want with the media you want.

I admit... I'm in a bit of a DIY kick right now...

 

I'm new here and to all this so I don't have any advice for you, but I wish you the best with whatever you decide to do and I can't wait to see the finished tank!! Good luck, and I like that stand alot, it looks great!

 

I would say that a sump is probably your best best. 40 gallon breeder would probably be sufficient as a sump for this tank. Alternatively you could do 3 sunsun 404b's. They are about 80 bucks a pop but have over 500 gph on them. That should be enough filtration for this monster.

Are you floor joists under the tank 2x6's?

As far as stocking goes, I'm not sure I can help because you seem to have already gotten your blood parrot fix on the 75

But I'll give a shot nonetheless. Remember I'm a cichlid guy

How deep is the tank? I'd consider a female pearseI as a centerpiece

Otherwise other larger peaceful cichlids I would consider are

Chocolate Cichlids
Severums
A group of demon eartheaters (they are peaceful despite the name)
And of course...MORE BLOOD PARROTS

 

FOLLOWING!!! haha. You're so lucky to have a tank that big. Can't wait to see how this turns out

 

I can admit when I'm wrong. That stand works in your room.

As for the overflow, you CAN drill your tank... but there are other options that could work and look decent enough. a DIY PVC overflow could work.

Canisters are definitely easier if you have the funds though... on the other hand, for a tank that large you could even do a DIY canister filter and make it the size you want with the media you want.

I admit... I'm in a bit of a DIY kick right now...

Haha, I can tell ur on a kick, I'll check all these options out! I am not that crafty but hubby is so DIY for some things could be great!

Thanks on the stand, I think it works. And if I'm not satisfied then I think adding the canopy and even a piece of furniture like cabinet style or bookshelves butted up against it could give it a built in look.

I'm new here and to all this so I don't have any advice for you, but I wish you the best with whatever you decide to do and I can't wait to see the finished tank!! Good luck, and I like that stand alot, it looks great!

Thanks!

I would say that a sump is probably your best best. 40 gallon breeder would probably be sufficient as a sump for this tank. Alternatively you could do 3 sunsun 404b's. They are about 80 bucks a pop but have over 500 gph on them. That should be enough filtration for this monster.

Are you floor joists under the tank 2x6's?

As far as stocking goes, I'm not sure I can help because you seem to have already gotten your blood parrot fix on the 75

But I'll give a shot nonetheless. Remember I'm a cichlid guy

How deep is the tank? I'd consider a female pearseI as a centerpiece

Otherwise other larger peaceful cichlids I would consider are

Chocolate Cichlids
Severums
A group of demon eartheaters (they are peaceful despite the name)
And of course...MORE BLOOD PARROTS

Well, unfortunately the floor joists run parallel. I know bad bad! There literally isn't a wall in my house where I could put it perpendicular. So, we ended up reinforcing it with floor jacks with the help of my father who is an engineer. Pretty sure I could park a car on its bumper there. Which is basically what I need to do

I do love the blood parrots! I'm still open to all suggestions for sure. I'll be researching the eartheaters because I have never heard of them.

I am sort of thinking I might do a Frontosa tank. Thoughts? I have some ideas for it I'll detail out when I have a bit more time.

FOLLOWING!!! haha. You're so lucky to have a tank that big. Can't wait to see how this turns out

Thank you! I'm pretty nervous or at least unsure about making the decor look nice on one this size!

 

I would suggest driftwood, rocks, and lots of plants haha. That's just me though

 

Engineer > tyguy7760 so I'll go with whatever he says

Frontosas are beautiful

 

I would suggest driftwood, rocks, and lots of plants haha. That's just me though

Even if I go with African cichlids?

Engineer > tyguy7760 so I'll go with whatever he says

Frontosas are beautiful

That's what I said, he doesn't want the blame tho if something goes wrong.

I definitely love the look of the Frontosa.

 

So, 3 before and 1 after tank cleaning pictures are below.

Oh the smell, so special. I don't think I will forget that stench for quite some time. But, I used Bar Keepers Helper and it's amazing. Little to no scrubbing at all and I'm very pleased with the results.

 

Looks like new!

 

I second the use of rocks as decor. With a tank that size you want stuff that looks monolithic...literally

 

Looks like new!

Thanks! Certainly not near perfect but good for today that's for sure. I still have white scale on the top black plastic pieces I haven't been able to fix yet.

I second the use of rocks as decor. With a tank that size you want stuff that looks monolithic...literally

Any fake rock you think would look nice? I'd like to find a nice mix of fake lightweight rock with some real rocks just to keep the weight and water displacement to a minimum.

I'm pretty set on a black background of some sort but debating natural vs black sand. Although I would love a tank with black sand I think this will be too dark, so likely going with natural. In that case, any opinions on stark white holey rock vs slate and round stones?

 

How about keeping with the black sand, (Black Diamond Blasting Sand,9$ for 50lbs) and with the background, you can start the bottom in black, fading into a light blue towards the top? The blue will help take away some of the black.

 

HI All,

So I decided to start this thread now because my mind is absolutely reeling. I just finished the first phase of stocking (as some of you may know) my 75 gallon but tomorrow the work on the 180 starts. Hopefully I can keep this one thread through the whole development of this tank.

Feel free to pick and choose what to reply to specifically but I have lots of questions and opinion-asking to do below!

So my uncle is fabulous and has a fish obsession. He originally was mostly a goldfish guy and took them to shows and all that. Now he mostly has cichlids in species-only tanks and some goldfish I think. Had 21 large tanks at one time and has scaled back to about 6. He's also an artist and just a totally creative and inventive guy who I just love. I called him about a month and a half ago with a filtration question for my 75. Over the course of several phone calls and texts he said he is making some more room for his painting and offered me one of this 180 gallon tanks. Oh my! Well I just couldn't say no, obviously, amazing, so my sweet hubby entertained me and agreed we would take it.

Initial plan was for it to be in the den/basement. Safe on the foundation.

1. Fast forward. I will not be happy with that. I have a huge great room begging for decor and this would be an amazing display tank. That said, yesterday my dad and husband reinforced the floor joists and added 2 floor jacks below where the tank will be, luckily in an unfinished part of the basement. I am STILL a nervous wreck, so is my dad, and my uncle. I did call my insurance company and switched my policy to one that would cover the tank and any catastrophic event that could possibly happen to this thing but still!! Am I just nuts? Don't people do this all the time!

2. The stand. The one he has was built into his basement specifically for his floor and tank. Just by pictures alone I can tell it is not level (it's level for him because of an uneven floor). Picture below. I can't risk it. I'm buying a black cabinet stand from the semi-local fish store. It will look better with my decor too this way and I won't have to jimmy some kind of curtain around the other 2x4 stand. It's not cheap, $500. Sound reasonable when the tank itself is free?

3. Sunday we drive out to his place. We got a hotel for the night because it was a good excuse for a hotel night no kids Then Monday morning I have a moving company coming to take the tank out of his basement and place it on my flatbed trailer. My husband is worried about bouncing with the shocks or something on this thing and suggested fitting it into our 6ft bed truck. The mover/friend on this end says no way. Says the guys won't be able to lift it well into the truck bed and with the tailgate needing to be open its not safe. Says plenty of blankets and tying it down in the bouncy landscape-style trailer is fine. Thoughts? Anyone do this before?

4. I have only used HOB filters but for both appearance and the size I think I need canisters. Probably 2. I like to over filter btw. Thoughts?

5. Lastly....... Then what! Lol. I have no idea what I want in this thing.

All STOCKING suggestions welcome!

Maybe of help is that my water is a ph of 8.2-8.4 (I have trouble reading the kit), my KH is about 18 and my GH I would say is about 4. I have softened water but bypass it for water changes.

I know cichlids would just love it so that's an obvious option but I'm not sold at all yet. I would love a species-only angelfish tank but what about that ph? I am literally open to any and all stocking lists of any kind of fish.

I would really like black sand substrate, black or maybe a deep blue background (should I paint it on?) and fish that will pop against these. I am not good with live plants, love the idea but the few in my 75 are not happy with me so I don't expect this to be a planted tank. Maybe a few here and there down the line but I'm gonna concentrate my efforts on plants in the 75 first to see if I can keep them alive.

Thank you everyone who looks at this!

Honestly ive never even thought about or considered getting insurance for my tank. That is an awesome idea!!!

 

BluMan1914 what an awesome idea. How does one do that? Paint? We were thinking of using 0% window tint. Someone on another thread I read a while back mentioned vinyl I don't know how you would ombré those colors without painting. Ideas?
SuzanaBanana it was super easy, one call to my insurance guy. Gave me a little peace of mind. I basically just switch from a HO3 which is what most people have, to a HO5 which pretty much covers everything for any reason and then some.

 

I don't think I would ever paint my tanks, just in case I may want to try something different. I saw it at ny lfs. I would try looking online and at plastic background that can be taped to the back of the tank. Also check with your LFS, and see what kind of backgrounds they have, they just may have that.

 

Spray paint PlastI dip, it peels off in one piece!

 

Spray paint PlastI dip, it peels off in one piece!

Great idea.

 

Actually I have seen some very nice low-profile fake rock backgrounds, some professional and one made by a member here who used styrofoam and painted on layers of cement. It still floated!

 

Update: This just got real. Tank is in place.

 

That looks nice.
Just my two cents....I would not add a canopy. I think a glass top with a streamlined led light would look nice.
I'm so jealous.

 

That is suddenly a seriously awesome room;D

 

That looks nice.
Just my two cents....I would not add a canopy. I think a glass top with a streamlined led light would look nice.
I'm so jealous.

Agreed. That is why I didn't build a canopy for mine. To me it's a lot more hassle for no benefit other than looks (and that's subjective)

 

Thanks! That room went from empty to full inside of a few days because the coaches and chairs I ordered about a month ago just arrived too. It has been sitting empty since we moved in almost 2 years ago, previous house didn't have as many rooms let alone a second living room so it took a while to fill. I'm pretty happy to have the last empty room in the house finally furnished (still need some artwork and drapes but almost there).

So the canopy, it's a pain to work with when you need to get in there? Because that's what I was afraid of. I just wasn't sure there was a "finished" look in there without it.