310 gallon build and 55 gallon quarantine tank

Hi guys!

I will be starting a 310 gallon build soon. I have ordered the 310 MegaMatrix from Planet Aquariums. I am hoping for it to be here in the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, I will be posting photos of my 55 gallon quarantine tank, the stand build for the 55 as well as the stand build for the 310, and the 75 gallon sump build. Since I won't be having fish for awhile, my 55 gallon will serve as a place to try plants from different places and decide what will work well in the 310.

At the moment, I would like the 310 to be a home for clown loaches. Currently sketching up different ideas for hardscape. I will continue to post my progress.

I just purchased a 55 gallon starter from PetsMart which seemed like the most affordable route considering it had all the start ups included other than substrate and it was on sale for just $140 if I remember right.

 

What type of fish are you going to have?

 

What type of fish are you going to have?

Just the clown loaches as of now. I have had many in the past and they are so interactive. Love them! I will update this thread when I decide on other fish that will go well with them.

So far I’ve built the stand for the 55 gallon. This tank will be in the basement so I’m not concerned about looks. It will remain open as shown. The 310 stand will start similarly but I plan on using 2x6s for the frame and then wrap it later.

A few plants from MarcusFishTanks arrived promptly and were all healthy:
-crypt wendtii green, red and java fern
I placed some fluval clay based substrate on the left side and fine gravel on the right. Flourish root tabs placed throughout the substrate.

 

So far I’ve built the stand for the 55 gallon. This tank will be in the basement so I’m not concerned about looks. It will remain open as shown. The 310 stand will start similarly but I plan on using 2x6s for the frame and then wrap it later.

A few plants from MarcusFishTanks arrived promptly and were all healthy:
-crypt wendtii green, red and java fern
I placed some fluval clay based substrate on the left side and fine gravel on the right. Flourish root tabs placed throughout the substrate.

Best place to buy plants!

 

More supplies have arrived and while I was looking for a sump tank for the 310, I came across a 90 gallon on sale for the same price as the 75 gallon I was looking at. Looks like I’ll have a little extra water to cycle through the 310 and the added height of the 90 gallon works perfectly for the sump set up I will be doing. More on that later.

Petco also had the $1/gallon sale so I grabbed a couple 10 gallons and a 20 long for a future project.

Equipment for the 310: The submersible pumps and heaters are from Big Als. Two 300 W Eheims and two Eheim 3400s that will pump 900gph each.

Also an update on the 55 gal. It is up and running with a few more plants. Added a new fern (just a tube plant from PetsMart), bolbitis heteroclita. We’ll see how it does. Dosing twice a week with Flourish N, P and K.

 

Update: I have officially begun the build for the 310 gallon. The stand is in the works. I worked on getting the bones for the stand completed this past weekend.

The stand would’ve been too large to take through the door so I assembled it inside. Currently renovating the home so please excuse the mess in the background. I will attempt to get a larger door just so I can eventually move it out of here if I need.

I will try to get it wrapped this evening and post pics with updates.

 

Last night I was able to get the front of the frame wrapped and first coat of paint on. More paint and trim to be added

Gift from my wife for inspiration for the 310

 

Subscribed. Good looking stand!

 

Subscribed. Good looking stand!

Thank you!!

The 55 gallon "quarantine tank" has just become an experiment tank for plants and temporary home for fish we may come across for the 310. The crypts have melted and are showing new growth. Considering other warm water species. Eventually I will have my 20 gallon long set up bare bottom for our quarantine tank and the 55 gallon will turn into a guppy breeding tank.

Main stock for the 310 is still clown loaches. Additional considerations are electric blue dempsey, blue acara, german blue ram...but I am asking for some feedback for other considerations Do I got for larger species or stick to smaller? Oh the possibilities...

 

Just the clown loaches as of now. I have had many in the past and they are so interactive. Love them! I will update this thread when I decide on other fish that will go well with them.

I suggest 1 betta

 

And he will thrive! haha

 

The 55 gallon "quarantine tank" has just become an experiment tank for plants and temporary home for fish we may come across for the 310. The crypts have melted and are showing new growth. Considering other warm water species. Eventually I will have my 20 gallon long set up bare bottom for our quarantine tank and the 55 gallon will turn into a guppy breeding tank.

Main stock for the 310 is still clown loaches. Additional considerations are electric blue dempsey, blue acara, german blue ram...but I am asking for some feedback for other considerations Do I got for larger species or stick to smaller? Oh the possibilities...

I would totally suggest german blue rams. Some that go well with them are discus, betta sorority, or discus. Just some suggestions for bigger fish/centerpiece fish.

 

I would totally suggest german blue rams. Some that go well with them are discus, betta sorority, or discus. Just some suggestions for bigger fish/centerpiece fish.

Great suggestions. I have been on the limb about discus but you just pushed me closer to considering them as a good option.

 

Great suggestions. I have been on the limb about discus but you just pushed me closer to considering them as a good option.

Discus are great, as long as you can do 50% wc every other day. But they are very delicate, I wouldn't try them if you're a beginner though. But make sure to do your research.

 

You’ve got the right setup for discus. Start with some in your 55 and see what you think before you move them into the 310. The 310 being such a big tank the water will be cleaner. May only need new water once a week. And for rams contact coralbandit. He has the some of the best looking rams and all types. Any questions just ask .

 

Discus are great, as long as you can do 50% wc every other day. But they are very delicate, I wouldn't try them if you're a beginner though. But make sure to do your research.

I’ve had aquariums for a very long time but that doesn’t mean I will be ready for discus in the 310. I have had some in a 125 growing up and I know the demand for these fish. I’ve been on the limb because I know how much of a commitment it is....the beauty of these fish may be worth it though. Decisions decisions...

You’ve got the right setup for discus. Start with some in your 55 and see what you think before you move them into the 310. The 310 being such a big tank the water will be cleaner. May only need new water once a week. And for rams contact coralbandit. He has the some of the best looking rams and all types. Any questions just ask .

Agreed! And thanks for the tip. I know rams can be a sensitive fish too and probably not a good choice from the start...but I guess I can say that about most of my choices in stock lol

Currently working on making some door panels. They are so big I have decided not to use hinges and esthetically, I think it will look better without. I plan to have the panel hang flush with the stand. This way I can lift the doors off with ease and have complete access to the sump without any obstruction. Hopefully it works out the way I imagine.

Also, the ferns in the 55 are showing some growth from the spores! I’m a big fan of ferns and hope to use different species in the 310.

 

Woah! I'm excited to see that pack of clown loaches! Are you getting small ones to watch them grow or going straight for adults?

 

Woah! I'm excited to see that pack of clown loaches! Are you getting small ones to watch them grow or going straight for adults?

I’ll get them small. When the 55 gallon is cycled...which it’s very close to being, Ill slowly introduce some clown loaches to get them ready. I’ve had groups of them before and they are so neat to see interacting. So much happier in big groups.

 

The 55 gallon "quarantine tank" has just become an experiment tank for plants and temporary home for fish we may come across for the 310. The crypts have melted and are showing new growth. Considering other warm water species. Eventually I will have my 20 gallon long set up bare bottom for our quarantine tank and the 55 gallon will turn into a guppy breeding tank.

Main stock for the 310 is still clown loaches. Additional considerations are electric blue dempsey, blue acara, german blue ram...but I am asking for some feedback for other considerations Do I got for larger species or stick to smaller? Oh the possibilities...

How about 200 swordtails, platies and mollies?

 

Why a guppy breeding tank? (Platys are better IMO lol)

 

How about 200 swordtails, platies and mollies?

Haha...you mean start with a few and end up with 200? Or start with 200 and end up with 1000s lol

Why a guppy breeding tank? (Platys are better IMO lol)

My wife has a few guppies she is already breeding So they will take over the 55 most likely. Not against platys at all. Just what we have already.

 

Haha...you mean start with a few and end up with 200? Or start with 200 and end up with 1000s lol

I would start with 25ish since you'll have like a million in a few months.

 

My wife has a few guppies she is already breeding So they will take over the 55 most likely. Not against platys at all. Just what we have already.

maybe you could do both?

 

50-75 Tiger Barbs would look amazing! Honestly I’m just commenting to get alerts that sounds like it’s going to be an amazing tank. Good luck!!

 

I would start with 25ish since you'll have like a million in a few months.

That sounds like the way to go haha!

maybe you could do both?

I won’t argue with that. I’m sure we probably will

50-75 Tiger Barbs would look amazing! Honestly I’m just commenting to get alerts that sounds like it’s going to be an amazing tank. Good luck!!

Haha thank you! And yes! I remember someone mentioning the large aquarium On YouTube with hundreds of tiger barbs swimming with clown loaches. It was pretty epic!

 

Haha thank you! And yes! I remember someone mentioning the large aquarium On YouTube with hundreds of tiger barbs swimming with clown loaches. It was pretty epic!

Yes that’s also an amazing tank I think it’s an 800

 

Watching, cant wait to see how it turns out

 

Darn your quarantine tank is as big as my community tank . Good luck with the build!

 

kallililly1973 IMO, Barbs in general are so underrated. I stumbled upon the noted enormous Tiger Barb tank
On line.
I thought the set up could have been greatly improved with a Riverine aqua
scape, stocked with Tigers, Denison, Dawkinsia, Odessa, Altus Tinfoils & other good sized Barbs. Clown Loaches are great additions for most big tanks, but there are so many more Loaches that go well with them. Just my two cents.

 

kallililly1973 IMO, Barbs in general are so underrated. I stumbled upon the noted enormous Tiger Barb tank
On line.
I thought the set up could have been greatly improved with a Riverine aqua
scape, stocked with Tigers, Denison, Dawkinsia, Odessa, Altus Tinfoils & other good sized Barbs. Clown Loaches are great additions for most big tanks, but there are so many more Loaches that go well with them. Just my two cents.

I won’t disagree with that. I did love barbs growing up but that’s what I started with. The problem in my set up is that clown loaches would also blend in with the Tiger barbs when I want them to really stick out.

Darn your quarantine tank is as big as my community tank . Good luck with the build!

Thank you! It’s been a long journey before getting here. It always had to be the right time, right home, etc. It has been a dream to continue to move into bigger aquariums one day. Also, I definitely went to big for a quarantine tank...it doesn’t make sense as far as treating fish...the 55 gal will soon become a Breeder tank and the new quarantine will be a 20 gal long

Watching, cant wait to see how it turns out

Thank you! Just a waiting game for the aquarium now. Stand is just about finished

 

Darn your quarantine tank is as big as my community tank . Good luck with the build!

Much bigger than my main Lol

How about 100 corydoras with sand substrate? I bet they will be a sight to behold.

I just cant stop thinking about what all you could do in a 310 gallon. The possibilities are overwhelming. You could probably do a dozen fancy goldfish. Even a common pleco (according to my research). Tonnes of livebearers and corydoras. And my dream fish....Arowanas

 

Much bigger than my main Lol

How about 100 corydoras with sand substrate? I bet they will be a sight to behold.

I have some corys. I think they’re great but the interaction you’ll have from clown loaches when they’re in a large group IMO will even better! I’ll have some sand substrate mixed in

 

What I would personally do is 6 discus, a really big and pretty precious, and then tons of groups of 8 of different bottom dwellers, and tons of rams, then a giant school of fur cats rainbows. But these are really just my favorite fish. So basically a community of all your fav fish, except maybe arowana and other large fish, so that way you can have more of the fish you have always wanted instead of just 1. But this is just my opinion.

 

What I would personally do is 6 discus, a really big and pretty precious, and then tons of groups of 8 of different bottom dwellers, and tons of rams, then a giant school of fur cats rainbows. But these are really just my favorite fish. So basically a community of all your fav fish, except maybe arowana and other large fish, so that way you can have more of the fish you have always wanted instead of just 1. But this is just my opinion.

I’ve added a group of female bettas to the 55 gal. They’re quite entertaining. We’ll see how they do.

 

Update: the stand for the 310 is pretty much complete. I am waiting for the aquarium before I mount the doors and trim. I want to make sure the stand trim overlaps the aquarium trim properly since I don’t know the dimensions of the trim on the aquarium.

I added some new plants to the 55, sword and compact hygro. I also found some dragon stone that came in at our LFS. I officially have some fish and snails in the 55: two mystery snails and four female bettas. I have started setting up the smaller tanks (two 10 gals and one 20 gal long) which will be in the basement with the 55.

I ordered the 310 mid October. Planet Aquariums states the wait is 4-6 weeks for build...so enjoy these updates photos of other projects until it arrives

Sorry some of the photos got left off. Here’s a couple photos of the bettas that we’re introduced into the 55

 

Is the tank acrylic? I ask Bc of the extreme weight!!

 

Is the tank acrylic? I ask Bc of the extreme weight!!

No but the front glass panel will be low iron...I think they call it crystalline glass. I haven't seen these in person but they are supposed to be much clearer.

Oh and yes I know it will be very heavy!!

 

Discus are great, as long as you can do 50% wc every other day. But they are very delicate, I wouldn't try them if you're a beginner though. But make sure to do your research.

A 50% water change on a 310 gallon on a daily basis sounds pretty immense.

 

Realistically, a tank that massive shouldn't require a weekly 50% WC as long as an appropriate filtration system is installed. A carefully planned & implemented feeding strategy will also help minimize the need of XL WC's. A crew of aggressive bottom feeders, such as Botia Loaches would be a benefit as well.
A well planted tank should also significantly contribute to the minimization of XL WC's. The down side of that might be the staggering cost of lighting equipment & power.
I'd say that a weekly WC of 50 - 75 gallons would likely be fine. That's a huge amount of water to change out for most fish keepers, but minimal for a tank that size. My back hurts just thinking of that. Lol.

 

Unless you got a fluval FX6, then you can just attach a hose pipe to the filter, put the end in the sink or out the window and itll just drain out. Then in reverse. Save your back