470 gallon plywood tank build (in progress with photos)

The purigen is likely eating it all up. I personally would remove it until you have a cycle and a few more fish in; otherwise when it exhausts you may find yourself with all ammonia and no cycle.
 

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  • Thread Starter
  • #152
I think you're right Eienna, I'll leave it alone till my next water change then take it out and see what happens.
 

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Just a personal suggestion, but I'd leave the purigen in, and get a cycled sponge from angels plus. I've used one for my 55 & 125 and I prey they're willing to ship to an apo when I move to Spain. You can just toss the sponge and water into your filter or tank and you're instantly seeded.
 
Just a personal suggestion, but I'd leave the purigen in, and get a cycled sponge from angels plus. I've used one for my 55 & 125 and I prey they're willing to ship to an apo when I move to Spain. You can just toss the sponge and water into your filter or tank and you're instantly seeded.
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Yes, except that the one fish will not produce enough ammonia to feed the bacteria and keep the cycle going if the purigen is left in at this stage.
 
  • Thread Starter
  • #155
More new fish!
Panaqolus sp. (L397)
This is all three;
01.jpg
I was going to get two shots of the three together but one got camera shy at this point and scooted off to the other side of the bowl.
02.jpg
I got these of a local back yard breeder (only place I've ever seen them for sale) He asked my about my Ph and told me what food these guys have been eating so I can match it to reduce stress. I haven't dealt with him before but based on this experience I'll be happy to again!
 
They're so pretty they are one I my favourite plecostamus' don't tell Sev and LokI
It's one of the few we don't see very often over here I can pretty much get anything else though

Anymore full tank shots Scotty?
 

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  • #158
This is why I love posting on this forum; the feedback is awesome!

Magoo, once I've done some aesthetic work to the front of the tank (wont be too far away) I'll post more shots, and of cause I'll always post the moment I get home with new fish.

There is one down side to to fish like these; they hide a lot of the time at first. I'm sure thy will come out more and more as they settle in but I've barely caught a glimpse of them since Introducing them into the tank.
I'll try to entice them with some cucumber and if that works I'll snap a few shots!
 
This makes me want to build a whole room/tank out of plywood! Like that guy in the UK I think that turned his cellar into a giant tank.
 

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Oh no! I've bumped into the end of the thread! I wanted to keep reading.

Your tank is absolutely stunning! Spectacular! Giganormous! If I where you I would sit and watch it ALL day.
 
More new fish!
Panaqolus sp. (L397)
This is all three;
View attachment 112201
I was going to get two shots of the three together but one got camera shy at this point and scooted off to the other side of the bowl.
View attachment 112202
I got these of a local back yard breeder (only place I've ever seen them for sale) He asked my about my Ph and told me what food these guys have been eating so I can match it to reduce stress. I haven't dealt with him before but based on this experience I'll be happy to again!
Click to expand...

They look beautifully healthy from the photos.
 
Read through all twelve pages... awesome setup! thanks for sharing all the pics of the process and the video
 
  • Thread Starter
  • #167
New fish again! 10 Labidochromis sp. hongI
hongi 1.jpg
hongi 2.jpg
These little guys are only about 1 inch long so there colour isn't showing much yet (plus a little stress from being acclimated to my water) but they'll look awesome when they grow up a bit.

Thanks for all the great feedback guys!
 
They are beautiful little fishies Scott how have they settled in?
 
  • Thread Starter
  • #169
There settling in nicely. coulor is coming in and best of all there's no bullying between the maingano's and the hongi!
I'll make another video later and post it here so you guys can see.
 
that is amazing you have done a lot of work to be proud of I bet you can't wait to just sit back and enjoy it
 
There settling in nicely. coulor is coming in and best of all there's no bullying between the maingano's and the hongi!
I'll make another video later and post it here so you guys can see.
Click to expand...

Excellent news looking forward to the video how are your tiger plecs?
 

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  • #172
Sorry for the delay but here's the video!


The white balance on my camera isn't very good so things look very yellow sometimes...
 
Superb tank, congratulations on a really great system.

With big tanks like this I have always wanted to do one myself with an underwater jetty scape complete with the underside of a wooden boat hull moored.
 
  • Thread Starter
  • #176
Malcolm, that sounds awesome! I'd definitely love to see that come to life!

AmazonPassion, I know it's an anubias but I don't know what species exactly...
 
Wow Scott your tank looks amazing
The scape is so natural looking and your fish are so cute looks like have figured out who the food guy is already lol

Thank you for sharing
 
  • Thread Starter
  • #179
New fish yet again!
Labidochromis caeruleus x13.
New guys being acclimated to the new water.
SAM_0176.jpg
SAM_0175.jpg
They seem to fit in nicely.
SAM_0183.jpg
SAM_0186.jpg
Sorry about the bad photography, it's had to take a good photo when they won't stop moving.
 
How did you set up lighting to help stop dark areas in the tank. Awsome tank by the way
 

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  • Thread Starter
  • #182
Geef64, Ive got two four foot light fittings that overlap in the middle but there are still some dark areas.
 
I can only look at this project with my mouth hanging open. I'd love to make a giant tank like that, alas, I once built a bookshelf that collapsed back into a heap of boards the second I placed one paperback book on it, so I'm pretty sure I don't have the necessary skills....
 
I've read this thread a couple of times, but forgotten the details.

What's the go with filtration on this beast?
 
How long does the wood hold up? Is it permanent or is it something that will require major maint. down the road? I still can not get over how the wood holds all that water in!
 
  • Thread Starter
  • #187
Based on all the information I could find the wood should be fine permanently, it's the rubber that will degrade over time. The manufacturer of the rubber guarantees it for ten years so long as it's applied properly but I'll decommission this tank before that happens. I have a blue tongue lizard that will be very happy to see this tank as a terrarium when it's no longer water tight. Also I have plans to build another aquarium that makes this one look like a 2.5 gallon betta tank.
 
  • Thread Starter
  • #188
Anyone can build a tank like this so long as you take your time and follow a plan and double check every step along the way.

To the mods, did someone reopen this thread? I thought it had been inactive to long and got closed...
 
0.o
that tank will be HUGE!!!
What are you thinking? 3000 Gallons? Fresh or salty?
 
  • Thread Starter
  • #190
It would be fresh water unless I can find easy access to a lot of clean salt water. as for the size I'd like to aI'm for 10,000 gallon and see how close I can get, but this is all theoretical and at least three years away... I have to Finnish this house and buy another that has the room...
 
It would be fresh water unless I can find easy access to a lot of clean salt water. as for the size I'd like to aI'm for 10,000 gallon and see how close I can get, but this is all theoretical and at least three years away... I have to Finnish this house and buy another that has the room...
Click to expand...

Oh man... wooow okay that's crazy but if anyone can do it it's you
 

Random Great Topic!

Heating a big tank - Looking for advice
Heating a big tank

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