75 Gallon Build...bitten By Mts

I bought a 20 gallon long for the kids for Xmas and now I’m getting mine . I ordered my tank and stand from my LFS. Should be here Friday. I’m planning on BDBS, however would like suggestions on how many lbs per gallon. Also for those that have used BDBS, what grit would you suggest and how’s best to clean it? I’m going to use an Aquaclear 110 with 2 sponge filters in the corners. Not sure on stocking yet. Thinking of the fluval 3.0 light as I am goi g to go low tech planted. Want to do a black background as well, what suggestions do you have for that? I would prefer not to paint. Any suggestions on equipment would be helpful. I’m hoping to get it started this weekend. I look forward to thoughts and suggestions. Going to do a fishless cycle. Thanks in advance!

 

I bought a 20 gallon long for the kids for Xmas and now I’m getting mine . I ordered my tank and stand from my LFS. Should be here Friday. I’m planning on BDBS, however would like suggestions on how many lbs per gallon. Also for those that have used BDBS, what grit would you suggest and how’s best to clean it? I’m going to use an Aquaclear 110 with 2 sponge filters in the corners. Not sure on stocking yet. Thinking of the fluval 3.0 light as I am goi g to go low tech planted. Want to do a black background as well, what suggestions do you have for that? I would prefer not to paint. Any suggestions on equipment would be helpful. I’m hoping to get it started this weekend. I look forward to thoughts and suggestions. Going to do a fishless cycle. Thanks in advance!

I've got the Fluval 3.0 on a 75g... I love it...

 

1 50 lb bag is more than enough

 

1 50 lb bag is more than enough

Thank you! I was hoping to not have to buy two and save 1/2 of a bag somewhere...we live in a condo so space is at a premium. I had to negotiate with my wife to get rid of a couch so I could get the tank

 

Thank you! I was hoping to not have to buy two and save 1/2 of a bag somewhere...we live in a condo so space is at a premium. I had to negotiate with my wife to get rid of a couch so I could get the tank

I foolishly bought 4 bags for my 75 gallon tank........used up a half a bag on the miscellaneous quarantine tanks and I still have 2 1/2 bags of the stuff left. I don't think I even opened the second bag filling my 75, and it's got plenty of sand on the bottom. I would just get the one.

 

For an easy background, just get some poster board. Super simple!

 

For an easy background, just get some poster board. Super simple!

I've actually seen them selling big strips of plastic tape-on backgrounds at Petco. You can get plain black and they seem mostly hassle free.

 

Easiest way to do a background is taping construction paper to poster board and taping it to the back of the tank.

In my opinion, black backgrounds look best with planted tanks with wood and rocks.

 

I foolishly bought 4 bags for my 75 gallon tank........used up a half a bag on the miscellaneous quarantine tanks and I still have 2 1/2 bags of the stuff left. I don't think I even opened the second bag filling my 75, and it's got plenty of sand on the bottom. I would just get the one.

Would you say the fine or medium is better?

 

Would you say the fine or medium is better?

I actually use pool filter sand. 10 bucks for a 50 lb bag. I use it in most of my tanks and my beasts all play with it.

 

I actually use pool filter sand. 10 bucks for a 50 lb bag. I use it in most of my tanks and my beasts all play with it.

Do they make black pool filter sand? I wanted to go with black substrate. The bdbs is $10.00 for a 50 lb bag

 

BDBS is the best, here's a video on how to rinse it in a quick and efficient way.

What grit of blasting abrasive to use in your aquarium setup?
In general, I’d recommend going for the medium to coarse Black Diamond blasting grit of 20/40. If you want to have bigger fish in your black sand aquarium, they may cause the finer grit to cloud your water. This sand is heavier than a regular one so it will dissipate faster when disturbed.

If you plan on using it in reef tanks where a bottom current is often needed – use the medium grade one.

If you do go for the finer 30/60 grit in a freshwater setup, you will have a really easy time planting plants. It will hold them down wonderfully.

Author’s note: Too fine of a grit may become a little difficult to vacuum.

No oil slick, minimal floating particles.

 

BDBS is the best, here's a video on how to rinse it in a quick and efficient way.

ShamFish97 thank you! How much do you personally use per gallon? Most responses I have had is 50 lbs will be plenty for a 75 gallon planted tank is this your experience?

 

FYI: When I went to get my BDBS, I think the bag actually had it labeled as coal slag.

 

ShamFish97 thank you! How much do you personally use per gallon? Most responses I have had is 50 lbs will be plenty for a 75 gallon planted tank is this your experience?

Yes. I used about a bag and a half, and that was plenty.

 

Pool filter sand only comes in white, sorry. It has the benefit of being able to be poured right on in without dust or issues though.

 

Pool filter sand is the best. It looks like natural, thick grained beach or river sand.

I had to rinse mine pretty well though. There was quite a bit of dust in the bag.