Bigmanaquatics 36 gallon bowfront build

Well, due to pressure from the wife, getting rid of the 20s and putting the fish between the 55 and a 36 gallon bowfront. Picking up the aquarium ensemble from petsmart in the morning, so i can do all the work without people in the way at home. Have several rocks and driftwood that will be used for aquascaping, almost like i was planning ahead!

 

I love the look of my Bowfront, but wish I had the length instead of the height. I just spent so much money on everything for the Bowfront that I'm not allowed to upgrade lol.

On the plus side, it's a new setup to work with and plan

 

Looking forward to pictures! I had a 36g bowfront since 2013 that I just took down right before Christmas.

 

Excited to see this build! I always find bowfronts hard to scape, I’ve redone mine five times so far haha

 

Excited to see this build! I always find bowfronts hard to scape, I’ve redone mine five times so far haha

Yes, this!!! Seriously I have found it very hard too and now that I'm planting it, I have that issue now too lol

 

Excited to see this build! I always find bowfronts hard to scape, I’ve redone mine five times so far haha

Oh i usually gotta redo every take 3-5 times at a minimum before i am happy. Though betta tanks i never really stop, so they always got something "new" to explore.

 

This is an old picture, but it’s pretty much the same scape mine had for 8 years before I took it down a few months ago.

 

I thought abkut going with something bigger, but the space it is going in wasn't quite big enough without moving other stuff. Wouldn't be an issue at all with the 20s, but she doesn't like the "i dustrial shelving" i tend to use for aquarium racks. Lol

 

I thought abkut going with something bigger, but the space it is going in wasn't quite big enough without moving other stuff. Wouldn't be an issue at all with the 20s, but she doesn't like the "i dustrial shelving" i tend to use for aquarium racks. Lol

This was the reason I went with the bow too, the space that I had for a tank. My space was limited

 

Time to let the fun begin!

 

Well, this is what it looks like a few hours later. First go at the scape.

 

Just because redundancy, added an AC 50 to the tank today, to go along with the 2 sponge filters already in there.

 

Well, plans change and all that, but this current idea will make kallililly1973 quite happy. Thinking of just putting a school of tiger barbs in here with the hiding plecos.

 

Well, already had to change some stuff. Added some taller stuff to the back, slightly movved some of the rocks and driftwood.




And a snail pic, just because!

 

Got the first 6 tiger barbs for the tank today.

 

Got the first 6 tiger barbs for the tank today.

How do you find the bowfront to be in terms of visibility. Does it distort it at all?

 

How do you find the bowfront to be in terms of visibility. Does it distort it at all?

Haven't noticed too much, because i had waterspots all over the front outside from filling it and got some marks on the inside of the glass.

 

Wifey really likes the purple on the new "plant" additions.

 

Getting big.

 

Barbs know they about to get some brine shrimp!

 

The Sea Monster and his barb minions.

 

A little better pic. The Sea Monster isn't hiding its head this time.

 

A little better pic. The Sea Monster isn't hiding its head this time.

awesome looking pleco would love one in my tank

 

awesome looking pleco would love one in my tank

Surprisingly, we get them at the LFSs almost kind of regularly, so i didn't even ha e to order online or do a special order. Seems plecos and livebearers are very popular in the hobby, here.

 

Surprisingly, we get them at the LFSs almost kind of regularly, so i didn't even ha e to order online or do a special order. Seems plecos and livebearers are very popular in the hobby, here.

I did see one very similar the other week but it was tiny and they wanted $190 for it and I just couldn’t justify it for a fish that small. Especially when I’m just getting my tank back to what I want without all the big cichlids. Still want expand the schools of neons and ember also so that there’s about 50-60 in each school so there’s still a bit of money in that also.

 

I did see one very similar the other week but it was tiny and they wanted $190 for it and I just couldn’t justify it for a fish that small. Especially when I’m just getting my tank back to what I want without all the big cichlids. Still want expand the schools of neons and ember also so that there’s about 50-60 in each school so there’s still a bit of money in that also.

Wow. This one cost under 90 after taxes and is about 5-6" long already.

 

Cool build hope everything goes smoothly

 

Looking great!! New builds are very exiting times!

 

One of my cats has become obsessed. He thinks he can catch the blue phantom....

 

Just felt like taking a pic of the 36 bowfrint barb tank.

 

What kinda filtration are you running with this set up?

 

What kinda filtration are you running with this set up?

Both bowfronts i have 2 20 gal spongefilters and 1 AC 50 running.

 

Both bowfronts i have 2 20 gal spongefilters and 1 AC 50 running.

Nice, it sure looks good. I've got to get around to grabbing a new sponge myself. I'm running my first ever AC on my 10 g, and like it alot. Guess I got lucky as it primes right up no problem, and I do not hear it running at all, as it seems alot complain about. My only prob with it is its just a 20 so it's tiny, and that basket can be a real pain to get out lol... Guess I've got spoiled to my Tidal.

 

Nice, it sure looks good. I've got to get around to grabbing a new sponge myself. I'm running my first ever AC on my 10 g, and like it alot. Guess I got lucky as it primes right up no problem, and I do not hear it running at all, as it seems alot complain about. My only prob with it is its just a 20 so it's tiny, and that basket can be a real pain to get out lol... Guess I've got spoiled to my Tidal.

I haven't used the ACs til recently. A trick i learned though with them as far as noise is a)keep the water level close to the output to reduce that noise and b) if you hear the rattling, put something kinda heavy on the lid, like a water conditoner bottle, usually takes care of that. Priming never bothers me, i keep a big cup by my tanks for that reason anyway.

 

Makes for peaceful sleep time.

 

Short video from when i got home last night.

 

Think they know brine shrimp is in that net?

 

The pleco kinda matches the tiger barb tank mates.

 

I swear, everyday the tiger barbs just keep reinforcing what i have always loved about them. How flashy they are in a school! Also, pretty fun to watch the frozen food feedjng frenzy. Somehow, it is even more frenzied than their regular feedings!

 

What is the stock of the tank and how many water changes
Thinking of starting a 40 gallon tiger barb tank