New 75 Gallon Build :)

So, for my first thread here at Fishlore, I figured I would share the project (and the fish) that got me back into the hobby after a 5 year medically related hiatus.

This is a super big deal for me because I never thought the day would come that I would be capable of, or having the means to keep more than a betta or something super small.

Also, I rent an apartment from a nutty landlord (with a strict no-dog policy) so I didn't even ask for the first few months, as I didn't know she loves fishtanks and has several projects including two stocked ponds at her place.

Here are some pictures of the initial setup:

Got the tank, stand, and Fluval Fx4 (I'll get to that later) from PetSmart on sale for $300 off with their "Treats Member" Promo. I also got a Eheim 200w heater (I think a 200w is fine on a 75 gallon for my SoCal apartment, if anything I'll need to keep my AC running). Also the other basics, air pump since I don't have much surface agitation with the canister filter, black background paper, gravel, fake plants (Still haven't dome a real planted tank yet) and the other usual start up stuff, prime, test kit, etc. I always went easy on setup in the past, as I am more into the fish than the landscape, etc:
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Getting it from the LFS to the house without owning a truck isn't fun but well worth it:
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Wanted to make sure it was level with water in it first:
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Now for drift wood: I was super stoked to find the perfect piece, I cut it down some and sanded away the rough and sharp edges.. I didn't want to wait all night for it to soak at this point, so I drilled a hole in the bottom and attached it with cable ties to a piece of slate. And soaked it in hot water so the tannins or whatever makes the water yellow came out as much as possible before placing it in the tank:
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So now onto the filtration.. I have always used AquaClear hanging filters.. 110's on bigger tanks, (two or sometimes three of them if the tank needed it). Never made the switch to canisters before now, (due to never having more than a 180 gallon in the past), but I knew I was getting a 300g in the future so I figured may as well start now.. What I didn't figure was the insane flow rate that I didn't need now that I am keeping a surface dweller (I'll talk about the fish soon I promise..Ok fine it's a 4" JardinI but let me finish). So I had to make some safe modifications to the filter (It was on sale for $100 off, but still not cheap and I was too stubborn to return it etc). I didn't want to compromise the integrity of the O-rings, gaskets or whatever buy messing with the flow valves or changing tubing. So I went to the LHS and picked up some PVC and drilled enough holes all over it to help reduce the current and more evenly distribute return flow, as well as about a dozen or more holes on the stock intake strainer tube to help reduce suction from the strainer, to help prevent any accidents etc. So far so good..
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I have to get going now, but I will be back on later to post some more updates Let me know if you think I missed anything or have any feedback and thanks for looking!

To be continued...

 

Very cool! I always love setting up new tanks (or redoing old ones). I have been doing a few projects on my fish lately which involve moving stuff around. Let me know how it goes

 

Looks great so far ! Can't wait for the end result!

 

Sorry I've been working overtime to help pay for this project but here are some pics so far. I got it all set up and cycled and our little Jar is stoked. Tannins, as I thought, are still a presence but I'm ok with it until I change it out in a few more days.

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I just picked up some more driftwood and (fake) plants for the other side, I decided to make some hiding places for a loach or other bottom feeder.. any suggestions on what kind of bottom feeder I should get?

 

I just picked up some more driftwood and (fake) plants for the other side, I decided to make some hiding places for a loach or other bottom feeder.. any suggestions on what kind of bottom feeder I should get?

I'd get loaches.

 

clown loaches would be cool, especially if you're planning on getting a 300g in the future

 

Nice! Although I do have a truck I decided to just make 2 trips with my 75 gallon tank and stand. Each piece fit nicely in my Subaru Crosstrek
I have Queen loaches in mine. Loaches are so entertaining!

 

I just picked up some more driftwood and (fake) plants for the other side, I decided to make some hiding places for a loach or other bottom feeder.. any suggestions on what kind of bottom feeder I should get?

In a 75? All of them!! Oh sorry, that was my jealousy speaking. I think a school of cory cats and a school of habrosus sharing the space would be fun to watch. Or dwarf chain loaches. Or kuhlis. Or... Well, we may have circled right back around to my first suggestion...

 

So I decided to grab an AC100 (I got an older one which I was surprised to see still on the shelves, I hear they are better by some and just the same by others.. but I know these work since I haven't tried the Fluval box version..) I don't really use carbon filtration so I'm not worried about over filtration running with the Fx4..or should I be? current isn't an issue, but there are a boat load of bubbles now with my air stone under the return.. I can't remember if that can be problematic or if certain species don't like heavy aeration, etc..

I got a fancy Fluval Light that has bluetooth and can be set on my iPhone with day/night sunsets etc.. its insane and adds such a cool layer to the life in the tank.

I also got two special Plecos.. they are getting along great with the Jar and I'm stoked on them.. Can you guess what type they are? (Sorry for the poor picture quality..the water is still dark with tannins and I'll get better ones when it clears up some.)

 

Is the first one some kind of sternella pleco?

 

First one looks like L 114 .
Nice !
Yea and the Fluval 3.0 is the bomb !
You're going to be pleased with it .

 

L114 is correct! The second is a L239

 

First one looks like L 114 .
Nice !
Yea and the Fluval 3.0 is the bomb !
You're going to be pleased with it .

Thanks it was impulse buy and I'm stoked on it.. its the aquasky version.. not the freshwater and plant version (not sure if the 3.0 is plant only?).. I got it at pet smart for 99$ and I just saw it online for 79.99, not sure on shipping though.. but since I don't do live plants (yet) it will be more than enough

 

Whelp, I wet to buy clown loaches today and they were an inch too small, or they had a few 6" at $70 each.. so I decided to get a 5" rainbow shark instead.. I'm a little nervous seeing what happens.. the Jar is actually a little smaller than him.. I didn't realize.. they are close in size though. I'll try and post a pic and update tonight fingers crossed..

 

Looks great!!!

 

He is camera shy right now, but here are some quick ones..
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He's a beauty. I really like the look of rainbow sharks. Haven't had the opportunity of an appropriate tank to try one yet though. Good luck with him!

 

The clowns won't get eaten even if they are small.
I started out with small.They have a cheek spike that keeps many fish from swallowing them .
My old arro and knife clearly knew the difference between clowns and g fish ! They ate goldfish bigger then the clowns.
Tank is shaping nice !

 

The clowns won't get eaten even if they are small.
I started out with small.They have a cheek spike that keeps many fish from swallowing them .
My old arro and knife clearly knew the difference between clowns and g fish ! They ate goldfish bigger then the clowns.
Tank is shaping nice !

Now I'm worried about smaller clowns with the rainbow.. especially cause they are bottom dwellers/feeders and the rainbow is a bottom feeder and can be known to pick on smaller more peaceful fish.. I am thinking about picking up a few clown loaches that are 6" though and/or some wide bar or red hook silver dollars to finish it off. thoughts?