Possible 125 Gallon

My uncle has a 125 that has been empty for 3 years and is moving, so I might be able to take it. I don't know if my mom would allow me to have such a big tank (I'm 13), considering my largest tank is 20 gallons, and our apartment is quite small. If I was allowed to take the tank, it would have to be a no maintenance set up. How do I go about making a no maintenance set up, and what could I stock it with?

 

A tank that size will require maintenance unless its heavily planted and lightly stickes.

 

All tanks need maintenance. The good news is that the bigger the tank, the less often it needs to be maintained because the water chemistry changes more slowly. In other words, you'll still have to do partial water changes occasionally. smee82 has it right, though- stock lightly. The lighter you stock the less work you have to do.

If by maintenance you mean you're trying to avoid buying things like big filters and heaters then choose wisely and stock lightly. Here's an idea- goldfish, just two or three. They don't need heaters, and they do need a _lot_ of space to grow to their full adult size. A regular old Comet goldfish can grow to ten inches. If you start with them small (and really, really avoid the temptation to keep adding more fish) you won't need filtration right away, and if you treat them right they could live until you're middle aged. Check this size chart out-



One thing to remember- water is heavy. A 125 gallon tank will have about a thousand pounds of water. Some landlords get funny about big aquariums, though most floor can easily handle that amount of weight- think about it, four big guys weight more than a thousand pounds, and can cram together dancing in an apartment without crashing through the floor.

 

Another thing to pay attention to when you are messing with so much weight is which direction your floor joists run. It is best to put a tank that large against a load bearing wall and perpendicular with your floor joists for the most security possible.

If you heavily plant a tank and very lightly stock it you can get away with very few water changes. The only other thing you would have to worry about is not exposing such a large tank to too much light to not grow algae. As long as you don't get carried away you shouldn't be required to do too much maintenance, but there will always be a little something that should be done to take care of any fish tank.

 

All tanks need maintenance. The good news is that the bigger the tank, the less often it needs to be maintained because the water chemistry changes more slowly. In other words, you'll still have to do partial water changes occasionally. smee82 has it right, though- stock lightly. The lighter you stock the less work you have to do.

If by maintenance you mean you're trying to avoid buying things like big filters and heaters then choose wisely and stock lightly. Here's an idea- goldfish, just two or three. They don't need heaters, and they do need a _lot_ of space to grow to their full adult size. A regular old Comet goldfish can grow to ten inches. If you start with them small (and really, really avoid the temptation to keep adding more fish) you won't need filtration right away, and if you treat them right they could live until you're middle aged. Check this size chart out-



One thing to remember- water is heavy. A 125 gallon tank will have about a thousand pounds of water. Some landlords get funny about big aquariums, though most floor can easily handle that amount of weight- think about it, four big guys weight more than a thousand pounds, and can cram together dancing in an apartment without crashing through the floor.

By maintenance, I mean water changes. I would willingly do them, but I would have to go for a swim in the tank to do anything. I had seen tanks that were heavily planted, and had a small stock that would only require waterchanges about every 3 months.

Also, my apartment is on the ground floor, so weight wouldnt be a big problem.

 

By maintenance, I mean water changes. I would willingly do them, but I would have to go for a swim in the tank to do anything. I had seen tanks that were heavily planted, and had a small stock that would only require waterchanges about every 3 months.

Also, my apartment is on the ground floor, so weight wouldnt be a big problem.

AqAdvisor () will give you suggestions of how often and how much water needs to be changed depending on tank size, filtration, and stocking levels. It might be worth getting something like a Python water change system to make it easier. Just remember to add the dechlorinator to the tank as it's filling.

 

I 125 is less work than a 20, that's for sure, but it can be space intensive. I have a 185, a 125, and I just replaced my 20 with a 55 like 10 minutes ago, so I def know what is involved in all of them.

A 125 should have more water changed per water change than a 20 (I probably do 20G a week on the 125) and a python makes it so much easier and nicer, but you have to make sure your faucet will accept one.

Some sand, some plants, and a light stocking of fish could make for a very low need for water changes.

Not sure what you have now, but I have always wanted to see a betta or two in a 100+ tank with lots of plants. That could make it virtually maintenance free.

 

I 125 is less work than a 20, that's for sure, but it can be space intensive. I have a 185, a 125, and I just replaced my 20 with a 55 like 10 minutes ago, so I def know what is involved in all of them.

A 125 should have more water changed per water change than a 20 (I probably do 20G a week on the 125) and a python makes it so much easier and nicer, but you have to make sure your faucet will accept one.

Some sand, some plants, and a light stocking of fish could make for a very low need for water changes.

Not sure what you have now, but I have always wanted to see a betta or two in a 100+ tank with lots of plants. That could make it virtually maintenance free.

I just measured, and there is absolutly no space for a 125