The dream is alive!!...Long-term large tank build

My wife and I were having a coffee-time conversation last week and the we started talking about bucket lists. As I was going through my bucket list, I hit one that has to do with Aquariums: "I would like to have a 100+ gallon tank." She was unaware but didn't say no right away, so I insisted that I would trade all of my current tanks to have that one be my only tank. She basically said that as long as I was happy...

So, my mind has been racing since to dream about what that would look like. It would likely be the last and only tank that I have for a while, if not ever, so I would want it to be exactly what I want. I'm still trying to determine what I would want and how to make it work, but this is a very long-term project that would require moving and rehoming current stocks and get rid of existing tanks and then building funds for the future tank.

But my mind is full of ideas and thoughts. So, I thought I'd start this long-term journey by sharing with my fish friends!

Though I have ideas, but I'm open to a lot of different things. Size of tank, type of filtration, types of fish (SA Cichlids is always near and dear to my heart, but Africans have always intrigued me), substrate, planted versus not, etc. This will be a show tank in our living room and I will need to determine if I will need to reinforce the floor because there is a basement beneath it.

Lots of thoughts. But there's time....the dream is alive!!

 

For Africans..lots of rock hardware with caves for hiding. Crushed coral is a good addition, and or limestone rocks. High ph preferred..like 8.2 is good for them .
Live plants are tough to maintain, as they will both uproot and eat them.
I have a 55g with mbunas and synodontis petricola. Would not say it's peaceful, but reasonably calm mostly.
The Yellow labs reproduce well , as do the Elec. Blue Haps.
I also have the Firefish Peacock variety. Very attractive strong color mix. The catfish do well cleaning the bottom.
Tank is 2 years old. Most of Original fish still going strong. I do 50% water change weekly..strongly recommend that.
Your tap water ph and hardness should influence your choice between Africans and SA cichlids. I have both,
very different water parameters.
A 100g tank will be awesome!

 

I sometines think a 125 woukd be nice...but as i told a fishstore employee, iknow all i would do with that is a common pleco and a couple oscars. Since i don't want a tank for just a few fish and also have nowhere to put a tank that big, i stay more realistic and hope for a 60 or 75g maybe, something not so big i want to dedicate to a couple of big fish!

 

Im thinking floor reinforcement may be a prerequisite. If I had that big of tank. I think saltwater. But that means even more rock weight.

 

I agree that jacking up the floor joist directly under a big tank would be a good move.
BigManAquatics one can have a big tank with a whole bunch of little fish in it, Lol. I have a least 50 fish in my 120 gal. maybe more.
IMO, it's best to just take the big dive & buy the dream tank. Place it in the middle of the living room & then start planning. Doing this will speed up the process of breaking down old tanks & rehoming unwanted fish.
*Salvage all of your filter media & instant cycle the new tank.

 

Somebody say big tanks !!

there like small tanks just bigger .

 

I agree that jacking up the floor joist directly under a big tank would be a good move.
BigManAquatics one can have a big tank with a whole bunch of little fish in it, Lol. I have a least 50 fish in my 120 gal. maybe more.
IMO, it's best to just take the big dive & buy the dream tank. Place it in the middle of the living room & then start planning. Doing this will speed up the process of breaking down old tanks & rehoming unwanted fish.
*Salvage all of your filter media & instant cycle the new tank.

I know it is possible...i just know ME too well!!

 

My wife and I were having a coffee-time conversation last week and the we started talking about bucket lists. As I was going through my bucket list, I hit one that has to do with Aquariums: "I would like to have a 100+ gallon tank." She was unaware but didn't say no right away, so I insisted that I would trade all of my current tanks to have that one be my only tank. She basically said that as long as I was happy...

So, my mind has been racing since to dream about what that would look like. It would likely be the last and only tank that I have for a while, if not ever, so I would want it to be exactly what I want. I'm still trying to determine what I would want and how to make it work, but this is a very long-term project that would require moving and rehoming current stocks and get rid of existing tanks and then building funds for the future tank.

But my mind is full of ideas and thoughts. So, I thought I'd start this long-term journey by sharing with my fish friends!

Though I have ideas, but I'm open to a lot of different things. Size of tank, type of filtration, types of fish (SA Cichlids is always near and dear to my heart, but Africans have always intrigued me), substrate, planted versus not, etc. This will be a show tank in our living room and I will need to determine if I will need to reinforce the floor because there is a basement beneath it.

Lots of thoughts. But there's time....the dream is alive!!

How many tanks and what sizes are you running now?

"It would likely be the last and only tank that I have for a while, if not ever, so I would want it to be exactly what I want."

I'm not sure how you would do this. I don't think I could. Desires and feelings change. Personally, 3-4 tanks under 100g seem more exciting for me. Easier to make changes or start something new.

Nothing wrong with getting the 100+ and keeping a couple smaller tanks.

 

A big tank is great (I have 2), but just one tank is not so good….

 

My wife and I were having a coffee-time conversation last week and the we started talking about bucket lists. As I was going through my bucket list, I hit one that has to do with Aquariums: "I would like to have a 100+ gallon tank." She was unaware but didn't say no right away, so I insisted that I would trade all of my current tanks to have that one be my only tank. She basically said that as long as I was happy...

So, my mind has been racing since to dream about what that would look like. It would likely be the last and only tank that I have for a while, if not ever, so I would want it to be exactly what I want. I'm still trying to determine what I would want and how to make it work, but this is a very long-term project that would require moving and rehoming current stocks and get rid of existing tanks and then building funds for the future tank.

But my mind is full of ideas and thoughts. So, I thought I'd start this long-term journey by sharing with my fish friends!

Though I have ideas, but I'm open to a lot of different things. Size of tank, type of filtration, types of fish (SA Cichlids is always near and dear to my heart, but Africans have always intrigued me), substrate, planted versus not, etc. This will be a show tank in our living room and I will need to determine if I will need to reinforce the floor because there is a basement beneath it.

Lots of thoughts. But there's time....the dream is alive!!

If I were you...
I would pick a nice corner in my living room...
Throw in a thick glass adjacent to two walls daigonally...
And turn that in an aquarium... In this way you an enjoy indoor fish pond and aquarium both...
KingOscar
I think it can be done... But needs some work...

 

How many tanks and what sizes are you running now?

"It would likely be the last and only tank that I have for a while, if not ever, so I would want it to be exactly what I want."

I'm not sure how you would do this. I don't think I could. Desires and feelings change. Personally, 3-4 tanks under 100g seem more exciting for me. Easier to make changes or start something new.

Nothing wrong with getting the 100+ and keeping a couple smaller tanks.

I currently am down to 9 tanks from 14 about a month ago. Various sizes from 2.5 all the way to 55. I do think that I may keep my 20 gallon hex tank as it's kind of my showcase tank and I've put a lot into it. But part of the draw for me to having just the one large tank as less # of tanks to maintain. I understand that the maintenance will take longer because of more volume of water to change, however, while I'm still doing buckets now, I'll definitely buy a pump or python to help with the large tank.

 

Yes, I was actually being flippant before, a large tank really is very nice to have. And 9 tanks is a LOT of maintenance! I currently have 4 tanks on the go and that is enough for the moment. I was concerned about water changes when we made the biggest tank (about 220 gallons). But it is easy. I siphon the water out with a hosepipe directly to the garden. While it is siphoning I can clean the front glass or do other bits and pieces on the other tanks. Then to fill it we found that if we turn the gas water heater to the lowest setting the water from the hot tap comes out just at the right temperature. My husband made an adaptor to use another hose on the kitchen tap, I tie the hose in place and wait for it to fill (meanwhile siphoning another tank). Much much easier and less messy than the buckets method I was using before and no pumps or pythons necessary!

Definitely worth keeping at least one other tank as a spare, in case any fish have to be isolated, or for quarantine purposes etc.

 

I gravitate around 8 tanks. All shallow. 30 gall max. 2 inch fish max. Not sure if I'm allowed to stay on Fishlore....

Contemplating about a 4 feet ....32 gallon (oh dear) tank as my main display. Not something I'd discuss with my wife though. I always set up a new tank when she is out for an appointment.

 

Let me vote once again...
Go for a indoor pond....

 

Let me vote once again...
Go for a indoor pond....

You have to show your own (indoor pond) tanks first, before you can suggest it to others

 

You have to show your own (indoor pond) tanks first, before you can suggest it to others

I had one in previous home....
But I am working on a new one...
Will soon share photos...
Stay tuned....

 

I had one in previous home....
But I am working on a new one...
Will soon share photos...
Stay tuned....

Will it have a turtle? It's not a pond without a turtle.

 

Will it have a turtle? It's not a pond without a turtle.

No actually having turtle has always been unlucky for us...
So i dont keep them...

 

My wife and I were having a coffee-time conversation last week and the we started talking about bucket lists. As I was going through my bucket list, I hit one that has to do with Aquariums: "I would like to have a 100+ gallon tank." She was unaware but didn't say no right away, so I insisted that I would trade all of my current tanks to have that one be my only tank. She basically said that as long as I was happy...

So, my mind has been racing since to dream about what that would look like. It would likely be the last and only tank that I have for a while, if not ever, so I would want it to be exactly what I want. I'm still trying to determine what I would want and how to make it work, but this is a very long-term project that would require moving and rehoming current stocks and get rid of existing tanks and then building funds for the future tank.

But my mind is full of ideas and thoughts. So, I thought I'd start this long-term journey by sharing with my fish friends!

Though I have ideas, but I'm open to a lot of different things. Size of tank, type of filtration, types of fish (SA Cichlids is always near and dear to my heart, but Africans have always intrigued me), substrate, planted versus not, etc. This will be a show tank in our living room and I will need to determine if I will need to reinforce the floor because there is a basement beneath it.

Lots of thoughts. But there's time....the dream is alive!!

My dream is a built into wall salt water min 150 gal.

 

If you're going to build for a 100, 5 foot tank, build up a bit larger for when you go for the 180. The footprints not much different but what a difference.

I'd plumb in a drain and water supply too.

If you are interested in African cichlids, don't overlook the tropheus and the additional budget for them.

My dream was a 100, then a 125 and most recently a 180. Watch out for MTS, many of us on here have the affliction.

 

If you're going to build for a 100, 5 foot tank, build up a bit larger for when you go for the 180. The footprints not much different but what a difference.

I'd plumb in a drain and water supply too.

If you are interested in African cichlids, don't overlook the tropheus and the additional budget for them.

My dream was a 100, then a 125 and most recently a 180. Watch out for MTS, many of us on here have the affliction.

Pretty sure I have MTS.