75 Gallon Tank The new 75 gallon

Well I finally got the project started. I did a little remodel to the area I wanted the tank. Sorry no before pics. Didn't even think of it. The stand is built out of cinder block, 2x12s, and a cheap counter top I got to make it look better, then used some leftover drywall to cover the cinder blocks.

Today I got the sand and rockwork in and filled the aquarium. I used some dragon stone and play sand (very well rinsed of course). I'll be using trimmings from my 20 gallon to start planting it. I'll go into detail later on the equipment I have for this tank when I decide to really start the cycle. I wanna play around with the aquascape a bit before adding any ammonia source. I'm basically just running an empty canister on it right now just to circulate the water.

 

I love how you made the stand!

 

I love how you made the stand!

Thanks. It's not 100% finished yet. Still got some trim work and maybe some doors on the front but it's solid.

 

That is a great idea with the counter top. Wood always gets wet...Easy cleaning too!

 

That is a great idea with the counter top. Wood always gets wet...Easy cleaning too!

The great part about it is I was able to have enough room behind the tank to drill down and run electrical and plumbing

 

Well I finally got the project started. I did a little remodel to the area I wanted the tank. Sorry no before pics. Didn't even think of it. The stand is built out of cinder block, 2x12s, and a cheap counter top I got to make it look better, then used some leftover drywall to cover the cinder blocks.

Today I got the sand and rockwork in and filled the aquarium. I used some dragon stone and play sand (very well rinsed of course). I'll be using trimmings from my 20 gallon to start planting it. I'll go into detail later on the equipment I have for this tank when I decide to really start the cycle. I wanna play around with the aquascape a bit before adding any ammonia source. I'm basically just running an empty canister on it right now just to circulate the water.

Got my first light in the mail last night. 48 inch nicrew planted along with a 2 channel timer. I'll be ordering a second one soon for it to add some more light. I'll also be picking up 1 more bag of play sand to slope up the back of the scape and add a little more depth to the sand bed it's only 2 inches in most areas. Correct me if I'm wrong but 3-4 inches deep would be more suitable for a planted tank correct? I'd like some input on the lighting as well. Will 2 nicrew 48 inch planted lights be sufficient for my setup for moderate to some high light plants?

 

Got my first light in the mail last night. 48 inch nicrew planted along with a 2 channel timer. I'll be ordering a second one soon for it to add some more light. I'll also be picking up 1 more bag of play sand to slope up the back of the scape and add a little more depth to the sand bed it's only 2 inches in most areas. Correct me if I'm wrong but 3-4 inches deep would be more suitable for a planted tank correct? I'd like some input on the lighting as well. Will 2 nicrew 48 inch planted lights be sufficient for my setup for moderate to some high light plants?

3-4 inches should be plentiful. I would say 2 of them would probably be good for medium plants. What high light plants are you considering?

 

3-4 inches should be plentiful. I would say 2 of them would probably be good for medium plants. What high light plants are you considering?

I really want to get some red root floaters in portion of the setup and get enough light to Penetrate for some lower light plants below. I wouldn't mind getting some rotala wallichi if I can find it. I think it would look great in the right side mid ground and back ground

 

I really want to get some red root floaters in portion of the setup and get enough light to Penetrate for some lower light plants below. I wouldn't mind getting some rotala wallichi if I can find it. I think it would look great in the right side mid ground and back ground

rotala rotundafolia also grows well in medium light and is more common to find. I have it in my tank and it is growing wonderfully. Too bright of a light and you will need c02.

So medium light should be perfect by using 2 of those nicrew lights. The PAR on them is not too bad. Assuming the height of the tank with the sand from the light is about 18" then you could do low/medium plants well. The red roof floaters may work in your set up but they could turn green under very low light but I think youll be fine.

An Amazon sword would grow very well in your tank and fill a nice amount of tank space too. Are you adding anything to your sand; ferts wise?

 

rotala rotundafolia also grows well in medium light and is more common to find. I have it in my tank and it is growing wonderfully. Too bright of a light and you will need c02.

So medium light should be perfect by using 2 of those nicrew lights. The PAR on them is not too bad. Assuming the height of the tank with the sand from the light is about 18" then you could do low/medium plants well. The red roof floaters may work in your set up but they could turn green under very low light but I think youll be fine.

An Amazon sword would grow very well in your tank and fill a nice amount of tank space too. Are you adding anything to your sand; ferts wise?

I will be using root tabs and liquid ferts. I have co2 running on my 20 gallon that I'll also run to the 75 since I have a large co2 tank. I may invest in a smaller setup for the 20 altogether though

 

Picked up some driftwood this weekend for the 75 and also planted some trimmings from the 20. The wife and I took our dog to the beach this weekend and hit a few fish stores on the way home. We were looking for a red bristlenose catfish but weren't able to find one this weekend but the gentleman that runs one if the stores we went to said they get them kinda regularly so we'll have to go back when he gets more in. I called about 10 other stores and no one had any bristlenose plecos. I did find red, blue, and yellow cherry shrimp for 2 dollars each though so I grabbed some for the 20 gallon.

 

Did some more planting this week. Took a couple plants from the 20 gallon. Tanks still cycling so no stocking yet. Moved some media from the 20 gallon so hopefully the nitrite starts falling by the end of the week. Ammonia readings are zero.

The sun sun canister I have on it seems to be working well but very finicky. Likes to leak but usually stops after I take it apart and put back together if a leak occurs. I set it in a rubber tote just in case.

 

Well I finally got the project started. I did a little remodel to the area I wanted the tank. Sorry no before pics. Didn't even think of it. The stand is built out of cinder block, 2x12s, and a cheap counter top I got to make it look better, then used some leftover drywall to cover the cinder blocks.

Today I got the sand and rockwork in and filled the aquarium. I used some dragon stone and play sand (very well rinsed of course). I'll be using trimmings from my 20 gallon to start planting it. I'll go into detail later on the equipment I have for this tank when I decide to really start the cycle. I wanna play around with the aquascape a bit before adding any ammonia source. I'm basically just running an empty canister on it right now just to circulate the water.

Stand looks pretty cool!

Did some more planting this week. Took a couple plants from the 20 gallon. Tanks still cycling so no stocking yet. Moved some media from the 20 gallon so hopefully the nitrite starts falling by the end of the week. Ammonia readings are zero.

The sun sun canister I have on it seems to be working well but very finicky. Likes to leak but usually stops after I take it apart and put back together if a leak occurs. I set it in a rubber tote just in case.

awesome aquascape

 

Stand looks pretty cool!

awesome aquascape

Thank you. I'm really liking how everything is turning out in it. Still need to order my second light and CO2 components but looks like there's enough for the plants without CO2 at the moment. Definitely want to add a an Amazon sword or 2 this week. The one in my 20 has taken off and looks amazing, I'll transplant it to the 75 if it gets to large for the 20

 

Thank you. I'm really liking how everything is turning out in it. Still need to order my second light and CO2 components but looks like there's enough for the plants without CO2 at the moment. Definitely want to add a an Amazon sword or 2 this week. The one in my 20 has taken off and looks amazing, I'll transplant it to the 75 if it gets to large for the 20

A sword would look great in there!

 

Not many changes in the tank still cycling so no stocking yet. Can't wait to move the bristlenoses I got over from the 20. I ordered a second light for it though. Gonna try the hygger hg-978. Supposed to be brighter than the nicrew that's on there now. My red root floaters are multiplying quite well in the tank. Need to go buy some clear straws though haha. I also got some rotala wallichi when I picked up the super reds and can't wait til it acclimated and starts growing. I spread the bunch out between both tanks since the 20 gallon has higher lighting and co2.