Tyguy's T-Bar Tank

Well as I mentioned in my 75 gallon build, I picked up a new tank. I was originally looking for a 36 inch tank of some sort but was having a hard time finding one that was on the cheap. Then I stumbled on a 55 gallon on craigslist that literally almost came with everything. For 150 bucks I couldn't pass it up. Tank, stand, canopy, glass canopies, canister filter (aquatop cf400), probably 50 bucks in decorations and slate, python, copious amounts of filter pads, timer, 2 sets of lights, 2 heaters, automatic feeder, and countless other things that I probably won't use. It's an older tank and it needs some work. But I started putting it together last night.

I've really enjoyed the look of my wife's tank with a blue background and pool filter sand so that's the direction I'm going with this one. I'm not planning on any plants and it will be all hardscape. I may end up doing some fake plants at some point but for now it will just be stones and the decorations that came with it. If I do any plants it will be just for something for the cichlids to graze on.

I've decided I want to try and breed T-Bar Cichlids (Sajicas). They are supposedly very good parents so I think this will be a great "first attempt" at a breeding project for me. Ever since I lost T-bone I've been hankering to get another sajica. But I really don't have room for anything in my 75 so this was a good outlet to keep some again. I'll try to keep this thread updated with progress of how the tank is coming and the sajica project as it goes

Thanks guys for all the support. And tags for the folks that wanted some
el337 Lchi87 Geoff bizaliz3 JeffK

 

Looks good! And the stand looks in good shape. Plus it's white!

 

Ohhhh! We soooo want updates. I love watching tanks develop

 

Wow, what a deal! The tank and stand look nice and matches the other!

 

Yeah I have to say I'm not a huge fan of the stand. When you are in the office/fish room mine just looks so much better that I built. And I'm not just saying that...even my wife commented the same thing (and she would flat out kid me about the other one being nicer if it was). Eventually I want to put hinges on the canopy because right now the top just pops off to get in the tank, and I'm thinking about trimming the stand similar to my other to make it match a bit better.

 

awesome deal congrats!!
It even has a python! Did you already have one?
Looking forward to seeing it come together. I'm glad you get the chance to keep the T-bars again!!

 

Sorry, off topic but bizaliz3, I just noticed you two have the same map on the wall, right?

 

Yep I had the aqueon water changer - 25 ft. It came with the 50 ft python.

I'm telling you...it came with a box that was about 3x3x3 (huge box) absolutely full of fish supply stuff. There are some things that I don't even know what it is or how to use it.

She probably has about 5 pounds worth of carbon that I don't use so I have no idea what I"m going to do with that.

 

Woohoo! You got a seriously good deal, even if the stand isn't great. I do agree that the stand you made is SO much better looking but you can't pass up a deal like this. Do you know what kind of hardscape you're looking to get? What color rock, chunky driftwood vs, skinny branchy driftwood? Can't wait to see this come together!

 

Sorry, off topic but bizaliz3, I just noticed you two have the same map on the wall, right?

I don't have any maps.....I don't think anyway...lol
Where do you remember seeing it?

 

Yep I had the aqueon water changer - 25 ft. It came with the 50 ft python.

I'm telling you...it came with a box that was about 3x3x3 (huge box) absolutely full of fish supply stuff. There are some things that I don't even know what it is or how to use it.

She probably has about 5 pounds worth of carbon that I don't use so I have no idea what I"m going to do with that.

ya one of my craigslist purchases came with a LOT of stuff. I was like kid in a candy store as I went through all those boxes!

Well with a 50 foot hose, you have even more options for distance away from the sink! haha Or you simply have a back up if the aqueon stops working for some reason.

 

I don't have any maps.....I don't think anyway...lol
Where do you remember seeing it?

Oh, oops. Never mind. Could've sworn I saw the same "Oh, the places you'll go!" poster/map on one of your threads.

 

Well the spiderwood that was in my wife's 20 gallon is going in here somewhere. But with this tank since it's a tank for breeding and I'll be starting with 6-8 small sajicas, more than likely what I will need to do is put the majority of the heavy large hardscape in the center to make two distinct areas. One side for the spawning sajicas and the other side for the other fish. On each side I'll need to put some sort of smooth cave (like a terra cotta pot) for the cichlids to lay their eggs in. Eventually I'll remove the majority of the other sajicas. I'm hoping to do a harem set up. One male with 3 or 4 females. But that's a long ways away since the sajicas I'll be getting will be close to an inch or less.

I may end up needing more rocks but we'll see how it comes together. I may need your input on this one as this will be the first aquascape I put together without at least some big driftwood pieces or plants.

 

Sounds like a solid plan Happy to help if you need assistance!

 

Man that's a great deal on the tank! I love those craigslist finds lol. I know nothing about sajicas let alone breeding them but I am excited to see what this turns out like.

 

Hello, congrats on the awesome deal!! I'm happy to have found ur new thread that u mentioned on the 75 gallon tank build thread.. I'll be sticking around for the updates on ur new tank

 

Congrats on the new tank!

 

ya one of my craigslist purchases came with a LOT of stuff. I was like kid in a candy store as I went through all those boxes!

Well with a 50 foot hose, you have even more options for distance away from the sink! haha Or you simply have a back up if the aqueon stops working for some reason.

Haha my wife was already saying we could move one into the bedroom

 

Haha my wife was already saying we could move one into the bedroom

YES YES YES!! Do it!!!! Don't MOVE one in there, get ANOTHER one to put in there. Make in an angelfish tank and I Will provide you angels down the road!!

 

haha don't tempt me!

In all seriousness I think I'm at my limit with these 3 tanks. We'll see what the maintenance is like on them. But needless to say my wife would probably enjoy an angelfish tank. She always comments when we go to the fish store how the angel tanks are always staring at her.

If I did do an angel tank I'd definitely be hitting you up for some blue babies!

 

haha don't tempt me!

In all seriousness I think I'm at my limit with these 3 tanks. We'll see what the maintenance is like on them.

But now you have an aqueon water changer AND the python water changer. You and your wife could each do a tank at the same time! (assuming you have multiple sinks that could be used for it!)

 

But now you have an aqueon water changer AND the python water changer. You and your wife could each do a tank at the same time! (assuming you have multiple sinks that could be used for it!)

Haha unfortunately I only have one sink in the house that will work

And the wife has no interest in maintaining tanks. Her interest is limited to going in and tapping on the glass and saying "Hey fishy" or "How's Kosmo doing today" or "Apollo is fat"

 

Haha unfortunately I only have one sink in the house that will work

And the wife has no interest in maintaining tanks. Her interest is limited to going in and tapping on the glass and saying "Hey fishy" or "How's Kosmo doing today" or "Apollo is fat"

Haha, that's sounds very familiar!
congrats on the new tank!!

 

I love watching progress posts, so I definitely will watch this!

And just wanted to say it is bad Feng shuI to have a water element in the bedroom. The bedroom is supposed to be a place of stillness and darkness, plus the fire element of passion (for couples), so the moving water is too much activity plus the water dampens the fire. Of course you don't have to live your life by Feng shui, but the day I put a fish tank in my bedroom, my betta died. The universe was obviously unhappy with me!

 

I have three tanks in my bedroom, 1 display tank and 2 QT tanks. I like being able to watch the fish, but if noises bother you, don't do it!

 

Haha no I don't think it's something I want. THough I sleep like a rock and sleep easily...my wife does not so I don't think she realizes it would probably bother her more than me.

And our 4 year old sleeps in our room in her toddler bed...I'm betting it would be more difficult to keep her asleep if the fishies were in there with her

Oh forgot to mention, the tank also came with an additional 10 gallon tank. I think I'm going to have to put a ton of this on craigslist to clear some stuff out. But it was a good deal. I think the only thing I'm going to have to buy is a bottle of TSS and some more pool filter sand.

I may end up buying a powerhead depending on if the filter creates any deadspots. Or I may throw my spair AC 50 on the back for additional filtration. I may end up replacing the lights or putting the stingray on this one and getting one of bizaliz's ebay lights for the 75.

 

If you don't mind, i'm going to tag Kwig in case she's interested in following this thread too. She's got 3 little sajicas in her 55 gal community!

 

Awesome!

 

Grr. Frustration. The canister filter that came with the tank is leaking. Going to have to piddle with it some today to see if I can figure out why

 

BOOO that sucks. Hope you're able to fix it! What brand canister is it?

 

Aquatop

I can tell it's an older model.

 

Well I found the issue. The intake valves on the lid are broke which is keeping the shut off valves from making a good seal.

Short answer is the filter is toast. I've got a spare ac 50 and an aqueon 55 75 that should be plenty for the tank

 

Oh, that sucks. At least you have spare filters!

 

Lol I don't now

But I will keep the busted filter for parts

 

I hope your run with Sajicas goes better than mine has. Started with 6 thru natural selection I got down to 3. And now i'm down to 1 thanks to a black ghost eating the smallest one and my belly crawler pike eating the largest. I really didn't think she could so she just had to show me she could lol.

 

Well I just bought 8 sajicas on aquabid. And the plan is to put them in a 55 by themselves other than 2 hoplos and maybe the severum that isn't growing until the sajicas get large enough to spawn.

Then the non sajicas will go back to the 75. Hopefully I will get at least 1 male and 3 females to keep in the 55 long term

 

Well I just bought 8 sajicas on aquabid. And the plan is to put them in a 55 by themselves other than 2 hoplos and maybe the severum that isn't growing until the sajicas get large enough to spawn.

Then the non sajicas will go back to the 75. Hopefully I will get at least 1 male and 3 females to keep in the 55 long term

I think I saw that listing on aqua bid - can't wait to see these guys!

 

Well I had a little time tonight to put all the rocks in. I kind of just threw them in there. So any suggestions on changes or ideas are welcome. I need the high point towards the center to break the tank into two areas.

And ignore the lighting. The lights are all and I'm still figuring out a solution

 

Well the baby Sajicas will be here tomorrow sometime according to USPS tracking. Hopefully all will be well with them.

Still looking for suggestions on what to do on the rocks. The wife says they need to be redone. And I'm not a huge fan of how they are. But I have a ton to use and I need to set up a lot of breaks in the site lines as well as places to dart behind. So any suggestions are appreciated.

 

So I'm trying to visualize what you're looking for and am failing miserably lol. Could you elaborate on the "high point" that you need in the center and an overall "wishlist" for placement? I'm trying to figure out how to make this look nice and be functional too!