madmark285

After breaking down a 75 gallon tank which developed a leak, I was amazed at the amount a detritus build up even with me vacuum the tank every change. I prefer the look of gravel but it's time to change and use sand. This will be a planted (Anacharis) barb tank (tigers and Odessa barbs) and I prefer to use a darker substrate. But finding a darker sand is difficult. The Sakrete Play Sand I bought 2 years ago at Lowes is a darker grey color but the original specs said "not for aquarium use". This warning is no longer on their web site. I believe the reason was, it could affect the pH. Not sure if this is a valid test but I put some sand&water in a jar which has been sitting there for 2 years. I tested the pH, it is the same as the water currently in a tank (pH is ~7.8). Another option, 2-3 inches of sand with a 1/2" layer of gravel. I just don't want white white or black sand in this tank. Suggestions or opinions?

My favorite wood was dead scrubs from a trail behind my house. The scrub grew along a railroad track which was abandoned long ago (70+ year). Trees grew and shaded the scrubs which slowly died off. Below is my tank which is now being convert for Mbuna cichlids (after I fix a leak, arg!!) . One lesson learned, the wood pieces were glued to the bottom of the tank and could not be removed. I would vacuum the gravel every water change but could not get under the wood or rocks. Massive amount of detritus was trap under them. Next setup, the wood piece(s) will be removable. The barbs are being moved to a 40 gallon tank and I will use one showpiece of wood for that tank. I may seal the wood with Krylon clear spray paint so they can be cleaned or cover the wood with Java moss. After 2 years in the tank, the wood looked terrible. Side note: the barbs are quite upset with their temporary home, a 29 gallon tank with plastic plants 🙂

I struggle growing weeds, don't have a green or wet thumb. So I am just going plant Anacharis in the back with Java moss in front. Pick an easy plant to grow for success.

For most of the imported brands on Amazon (Hygger, Necrew, etc), the lights are rated for a 30-36" tanks as an example. Typically in this case, the actual light is 30" with brackets to extend to 36". So get a 48-xx" light and if you find you need more lighting in the future, get a 44"-48" for the front of the tank. Just a suggestion.

My barbs are very upset, had to make an emergency move to a bare 29 gallon tank as the above tank sprung a leak and had to be broken down. They are looking at me say, WTF! They love the wood pieces in that tank. I was thinking the same thing, cover the wood piece with java moss. This will remain a barb tank including tigers. If worried, seal the bowl with epoxy.

The wood I used was old dead shrubs on a trail behind my house. This is what they looked like when I first setup the tank. I am moving the barbs to a 40 gallon and I have another piece of wood for the tank. I was debating on clear coating the wood to make it easier to clean. After 2 year, the wood below was dark brown and a bit ugly.

OK but... It has been reported that Krylon spray paint is safe for aquariums, I used it on my DIY skimmer box for 2 years with no problems. So could HelplessNewbie seal the bowl up with a clear coat of Krylon? Or just seal it up with an epoxy.

First, look on Amazon for lights, far cheaper and good quality. Look when the light first appear on Amazon, buy the newer lights. Look for IP68 waterproof rating for a light. This will allow you to put your light directly over the water. I have a glass top on my 75 gallon tank which may block some of the light when it gets dirty. many of the latest generation of lights on Amazon waterproof/water resistant.

Looks great Caps. I would keep the antler coral somewhere in the tank. It is a beautiful piece, you should display it. Now what I would suggest, get a couple rubber bristle worms or better yet, a 5 foot bobbit worm so it just like a real saltwater tank😁 So the rocks are ancient coral reefs dug up in florida, correct? I wonder if they will function as freshwater live rock ie: filled with bacteria munching on ammonia/nitrites.

Ferns, everything else is deer food😒

Thanks, I do need more patience. I had a couple male who colored up but it didn't last. I have red gravel and lots of wood in the tank but my plants are struggling. I was very close on ordering from Mr. Sage but cancel as I just wasn't ready.

I am so envious. I bought some Odessa from PetCo, they just are not coloring up as I hoped. I may still try to get some Odessa from selected aquatics if he still has any available this year. My plan was the same as yours, breed a batch for my 75 gallon tank.

I am curious if companies like Amazon are to blame. With such huge volumes, they can negotiate lower prices and shipping companies look for high profit margin from us poor individuals. Same with me, I wanted to buy some fish for $40, shipping was $80.

For myself, it is about timing. If I tell my wife 2 months in advance that I am getting another big tank, she has 2 months time to voice her objections! I do love her dearly but life is much easier if I just say "Good morning dear, I am off to the fish store to pickup another aquarium, see you in a hour or so"..😈 Ironically, my wife supported an aquarium in a small connecting room next to our family room but that would require getting rid of a big piano which fits perfectly in the space and looks great (nobody plays it). I voted for keeping the piano.

I had a perfect little fish room planned, a small office next to our family room which turned into a junk room for over 10 years. My wife never used it as an office. It had a cement floor and was a step below the main levels with hardwood floors. It even has water lines in the wall, I could run plumbing directly into my sump. So after a decade of being a junk room, my wife decided she wanted an office and quickly clean the office up. Luckily I have a finished attic game room and was able to get waters lines up, so my fish room moved into this space. My 75 gallon tank runs perpendicular to the floor joist and sits directly above a load bearing wall, no issues with weight. So all work out well, I have a fish room next to my attic office and the junk room was finally cleaned up. Now I do have another 75 gallon tank planned, I have not told my wife about that one!

FYI, below is a picture, starting on the left is Quikrete play sand, quartz pool filter sand (Sidley brand) and Sakrete play sand which is not recommended for aquariums. I plan on using the pool filter sand.

And don't forget about the 50 gallon breeder, 36" x 18" x 19" tall

Thanks so much for the great advice. I have alot of work to do and Mrs. Mad is unaware of my plans for a second 75 gallon tank😰 Lots of time to think about a wife and stocking strategy. I need to make a road trip (90 minutes) to this store, CNY Fish Exchange. They seem very active in taking in fish and connecting sellers with buyers. My LFS has a very limited selection. This hobby has change so much in the past 20 year with the internet.

Great tank, 5 stars! I get annoyed at some of the 'aquascaped' Mbuna tanks you find of youtube, a huge tank with a carefully stack of rocks in the middle. These guys love rocks, you can clearly see that from your pictures. My plans for the 75 gallon tank, ~1/2 of the tank will be in a corner, the other half will be a peninsula ie: open on both side. So one side of the tank will have vertical rock structures. Anyways, thanks for posting pictures of your tank. Mark

Great tank! I have never seen honeycomb limestone locally. After a 20+ year hiatus, I just got back into the hobby and this would be my second (and last) display tank. I don't have a strong desire for rare Mbuna, size and color is the primary factor. The big stocking mistake I made the last time I had a Mbuna tank, too many species ie: I will take one of those and one of those, etc. So this time, the first issue is how many different species in a 75 gallon tank. It will have a sump filter so filtration is not an issue. Next issue, should I try to get breeding pairs and let the Mbunas stock the tank. I do have a unused 29 and 20 gallon tank, I could use these for breeding. Last issue, do I want a overstocked peaceful Mbuna tank or understock it to encourage their aggressive territorial behavior? Thanks for your reply! Mark

My LFS is still selling 75 gallon tanks for $100, time to start planning my next system, a Mbuna tank. My primary focus when aquascaping a Mbuna tank will be to create as many 'caves' as possible. This is a highly territorial rock dwelling fish that wants a place to call home. In my previous tank, the Mbuna were quite happy on doing the work of digging out the gravel/sand to make a home, nothing else to do in a tank. So I want to create an environment where the Mbunas have many areas they can dig out the sand/gravel and create a home. How do this is quite simple, first I will place a piece of PVC pipe with a section cut off: Then place a large rock on top as shown below: Now the Mbunas can literal dig out under the rock creating a nice little home they can call their own. This design may require some walls to prevent the gravel/sand from pouring in, you can do this by using the pipe sections cut off: another option is some screen material: Here are a couple quick prototype (I used an old drawer), the first shows the rocks sloping upward. Filled with some crush coral (most likely I will use sand). Here is one with no sloop: And finally, filled with crush coral: Now this is still a work in progress but to build a wall, add pipes of increasing height: Now add some rocks: Gorilla (polyurethane) glue From the PlantedTank forum, I found this quote from a company rep: This makes sense, polyurethane glues will cure by a chemical reaction, once complete the atoms are bonded together. My first interest in Gorilla glue for this project, cover your rocks with a substrate material such as sand to give your aquascape a consistent look. My original source for rocks was landscaping rocks at my former employer. Unfortunately they removed all the rocks. I will not pay $2/lb for rocks at my local fish store, that just too expensive. One rock source near me is a drainage culvert near my house. These are standard boring construction rocks with a dull gray color. To create a rock, put on some disposable glove, spray some water on the rock and cover it with the Gorilla glue. Toss the rock into a bucket of substrate and fully cover it, wait a few hours before removing. Gorilla will foam up while curing; the thicker application will foam up more. It will also remove any sharp jagged edges on the rocks. Below are some examples: The one on the left is a drainage culvert rock, the middle one is covered with pool filter sand, the one on the right used pool sand and a PetCo fine black gravel. With this method, you can make all your rocks look similar. A closeup of the middle rock: The darker area were created by not apply the any Gorilla glue, it's the gray from the rock. Lots of potential using this idea, more work to be done. Finally, the piece of pipe support the rocks covered with pool filter sand: Hopefully the pipes will blend it when the Mbuna dig up the sand. Well that's it for now, all opinions are welcomed.

Of course that assume your floor is flat and level. I own an older home, the floor sloped down over 1 inch over a 4 foot span where my tank is located.

As a general rule, if you can disassemble the dresser (think IKEA) , it might not be strong enough. Now the good news, old beat up dressers found at Goodwill tend to be very solid and cheap. As you say, refinish them and it may be beautiful! Is the top it level? If not level, you could use a pad or buy some Bondo and level off where the tank will sit (can offer more help on this). If concerned that the top is not strong enough, I suggest buying a pocket hole jig (Kreg or Harbor Freight) and attach strips of plywood under the top piece. This would mean you can no longer use the top drawers, just remove the drawer part and glue the front panel to the face. What is good about this dresser, no legs and the weight will be distributed . However if your floor is not level, you will have to use shims under the dresser.

My setup. I used maple plywood from Lowes, it was cheaper than oak. I had the doors and as my dear wife like to tell me, the colors do not match 🙂 Furniture grade plywood is the best option as it is dimensionally stable. I have a 50 year old solid wood Ethan Allen dining room table, one of the leaves split open. Personally I hate solid wood.

I forgot to add, there was a serious shortage of acrylic with the COVID pandemic. Hopefully there will be a surplus as we get vaccinated and the pandemic comes to an end.