shkote Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 I've been here for quite awhile and have finally decided to start a journal on an aquarium project. I was finally able to find a 125 gallon tank semi-local (they are very hard to track down around here) and picked it up yesterday. It is pretty much bare bones tank and stand, no hood/lights/filter etc. So it's going to be a fun journey. This stand would not be my first choice by any means. I'm still not sure how I feel about it, but it's heavy and in my house now so I may be stuck with it. Here is the new/old tank. I'm starting the clean out process today to get rid of the rest of the gravel and whatever else is left in it. I think if I keep updating on this journal it will encourage me to work a little harder and faster to get this thing up and running. 🤞 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 I kind of like the stand. It’s not what I’d buy on an unlimited budget, but it fits, looks sturdy and is much more living room friendly than 2x4s. Once the tank is up and running nobody will notice it anyway! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shkote Posted June 30, 2021 Author Share Posted June 30, 2021 I keep thinking maybe it could grow on me. I'd normally just build one, but lumber is ridiculous and this just works right now. I think maybe I can build a canopy that kind of matches and it would be easier for me to like it. I'm excited for this project and my cichlids would sure love the extra 2 feet of swimming space 🙂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lefty o Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 make up your mind on if you can live with the stand before you fill the tank. after getting it up and running the odds of changing it out are slim to none if you dont like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HH Morant Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 The stand looks tall. How tall is it? I am having a new 40" tall stand made. It will require me to use a step stool to to work on the tank, but I think the tank looks better on a taller stand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shkote Posted June 30, 2021 Author Share Posted June 30, 2021 I will have to check when I get home, but it is definitely taller than any other non-rack type stands I have. It seemed like an issue at first, but then I kind of liked the way it looked higher up. I will also have to get on a step stool to work in the tank, but I don't really mind. I don't have to do much inside the tank they are in now so I don't think it will be an issue. These are the lucky new residents of the 125. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Streetwise Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 @shkote, please add your journal to your signature: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lefty o Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 On 6/30/2021 at 2:16 PM, shkote said: I will have to check when I get home, but it is definitely taller than any other non-rack type stands I have. It seemed like an issue at first, but then I kind of liked the way it looked higher up. I will also have to get on a step stool to work in the tank, but I don't really mind. I don't have to do much inside the tank they are in now so I don't think it will be an issue. These are the lucky new residents of the 125. i also have to stand on a bar stool to work in my 120, its not optimal, but you get used to it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shkote Posted July 1, 2021 Author Share Posted July 1, 2021 The stand is 38" tall. I was going to use a canister filter with this tank but with the way the stand is built, there's nowhere to put one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shkote Posted July 5, 2021 Author Share Posted July 5, 2021 I have decided to keep the stand and just change it up a bit. I got the tank all cleaned out and started painting some of the stand a bit. I'll be painting the back black in this tank tomorrow and finish painting and update 🙂 Hopefully it turns out well. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HH Morant Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 The stand is beautiful. I think 38 inches is a great height for display, just more difficult to work in the tank. If not a canister, then what? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shkote Posted July 6, 2021 Author Share Posted July 6, 2021 I'm searching for a canister than can handle a 125 gallon and only requires about 12" clearance. Is there such a thing? I'd hate to go HOB on a 125, but I will if I have to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shkote Posted July 6, 2021 Author Share Posted July 6, 2021 I suppose my other option is an fx4 or fx6 next to the tank. I can build a box around it with a cabinet that matches the stand and it can double as a plant stand. 🤔 is an fx6 overkill for a 125? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix1391 Posted July 7, 2021 Share Posted July 7, 2021 Why not get 2 smaller canister filters and put course pre filter sponges on the intakes and use more/better bio media than comes with whatever canisters you get. Then if for some reason that still doesn’t suffice you can add sponge filters, or if flow is not enough add a “wave maker” or power head Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shkote Posted September 26, 2021 Author Share Posted September 26, 2021 It's been awhile since I updated this. I got so busy with my 150G at work that this one fell aside a little. Here is the current update on the tank. I went with the HOBs on the 75 gallon for this tank. Added some more sand today(hopefully it clears up soon) and the rest of the fish went in today. Funny because it looks empty with everyone hiding. I have my local glass company cutting custom 1/4" thick lids for the tank and the new light should be here next week. I will get some better photos of everything once it clears up and the new top and light is on it. And Mushu took over the 75 gallon they came out of. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shkote Posted September 26, 2021 Author Share Posted September 26, 2021 He's enjoying his new space 🙂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now