re: Who here has aquariums?

I usually started mine with some kind of cheap, nasty fish just to make sure the biological stuff got cranking. I wouldn't put a money fish in one till I'd watched it for a month or more just to make sure it didn't have a parasite or fungus or something.

Also, biowheels are pretty awesome at jump starting one. That was new shite back when I was doing it. No clue what the new hotness is these days.

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Just remember with arowanas they jump like crazy if I remember correctly. So if you have any spots where the hood doesn't cover it, figure out a way to keep them from jumping out of that hole or you'll come home to find him on the floor one day.

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I have the top completed covered and strapped down with velcro and weights on top. not taking a chance
thanks for the heads up though

Sweet cichlids man. frickers love to jack up ya gravel though. lol

Edited... original link is working.

freaking awesome
I've been trying to catch a fingerling to put in my tank

If your looking for a power filter (like biowheel) get the aquaclear kind...I prefer them way more than the biowheels or anything else out there. I would do 2 70s on a 55gal. You have to put fish to get the cycle going...dont put carbon at first...test water before adding your good fish...about 4-6 weeks. You can get stuff from a set up tank already and get yours cranking much faster...but watch what tank it comes from...if the tank is sick...yours will be too. If your looking for a canister type I like the fluvals or eheims. On a 55 I would opt for 2 smaller filters vs one larger one. 2 intake points and more spread out even flow. I run 3 FX5s on my 8' tank...

I use sand for my cichlids and yes they move it all around. I paint the bottom black so if the sand is moved it doesnt look too bad. Also with sand you dont have to "gravel vac" it so water changes are faster. You just drain and fill...but the sand can jam up certain style pumps.

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aquaclear

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I have an aquaclear 110 on my 55 gallon. Great filter

I'm thinking about switching to sand.. What kind of sand did you use? I've heard that play sand from Home Depot works just fine

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frickers love to jack up ya gravel though

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Truth. I used to try and "rearrange the furniture" in the tank from time to time. I eventually quit because those bastards would excavate underneath whatever structure I set up and the whole thing would come crashing down.

I used the crushed coral. It's supposed to be better for the ph balance. I like how it looks too. Not sure about sand.

Yup. I always worried about that. Especially my last setup was mainly rock...was worried I would come to my office and have 90 gallons of water on my floor.