120 Gallon Tank Journal

[Ohyouknow]

Ok, so I think it's a great idea to keep a progressional thread/journal of a tank. See the changes, and get feedback.

As most (or maybe all) of you have already seen, I got my tank yesterday:



After scrubbing until my arms hurt today - I got all but the back center area (Can't reach it where it is setting, on the outside and the bottom portion of the inside) so it will have to do for now...



One filter is on, as it was easy to clean. I need to check that one to see if it leaks- the other filter I'm not sure what to do with as I think it leaks, but going to give it a shot and try to seal it tomorrow. It's bits and parts are soaking now, (and running out of time before work!)

To Do List:

Glass Topper Hinge
Sealant
Hose/spray out tank, and leak tests on tank and filters.

Then, figure out it's perm. spot, (still liking the idea of the living room best) and we're on our way!

[J-P]

sounds cool!

I'd be keeping it away from those baseboard heater.. for that "oops" day

[Lil' Swimz$]

That's big.

Haha MORE PICSZ PLEASE

[xrayjeeper83]

Awesome, cant wait to see it done.

[Ohyouknow]

I'd be keeping it away from those baseboard heater.. for that "oops" day

Yeah, if you can see the area behind the tank (where there is a small table and easel) it would fit perfectly there, but I figured it would be too close to the heat... gets warm in that hall. to the left of the tank, is the walk way into the kitchen, then there is a 52" wall, with another entrance to the kitchen... It's where the loveseat is, and where I want the tank... Going to do some measuring tomorrow to see if we are keeping the loveseat, (if rearranging will work out) or putting it in storage.

I'll get more pics tomorrow, lol... my boyfriend called me tonight, and wants to build a sturdy topper for the stand. Currently, the stand is a big empty box, with paneling around it. I think it's enough to hold it, but it only supports around the edges of the tank. We both think we would feel safer if it had a solid top, and a lip around it to 'hold' the tank and stand together - not that once full, it's going anywhere... It hardly will go ANYWHERE empty. Stinkin heavy. He also thinks we should buy a new glass topper set, as the large piece is badly water stained (soaked and soaked, scraped, scrubbed and soaked some more - it's getting WORSE!)... It's kind of funny - he didn't want the tank but is all about upgrades already. I love him lol... I think I'll keep him!

[xrayjeeper83]

i was thinking that your man wasnt to happy with the tank and now wants to upgrade and help LOL. It wont take long for him to fall in love with Vicious.

[Flutter]

Especially when wee little Vicious shoots into a big predatory fahaka

[Ohyouknow]

Well, he's fed him two days in a row now... and almost always when I call him while I'm working (sometimes on longer deliveries) he's standing in front of the fish tank lol... So he must be watching him, lol... And if he's anything like his father, insulting his pet and saying he 'hates it' is code for "come here snugglywuggly, i wuuuv youuuu"

[Ohyouknow]

Alright. I got a bunch of slate/flagstone now for making my rock structure... However, the LFS did not have silicone sealant (and the LFS guy said it won't work to hold rock together? How does it hold glass together then??) and just wondering what my alternatives were? (brands if possible, and any ideas?)

[Lil' Swimz$]

I use DAP Aquarium Silicone. I got it at Ace Hardware.

[Ohyouknow]

alright, stuck rocks and filter together successfully using 100% silicone.

The rock structures:





and the tank:



There are 5 feeder goldfish in there, they are coming out. I just need to devise a way to sneak up on them. If I go to net them, they stay close to the bottom and have buried themselves to get away... (tunneling, popping up elsewhere to get away)... The cloudiness is from stirring up sand trying to catch them, as well as from shaking a filter (one was too large to fit inside of these filters) in the tank, to disperse seed bacteria.

Filters contain 3 sponges of seeded media, as well as the substrate mason jar as you see, and fixing up 3 filter bags to cram full of media and place around the tank as well.

Yesterday I had some ammonia showing, today it's back to clear - and 0 nitrites. Nitrates will be tested soon, I need to pick up a new nitrate test... (boyfriend hid it from kiddo, and can't remember where. Oy.)

[Pufferpunk]

What's with the feeders? Were they QTed? Are you planning on adding another filter when your puffer gets larger?

[Ohyouknow]

Well, the feeders are the result of my (overly excited yet self-proclaimed hater of the tank) boyfriend. He thinks a lot of what I have learned is nonsense, and too complicated - and he came home with a bag full (20) of goldfish, and added them to cycle the tank. I told him my plans were to use filter media and seeded substrate to get the bacteria going - and so we came to the conclusion that I would go ahead and let the goldfish raise the ammonia, then (happily) fish them out, and I got all but these reluctant 5. He did get 2 nice looking plants, and he wants to get some more stuff for it tonight (decorations)... Sometime last night there must have been a visit from Santa Clause or the Fish Fairy or something (all parties deny adding it) but there is a 3 inch rainbow shark in there now, which is always in hiding.

I'm not impressed LOL...

I'm testing testing testing... I am toying with the idea of putting his filter on the 120, and putting more media in pantyhose, or just into a strainer to set in there (A plastic strainer) for a few days.... Of course, then he'd have to go in too... I hate being impatient!

[Pufferpunk]

So will he take the fall when your beloved fahaka is diseased from those awful GF he put in there?

[Ohyouknow]

Oh I'm sure. He thought he could just eat them, thus why I am fishing them out. It's not allowed! I told him that if Vicious winds up with Ich, he won't have to wonder why I have 2 heaters running in there with the temp high - and if I have to do more rearranging to get a bubble stone or 5 (plus another new aerator to get enough bubbles) when I have to medicate. He said he'd buy whatever, so we're just trying to move forward from there. Is there something I can do to treat now, or no (without signs or definites?)