Author Topic: Aquariums  (Read 4540 times)

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Offline EagleKeeper

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Aquariums
« on: March 15, 2012, 07:25:46 PM »
I've kept fish tanks for a long time, mostly salt water types, (fish I mean).

I've done reef tanks with some sucess. Although I have not had a good opportunity to do it right as I see it. [deep sand bed, hang on the back Refugium, Massive sump].

I've got a 300 gallon [glass] aquarium I'm thinking about putting back into play but I'm thinking about rift lake ciclids

what do you think?
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Offline rich_t

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Re: Aquariums
« Reply #1 on: March 16, 2012, 03:31:15 PM »
I've kept fish tanks for a long time, mostly salt water types, (fish I mean).

I've done reef tanks with some sucess. Although I have not had a good opportunity to do it right as I see it. [deep sand bed, hang on the back Refugium, Massive sump].

I've got a 300 gallon [glass] aquarium I'm thinking about putting back into play but I'm thinking about rift lake ciclids

what do you think?

300 gallon is certainly large enough.  I have a 120 gallon with cichlids (mostly mbuna).

What do you have in mind for filtration?
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Offline EagleKeeper

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Re: Aquariums
« Reply #2 on: March 16, 2012, 03:44:26 PM »
300 gallon is certainly large enough.  I have a 120 gallon with cichlids (mostly mbuna).

What do you have in mind for filtration?

Mostly a deep sand bed and refugium, but after giving it some more thought I don't know if that matches up well with fresh water (or at least as fresh as cichlids might desire).

Do you add a skosh of salt in you tank?
Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.
- Napoleon Bonaparte

If you wait by the river long enough the bodies of your enemies will float by.
-Sun Tzu

Offline rich_t

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Re: Aquariums
« Reply #3 on: March 16, 2012, 03:52:46 PM »
Mostly a deep sand bed and refugium, but after giving it some more thought I don't know if that matches up well with fresh water (or at least as fresh as cichlids might desire).

Do you add a skosh of salt in you tank?

I do not add salt to my water.  I'm not real familiar with refugium filters, but you don't want to go too deep on your sand substrate.  2-3 inches should be more than enough for most cichlids.

I have a great cichlid forum that I can recommend if you like.

With a tank that size you might want to seriously consider adding a UGJ system for water circulation.
"The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of 'liberalism,' they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened." --Norman Thomas, 1944

Offline EagleKeeper

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Re: Aquariums
« Reply #4 on: March 16, 2012, 04:14:17 PM »
I do not add salt to my water.  I'm not real familiar with refugium filters, but you don't want to go too deep on your sand substrate.  2-3 inches should be more than enough for most cichlids.

I have a great cichlid forum that I can recommend if you like.

With a tank that size you might want to seriously consider adding a UGJ system for water circulation.

UGJ...If I understand that right it's basically an under gravel thats driven by a canister filter.

And yes, I am coming from the saltwater community so I would very much like to check out your cichlid forum.
Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.
- Napoleon Bonaparte

If you wait by the river long enough the bodies of your enemies will float by.
-Sun Tzu

Offline Splashdown

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Re: Aquariums
« Reply #5 on: March 16, 2012, 04:16:42 PM »
I have 8 mbunas in a 75-gallon tank. I love 'em. I have two HOB filters.
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Offline EagleKeeper

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Re: Aquariums
« Reply #6 on: March 16, 2012, 04:24:25 PM »
I found your link in the other thread Rich.
Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.
- Napoleon Bonaparte

If you wait by the river long enough the bodies of your enemies will float by.
-Sun Tzu

Offline rich_t

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Re: Aquariums
« Reply #7 on: March 16, 2012, 04:43:41 PM »
UGJ...If I understand that right it's basically an under gravel thats driven by a canister filter.

And yes, I am coming from the saltwater community so I would very much like to check out your cichlid forum.

UGJ is typically power head type.  It's not like the old UGF systems at all.

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Offline rich_t

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Re: Aquariums
« Reply #8 on: March 16, 2012, 04:45:48 PM »
I found your link in the other thread Rich.


Good deal.

Lots of great info there and some very knowledgeable folks there too.
"The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of 'liberalism,' they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened." --Norman Thomas, 1944

Offline rich_t

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Re: Aquariums
« Reply #9 on: March 16, 2012, 04:53:04 PM »
I have 8 mbunas in a 75-gallon tank. I love 'em. I have two HOB filters.

I am a bit under stocked right now.

I only have 10 cichilds (small), 2 rubbernose plecos and 4 small multipuncs in my 120g.

I don't have the funds right now to get more fish.
"The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of 'liberalism,' they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened." --Norman Thomas, 1944

Offline Gratiot

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Re: Aquariums
« Reply #10 on: August 25, 2012, 03:10:57 PM »
I'm not real familiar with refugium filters, but you don't want to go too deep on your sand substrate.  2-3 inches should be more than enough for most cichlids.

Deep sand beds are a popular form of filtering for saltwater, if setup properly they create excellent anaerobic layers which will sustain nitrate eating bacteria.  There are negative features though, I personally prefer plenums or bare bottom.

Refugiums are typically either a hang on back tank, sump, or even a second aquarium/rubbermaid tub filled with sand, beneficial macroalgae, and live rock rubble on either 24/7 lights or a reverse timer.  Between the macro algae, scavengers (snails, crabs, star fish, etc.), pods, and such they'll really improve an aquariums water quality, stabilize ph swings, and even provide food for the main tank.