125 Gallon Setup--New Paint with Teh PICTURES

So, about a month ago I found a 125 gallon tank with stand, lights, and a Rena XP3 for $140 on Craigslist , and decided it would be a great idea to get it. After the horrible move (it's glass, and HEAVY) with a friend I conned into helping, it has sat in my house ever since, while I slowly accrued enough money to get it up and running.

Well, that time has come!! I bought a Fluval FX5 on ebay, and it is currently on its way. In the mean time, last night I painted the background black, and thought I'd start this thread to show the progress over the next week.

Here are some pictures:

BEFORE PAINT (cat put herself in there):


AFTER PAINT:






Painted it with Rust-Oleum Universal Formula flat black, and was very happy with it. The coats dried very quickly, were even, and the results are nice. The pictures were taken with an iphone, so sorry for the quality! Any marks on the black are from junk on the inside of the tank, I cleaned the outside with some ACE ammonia (the kind you can use for fishless cycling) and water before painting, the crud melted off! Will use a vinegar/water spray for the inside.
Got the paint at home depot, costs about $5 a can, and used about a can and a half for three coats. It was probably fine with two, but I wanted to be sure.


The tank will stock:
1 fire eel
1 black ghost knife fish
A shoal of clown loaches
And I'm open for suggestions on other fish.

It will run:
-Fluval FX5 (possible addition of Rena XP3 if that isn't enough)
-Aquaclear powerhead 70
-Two heaters (need to buy, deciding on brand)
-Two Coralife 36" T5 fixtures
-Possible: UV, moonlights
-150 lb pool filter sand and wood


Thanks for lookin!

Thanks!

Well, the project must go on.

Finding pool filter sand in the beautiful pacific nw turned out to be much more of a challenge than I thought. The local home depots, ACEs, Lowe's, etc do NOT carry pool filter sand here! I guess because it rains so much hardly anyone has a pool.
I went to the local pool supply specialty store and they only carry a brand called Target... And it looked real ugly and was pretty rough.
After a lot of calling around, I was able to order some through my local ACE's warehouse, should get there on Friday and I don't have to pay a dime for shipping or pay for it until I pick it up.
So, for anyone in the pacific NW, ACE has pool filter sand, you just have to order it!

duipo;4350403; said:

nice! good luck with the tank ect...

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Thanks! I will keep posting on here as the project goes on.

I will answer any questions or would appreciate and comments/advice.

Redearsunfish;4350569; said:

Very nice tank!

May I humbly suggest a shoal of yo-yo loaches to go along with your clowns?

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I do love yo-yo loaches! However, any available around here are an inch max... I recently bought three polka dot loaches for my 20 gallon and have found them to be very similar to yo-yos, but they seem to have more personality than any of the yo-yos I have personally kept. If they grow out big, like 5+ inches, I may try to put them in there, just worry about a full grown fire eel having them as a snack.