My 400g build from the groud up. HAVE I LOST MY MIND?!?!
- Thread starter TheBigB
- Start date
Life has been busy but the tank is still going! Fish are getting huge, but still some to do on the tank itself.
I'm not happy with the lights and may build a full canopy to help direct the light in the tank and not out into the garage. It makes it very hard for good pictures. I have been doing some rearranging of fish, sold a few, bought a few more, etc. The "refugium" is actually setup more as a grow out tank for now. It has a Vieja Argentea and a very docile green terror who is too scared to eat when in the main tank. I also have a few marbled crayfish in there in hopes to raise a few treats for the main tank's residents.
It is starting to look like the Festae and Texas are pairing up. They spend a lot of time together and have their own little "den" where no other fish will dare to come near. I might fill up my 125 and see if I can get some fry....
New additions to the tank include a hoplarchus psittacus (True Parrot) and a 5-6" TSN. I got rid of the Severum, the smaller Green Terror, and a convict. I'm thinking about getting rid of the Oscar too, but we will see.
The majority of the pictures are pretty bad but you get the idea. The last two pictures are of the green terror and True Parrot right before I moved them to the 400. I was playing with some filters....
Anyways, I finished the front 3 doors and have the other side doors (4) ready for paint. I had a whole line up of pictures for the door builds, but my phone crashed and lost it all. I will take more when of the doors I still have to finish.
Here are some pictures!!!!!
I'm not happy with the lights and may build a full canopy to help direct the light in the tank and not out into the garage. It makes it very hard for good pictures. I have been doing some rearranging of fish, sold a few, bought a few more, etc. The "refugium" is actually setup more as a grow out tank for now. It has a Vieja Argentea and a very docile green terror who is too scared to eat when in the main tank. I also have a few marbled crayfish in there in hopes to raise a few treats for the main tank's residents.
It is starting to look like the Festae and Texas are pairing up. They spend a lot of time together and have their own little "den" where no other fish will dare to come near. I might fill up my 125 and see if I can get some fry....
New additions to the tank include a hoplarchus psittacus (True Parrot) and a 5-6" TSN. I got rid of the Severum, the smaller Green Terror, and a convict. I'm thinking about getting rid of the Oscar too, but we will see.
The majority of the pictures are pretty bad but you get the idea. The last two pictures are of the green terror and True Parrot right before I moved them to the 400. I was playing with some filters....
Anyways, I finished the front 3 doors and have the other side doors (4) ready for paint. I had a whole line up of pictures for the door builds, but my phone crashed and lost it all. I will take more when of the doors I still have to finish.
Here are some pictures!!!!!
One other note, I insulated my garage door this weekend and last night it got down into the low teens. The tank used to have trouble staying above 77-78 but this morning it was at 80!!!
It feels much warmer in the garage too. Hopefully this success will transfer into the hot summer as well...
It feels much warmer in the garage too. Hopefully this success will transfer into the hot summer as well...For lighting, have you looked into rapid LED's?
[video=youtube;4rLFh3Q_FEA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rLFh3Q_FEA[/video]
[video=youtube;4rLFh3Q_FEA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rLFh3Q_FEA[/video]
Thanks for the link. I have actually thought a lot about doing going with the rapid LEDs but don't have the cash to fork out at the moment. My next big purchase for the tank will be a controller. I'm looking at getting the Apex Jr. to help control the temperature and so I can monitor the tank while I'm out of town.
Very nice...I plan on going with the rapid LED as I like doing DIY and it's cheaper on the electric bills and upfront cost vs the store bought led lights. Are those controller very expensive?
I really need to purchase a temperature controller for this tank. I originally wanted to by an APEX so I could monitor while away and also use it to turn on fans when it gets too hot. The biggest problem though is the money. I might be awhile before I can get one so I was thinking about buy a Finnex Digital Controller.
Here is the product.
Finnex HC-0810 Digital Heater Controller
http://www.kensfish.com/aquarium-su...finnex-hc-0810-digital-heater-controller.html
Its only about $40 and will power up to 800 watts. Has anyone used one of these and if so can you tell me how well it worked for you???
Here is the product.
Finnex HC-0810 Digital Heater Controller
http://www.kensfish.com/aquarium-su...finnex-hc-0810-digital-heater-controller.html
Its only about $40 and will power up to 800 watts. Has anyone used one of these and if so can you tell me how well it worked for you???
Found it loved it subbed it. Awesome build.
I just want to say that I have mated Texas cichlids and the research I've done says to keep fast moving fish in there w them. It helps keep your male from beating her up. That being said idk if that aspect changes because she's not a Texas. Love the driftwood keep up the work hope you get babies
I just want to say that I have mated Texas cichlids and the research I've done says to keep fast moving fish in there w them. It helps keep your male from beating her up. That being said idk if that aspect changes because she's not a Texas. Love the driftwood keep up the work hope you get babies
The build is looking awesome Bryan,
I see what you mean about the washout from the lighting, I ran into this problem when thinking about using tubes on my fixture: have you thought about maybe adding large (overhanging the sides like a shop light) reflectors, for a cheap and easy fix?
Tank looks great and the stock appears to be growing quickly, awesome setup man! Also, I'm a huge fan of the filters/lighting/etc. you've got going on in the pics of the GT and the True Parrot.
I see what you mean about the washout from the lighting, I ran into this problem when thinking about using tubes on my fixture: have you thought about maybe adding large (overhanging the sides like a shop light) reflectors, for a cheap and easy fix?
Tank looks great and the stock appears to be growing quickly, awesome setup man! Also, I'm a huge fan of the filters/lighting/etc. you've got going on in the pics of the GT and the True Parrot.
