I agree with this 100%, my 27" tanks are on 30" stands and at 5'11" I need a small step stool to easily reach the bottom towards the back of the 24" wide tanks. I have yet to set up the 36" wide tank, so expect that to be even more difficult.
That's a reasonable budget. Again, as others have mentioned depends on where you want to throw the money towards.
"Big tank" is all relatively, and it's a viscous cycle LOL. Nice new tank, means nice stand, so you go welded metal, then it's show so you'll want nice wood wrap, etc. Then you'll want some nice lighting, not to mention all the filtration and circulation equipment, ect. Also, do you care about "show" underneath" the tank too?
This hobby is fun, but I find it quickly adds up before you know it and wonder what have i done ;-)
Haha I know what you mean. Steel stand is a must. I'm prob going to go 36" tall for the tank. Now regarding lighting, not an expert on it so I will research that. Filtration there are many 125 gallons here for sale for cheap so I will use that as a sump
There is no basement so just crawl space. Before the tank would be bought me and my father would reinforce under the spot where the tank will lay with 2" X 6". The tank will be on an outer perimeter of the house
If you want a 'show tank' think about what you what it to look like first... as in what you want to be the primary focal point of the tank. Do you want it to be the fish, the decor, the sheer size or a stunning peice of nature in the house. From there it will allow you to pick a suitable size (biggest isn't always best for a display tank) and that will dictate cost etc as the tank is always the biggest expense.
When I did my display tank In my living room I knew I wanted a big predator tank based around my fahaka... so a 7ftx2ftx2ft 220g was ideal. With a minimalist wood and rock decor it allowed easy cleaning and for the decor to accentuate the beauty of the main fish (fahaka, oscar, frontosa). This is just my thought process, hope it helps.
When I did my display tank In my living room I knew I wanted a big predator tank based around my fahaka... so a 7ftx2ftx2ft 220g was ideal. With a minimalist wood and rock decor it allowed easy cleaning and for the decor to accentuate the beauty of the main fish (fahaka, oscar, frontosa). This is just my thought process, hope it helps.
Looking for more of "predator" setup, looking to have one nice price of drift wood. I guess add moss to it? Pool filter sand. Fish I already have growing out in a friends tank is a fire eel, flag tail, ( and rtc I am growing out then a lfs will put him into their 1100 gallon display) right now he's about 4" so he's got some time before he goes there
A word of warning on predator set ups... given their inherently aggressive nature you can end up with a lot of hiding fish! I can sometimes only see 1 fish in my 220g (thank god for the oscar) and it's not overly satisfying sometimes. Snakeheads and the ornate birchir may have not been ideal choices of filler fish lol.
Pool filter sand is a good call, I use it and it's cheap and looks great. I Based my decor around one huge ornate piece of bogwood as well, with some lake Malawi rock (bloody expensive!) on one side as a cave for the fahaka. It's simple and looks great!
Make sure you have at least one big focal fish that will be visible (I know nothing about RTC's so this maybe a none issue) as it can get frustrating having too hunt for your fish... and I find this can lead to wishing the whole lot were gone and getting just one big monster!
Pool filter sand is a good call, I use it and it's cheap and looks great. I Based my decor around one huge ornate piece of bogwood as well, with some lake Malawi rock (bloody expensive!) on one side as a cave for the fahaka. It's simple and looks great!
Make sure you have at least one big focal fish that will be visible (I know nothing about RTC's so this maybe a none issue) as it can get frustrating having too hunt for your fish... and I find this can lead to wishing the whole lot were gone and getting just one big monster!
In looking to grow out some smaller rays. I was thinking of doing two rays and some discus, but the discus here are very expensive
Will smaller rays (I have never kept them) be visible enough for a display tank? Discus are wimpy fish and not good choices for a predator tank...they will discolour and hide due to water quality (predators tank are hard to keep perfect) and aggression. There are lots of beautify cichlids that would be better suited.. consider salvini, firemouth or even smaller peacock bass?
I have been considering peacock bass. Friend of mine is selling some, so I'll ask what kind they are, I believe they're either kelberi or mono pbass
