The end of a era, and new beginnings

[tommy_zito]

Hello all!!!!

Today i tore down my 75 Gallon Cichlid tank. It was awesome, i've had a lot of fun, and heartbreak with this tank. It was my first tank, and Cichlids were the only choice being that i couldn't bring my self to do salt water on the cost factor, and my lack of knowledge on aquariums. Yes i made my mistakes from how much i feed to what type of conditioner i used. However i learned from all of them. here is a picture of its last night harmony.

Dont get to alarmed, im not out of the hobby, nor am i throwing in the towel on in my opinion the most relaxing hobby out there.

Today i purchased a 72 Gallon Bowfront. This time i am taking more time and paying more attention to every thing, from lighting, to substrate, to pretty much every thing. Im going to be keeping only Lake Malawi Cichlids.

Here is what ive done today, Cleaned the $h!t out of the tank (last owner didnt take care of the tank besides add water for like 6 months really nasty when i tore it down) added 80lbs of crushed coral, slate, river rocks. im using a Magnum 350 canister filter, ran my air line, filled and started heating it up.

Its a lot cloudy at the moment but here are some photos.

I'm going to uses this thread as a tool to keep track of what ive done to the tank, and i'm always open to suggestions. Please if your input is constructive dont hold back, please share your knowledge with me. I will be posting updates as often as i can (or when something changes with the tank) Hope you all enjoy and please subscribe!

 

[tommy_zito]

Ok, not even a week into the tank, but the dust has setteled, and the tank is looking really really good. I threw a used filter cartrage from my small 10g, also put a small convict cichlid in there to help start the cycle. so far so good, water is staying just above 85 degrees. I tested the water a couple times and here is where im at.

Ammonia- .50ppm
Nitrite- .25ppm
Nitrate- 5.0ppm
PH- 8.0

Not quite sure why or how i already have Nitrate, but im sure ill figure it out, or deal with it.

Also last night i ordered a Corallife lunar aqua light, cant wait to put that puppy on and see the moonlight led's in action. Today im going to find my background, and im thinking just a black one, as well as i need to get some handles and other things for my stand. Well here are some pictures after the dust settled.

 

[mrfuzz]

Looks awesome dude!

Just a hunch for your Nitrates. could be from the bacteria on the crushed coral.

Reasons for the T5 lighting though? I think it may be too bright.

 

[tommy_zito]

Looks awesome dude!

Just a hunch for your Nitrates. could be from the bacteria on the crushed coral.

Reasons for the T5 lighting though? I think it may be too bright.

Thanks for the heads up! being some what of a noob to coral, is there any thing else i should know about it????

And im not going to run both of the 10000K daylight bulbs, im going to try with 1 and then 3 colormax bulbs, or just 4 colormax bulbs. Honestly i didnt want a 4 bulb light i only wanted a 2 bulb, but wanting to go with Corallife, and wanting the blue moon light led's almost forced me into it....i guess i could just unplug some bulbs if need be...

 

[tommy_zito]

Here is a picture i just took with the background freshly on....I think the all black looks simple and it hides my filter and heater cord pretty well.

 

[Brian_Indiana]

I like your rock formation. Good thing you added the background. Based on your earlier pictures, I was going to suggest it!

Your set-up looks good.

 

[mike_sema]

looking good witch Corallife lunar aqualight di you get the PC or T5 I have the 48in PC 4x65 what a great light

 

[tommy_zito]

Thanks guys, my uncle actually did the rocks. And the light is the corallife lunar aqualight its over doing it a bit but it will look nice with just the color max bulbs

 

[tommy_zito]

I actually got the light just for the lunar aqua lights. I may only end up running 2 t5 bulbs being it's a 4x54 light

 

[tommy_zito]

ONE WEEK MARK!

OK so first off HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!!! It's 5AM on christmas eve, i have to take the girlfriend to work at 9 then running around all day tieing up all my loose ends for christmas! I know im gonna see all you dudes in the mall giving high fives saying to our selves "I know why he's here" lol!!!

Any ways I haven't tested the water since i posted the water conditions last, im not testing as often on this tank as i did on my first only because it makes the process that much slower for me....i dont like waiting but with this i have no choice....should have the new lighting on Tuesday next week, and will post pictures as soon as i get them...also will be trying to test the water today, and will post results......