New tank purchase

[jarrodaden]

By nature, I am extremely analytical and agonize over the simplest decisions. My new tank purchase which should be a pleasure is already causing me heartburn.

I am looking for a 125, possibly 150 and stand.

I currently have an Eheim ECCO Pro and Eheim 2217. I also have a large wet dry in the garage which I might use.

I am attempting to keep this purchase fairly economical, but if I am getting a new tank, I want to do it right. I currently have cichlids, but I want to maintain flexibility with the tank in case I decide to change it up later.

Here is what I am struggling with

1) I am a tall guy, so I want the front pane of the tank relatively high off the ground.
2) I would like to keep components etc. out of the tank to keep a clean look. That said, I am really worried about the noise from a wet / dry. My wife is very aware when the current tank is noisy.
3) Undergravel filter - I have never used one before and I would appreciate input.
4) Lighting - I don't want to be married to glass tops. On the 150 tall I was looking at, there are two crossbars. According to the guy I spoke to, twin lights would have to set on the center glass top. Not fond of this idea.

With these parameters, give me suggestions of what you would buy and how you would set it up. For now, I am hoping to buy a tank, stand, and lights only. Thank you in advance for the feedback.

[Mzungu]

1) I am a tall guy, so I want the front pane of the tank relatively high off the ground.

Have you considered a custom-made stand? You could have it made to your own specifications.

2) I would like to keep components etc. out of the tank to keep a clean look. That said, I am really worried about the noise from a wet / dry. My wife is very aware when the current tank is noisy.

How about drilling holes in the bottom and plumbing the tank from there with your eheims? If possible, though maybe not because you said you're not looking to spend a lot of money, I would think about getting a larger eheim. That way you would only have to drill two holes.

Wet/dry's are very noisy. I don't like them.

3) Undergravel filter - I have never used one before and I would appreciate input.

If you're looking for a clean look, an undergravel filter is not the way to go.

4) Lighting - I don't want to be married to glass tops. On the 150 tall I was looking at, there are two crossbars. According to the guy I spoke to, twin lights would have to set on the center glass top. Not fond of this idea.

I'm not sure what you mean by this. Why are you not fond of the idea?

[Darbex]

1) I am a tall guy, so I want the front pane of the tank relatively high off the ground.
+1 on custom stand. Contact Justin at Custom Aquarium Cabinets
2) I would like to keep components etc. out of the tank to keep a clean look. That said, I am really worried about the noise from a wet / dry. My wife is very aware when the current tank is noisy.
If done right they arent that bad. On my big tank you hear the pump more than you hear the water. Just make sure the intake pipe is high up so the cascading water doesnt have to fall that much and put bio-bale in to soften its fall.
3) Undergravel filter - I have never used one before and I would appreciate input.
I hate UGF. Not a clean look either. Make sure you get a inline heater as well. Hydors are good or if you use a wet/dry then you can put your heater in there.
4) Lighting - I don't want to be married to glass tops. On the 150 tall I was looking at, there are two crossbars. According to the guy I spoke to, twin lights would have to set on the center glass top. Not fond of this idea.
+1 Not sure what you mean. Most tanks have a center brace and depending on the length you can get one long light strip or two short ones that will rest on the center brace.

[jarrodaden]

Re # 4 - There are two center braces and not one. Therefore two 3' lights would meet in the middle where there is no brace.

[freespool]

Eheim 2260 under a drilled tank. Tank stand custome made to about 36"-40" bottom hight with tank being 30" high. This is what you are looking for. There, my work is done. Good luck on the economical part, afterall it is an aquarium.

[Darbex]

I wouldnt get the tank with two center braces. Not only will you have a problem with the lights but getting the rocks and scape in and out of the tank would be a pain with two braces.

[jarrodaden]

Do they make a 6' long tank with a single cross member? None of the ones I am looking at come like that.

[Darbex]

Yes. I had a 125G that did and my 330G has only one center brace

[armthehomeless]

There should be plenty of 6 foot tanks with only one brace:

http://www.deepseaaquatics.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=91&Itemid=118

[Zebvance]

They also make 72 inch lights, Which are not cheap however. So that kinda kills you going the cheap route. If you got a canopy made however you wouldnt have to worry about the lights because they would be out of sight and you could put any kind of lights you want in it.

[jarrodaden]

They also make 72 inch lights, Which are not cheap however. So that kinda kills you going the cheap route. If you got a canopy made however you wouldnt have to worry about the lights because they would be out of sight and you could put any kind of lights you want in it.

Canopies are pricey, but I think this is the answer to my lighting problems.

[jarrodaden]

Tank bought! Delivery tomorrow. Totally stoked.

[freespool]

post up picks of your build. look forward to seeing the new tank