Help with my newly aquired 135

[scarab22]

I just bought a tank and stand, and have a few questions:

1. What is the square piece of glass in the middle of the top of the tank, (where the canopy is supposed to go)? See attached pic

2. Where can I buy a canopy to fit a 72" tank with this weird glass in the middle?

3. What filters would be best to use? I plan on keeping mbunas labs, demasoni, peacocks, red zebra, and maybe a few others.

4. The tank came with some of those cheap old fluorescent fixtures, and they don't fit all the way across. So, any lighting recommendations would be appreciatedm as well as where to buy.

Thanks

[SunnyHouTX]

I just bought a tank and stand, and have a few questions:

1. What is the square piece of glass in the middle of the top of the tank, (where the canopy is supposed to go)? See attached pic

It's the tank brace

2. Where can I buy a canopy to fit a 72" tank with this weird glass in the middle?

Any canopy will do because canopies usually sit on the outer edges

3. What filters would be best to use? I plan on keeping mbunas labs, demasoni, peacocks, red zebra, and maybe a few others.

Wet/dry filter and a canister like Eheim 2260/2262 or Fluval FX5

4. The tank came with some of those cheap old fluorescent fixtures, and they don't fit all the way across. So, any lighting recommendations would be appreciatedm as well as where to buy.

Keep an eye on the Equipment For Sale section on this forum for nice deals on lights.

Thanks

My answers in red above.

[Ballinxalex]

I have lights for sale also have filters for sale but sunny is right on the canopy bc it sits on the tank not on the glass part in the middle

[Airjammer]

My answers in red above.

+1

[mnemenoi]

Lighting can be a complicated subject, but in your case it is certainly a bit easier.
1. Any lighting can do without plants or things in the tank needing certain spectrums or wattages.
2. It is entirely up to your eye and taste to determine your choice
3. LED's are more costly, but save money on electricity use.
4. The more intense and stronger the lighting, the better algae can grow. Many use minimal lighting in fish only tanks.
5. My recommendation is some 6500K - 10,000K T5 fixtures. I would recommend hanging 2 double strip 48" T5 fixtures. They will overlap in the center, but this will give you a more centralized area of illumination in the tank. Otherwise a pair/four 30" double T5's can give more even distribution, but can be far more costly. You might have to experimant a bit to achieve the effect you prefer. Another possible option is using spotlights (screw in fixtures with 6500K compact fourescent bulbs) to highlight areas you wish to draw attention to.

[troy tucker]

Thats a nice tank. It will look great all set up. There are lots of ideas here. Do you have the glass tops for it? Looks like your going with Africans. If you need a hand with set up. Let use know...

[scarab22]

Well thank you for all the responses. I do have the glass that goes on top, but they don't fit. These two pieces came with the tank, but if I lay them in place, they hit those little square pieces that are attached to the top of teh tank brace. Not sure what those little squares are supposed to do? I guess I could either buy shorter glass, or have the glass I have cut to fit? As for the lighting, I would like to show off the fish colors, but don't want to spend a lot of money. No plants in tank, but I do want decent light, nothing high end. I still need to buy a canister filter, I'm leaning towards eheim 2260, and a wet/dry as Sunny suggested.

[moganman]

If you need demasoni, shoot me a PM.

[scarab22]

I need everything

Can I start off with just the wet/dry with say 1200 gph, and my fluval 305, (fluval is already in my 55 tank)? and a couple of powerheads which I have as well? I will get two eheim 2217 later if possible. I'm a little low on funds, and need to spend wisely in the beginning. Also, I would like help getting everything set up like Troy mentioned. IS this the right forum for that? I will take pictures so we all know it actually happened.

I have lights for sale also have filters for sale but sunny is right on the canopy bc it sits on the tank not on the glass part in the middle