The 240 Is finally up and running (Updated 11-15-10 with new fish)

[Zebvance]

This is the thread from mfk



So I have a couple of threads open on my 240. I bought it about 6 months ago from a criagslister for 250.

Here is the first thread when I got it.
New 240-- First Thread -- http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/fo...d.php?t=289971


It had a broken center brace and I started a thread over me repairing it. It worked out really well. I hope It has help other people with this kind of repair.

Here is the link
240 Repair-- http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/fo...d.php?t=306205


So then I found some MONSTER driftwood for it and here is the thread of me finding it, trimming it, and cleaning it.

Here is the link
Monster driftwood for the 240--
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/fo...d.php?t=323173


AND NOW its finally running. Not as quickly as I would have hoped and its not nearly complete or where i would like for it to be but it is getting there slowly but surly.

FILTRATION- I ended up going with two XP3's I hope to either add one more in the future or a 45 gallon sump I have at my dads.

THE STAND- I found the stand on a local fish form out of Houston. A guy was getting rid of it for 40 bucks. I didn't fill comfortable with how it was built so I beefed it up with a lot more studs and spines, done with 5 inch lag bolts counter sunk. This however is a temporary stand. Me and my dad are working on a Permanent stand for it. It will be done in blond wood and a dark stain. The top will be stained poured concrete. It will be dressed with crown molding and the canopy will be attached by columns that hug the corners of the tank. It will have a lot of storage under it. It will have a 4 foot slide out platform that the sump will sit on. It will slide completely out for easy access. and in the top of the canopy Is where the lights and air pumps will be housed.


THE LIGHTS - I grabbed some high output double tube 48 inch lights for a fish shop in Houston for a fair price. These things were ugly though, But it didn't matter because they were going to be housed up in the canopy and out of sight. However I didn't realized that the stand would take so long to get finished so I made a box for the lights to sit in on top of the tank. Simple, not much to it and i just painted it black.

SUBSTRATE-- I ended up going with pool filter sand because it was so cheap. I eventually want to get black moon sand. Anyway I got 200 pound of sand and I think I might need one more 50 pound bag. I put the sand it a big rubber-made container and shoved a water hose down in the bottom of it and let the water flush the sand for about 15 mins. However I'm thinking that I didn't clean it near as long as I should. The tank is still ver cloudly and It has been 12 hours. Any suggestions? How long does it usually take to settle and clear up?

I think that is about it let me know what wall think!

Here are some pics


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Here are some pics of the tank after it has been running for 12 hours


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[myjohnson]

nice!

The wood work has potential.

But you need to up-grade those booboo filters.

[Zebvance]

what do you mean?

[myjohnson]

Sorry, I missed spelled.

I mean to say....you need to upgrade those filters.

[Zebvance]

:( i just bought them. I plan on adding one more or a 45 gallon sump

[Zebvance]

these are some of the guys that will be going in the tank

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[myjohnson]

Wild mix of fishes.

I like it.

If I had that tank I would put 2 eheim x 2260/62 and a massive wet/dry. The biggest one you can fit under your stand.

My rule of thumb: if you have room under your stand.....then you need more filters.

I see a lot of SA fishes in there. You going for a theme?

[Zebvance]

yup that's pretty much the theme. but my rule of thumb is only spend as much money as you have in your wallet. haha unfortunately that's not a lot haha.

[newb]

You could do some really cool things with that tank. Glad you were able to put that stand to used. another week in my apartment and it was going to the dump!!! Get some Seachem's Purigen for your filters...it will clear all the Tannin's out of the water from the wood.

[Zebvance]

the wood shouldn't leach at all i had it soaking a good bit. I cut a few branches off of it and put them in my 46 gallon and it has leached at all. I will try that if i have any problems though thanks for the info. Btw I don't see how your 240 was being held up by this stand haha. I reinforced it a lot before i tried to put my tank on it. I don't see how 2500 pounds could be held up by six 2x4s and four 1x2s. you had some guts, haha. I'm still interested in a couple more xp2's, xp3's, or xp4's, or a fx5 if they come through ADG for sell so hit me up.

[armthehomeless]

I like the driftwood! Keep it updated with what it looks like after the tank clears up.

[myjohnson]

I actually like the look of dark/brown water from the tannin.

makes it look more natural to a SA biotope.

[Zebvance]

thanks I will

[Zebvance]

Just got done with the second water change. It really Starting to clear up!


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[FrontosaurusRex]

ditch the xp's as soon as possible. You NEED bigger filters. I love the driftwood. That would be a sick Discus or Geophagus tank. Im personally not a fan of mixing all those random fish together but...to each his own. You gonna use plants or rocks? I wouldnt. I think the wood looks super clean all by itself.