And so it begins

[SunnyHouTX]

I thought that the 55 gal tank I got from my neighbor back in February of this year was as big a tank as I'd need... Was I ever wrong!



The assorted Malawis I had in that tank are getting big so I decided to go to a bigger tank. Ended up getting this 125 gal and stand from jhenry a couple of weeks ago and other parts from rrocket, algarciajr and contreras so that I can set this up nice. Thanks guys for the deals and tips!

Picked up some black star rock for the 125 gal and some carolina bronze rock for the 55 gal from Alamo last Friday. Also got some filter sand for both tanks.

Currently, I have about 15 malawis in the 55 gal which will all go in the big tank along with beefyg's peacocks. I've for some T. Lufubu's lined up for the 55 gal when it gets done cycling. I will also have some blue crawfish and bristle nose plecos performing clean up duties in both tanks.



I will be cleaning and setting up the 125 gal this week as time permits and transfer all the fish into it so that I can start working on the 55 gal.

I'm glad to be a member of this very informative forum and will be posting photos as I go. Thanks for looking!

[fshfrk]

Very nice tank. Can't wait to see it set up.

[sunkenmetal]

That cray fish is pretty....

You can never have a big enough tank lol the only thing stopping me is wife says NO lol...

[SunnyHouTX]

Thanks guys!

@sunkenmetal: I know what you mean man. I really like the "presence" of the 125 gal and I've seen jhenry's 180 gal. Pretty neat stuff for a newb like myself. But the GF enjoys my hobby, well I should say she enjoys looking at the finished product LOL so she's fine with it. I've put it out there that I'll eventually go for a 300+ gal tank in a couple of years and so far she's cool with that.

Update:

Letting the FX5 and 1300 gph powerhead do their thing Shouldn't too long before I introduce a couple of test fish in.



Looks like the mod I did to the stand is holding up:



The stand can hold a 24" wide tank, 180 gal maybe, but this tank is only 18" deep so I spent a couple of bucks and made it work. Ended up with nice 6" ledge/shelf (stain matched to the rest of the stand) in the front rather than have a big gap in the back.

[SunnyHouTX]

Things are moving along nicely.

Before, around 8:15 pm:



After, around 10:30 pm:



And some detail shots of the black star rocks:

[sunkenmetal]

Tank looks awesome where did you get the rock?

lol wait till your married everything changes.............

[jhenry]

Looking good. Glad to see it's working out for you

[SunnyHouTX]

Lol, you might be right.

Alamo stone company on S Kirkwood is where I got the rocks. Very reasonable prices.

[sunkenmetal]

Lol, you might be right.

Alamo stone company on S Kirkwood is where I got the rocks. Very reasonable prices.

I am right lol It's a trap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

alamo stone i know exactly where that is

[SunnyHouTX]

Thanks Justin. Thanks for your help. I might need your phone support setting up that wet/dry in a couple of weeks.

[SunnyHouTX]

Sunken, ask for "black star boulders". They are in the back lot.

[sunkenmetal]

Sunken, ask for "black star boulders". They are in the back lot.

Thanks for the info......!

Are they granite?

[SunnyHouTX]

Pretty sure they are, but I'm no landscaper so I might be wrong lol

[algarciajr]

I like the rock and sand combination, btw if you still have your 55 gallon running you can use that tank to help cycle your new tank faster.

[SunnyHouTX]

Yes I do in fact and I was thinking about doing that. The only way I can think of is using one of the hob filters on the big tank. What method do you use/recommend?