Audrey's Aquatic Oasis: "Go big or go home - 220 gallon build for my 3 year old!"

[justin-branam]

The story goes like this: I used to have lots of fish tanks, among other various reptiles and amphibians. My favorite was my 125 gallon reef setup, with hard corals, clams, etc. Fast forward 10 years. I am married, have a daughter who will soon be three, but the only animal currently in our house is a 90 pound German Shepherd (aka, the fur factory). However, my daughter got a 10 gallon fish tank in her classroom at school. She loves it and drags mommy to see the fishies and the froggy every time she gets picked up. I made the comment to the wife, "why don't we get a fish tank for the house?", to which she agreed. I may have left out the part about what size tank I was going to get. But, as they say, it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission, haha!

The plan is to end up with a low tech planted tank housing schools of tetras, small barbs, shrimp, and of course, a frog or two. After searching the forums and craigslist, I found a beautiful 220 gallon Oceanic tank. I figure I have 7 feet of wall space to work with, so at 6 feet wide, the wife can't say I took up the entire wall! I will be picking it up this weekend, and the setup is as follows:

-220 gallon Oceanic aquarium (72” x 24” x 30”)

-Custom welded metal stand and custom built top

-Fluval FX5 canister filter (I am going to see if this suffices, and will add a second one down the road if necessary)

-200 pounds Black Diamond Blasting Sand - fine grit (from tractor supply)


QUESTION TIME!!! I hate to say, but after all of the time out of the aquarium hobby, I have forgot quite a few things. I have done a bunch of goolgling and forum reading, but wanted to verify a few things that I have found to be inconsistent.

Starting out, I hate to admit I have forgot how to properly cycle a tank. Will it benefit me to get some filter media from an existing setup, to help expedite the cycle? Do any of the "magic" chemicals actually work (or just some pure amonia to start, and if so, how much)? I assume my Houston tap water is okay? Do I need to treat the water with any conditioner?

For lighting, I was thinking of going with two 36” Finnex Planted+ 24/7 LED lights. For now, can I start with one, and add second later on when I add the plants?

For the substrate, do I need to mix in any type of eco complete or other enriched substrate, or can I just pick plants that will allow me to use liquid fertilizer, and fish/shrimp that can tolerate slightly harder water? Should I add anything else down before the substrate for the shrimp? I have seen a few videos of people sprinkling certain powders they say are needed for healthy shrimp growth.

I think that covers everything for now. I plan on keeping track and posting pictures for everyone.

And this is what an excited youngster looks like when you tell her, "Daddy is getting a fish tank for our house!"


Here is the aquarium wall for the "20 gallon aquarium", lol.

[agamberutti]

I have the exact same tank, and fx5 won't be enough unless you are very lightly stocked. This is an eheim 2260 and fx6. I'm getting ready to swap out the fx6 for an eheim 2262.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[Austy16414]

Very cool story, your daughter looks happy as can be. I'll try to help with the questions I can.

For starters, I recommend getting an extra filter before you set it up. In time you'll need another so you might as well get it done now, if you're able to, of course. Canister-wise, another FX5/6 or Eheim 2260/62 should do the trick, but you could also invest in a sump, which I can be of no help with.

As far as cycling, finding established media is the easiest way, but I've also had great success with Seachem's Stability if you end up needing chemicals. You should also grab a test kit so that you can monitor the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels; this is the surest method of tracking your tank's cycle.

Most of Houston's tap water is naturally very hard, so you'll probably make your life a lot easier by choosing hardwater species if you can. Plants, shrimp, and softwater aren't my strengths, but I'm sure others will weigh in. Best of luck and hope this helps!

[justin-branam]

Very cool story, your daughter looks happy as can be. I'll try to help with the questions I can.

For starters, I recommend getting an extra filter before you set it up. In time you'll need another so you might as well get it done now, if you're able to, of course. Canister-wise, another FX5/6 or Eheim 2260/62 should do the trick, but you could also invest in a sump, which I can be of no help with.

As far as cycling, finding established media is the easiest way, but I've also had great success with Seachem's Stability if you end up needing chemicals. You should also grab a test kit so that you can monitor the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels; this is the surest method of tracking your tank's cycle.

Most of Houston's tap water is naturally very hard, so you'll probably make your life a lot easier by choosing hardwater species if you can. Plants, shrimp, and softwater aren't my strengths, but I'm sure others will weigh in. Best of luck and hope this helps!

Sounds like I'll be getting that second filter sooner rather than later, haha! I don't really want to do a sump since the tank isn't drilled. If it was, I would have already planned that, since I'm used to that setup from the reef tank.

I am definitely going to try to find someone nearby with some media I can borrow to seed mine.


I really want to do shrimp (no discus or anything though). Any way to easily soften the water? I used to run an RO/DI unit for all my saltwater, but I've read that will remove all of the nutrients the plants will need.

[agamberutti]

You can do cherry shrimp in out tap and they will be fine.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[Austy16414]

CRS can definitely thrive in our tap, and I believe most Neocaridina species should also work

[Austy16414]

From my understanding, gathered almost completely from mRoy, the easiest way to soften your water is by using a buffering substrate and strictly RO water. If you don't continuously use RO water, the tap water will exhaust the subtrate's buffering capabilities, which could cause your pH to swing

[justin-branam]

From my understanding, gathered almost completely from mRoy, the easiest way to soften your water is by using a buffering substrate and strictly RO water. If you don't continuously use RO water, the tap water will exhaust the subtrate's buffering capabilities, which could cause your pH to swing

I've heard with freshwater, using RO will remove all of the nutrients you need for the plants, requiring you to add them back in. I guess I'd rather stick with being able to use tap water for my water changes, than having to setup an RO system (did that with my saltwater tank years ago). And since I already bought my blasting sand substrate, I guess I'll stick with the hardier stuff that doesn't need a good ph buffer. And yeah, CRS's will give me some nice color, and that may be the only kind of shrimp I go with anyways. Thanks!

[justin-branam]

Update: 3-20-2016

Got the substrate (Black Diamond blasting sand), the tank, stand, top and filter today. Also got a few nice pieces of driftwood. The youngster is super excited!

Hopefully, I will get the sand and driftwood all rinsed off, and get the filters cleaned and hooked up this week sometime. Maybe even get some water in the tank!. Still need to get some lights, and probably a heater.

[ptran]

Tuning in...

[justin-branam]

Update: 3-21-16

I added my Snap-On LED shop light on the tank, just to get an idea of what it will look like lit up. LED's are hard to photograph, but I am very surprised how bright this thing is! It definitely isn't full spectrum, but for $40, it might be some great additional lighting, or a great idea for someone with a non planted tank.

I did however go ahead and order two 36" Finnex Planted+ 24/7 lights. Got them both for $200 shipped, and I can always return them if I don't like them. I'll probably add an extra one or two down the road, if I like them.

[Austy16414]

Coming along nicely, and quick! I think you'll be happy with your choice in not fighting pH. Much simpler and easier to enjoy the setup

[justin-branam]

Update: 3-21-16

Got the sand rinsed off and in the tank, one piece of driftwood set in (the only one that will currently sink), and put in some water. Went ahead and marked the water level, and I will check it out tomorrow. I had an "incident" many years ago with a leaking tank, and learned to NEVER fill a tank up all the way at first, haha!

I also included a picture of the side, so you can see the custom cow print. I actually like it a lot, and think it matches my house pretty well.

[ptran]

Maybe fill it up and watch it for a while. You gotta fill it up sooner or later.

[justin-branam]

Update: 3-23-2016

No change in the water level after 24 hours, so I went ahead and filled it up the rest of the way. The driftwood I thought was good to go, popped up and is now floating, haha! I got the Fluval FX5 up and running with a fine filter pad, to start clearing up the water up.

LED lights will be here on Thursday. I will probably go ahead and buy an inline heater as well, as I don't think the filter pumps are going to be enough to keep me over 75 degrees ( I keep my house around 71-72 year round).

I am planning on picking up an additional Fluval FX6 on Friday. Hoping to get some seed material from someone this weekend, to get my bacteria cycle kick started. With any luck, I will get the driftwood pieces I have to sink. I am also going to try to get a few nice large rocks this weekend. It is starting to come together!

Pictures are of the filled tank (with my trusty steed who did nothing to help in the process), and of the sandy bottom which clearly needs to be slightly agitated to clean the fine dirt particles that have settled.