Tobi’s contest thread -> 650 gallon build

[Swedgin]

Hope you didn't go to bed crying Tobi
Pat

I did, almost. But from exhaustion rather than anything else. As fun as it is, it took more out of me than I expected.

Though I'm not replying much here, just want to say this thread is so much fun to follow. Enjoyed every updates on the tank Can't wait to see it completed. Love the 3d background !
I always wondered how to circulate the water trapped behind the background, do you use anything for circulating the water ?

Thanks Sanjay, appreciate that.

As for circulation behind the background, 2 of the filters have their outlets turned half into the tank and half into the background. I also have an extra pump I can turn on to move anything behind in the direction of the filter intakes, should any nasty bits accumulate.

Like expected with a newly set up tank, cloudy water and less than happy fish. Tomorrow is a new day and they will be a lot happier

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The angels are already back to their usual bullying, seems the dominant pair can’t help themselves.

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The cories don’t seem to care much, either.

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I’ll update tomorrow with some less cloudy water and less sulky fish.

[Spidy]

A pic with you in front might help give us a sense of scale also.

[Swedgin]

A pic with you in front might help give us a sense of scale also.

I’m too shy. I’ll stick someone else in front of it. Place is still a mess, and I’ve got 2 more tanks to finish

[megatrev62]

Dream tank.

[Swedgin]

Still far from what I’m envisioning, but at least the fish are more active, some still bruised from the catching unfortunately. I way overdid the alder cones and IAL, so the water is a lot darker than I ever wanted. Everything and everyone is brown.

I did however get lucky and my lfs got some interesting fish in, so I’ve reserved a few, mostly Corydoras (davidsandsi, duplicareus, weitzmani, CW010 and really happy about the CW124), also one L264 and 2 L333 “Xingu”.

I’m still debating wether to add tetras, only choice here would be cardinals, and they got a load of large ones in, as well. I think I’ll go for them, they should add a nice contrast.

As mentioned, way darker than it should be and will be:
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[Second Hand Pat]

I think it is perfect Tobi and well worth the effort
Pat

[sanjay21]

This is worth the wait !! I love the tank! so much room for the fish

[Pices]

Oh my! It is everything I imagined it would be and more! I’ll be watching for more of this unveiling.
Patty

[Filip]

Great biotope tank Tobi. It was well worthed the effort

[Swedgin]

This is worth the wait !! I love the tank! so much room for the fish

Oh my! It is everything I imagined it would be and more! I’ll be watching for more of this unveiling.
Patty

Great biotope tank Tobi. It was well worthed the effort

Thanks guys, appreciate the kind words. But as mentioned, nowhere near where it’s supposed to be at some point.
I’m having a hard time finding the right plants, everyone is out of stock.

However, I’ve just come home with some new fish which will go in there after some preemptive treatment and qt:

120 Cardinal Tetras
20 Corydoras davidsandsi
20 Corydoras duplicareus
9 C124
2 L333
1 L264

Also 10 CW010 for the greens tank

[fljones3]

Thanks guys, appreciate the kind words. But as mentioned, nowhere near where it’s supposed to be at some point.
I’m having a hard time finding the right plants, everyone is out of stock.

However, I’ve just come home with some new fish which will go in there after some preemptive treatment and qt:

120 Cardinal Tetras
20 Corydoras davidsandsi
20 Corydoras duplicareus
9 CW124
2 L333
1 L264

Also 10 CW010 for the greens tank

Seeing this brought up a question. With so many new fish, do you QT all in one tank or do you separate by fish type?
BTW, I look forward to your posts. Beautiful tanks and design.

[Swedgin]

Seeing this brought up a question. With so many new fish, do you QT all in one tank or do you separate by fish type?
BTW, I look forward to your posts. Beautiful tanks and design.

Hi Frank,

yes, they are all in the same tank. I removed the heckels from their 190g yesterday, which still has a few cycled filters running. My way of quarantine in this case and most others is that I expose the new fish to my existing environment, but make sure once in they stay separated from all other established stock, i.e. different hoses, nets etc.

When it’s not discus but small dithers like this I like to strike preemptively and treat them with a broad spectrum medication, in this case Esha 2000, to be safe. Once they finished treatment and look fine a week after that, they can go into their destination tank(s).

“Quarantine “ looks like this in my house:

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[fljones3]

I love it. Even the QT looks fantastic. Thanks Swedgin!

[Swedgin]

Some of the fish in the qt right now

L091
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C124
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C. duplicareus on the left, CW010 on the right
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C. davidsandsi on the right
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[JamesW]

Not many tanks make discus look undersized for their environment! Holy cow that is a big tank!!!