One way of doing a Bare Bottom Display Tank - 125 gallon

[DonMD]

I used to keep a sand substrate in my 125 gallon tank, but I think that's how I scratched the inside of the glass so much. I turned the tank around about 15 months ago, and now keep it bare bottom. I'm sort-of happy with it, but one thing is for sure, it's a LOT EASIER to keep clean!

http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr204/dellenberger/2015-02-06%20Display%20Tank/IMG_0599_zpsoypfcvih.jpg
http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr204/dellenberger/2015-02-06%20Display%20Tank/IMG_0600_zpsdscpeij3.jpg
http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr204/dellenberger/2015-02-06%20Display%20Tank/IMG_0587_zpsons0kzqi.jpg

I used manzanita (manzanita-driftwood.com), trimmed it up to remove most of the sharp points, and turned it upside down. I also have rocks from universalrocks.com.

http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr204/dellenberger/2015-02-06%20Display%20Tank/IMG_0595_zpsogr6gs8b.jpg
http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr204/dellenberger/2015-02-06%20Display%20Tank/IMG_0588_zpser4gqabf.jpg

Of the discus, only four were purchased, all the others were bred and raised by me. A couple of them are only 9 months old.
http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr204/dellenberger/2015-02-06%20Display%20Tank/IMG_0594_zpswymtbau1.jpg
http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr204/dellenberger/2015-02-06%20Display%20Tank/IMG_0593_zpscegvho7m.jpg
http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr204/dellenberger/2015-02-06%20Display%20Tank/IMG_0590_zpsbsr8prts.jpg
http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr204/dellenberger/2015-02-06%20Display%20Tank/IMG_0589_zpscbv6phzr.jpg

The lights are LED from Buildmyled.com. Since this 125 gallon tank has three glass lids, I decided to get three 24-inch lights. Two lights are on one timer, the other is on a different timer. This way I can sort of simulate gradual lightening or darkening from day to night. The LEDs are slanted to the red side, and I've been feeding these fish with Al's color enhancing freeze dried black worms.

http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr204/dellenberger/2015-02-06%20Display%20Tank/IMG_0602_zpsmt5nsivd.jpg
http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr204/dellenberger/2015-02-06%20Display%20Tank/IMG_0601_zps2hmgrzda.jpg

This tank has connections inside the cabinet for two syphon drains, and one supply from my water storage barrel downstairs, operated with remote control to a pump. Easy to drain, easy to fill with heated, aged water.

Thanks for looking. -Don

[Second Hand Pat]

That is a great setup Don and the fish look awesome. I am planning to buy led fixtures for my two large tanks from buildmyled also.

[ericNH]

Beautiful tank, beautiful fish - Thanks for sharing! Gives me ideas about my own tank...

[Wes]

Don, you have a Beautiful bare bottom............................................ .................................................. ...........................................tank


Kidding aside the fish and the tank do look great.:)

[MKD]

Simply beautiful tank and discus, Don. Bare bottom is way too go for me too.

[farebox]

Hi Don, love your tank. I also have an 125G tank with 72" Red Focus 5000K light from Build My Led. Well a few days ago decided to dump the sand and go back to bare bottom. Agree 100% about the ease of cleaning. Fell back in love with my tank and went and ordered an Emperor Aquatics Smart Lite 40 Watt UV sterilizer.

[John_Nicholson]

Nice.

-john

[Kirbs]

Nice tank Don!

How do you keep the wood standing up? It looks like you trimmed so it is freestanding

Looks good!

[dpt8]

Beautiful discus and tank.. Great idea.. Mind if I copy that :0)

[Herbicidal]

Awesome display Don! The Discus are gorgeous! The BuildMyLED lights really make the colors pop. :thumbsup: As mentioned in my thread, I'm going with the Fish Focus Red 5000K also but with a single 72" unit. My aquarium is so dim right now compared to yours. :( That will all change in about 2 weeks. I can hardly wait!

Nice job on raising the Discus too! That is no small feat. Some day I would like to try my hand at that. Thanks for posting up the pictures.

[discuspaul]

Wood set-up is quite unique, Don - very nice !

[DonMD]

Thanks everyone for all the great comments. Much appreciated. -Don

[Rudustin]

Lovely tank Don. And beautiful fish! Rufus

[Tankster]

Don, love it! Great inspiration for me.

[Jason F]

Very nice setup you have there!

[Freshisbetter]

Great set up. It must be very rewarding to see so many fish that you have grown out or raised yourself.

[pcsb23]

Hard to fault that Don :)

[Lilly]

Beautiful Don....Fish ,tank and cabinet....love them all;)

[DonMD]

Nice tank Don!

How do you keep the wood standing up? It looks like you trimmed so it is freestanding

Looks good!

They are freestanding. The original manzanita I bought was much longer than the height of the tank. I trimmed the pieces so that they stand up, sort of like a tripod, so they don't fall over. I suppose I could turn them around so that they look like they're growing up, instead of faux roots, maybe I'll give that a try just for a change LOL. They still shouldn't fall over . . .

[YSS]

Don, the tank and fish look great. However, I still prefer the look of substrate in the tank. Here's a business idea. Someone should start making 3D bottom for tanks.

[DonMD]

Don, the tank and fish look great. However, I still prefer the look of substrate in the tank. Here's a business idea. Someone should start making 3D bottom for tanks.

Yun, I had thought of that. The idea of having a bottom that appears natural, but is really an epoxy or hard surface, would sure appeal to me.

[discuspaul]

Don, the tank and fish look great. However, I still prefer the look of substrate in the tank. Here's a business idea. Someone should start making 3D bottom for tanks.


Yun, I had thought of that. The idea of having a bottom that appears natural, but is really an epoxy or hard surface, would sure appeal to me.

I think Yun's idea is great - if it was done professionally to look like the real thing (whatever you wished to duplicate) I think it would be a real winner !

[jimg]

Real Nice Don!!!

[DonMD]

Real Nice Don!!!

Hey, Jim, good to hear from you. Where've you been hiding out lately? Haven't seen you on the forum.

[jimg]

Hi Don
I've been building old fords again.
I got down to the 180 with the altums and heckles. have couple tanks of bnp I need to get rid of then I'll be at a managable 1 tank. $350. a month just for elec. I can't seem to justify anymore!
I'm glad to see all has been going good your way, nice tank, nice fish, doesn't get any better!
we'll have to get another party going soon too.

[ayobreezie]

Simple and clean.

[Disgirl]

This is a great thread, I have only just now had a few minutes to read through it. We are in the process of moving right now, what a job. But at least I got my tanks and fish all moved, during frigid weather no less. Great tank Don!
Barb

[jawfish]

Very nice Don . The discus look good, the tank also. I love what you did with the wood. I'm definettly going to do the same on my 150.

Cheers,

Fred

[mbruizer187]

Nice looking tank, and fish, I hope to be there someday!

Rich

[Larry Grenier]

Yep, looking great Don and I'm one of the lucky ones to see your tank in-person. Are my fish's parents in that group? Kids lookin' good BTW.