330 Gallon tank

[darbex]

Well I finally got the tank of my dreams. Upon permission from the Goddess herself (wife). Had it delivered on Saturday and boy is it big. I didnt have much time to work on it Saturday just a little cleaning. I was working on it most of the day on Sunday. I put the wet/dry together, installed the panels, installed most of the bulk heads and checked those for seal leaks, put my Manzanita wood together and put on the canopy. I still have to have the cabinet maker come and finish the canopy since I am going to make this a room divider tank similar to my 140G. I also have to have him install some panels on the back of the tank so you dont see the stand on the back. I need to remove the black paint on the back of the tank, finish the last bulkhead, pour substrate and plants, and finally fill the tank. I hope to have this done by Tuesday but we will see. Here are some pics that I have so far of my progress. We originally had the tank on the right side of my living room but didnt like the way it looked so a couple of friends helped me move it to the other side. Actually it wasnt that bad considering the tank weighs about 700lbs. It was harder to move my 140 out of the way. I plan on making this a more biotope with just sand with dirt patches for some Amazon swords and anubias here and there. I will put some of the Almond leaves I get in a few choice spots to give it the leaf litter look.

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/P1030435.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/P1030437.jpg

[Ibanez540r]

Yeah That's a big boy! That's awesome, I always wanted a really big tank, but so much time in the fishroom my display tank in the living portion of the house has been neglected, so it'll have to wait.

I'm assuming your going to scrape the black and just leave it see through to the other room? Should look great. Posted some updated PICS when it's done.

[darbex]

Thanks for the complement. Yeah I plan on scraping the paint from the back tonight.

[Lytehouse]

Oh man, how awesome is that.

Congrats. Look forward to your progress.

[Justice]

Very nice I cant wait to see what you do with it.

[Islesfan]

That's some tank, its going to look great dividing the room. Please post pictures with your progress.

[Jstuver]

Very nice I am jealous, what are the dimensions?

[hedut]

That is very HUGE tank, I so jealous. can't wait the update with some fish:D:D:D

[gotfish?]

imagining myself bring home a tank that size...id be kick out of my place tomo morning! haha

[tdo]

that tank looks amazing! i like the wood layout too

[target]

That is a nice tank. I can't wait until I have the space for something like that

[darbex]

Sorry guys was offline yesterday working on the tank. I didnt take pics I will tonight. I put down the substrate and placed a couple of rocks down and laid my almond leaves. I started working on the paint on the back. I knew it was going to take patience but man. I only got about 10% done and got too tired. I went to Home Depot and picked up a couple of paint scrapers so hopefully that will speed it up. Thanks all for the complements.

[darbex]

The dimensions are 72" x 30" x 36". I figured if anything dies in there and it doesnt float it will become part of the substrate because there is no way I can reach the bottom

[Harriett]

Ebay...scuba gear...good investment! LOL Great tank, will watch and see what you do with it. Have a great time!!!
Harriett

[darbex]

Here are the updated pics. Had to reseal one of the bulkheads forgot to clean and re-apply silicone. Also drained it to replant and fix the wood. I adjusted the outlet from the wet/dry to point toward the front glass and now there isnt much movement were my plants are so they arent bent over coming out. I also put more soil on them to help steady them. As for water changes with this thing probably 50% every third day but we will see. I will have to fix the almond leaves as some are all up in the plants and I want them laying on the sand but since I just got done I will worry about it later. I also lost one of my baby discus in the move. He over dramatized what was going on and I treated him the best in the move. My wife says I can't get anymore for a month.

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/P1030439.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/P1030441.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/P1030442.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/P1030443.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/P1030444.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/P1030445.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/P1030446.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/P1030447.jpg

[darbex]

This morning the tetras really seem to love it they are schooling really nicely

[Lytehouse]

Way cool. As it clears and fish get happy this is really going to be spectacular. Great job.

[Scribbles]

Nice looking tank.

Chris

[TankWatcher]

Ah, that is one dream tank. Lucky you :)

[mvpsol]

wow.. now thats a tank!!!! best of luck...

[darbex]

Thanks. My pleco is messing things up. He is digging a bunker under one of my stones and since I set it on the bottom he cant fit but he keeps trying to bury himself.

[Cooldadddyfunk286]

thats one hell of a tank man! ahhh, would love to have a tank that big ;)

[discusluvr818]

Awesome tank. What strain of discus are those? Very nice indeed.

[frenchie100]

That is a beautiful tank, BUT you need way more of those wilds in there, LOL! :D

Julie :)

[Acro]

Beautiful set up.Tell us about the lighting. :confused:

[darbex]

There are two 160 watt bulbs. I plan on either getting another pair or uping it to MH fixtures if I can get the funds. The tank is coming out great. All of the IAL have settled to the bottom and the water is turning a light tea color. I will snap some new pics as soon as my cabinet maker finishes the canopy so I can get the full effect of the tank.

[dpt8]

Great job.. love em' Where did you buy the wilds ?? Must take a LOT to cycle 330 gls. Have fun. David T

[darbex]

Great job.. love em' Where did you buy the wilds ?? Must take a LOT to cycle 330 gls. Have fun. David T

Probably would but I used filter media from another tank and I transfered one of my pumps from my old 140G tank so no cycle needed.

[darbex]

I got the wilds from HAW. Local to me always has great discus. I need to get more but wife put a moratorium for a month since we shelled out a lot of money on this

[discusjoe27]

wow my jaw drop that is a nice tank. two thumbs up :thumbup: :thumbsup:

[2075turner]

I agree with everyone...very nice tank that I would love to have...same problem here as the hubby in my case has put an end to my tank purchases, LOL

[darbex]

I just picked up some lights. It has 3 400w MH and 2 T12. It is a beast thats around 1.5kw

[Leaffan72]

Beautiful tank!

[darbex]

I had a local cabinet maker finish my canopy, build a back panel since this tank is now a room divder, and build a cover panel for my overflow box so that you cant see the inside. Here are the updated pics.

Here is the back panel that Justin (local carpenter next to HAW) made for me
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/P1030643.jpg
The overflow box cover is the top left piece. Here is a straight shot of it.
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/P1030644.jpg
New canopy front with doors
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/P1030645.jpg
Here is how the doors open
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/P1030646.jpg
I was trying to take a pic of the shimmering effect that the new MH are creating but didnt work. But the effect is awesome.
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/P1030647.jpg
Just a close up
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/P1030649.jpg
Here is a pics of the underside 2262 on the left and MH ballasts on the right
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/P1030651.jpg
Wet/dry Iwaki pump
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/P1030652.jpg
And finally the huge sump
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/P1030653.jpg

[Lytehouse]

Very, very nice job.

Cabinetry looks great, nice call.

You've really done well.

[darbex]

thanks

[Matt in Houston]

Great job, looks very spacious in there! How many discus are you going to keep?

Will look even better when your plants grow in...those swords really have some room to spread their wings. Keep us posted!

[poconoboss]

Hahaha...you're watching dancing with the stars. :lickin:

[darbex]

Hahaha...you're watching dancing with the stars. :lickin:

Wife was intently watching that. I dont understand the point in that show. Anyways. I plan on only keeping maybe 10-12 but I will get a bunch more Rummys and cardinals. I plan on having about 70-80 of each.

[roclement]

Nice tank!

Just a tought, you might want to move those ballasts away from the filter, they generate a lot of heat, and also are prime candidates for electric fires if they get wet.

Rod

[darbex]

That is the only place that I can put them. I was thinking about making a small shelf to put one or two of them on but it would still be on that side.

[rickztahone]

That is the only place that I can put them. I was thinking about making a small shelf to put one or two of them on but it would still be on that side.

you can make a tier shelf where they wouldn't be on the ground at least. with that setup you can stack them and they would be further away from the filter.

[Lytehouse]

How's everybody doing in the tank?

[Billy Vu]

That is one AWSOME tank! I'm just curious, how much does a tank like that cost?

Cheers,
Billy

[DocB]

I hope your on a concrete slab.
The water alone weighs almost 3,000 lbs!

[darbex]

Sorry been off for a little while. I have decided to switch back to non-wilds as they are more personal and interactive with me than the wilds have been. I havent decided which ones I want was thinking about something in the Turq strain.

[darbex]

That is one AWSOME tank! I'm just curious, how much does a tank like that cost?

Cheers,
Billy

I got a really good deal on when a local aquarium company was moving and this was one of their show tanks there are a few scratches but not to bad IMO. I think new it would run upwards of 4K with cabinet, canopy, and lights. Also the tank is on a concrete slab but I have been told that I could have put it on the second story if it wouldnt have been so hard to get up there. The tank filled probably weighs about 2 tons

[rwong2k]

very nice tank, can't wait to see more updates

330, wow that's a dream for me, i currently have a 100 gallon, probably get a 180 next but 330! that's awesome!

[darbex]

Thanks. I will have to snap some pics. I havent done anything to it. I am still waiting on some new discus and need to go get some more tetras

[DocB]

Also the tank is on a concrete slab but I have been told that I could have put it on the second story if it wouldnt have been so hard to get up there. The tank filled probably weighs about 2 tons

NO do Not put this in any questionable structural situation.
I dont know the exact dimensions but you dont know the exact construction underneath.
I am an Architect and would have serious doubts about the structural integrity of this above a framed floor. Your on a slab, but for others - don't try this at home!
All that being said - this tank may be worthy of moving to a first floor slab home!;)

[darbex]

Does anyone use peat? I just got some peat to add to the tank filtration to lower pH and give it more of a darker color water. How much should I use for my tank?

[Tropheus]

Couldn't agree more about the structural integrity of a framed home with wood beam. Anything over 125lbs should never be on a 2nd floor. It's not static weight and over time, gravity will be the enemy and cause all kinds of problems with sag being the first obvious sign of pending disaster.

The almond leaves are a nice touch. Any reason why you chose those leaves? Do they not degrade in the water over time? Just curious, I like them.

[darbex]

IAL do degrade but to me the more closely resemble the type of leaves that would be in the region

[Eddie]

IAL do degrade but to me the more closely resemble the type of leaves that would be in the region

I too like IAL, and I have peat going in one tank.

Eddie

[darbex]

How much are you using Eddie? I was worrying about putting to much in at once or should I just go for it and not worry?

[darbex]

Also how long does it last before I need to replace it?

[Eddie]

Also how long does it last before I need to replace it?

Well I dont put in as much as recommended. Eheim recommend 1liter/per 80liters but I aint buying into that. It really depends on what your source water is made of. I use it for the sole purpose of tinting the water. You generally only need to change it every 4 weeks or so.

Eddie

[darbex]

Per 80 liters of aquarium water? That would be almost 16 liters or 3.5 gallons of peat on my size tank

[darbex]

I just added about 3-5 lbs of peat to my eheim so I will check in a day or two to see if any change in the water pH

[darbex]

No changes in water color or pH yet may need to add some more. Here is a video I just took of the discus.

http://s281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/?action=view&current=P1030818.flv

[Lytehouse]

Thanks for video,

How are you enjoying tank. Looks great.

[darbex]

Things are going a lot better. I have the one discus that seems to get sick once a month but he is better now and I put him back into the tank yesterday since I got 2 new wilds from Snookn and I needed the QT tank for them. I also added about 20lbs of peat to my filter and waiting to see its impact on water conditions.

[velocilraptor]

that tank is huge and absolutely amazing. thanks for posting

[darbex]

Thanks for the compliment. I just added my Tefe Greens that I got from Snookn21 today. The bigger of the two is trying to assert his dominance over the current dominant RSG, the Green is winning after the first day so we will see who is the dominant. The two seem to be doing fine and no problems being added so far. I will add some pics as soon as I can find where my wife put the battery charger for the camera.

[darbex]

Here are some new pics I took with a friends DSLR. The first three are pics of the new Wild Greens that I got from Snookn21. Enjoy

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0020.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0003.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0012.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0021.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0025.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0016.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0031.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0022.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0014.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0013.jpg

[Lytehouse]

Love the fish,

as well as the look of the tank

[joanr]

And the Discus get to watch football! The tank is awsome, I'd clear all the furniture out of my living room and just have two lazyboys, that tank and a big screen....lol.

[Eddie]

They look great, bet in a month or 2, they'll be looking fantast

All the best,

Eddie

[darbex]

Thanks guys my friend got a new DSLR and we were practicing by taking shots of my fish. I think adding the peat really made them more comfortable they come out more and their colors are much brighter even though the water is much dimmer.

[darbex]

Update ever since adding the new discus from John all my wilds have been so much more personable. They all come up to the glass when someone walks to the front and start begging for food so of course I have to feed them some snacks and they just start chasing it all over the tank and go absolutely nuts when I give them their BW treat and will actually eat the BW that are still floating at the top. I had never seen my wilds do this only when I had domestics.

[BMueller777]

sick tank man, I want a big tank like that one day lol

[Tropical Haven]

That tank is awesome, wish I had one that big to play with. Keep up the fantastic work and keep those pictures coming.

[darbex]

Thanks for the comments. Well I guess I spoke to soon. One of my guys decided to suddenly get ill or something. He was fine this morning, then I get home from work and he is laying on his side with black blotches. No sign of disease or attacks. Dont know what to do to find out why. I have him in QT with salt but its not looking good.

[Spices]

Hi Darbex!

I am estastic like the others over your HUGE fish tank!! :)

You sound like you have fish with fungus problems (black patches over the body). I would isolate it in a much smaller tank and treat with salt first and loads of clean (sterile) water before beginning medication. Sometimes salt and fresh sterile water do better than most medications out there on the store shelves. (I learned from past experiences with them.) Also, keep a close eye on the other fish! (Those small tiny fish are carriers and often we cannot inspect their illness at first hand, because they are tiny (need microlenses to see.) Just my own observation and experiences.

Keep posting those lovely pictures of the tank and I hope you can heal the fish well.

** Angie **

:angel:

[darbex]

Thanks. I did QT him and put him on Furan-2 immediately so I have to run the meds all the way through. His colors look back to normal

[tito_granelli]

Amazing Tank! What benefits the fish gets from the almond leaves?

[Eddie]

Amazing Tank! What benefits the fish gets from the almond leaves?

Pretty informative on the use of IAL.

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=132234


Eddie

[darbex]

Thanks. Update photos

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0310.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0312.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0314.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0315.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0318.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0317.jpg

[ChloroPhil]

This is a great tank! I like the last shot with all the Cardinals massed together. Keep us updated!

[Len]

OMG! That is the the most amazing tank I've ever seen, and absolutely beautiful discus. Congrats on a massterpiece.

[BMueller777]

sick tank man, how do you plant in that though? tank looks mighty tall lol

[Foxfire]

Very, very nice. Good that the discus can watch the TV, I had one that always would watch.

[dark_spell]

awesome tank! i'm loving the driftwood as well! good thing they can watch american idol! :p...can they hear them sing as well? :p

[Rob321]

So, how do you do water changes? And have you been replacing 165 gallons every three days?

Do you have much of a temperature fluctuation with your 1500 Watts of lighting?

[pipozzz]

:DWow that is sweet Looking setup u gave me some ideas for my 125 tank, changing from malaysian wood to Manzanita wood , does that sink right away?

[catgoldfish]

I love tanks in the middle of the room. Everyone can see them.

[fishorama]

Fantastic!

[darbex]

Thanks all. In regards to planting, I only planted when I first set it up and I actually got in the tank to do that. I tried planting an additional Sword later but that was way to hard. My water changes are about 125G each time and it comes out to about every 5 days. The heat from the lights keeps the tank at about 86 without the heaters every really coming on. I stopped using one of the MH since the electrical is on one circuit with the TV and when everything is on it draws over 15A. What I did instead was used three timers and simulated dawn through dusk. I turn on my 2 T12 at about 8, then my left MH comes on at 9. Next my right MH comes on at 10 while at the same time my T12 turns off. At about 7 my left MH turns off and at the same time my T12 turns back on and the right MH turns off at 8 with the T12 turning off at 9. Its kind of cool to see, like the sun coming up on one side and setting on the other. I will have to take some more pics I am up to 11 RSG in the tank now, one of my favorite ones died recently with no warning and no signs of illness.

[darbex]

Updated pics
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0704.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0722.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0705.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0706.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0707.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0709.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0710.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0712.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0713.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0714.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0720.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0719.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0716.jpg

[darbex]

Last one is one of the new guys. He hasnt quite colored up fully yet since he was just added to the tank less than a week ago.

[Eddie]

Have you ever dewormed these RSG? Some of them look to be thinning out in the forehead and the eyes look a bit dull.


Eddie

[darbex]

I have not dewormed them myself. A little over half of them I have gotten from Snook and the rest I got from GCD. Which ones are you referring to? There are two that have a slightly thinned head and have had it since they got sick a long time ago and have never gotten back. But I never noticed anything wrong with their attitude or poo.

[darbex]

Only one is pictured in any of the pics. He is in pic #1 & 7

[Eddie]

Most of the fish look thin and the eyes are also good indicators, especially the new fish in the last picture. If you look at pictures 1 and 3, every fish appears affected.


Eddie

[darbex]

Maybe its the pics? Because I know all but the two I mentioned their heads are rounded and not pointed like the ones in pic 5 & 6.

[Eddie]

Maybe its the pics? Because I know all but the two I mentioned their heads are rounded and not pointed like the ones in pic 5 & 6.


Nah, it aint the pictures, the fish looked alot thicker in the March pictures, healthier. I'm just giving you my observation/opinion. Its up to you,whether or not to see the need to fix a problem.

Eddie

[Tito]

Wonderful tank!

I didn't want to say it - but some of the Discus look famished. I'm sure you are feeding - so something else must be going on.

[darbex]

I will try to feed more and watch. I am not sure other than a couple of them how they look thin but their poo has been brown and solid. So maybe I am still a little used to my lower quantity and with the larger numbers I havent increased feeding enough.

[Eddie]

Here's the thing, even if the fish are not eating alot, a healthy fish will still retain its girth. I mean I have literally had fish go for an entire month with no food and still keep their thickness. If your fish are eating even just once or twice a day, they should not be thinning out. Its very noticeable from the pictures and I've seen it many times. If your fish take flakes, I'd highly recommend a round of De-worming flake from AngelPlus.

All the best,

Eddie

[darbex]

I will give it a try. Would they still have worm problems if their poo looks normal? Who sells it I cant find it?

[darbex]

Found it

[Eddie]

I will give it a try. Would they still have worm problems if their poo looks normal? Who sells it I cant find it?


Yes, they can still have worms. Waiting for the yellow/white poo or for the fish to stop eating is too late IMO. ;)


Eddie

[darbex]

Some updated pics with my new group

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0501.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0004.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0500.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0499-1.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/330%20Biotope/DSC_0503.jpg

[Skip]

Sweet tank sir!!

water changes must be EXPENSIVE! ;)

[TURBOFROG]

Good looking! What happened to the old group?

[Jennie]

I was just wondering that myself, thet looked pretty sick(first group)

[aXio]

I like the new look of the tank. Sorta what I'm going for with the simple look. What happened to the wilds?