Michigan Cichlid Association

Pics and Video => Tanks and Room setups => Topic started by: Marty on March 25, 2013, 12:06:23 AM

Title: I started "The Beast"
Post by: Marty on March 25, 2013, 12:06:23 AM
Well, I had to sell the 180 gallon that I was going to put in my foyer, so as a consolation prize to myself, I started "The Beast."

For anyone that hasn't been to my place, "The Beast" is the tank that's been sitting empty in my basement, framed into the wall.  I nicknamed it "The Beast" because it's a glass aquarium that took 6 people to move into my basement.  The glass is 1" thick and the dimensions are 91.25" long x 29.5" high x 31.25" wide. 

I had to take apart half of my bannister to get it down the stairs, and if I ever sell the house, the tank is staying!

I have a Fluval FX5 for filtration.
 
I purchased two Catalina 500 watt titanium heaters, and thankfully once they got the water heated up to 80 degrees, they don't run constantly.  They actually heat up really fast, and I'm curious to see how they hold up.

The lighting consists of two Deep Blue 36" dual T5 21watt fixtures, with integrated led moonlights.

The first pic is the tank after I first filled it.  I put about 150lbs of crushed coral in the tank, and even though I washed it about a billion times, there was still some dust in it.

The second pic is after about 24 hours, the polishing pad in my filter has removed most of the cloudiness from the water.  I still need about another 100lbs of crushed coral to cover the entire bottom of the tank to my liking
Title: Re: I started "The Beast"
Post by: Marty on March 25, 2013, 12:14:47 AM
Here's the occupant, my Mbu Puffer.  He's about 20" long right now.  Full grown, they reach approximately 36", and they can live 30 plus years.
Title: Re: I started "The Beast"
Post by: Marty on March 25, 2013, 12:18:09 AM
A couple more.
Title: Re: I started "The Beast"
Post by: whiteram98 on March 25, 2013, 01:01:39 AM
That Big Puffer looks small in there! tank and set up look great...Finally
Title: Re: I started "The Beast"
Post by: Steve on March 25, 2013, 01:02:23 AM
You know you have a big tank when it makes a 20" fish look small! ;D lol

That's a cool tank Marty. I know nothing about puffers so no idea if you can keep other fish with them even, but anything else going in with him or is all that real estate just for him?
Title: Re: I started "The Beast"
Post by: Regalblue on March 25, 2013, 01:02:45 AM
Glad to see you're getting some use out of that tank.

Looks like things are going good.
Title: Re: I started "The Beast"
Post by: Marty on March 25, 2013, 01:20:32 AM
You know you have a big tank when it makes a 20" fish look small! ;D lol

That's a cool tank Marty. I know nothing about puffers so no idea if you can keep other fish with them even, but anything else going in with him or is all that real estate just for him?

They are supposed to be aggressive.  When I first got it, I had a couple of frontosa in with it and didn't have any issues.  I'm probably going to put a couple of larger synodontis cats in with it along with some pvc that they can hide in to start.  I may add some larger fish later, but I'll have to cover the open areas of the tank before doing so.
Title: Re: I started "The Beast"
Post by: Nick on March 25, 2013, 01:22:08 AM
That puffer looks great in there. Perfect place for him too.
Title: Re: I started "The Beast"
Post by: four_by_ken on March 25, 2013, 07:18:44 AM
So cool!

Love the fish and the tank.

Title: Re: I started "The Beast"
Post by: LoveTheFishies on March 25, 2013, 10:25:12 AM
What other beasts are you going to put into "the beast"?
Title: Re: I started "The Beast"
Post by: Regalblue on March 25, 2013, 11:15:47 AM
What other beasts are you going to put into "the beast"?
You know you have a big tank when it makes a 20" fish look small! ;D lol

That's a cool tank Marty. I know nothing about puffers so no idea if you can keep other fish with them even, but anything else going in with him or is all that real estate just for him?

They are supposed to be aggressive.  When I first got it, I had a couple of frontosa in with it and didn't have any issues.  I'm probably going to put a couple of larger synodontis cats in with it along with some pvc that they can hide in to start.  I may add some larger fish later, but I'll have to cover the open areas of the tank before doing so.
Title: Re: I started "The Beast"
Post by: PaulineMi on March 25, 2013, 11:35:14 AM
Very cool.  Looking forward to following your progress.
Title: Re: I started "The Beast"
Post by: four_by_ken on April 12, 2013, 06:25:48 AM
How is the tank coming along?
Title: Re: I started "The Beast"
Post by: mightieskeeper on April 12, 2013, 04:29:58 PM
Marty you have been hiding that monster in the basement, WOW!  I would fill it full of guppies. lol
Title: Re: I started "The Beast"
Post by: Marty on April 12, 2013, 09:04:37 PM
Nothing new going on, just the puffer in there for now.  I may add other fish after I find something to cover the open areas to prevent jumpers.
Title: Re: I started "The Beast"
Post by: RichE on April 12, 2013, 09:13:10 PM
Marty

When I am able to drive again can I bring the kids over, They fell in love with dave at FF, and they would love to see this one,plus you are only 3.2 miles from me LOL
Title: Re: I started "The Beast"
Post by: four_by_ken on June 11, 2013, 02:16:40 PM
Speaking of 400 gallon tanks...

Does your puffer have a room mate yet?
Title: Re: I started "The Beast"
Post by: GVsailor on June 11, 2013, 02:57:53 PM
Awesome Tank Marty!
Title: Re: I started "The Beast"
Post by: Marty on June 11, 2013, 04:07:49 PM
Speaking of 400 gallon tanks...

Does your puffer have a room mate yet?

No, I haven't had a chance to get tops cut for the open areas yet