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Author Topic: 55g Mbuna build (tank #2)  (Read 28617 times)

Offline Steve

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Re: 55g Mbuna build (tank #2)
« Reply #30 on: November 19, 2012, 04:13:22 PM »
My Hydor inline heater came today for this tank. Just have to run some plumbing to the XP3 and pick up some Matrix bio for it and I'll be ready to start cycling this one 8)
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Better to have a short life full of what you like doing, than a long life spent in a miserable way.

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Offline Steve

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Re: 55g Mbuna build (tank #2)
« Reply #31 on: November 24, 2012, 01:20:36 AM »
Added about 25 more lbs of Petrified rock, have the sunset lighting positioned where I like the looks of it now, added a few silk plants which I like the look they add. XP3 is now filled with bio and tank is now started cycling tonight. Still not sure what I am going to stock in this one. Thinking Cynotilapia afra and maybe one or two other species but nothing set in stone as of yet.







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Better to have a short life full of what you like doing, than a long life spent in a miserable way.

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Offline PaulineMi

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Re: 55g Mbuna build (tank #2)
« Reply #32 on: November 24, 2012, 10:43:57 AM »
WOW!!!! Your tank is turning out to be a real beauty. Like a work of art.
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Offline Steve

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Re: 55g Mbuna build (tank #2)
« Reply #33 on: December 11, 2012, 12:48:25 AM »
Had a nice surprise tonight. Checked the water parameters and they are...

Ammonia- 0
Nitrite- 0
Nitrate- 30
PH- 7.4

Just have to do a small water change in the morning to get the Nitrate down a tad and it'll be ready for fish 8)
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Better to have a short life full of what you like doing, than a long life spent in a miserable way.

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Offline Steve

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Re: 55g Mbuna build (tank #2)
« Reply #34 on: December 11, 2012, 05:51:51 PM »
Started stocking some fish in this one this evening. So far four very nice looking yellow labs and two Snyo catfish. Still have more to get but that will start this tank now.



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Better to have a short life full of what you like doing, than a long life spent in a miserable way.

-Alan Watts

Offline Super Turtleman

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Re: 55g Mbuna build (tank #2)
« Reply #35 on: December 12, 2012, 09:00:37 PM »
Looking good.   8)
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Offline four_by_ken

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Re: 55g Mbuna build (tank #2)
« Reply #36 on: January 10, 2013, 02:43:54 PM »
Tank all stocked up yet?
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Offline Steve

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Re: 55g Mbuna build (tank #2)
« Reply #37 on: January 10, 2013, 03:26:09 PM »
Yep total of 11 Mbuna and 2 Snyo cats. Plan to add maybe 2-3 more Snyo cats and that'll probably be it..









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Better to have a short life full of what you like doing, than a long life spent in a miserable way.

-Alan Watts

Offline Steve

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Re: 55g Mbuna build (tank #2)
« Reply #38 on: January 11, 2013, 01:43:56 PM »
Well make that 14 Mbuna now. Added 3 more nice size Cherry Red Zebras today. .....MUST...STOP...BUYING.........FISH!! :olol
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Better to have a short life full of what you like doing, than a long life spent in a miserable way.

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Offline techjoe

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Re: 55g Mbuna build (tank #2)
« Reply #39 on: January 29, 2013, 10:49:50 PM »
Now that is vary inspirational thank you.  What kinda products would I need to get to build the foam background that are fish safe?
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Offline Steve

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Re: 55g Mbuna build (tank #2)
« Reply #40 on: January 30, 2013, 02:02:28 AM »
Drylock for your base coat over the foam once you have shaped it. Then any paints that are for use with plastics such as Fusion or the "camo" series from Krylon. You can also use cement tint pigment as well. GE silicone I is what you will use to adhere the background to the tank. Then let it off gas for a minimum of 72hrs and your good to fill it up.
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Better to have a short life full of what you like doing, than a long life spent in a miserable way.

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Offline theoryguru

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Re: 55g Mbuna build (tank #2)
« Reply #41 on: February 08, 2013, 09:39:48 PM »
What kind of sand did you use?
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Offline Steve

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Re: 55g Mbuna build (tank #2)
« Reply #42 on: February 09, 2013, 01:18:27 AM »
Quote from: theoryguru on February 08, 2013, 09:39:48 PM
What kind of sand did you use?

Quickrete Paver sand from Home Depot. $3.25 per 50lb bag. The FINE grain is white and the MED grain size is Tan so there's two colors to choose from. I did wash mine very well but it is actually pretty clean right out of the bag so a simple quick wash is all that is needed. My tank was cloud free even as I was filling it.
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Better to have a short life full of what you like doing, than a long life spent in a miserable way.

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Offline Maize-N-Blue-D

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Re: 55g Mbuna build (tank #2)
« Reply #43 on: February 09, 2013, 08:28:27 AM »
What did you use for the colored background ?
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Offline Steve

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Re: 55g Mbuna build (tank #2)
« Reply #44 on: February 09, 2013, 12:38:15 PM »
It's a heavy thickness blue wrapping paper from "paper party place". Scroll back through the first two pages of this post and I showed pics of how I did everything.
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Better to have a short life full of what you like doing, than a long life spent in a miserable way.

-Alan Watts
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