Thinking about stepping up to a BIG tank

[Steve]

currently have two 55g's, a 10g, and will be getting a 29g delivered on Tuesday as well as a 20long I'm picking up from a guy at an upcoming aquatic auction on Dec 8th. BUT...what I have been wanting (like most of us) is a "BIG" tank. Something 6ft or maybe even 8ft long. The reason I didn't get a "big" tank to start with is because I planned to keep my tanks upstairs in a room which just didn't have the space for a really large tank over 4ft, but now I am thinking of doing something where a large tank just may work nicely.

I run a small business from my home (building custom fly fishing rods) and half of my basement I converted into a rod building shop. Well business has been really well for me so now I am thinking of turning the other half of the basement into an office for my business. And if I do that then I will have plenty of room for a BIG tank which I think would look great as the back drop behind my work desk I plan on putting in the office. Plus being the basement there is no worry about weight on the floor. So a 6 or 8ft tank is something I am seriously thinking of doing now as I start to build the office very soon. If I do this it won't happen till after Christmas because family gifts come first, but I am very much leaning towards doing this so have some questions first for those that have big 6ft-8ft tanks so at least I am prepared ahead of time.

Some questions I have are...

1-Would a single Fluval FX5 be enough filter for a 6-8ft tank that is fully stocked (thinking Peacocks and Haps) or would I need more filtration?

2- Would a single 300wt Hydor inline heater be enough, or would it take more than that?

3- What sort of lighting do most of you use on big tanks like this?

4- Is there anything about a tank this size I may not be thinking of that is much different than with my 55g tanks? Just want to be sure I am not missing something that I should take into account ahead of time.

Thanks

Steve

[Marty]

I don't think a single 300watt heater will be sufficient.  Furthermore, it's always a good idea to have a backup anyhow.  If one were to malfunction and stay on, it's not going to fry your tank.  If one were to malfunction and go out, at least you have another to keep your fish from getting too cold.

Filtration would depend on how many fish you put in the tank.  a FX5 is rated for up to 400 gallons, but if it's packed with fish that might be a different story.

[Regalblue]

What size tank are you talking about gallon wise? 
6&8' tanks do come in 12" depths

[Super Turtleman]

I currently heat my 125G Frontosa tank with a single heater. Not sure of the wattage though. Lol. Need to get a couple 200W...that would work best IMO.

[Steve]

What size tank are you talking about gallon wise?
6&8' tanks do come in 12" depths

I think I'm leaning towards a 125g - 72 1/2 x 18 1/2 x 23 3/8. Mainly because after looking at prices the tank itself seem to be more affordable than something in the 8ft range, and would probably be a bit more cost effective when it comes to filtration and such yet still be a nice big tank to play with stocking some larger fish in.

[Regalblue]

My 125 is filtered by 2 AC110s&  a Hydro V.  Soo $130 compared to how much an FX5 would be. Plus there isn't the mess of cleaning a canister.

Heat?  I heat the room
Light?  I use shoplights

[danielratti]

In a the case of a big tank like a 6 or an 8 ft a wet dry would be the way to go. Sometimes you will find someone selling a big tank for dirt cheap. We just picked up a 220 8ft with skimmer pumps wet dry heaters lights ballests and tons of other stuff for 800 bucks. You just have to look for the deals out there. I know if you want a 125 we might be getting a used one with wet dry and other extras unsure on the price yet but could let you know.

[GrizzlysDad]

I've kept many big tanks over the last couple decades and here are my suggestions:
FILTRATION
If you're going with just a 125-150g then yes, an FX-5 would be sufficient.
If you go bigger, then you'll either need to go sump filter (which I never bothered with) or you'll need to supplement the FX-5 with additional filtration with what you plan on stocking. I have used double FX-5's on my 190g when I was keeping rays.
You could also add AC-110's to the single FX-5.

HEATING
For heating large tanks I have always used two heaters in my tanks...something I have advised for many, many years. I have never had fish loss due to heater malfunctions in my large tanks.
The wattage will depend ultimately on the gallon size you decide on.

[danielratti]

If you want a 180 bi just tore one down might be a free one if you want to pick it up. Don't quote me on that it needs a reseal not a leaker customer wanted it gone. Needs cleaned up some but all in all a nice tank. Drilled for a wet dry also with overflow installed.

[Steve]

Thanks for the replies that is exactly the sort of feedback/info I was looking for. I think I'm pretty much 90% sold on getting a big tank after Christmas so I'm pretty sure I'm gonna follow thorough with these plans barring any major money/time set backs between now and Jan/Feb. danielratti let me see what I decide to go with on size and I will keep you in mind, if you do decided to tear down and sell the 125 sometime after the holidays let me know, I may be interested in that as I think that's the size I'm thinking of going with.

[danielratti]

Right on dude keep me posted and I will keep you informed as well.

As for wet drys I like them over canister filters any day less messy and easier to over stock a tank with due to the fact that there is more bio media that you can keep in it along with hiding your heaters and other stuff like that. Everyone has a different opinion on what works best. Oxygen exchange is another huge thing too.

[danielratti]

Also you know once you set a 125 up you'll think its too small and want a bigger tank.

[Steve]

Also you know once you set a 125 up you'll think its too small and want a bigger tank.

I know that's what I am worried about lol. I have been thinking about a sump, but the only thing about that is I have zero, and I mean ZERO experience/knowledge of how a sump is set up or even how they work. I've been reading a little bit about them the past 24hrs but they are still all greek to me right now. I am going to keep reading up on them though since it will be a good 1-2 months till I'm ready to pull the trigger on this tank, so that should give me some time to hopefully come to understand sumps a bit better so I can make a more informed decision on that aspect of the tank.

[Rob S]

I would recommend if you're going big to go big and get an 8ft. tank. There is just so much more you can do with a tank of that size.

[Ron]

Along the lines of having multiple heaters, IMO multiple filters is a smart idea. While a single canister filter might be sufficient, having a backup running in case of an emergency is a smart idea. If you go with a sump, then a single sump is alright, but make sure you have a spare pump in the house just in case.