gravel color choice and water circulation

[four_by_ken]

The barbels on small cats are extremely sensitive to damage, and with the amount of mulm that can build up in gravel without meticulous care it's extremely easy for them to pick up infections and lose their barbels.
Loaches are also scaleless and many like to bury themselves in substrate, as with the cats close association with tank gravel can lead to abrasions and infections.
Sand is a more natural substrate for these fish and will lead to better health and more natural behaviors.

Makes sense... never heard of anyone having an issue.

[four_by_ken]

For my 140 gallon and my 150 gallon I use the following on each...

(2) AquaClear 110s
(1) G6 canister

How do you like the g6? I have only seen a picture and never heard any first hand experience.

I also run 2 ac 110's on my 125 and a magnum 350 canister

Love them.  I have a G3 also on my peacock tank.   I bought them all used, but next to new condition.  As much as I like them, they are still too expensive new.

I did a write up, or review, on here.  Might want to search for it.
Or I'll just bump it up.

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With larger tanks I like to use multiple heaters.  Better just in case of failure , and then you don't have to spend the big bucks on a huge wattage heater.

I definetly plan on using 2 heaters. We keep the house cooler at night around 64 degrees. I'd like to get 2 300w heaters to ensure I have no trouble this winter.

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If you are going to use gravel I would go natural.  As far as my 125's, each one has two emperor 400's, two 300 watt ebo jager heaters, and a 1200 or 1500 gph wavemaker.

Is the wave makesto help with creating turbulance on the surfaceto increase  O2 in the water?

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I wouldn't go with an unnatural colored substrate, it will take away from the focal point of the aquarium, which should be your fish.

You want a filter that is rated for more than your size tank.  If you're close, I'd go with a larger size.

Separate your intake and output, and that will help with water flow.
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The canister filter the sales guy is setting me up with is made in Italy, Sicce whale 500 canister filter. It puts out 390 gph and is rated to 135 gal tank Max head is 7.2.
Also according to the you tube video the rating is with the media installed in the unit. According to them when other companies test their canister is without their media in it. Dont know why other companies wouldn't do the same. My plan was to get a hang on the back filter,and use on the tank until I had a needed it  for a quarantine tank. Once the need was done then put it back on the 125 tank after I replace the filter media.

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another thing you could add is a powerhead at the opposite end from you filter intake/heater and this would give you ever water movement.

As for the substrate color, i agree with ken go natural like pea gravel or sand.

If you are going to have bright colored colored fish you can always paint the back of the tank a dark blue or black and this would help show off there colors.

I did think about using a powerhead, if it is needed.  I just read that the water surface needs turbulance to help put O2 in the water.

[jcunningham0295]

If you are going to use gravel I would go natural.  As far as my 125's, each one has two emperor 400's, two 300 watt ebo jager heaters, and a 1200 or 1500 gph wavemaker.

Is the wave makesto help with creating turbulance on the surfaceto increase  O2 in the water?

The wavemaker helps move the debris towards the filter intakes.

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I'm also a firm believer of over filtration, especially with Cichlids.

I can see you're not the only one! I was considering that as well. I'm going to pick a stain color at the store where I'm having a stand built,and I plan on discussing their equipment picks for the 125 gal tank.

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If you plan on any bottom-dwelling fish such as corydoras catfish or loaches I would recommend sand over gravel as they can be injured and pick up infections due to sharp edges.

In regards to the substrate, I was planing on getting a rounded gravel. The store thats putting together my tank package is using estes gravel. After the overwhelming vote for natural color gravel, I will be using natural.

[djlamonica]

Well I'll answer your question.  Gravel color is preference 100% the fish don't care if its purple green red or black its up to you.  My favorite tank I've had up had a mix of blue and black gravel with a bunch of African mbuna and it reallydid look awesome.   I ended up changing it to natural not because I wanted to but colored gravel is for some reason looked down upon by the "serious" keepers and of course I want to be cool.  Tank didn't look nearly as good. 

Your fish will also be fine in gravel.  Some one posted about not keeping cats and loaches in a gravel tank.  You can and it works fine so do many others. so dont worry about.

Pick the gravel you like you can always change it and  if you're any thing like most of us here you will be making tank changes often.

I vote purple gravel.

[linuxrulesusa]

I disagree on the cats and loaches, as to 'it doesn't matter what substrate', but I will say I've kept them on gravel and sand and it can work with either.  I think it's less about the substrate and more about cleaning - with gravel there can be tons of crud you don't see down between the gravel, whereas with sand it often sits on top and is visible so you are more prone to clean off the crud = cleaner surface for the bottom dwellers to forage around in.  Kuhli loaches for example can certainly hide in the gravel at Petsmart, and do, but I would argue it's not 'best' for them.  Besides, it's pretty cool to watch a horseface or skunk loach explode out of the sand when you were sure nothing was in that spot of the tank.

Depending on the quality of the gravel and what kind of fish you have (e.g. fish that dig a lot vs. fish that ignore the substrate), the color will leach or get scraped off over time and that nice pretty gravel will look ugly in time.  But if you're OK replacing it periodically to make it look nice, it's certainly your call.  Make your family happy...it will go a long way if you decide to set up future tanks. 

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I met with Steve and his Son at Great Lakes Aquarium had a very good talk, about 2hrs. Really nice people there. I picked out stain color for the stand and canopy. I also went with a more earthy and natural multi color gravel ( wife approved of course). We plan on having everything setup as close to christma as we can to surprise my son. Remember this all started because my wife wanted to get him a fish.

[linuxrulesusa]

Remember this all started because my wife wanted to get him a fish.

Keep reminding her of this.    And buy a Python or similar water changer or build your own.  Your back will thank you and so will your wife when you're not taking up time hauling buckets.

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Remember this all started because my wife wanted to get him a fish.

Keep reminding her of this.    And buy a Python or similar water changer or build your own.  Your back will thank you and so will your wife when you're not taking up time hauling buckets.
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I will be getting a python for sure and I think I may be able to substitute the plastic piece that connects to the faucet with brass eductor. Alittle experiment for me to play with.

[linuxrulesusa]

Remember this all started because my wife wanted to get him a fish.

Keep reminding her of this.    And buy a Python or similar water changer or build your own.  Your back will thank you and so will your wife when you're not taking up time hauling buckets.
[/

I will be getting a python for sure and I think I may be able to substitute the plastic piece that connects to the faucet with brass eductor. Alittle experiment for me to play with.

I've seen people recommending to use those quick release couplers.  If it works well I might look into it as well.