In the middle of cycling tank, so just substrate and decorations so far.
Running two canister filters. Currently have the intake and return in the corners. Debating a better placement or going with spray bars on each side.
Doing this with kids, so had to have ship wreck and signs.
Plan moving forward is to get a few plants (villisneria and Java fern) and was going to place them around shipwreck and rocks. But worried with the filter returns being so close.
I love it. What kind of fish are you thinking of putting in? This is how I came back into the hobby, got a 55gal for my kids a few years ago and before I knew it had a 180gal and a 450gal.
Which canisters are you using? What is your substrate? I have several fake plants grouped together in my 450gal, which I like the look of and the smaller fish like to hang there.
Using two Fluval 307 filters. Currently the returns are about two to three inches above the substrate. I will play around with lowering them. The substrate is a mix of pool filter sand and aragonite.
Nice!! Are you running your heater inline with one of the canisters? I see a temp sensor hanging down and was just wondering if you did a DIY inline with PVC? Or something like that?
going to be a great tank. Planning my new tank and wondering why 2 canisters. Wouldn't one bigger one be less maintenance. Also why an inline heater? Bill
One reason I can think of is having two is a little safer in case one goes down. For both my tanks I have a second return pump, pvp pipe & cement, etc. all set to replace in case the current pump goes down. Due to where I live it's even more important since getting a replacement would take weeks instead of days if I lived in the U.S.
Two canisters rather than one is the better method mainly for avoiding a mini-cycle when you do maintenance. On my 240g I will do one FX5 cleaning one time, then not have to worry about it because the other fx5 is still picking up the slack from the one I just cleaned. Then on the next cleaning I will do the other Fx5. So you alternate which one you clean each time to avoid any mini-cycles.
Things are coming along. Got the rest of stand/hood built and finished. Added some plants. Still waiting for nitrogen cycle to finish. Estimating about another week. Now I just need to decide on which fish. Hap+peacocks? Other types? All male vs mix? Overall quantity? What would be the most fun with kids?
Tanks looks great! How old are your kids? When mine were 5-7 they were more interested than they are now at 9 - 11. But I guess that's what happens when you have an Xbox. If your kids are on the younger side I would say go with mbuna because they are constantly moving. Maybe a couple more peaceful species like Yellow Labs and Acei. Add some Synodontis Petricola cats and a pair of bristle nose plecos once you get some algae growth. You'll have a nice community and the kids will enjoy watching the Labs produce offspring. Good luck!
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