[brashears]

Hello All,

I'm new to the site. Great site, btw! I am getting back into aquariums after a 12 year hiatus..

I'm looking at Petsmart locally and think I've decided on a Marineland 75 gal. aquarium. It's the wider 21" profile, so lots of good water surface. I've already ordered the Marineland C-360 per the great reviews on this site and am also going to hand a Marineland Penguin 200 for added filtration.

There's a question in here I promise! LOL. I've been reading on here and have been looking at some local stores, but haven't decided if I want to undertake the task of building my own stand, or I'd just rather buy one and be done with it. The only prefab model that I'm vaguely interested in is a "Rustic 55/75" that Petsmart has. Here's a link:

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753253

Let me know your opinions on this stand and about building your own stand for one of these 75 gallon tanks. All help is GREATLY appreciated.

 

[brashears]

Sorry, I didn't realize the board would create a new post submission every time I refreshed. Please forgive!

 

[zazz]

why dont you consider the meccano style industrial metal storage type system ....

for sure it will hold the weight ....its easy to dismantle if you want to move..

it means you can get your tank up and running quite quickly

and then you can apply panels and doors ect at your leisure once the whole thing is up and running.

no brainer :wink:

 

[brashears]

why dont you consider the meccano style industrial metal storage type system ....

for sure it will hold the weight ....its easy to dismantle if you want to move..

it means you can get your tank up and running quite quickly

and then you can apply panels and doors ect at your leisure once the whole thing is up and running.

no brainer :wink:

Hey, that sounds interesting. Do you have any links to more info on them. I need everything to be good and strong since my tank will sit right next to my very expensive computer equipment. :-?

 

[zazz]

my work in progress.....i will add panels and canopy ect later on

 

[como1103]

I love that canopy there...is that custom????? :lol:

 

[BurgerKing]

That is an intense stand there zazz, i own the marineland 75 gal. and i use the stingray stand it comes with

 

[salsaman451]

hi all

Just wanted to add if you are going to put a HOB in your 75 Gal. put the marineland 350B HOB instead of the 200. the 350B has almost twice the flow rate. I have a 60 Gallon tall (48x12x25) and I have two 350B on it plus two penguin 550 powerheads for my UGF.

Total flow is roughly around 1000 gallon per hour with all pumps and filters going. :thumb: and when I need to change my filters on my 350B I make my own. I cut the old filter off (one time only) saving just the outside portion (about 1/2 inch all around the hard black back. then I go to the fabric store and buy their quilting batting material, in roll form, cut to size and using a needle and 6lb test fishing line tie on the top and bottom in the middle of the filter and your done. It may seem like a lot to do, but you will get the hang of it. not to mention the cost saving. Store filters cost around .80 cents a piece in bulk, I pay under .07 piece. store price .80 X 4 = $3.20, homemade costs .07 X 4 = .28 cents :thumb: I change my filters once a week. BIG saving. Hope this helps.

 

[brashears]

Thanks, Salsaman!

Well, I posted in another thread that the plans kinda changed DRASTICALLY when I ended up with a 120 gallon tank and stand rather than a 75 gallon. I'm very excited, but kind of overwhelmed at the moment. The tank is going to be very nice, and big... :roll:

I appreciate the advice on the 350 filter, unfortunately I'd already ordered the Penguin 200 from the Petsmart site because I got free shipping and a 20% discount. I also ordered the C-360 canister filter. Then I found out I was going to be filtering a 120 gallon tank...so then I ordered ANOTHER Penguin 200. So, the total filtration will be Penguin 200 (2x) that should flow around 200 gallon/hour each, plus the 360 which should flow around 360 gallons/hour (duh. ).

So, is roughly 760 gallons/hour enough circulation for this sized tank? Should I ebay the two Penguins and get a couple of 350s? All advice very welcome!

 

[BrianNFlint]

IMO 760gph is minimal for a 75.. For a 120 I would want no less than 1200gph. I would consider another canister and 2 350s.

 

[salsaman451]

Hi All

If you take the 200 back to petsmart and print out an add from there online store for the 350B they will honer it and you can pay the difference. you really need the added filters for the added size of your tank. I paid less than $55.00 for both 350B, remember that is 700 gallons per hour flow rate for both. :thumb:

later :fish: :fish:

:fish: :fish:

 

[brashears]

Thanks! Both of you.

I'll try taking the two 200's back to the local store (I've got the online receipts for the purchases, so I can't imagine there'd be any big issue) and getting the 350's ordered online. The reason I'm ordering online is because I get a better deal, and I get to pay myself a little affiliation commission (sweet! ) for going through the Petsmart site.

Luckily, I'm in no big hurry. I don't have fish waiting on the tank, and with a tank this size I want to get it done right the first time, just because of the pain of having to modify anything on this scale. I'm doing a little peace-of-mind work on the stand as well. It was a package deal, and both were floor models. I'm not necessarily worried about the tank collapsing, but it does have a little "shimmy" to it. Like an 1/8th inch of play laterally. So, I'm going to go get some 2x4's and build braces in the two side cabinets to sure it up and set it perfectly level. Anyone else had to do this kind of work? I don't want to drill the partical board, I know it doesn't take kindly to that--so I'm going to liquid nail all the bracing in place, then wood screw the cross-members to the 2x4's once the glue sets. Anyone who's had this issue and has a better solution, let me know!

Thanks for all you who are willing to administer wisdom!

 

[salsaman451]

Hey Brashears

All I can say is go the the discussion group then to DYI and look and ask for help on tank stands. there were many people making, upgrading stands and willing to go into detail about everything they did so it would be easier for the next guy. :thumb: