180 Gallon Fish Tank Setup

[jpimentel035]

how much was the tank



[JustAHmongKid]

This song is over rated on YouTube, but nice tank!

[reckus403127]

All rise for the youtube national anthem

[hiphoplover24]

those tanks are so expensive!

[twisto]

why do you even need that big screen tv when you have a beautiful tank like that?

[bahok123]

the rock on the second left looks like a skeleton!

[MrGiantHippo]

where did you buy your tank? i'm trying to find one with the overflows but no luck.

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@MrGiantHippo My local fish store. It is aqueon brand. I believe Petco/Petsmart will be able to get you one.

[DocHelmet]

love the tank great work..

[angelpits]

song name?



[cichlids4everdotcom]

@angelpits 09 Sound System - Dreamscape

[listentoATB]

@angelpits its the youtube national anthem how could you not know it? xD

[Furymaster]

hey there nice tank man. I espeically like your video on DIY moonlight. I got some questions with regards to your rocks tho. did u buy them or picked them up from outside. They also look very heavy, aren't you worried it might crack your tank?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@Furymaster I purchased them at a landscape supply company, sold under the name "feather stone". They are actually very light, so light they float in water. Very similar to lava rock in both weight and texture. To get them to sink I heated them in my grill for about 30 minutes then submerged them in a bin of cold water. This rapid change in temp causes the trapped air in the rock to escape in turn allowing them to sink. You can also carve them to form the shapes you want.

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@Furymaster If you look at the two far left rocks you can see one is carved into a cave and the other has holes it in. I actually cut one in half with a saw, carved out the center and made the opening to create the cave. The other i just used some old drill bits to make the large holes.

[Furymaster]

@cichlids4everdotcom thanks for the info i will definitely visit my local landscaping supply store. They look really natural. Good job.

[ming245]

i no that nob head im asking wat kid of a filter system would he use on a tank this size

[ming245]

nice tank kid, im think about building a 12 ft L x 4 ft W x 4 ft H, now i was wondering the filter system u have for ur tank was it hard to set up and is their a big difference in maintaining a tank this size compared to my 30 gallon tank at the minute, any help or advice will be much appreciated,

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@ming245 Honestly, the larger the tank the easier it is. Yes, the water chances are larger but it also takes longer for the levels to get out of line (hope that makes sense).

The filter systems i use are both very easy.The canister, well, is a canister, lol. Just set it up how the manufacturer recommends. The sump that i built is also very easy, and CHEAP! Check my sump video out, it's a little different that his one but it shows all the parts. If you have any more questions let me know.

[ming245]

@cichlids4everdotcom

cheers, wit the rock set up in ur tank is their any type of rock i shouldnt use? as i was planning on stacking my rocks at least 3/4 of the way up the tank, placing them in the center to leave room back and front and was going to plant a mixture of live and plastic plants in 1/5 of the tank as i got barbs, bale sharks and angle fish red tail sharks in the the tank wit a large gold fish as well as my cichlids, wat do u think

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@ming245 You can pretty much use any type you want. Just stay away from rock with metal deposits in them as they will leech into your water. Check my "180 Gallon African Cichlid Tank - July 2009 Update" video. I have the same rock in the tank today, it's called lace rock. I like the look of it.

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@ming245 You can pretty much use any type you want. Just stay away from rock with metal deposits in them as they will leech into your water. Check my "180 Gallon African Cichlid Tank - July 2009 Update" video. I have the same rock in the tank today, it's called lace rock. I like the look of it.

[mickeysnakeboy1960]

very nice work although I would have liked to see the making process...

[superstarboi]

I have a question. So for your sump..i noticed that for the intake canister, you drilled holes all over the bottom, could I just simiply drill a hill on the bottom facing the pump so that all the directed "cleaned" water is forced towards the outlet pump? thanks

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@superstarboi You can. I have multiple holes to allow the water to flow around the pot scrubber more. If you only have one hole, the scrubbers in front of it will get all the flow. Plus they will get clogged faster.

[superstarboi]

@cichlids4everdotcom thanks man. Also, I was debating on making DIY canister or buying one. which one would you prefer or think is a smarter choice?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@superstarboi For a canister I would just buy one. They need to be air tight and there are too many chances for failure. Failure = flooded room and dead fish, lol

[cbrkid74]

Awesome work man! Nice setup!

Some lucky fish are gonna be livin the highlife!

[QBboy13]

how much did it cost just to build the tank and stand?

[scoonieb1]

its a fish tank, get over it

[BowHunt1229]

why the eggcrate in the bottom of the tank?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@BowHunt1229 It stops the fish from digging and causing the rocks to fall. The rocks are resting on the eggcrate, not gravel / sand. It also protects the bottom glass from sharp edges on the rocks.

[BowHunt1229]

@cichlids4everdotcom thats a wicked good idea. thanks :D i had the digging problem with my africans. they love to burrow and wreck everything. itd also be a good idea in a saltwater tank with all of the LR

[cbrkid74]

@BowHunt1229 

[xXGhostChiliXx]

where u get those rocks

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@xXGhostChiliXx Local landscape supply. They were sold as "Feather Rock". It's close to lava rock. They float naturally so I had to heat them in the grill them submerge in cold water. The rapid change in temp causes all the air in the rock to escape. I know it sounds crazy but it works, lol.

[BIGPOND400]

2 questions

#1 what is a sump/what does it do?

#2 what type of fish are you putting in there

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@BIGPOND400 Sump acts as a filter. uses bacteria / media to clean the water. I have african cichlids in the tank.

[MrFishFam]

great job on the setup.....

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@MrFishFam thanks.

[Adhemar05]

Awesome tank! but why the fake plants?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@Adhemar05 Don't feel like taking care of real ones plus the fish will rip them up.

[jetmoto120]

Very Nice!

[kayangthao]

OMG i hear this song like 20 times today!!! URGH!

[bcdrummer]

Damn dude a sump and and FX5? thats gonna have some healthy water lol

[BabyTumbler]

Dam, thats fresh man!

[TheKevingutierrez]

Respond to this video... wow nice

[johndaytonjohnny]

how old is this puffer

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@johndaytonjohnny I don't have a puffer.

[h31jn3n]

wow, i'm jelliouse :D

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@h31jn3n thanks. :)

[gianolrac]

hi sir.. can you please measure the thickness of the glass for 180 gallon? i built a pond also 180gal. and i'm putting a glass window.. just want to make sure what glass thickness should i use.. is it about 10-12mm thick? pls measure.. thanks.. :)

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@gianolrac My tank uses 1/2" glass on the sides and 3/4" on the bottom.

[gianolrac]

@cichlids4everdotcom thank you very much sir..

[usmc8542]

Sooowwweeeeet

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@usmc8542 Thanks.

[Okan03]

what's tha name of the song in the video?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@Okan03 007 Sound System - Dreamscape

[lasteve99]

what was at the bottom of your tank?that white thing. a mat?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@lasteve99 Egg-crate. It's sold as a light diffuser at hardware stores. I use to in the gravel to stabilize it. Fish will not be able to dig out the gravel and cause my rock work to fall/move.

[skylinewolf79]

amazing!!!



[cichlids4everdotcom]

@skylinewolf79 Thanks.

[UniversalGod21]

Sic tank dude. Amazing job

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@UniversalGod21 Thanks.

[alexander76675]

awesome fish tank must have been bunch of money with that filter lol but awsome

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@alexander76675 Thanks.

[rebeldog53]

totally sick set up it looks amazing

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@rebeldog53 Thanks.

[jkennedy1007]

nice tank

too bad cichlids rip up live plants

[boss5468]

Great set up.... I love the rock formation and plants... looks very natural.

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@boss5468 thanks.

[boss5468]

@cichlids4everdotcom you're welcome... is there a follow up video? Just curious to see how everything has progressed....

[dazpanzan]

I have to say you have done a stunning job there, look awesome. Great vid too!

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@dazpanzan Thanks!

[MantuuX]

...very very very nice... i just can't stop starring at those plants...very nice setup mate. wonder how it looks with the fish in

[bassfisher212]

how much did that cost im wantin one about that size

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@bassfisher212 Prob around $1700.

[Jaydubsy]

SAW WHEAT! I just got a 180 from a guy on craigslist and I'll be happy if it looks half as good as yours when it's done lol... Have you tried any really big fish in there? I think I'm going to try a gigantic African cichlid set up with mine.

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@Jaydubsy I have 5 frontosa, 20+ afra and a few other misc cichlids in there. The largest fish i have in there is a 16" pleco.

[TheDiazProductions]

wait so did you honestly build that from scratch?! or did you have made parts and put them together?!

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@TheDiazProductions I didnt make the tank if thats what you are asking.

[Jaydubsy]

I see you were contemplating selling all of those. What would you start over with if you did? I'm very new to Cichlid community tanks so I'm still interested in doing a large one.

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@Jaydubsy I would just get what you like. You can do a species tank, lake tank or mixed. Species = only one species. lake = onlty fish from the same lake and mixed is mixed =)

[bpcobra89]

mate that has got 2b the best tank ive seen its amazing uve got 2b proud of it bud.

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@bpcobra89 Thanks. I am. =)

[KitKatarine]

(where're the fish?) It's a lovely tank set up I think ^-^ you did a wonderful job onnit!!! :)

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@KitKatarine Thank you. I do have an update video with new rockwork and fish. Dont mind the micro bubbles / debris floatin around. I took the video in between cleaning the tank. Lol

[SlatanicG0D]

Outstanding job,ur tank looks wonderful..If you ever get tired of it let me know I would love to take it off your hands,,,check out mine on my channel..

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@SlatanicG0D Thanks. I actually may sell all the fish that are currently in the tank.

[eggmanburrito]

beautiful tank, the song matches the tank xD. im building my own with my dad but do you think that a little tiny bit less than 1/2" glass will be the right thickness for something 4 1/2' long (xD) 3 1/2' high, and 2 1/2' wide?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@eggmanburrito Thanks. Not sure on the glass thickness. I purchased my tank pre-made.

[Kimftw]

EXCELLENT music! and i LOVE the way u werent afraid to let us sit there and enjoy ur plants wailing in the tank with a beautiful beat to it. and with a tripod. LOVE IT! Thank u i will go back to seeing this vid all over again now.

[cichlids4everdotcom]

Haha. Thanks.

[rcunathan]

Love the tank. What is it you use to mount and secure the plants?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

I cut some strips out of an old storage bin top then drilled some holes in it.

[betyarbetyar]

Nice.But plastic?Come on!Have you got plastic fish?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

Don't need the extra work of live plants. Plus the fish destroy them.

[kyle3541]

hey, i am planning on building a 180 gallon fishtank and i need to know what the thickness is of you aquarium. please, would you measure the thickness for me

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@kyle3541 Most people say 3/8" is enough but I would go with 1/2". My tank made by AGA has 1/2" sides and I believe the bottom is 3/4".

[buxi07]

GREAT!

i want to know that i have 7 feet aquarium and i want an stand but i am confusing about material with iron or wood can you please help me which is the best that can lift my heaveist aquarium and what is the thinkness of glass of your aquarium.

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@buxi07 The stand I'm using is a All-Glass Aquarium pine stand. It is all wood. If i was to build one myself I would probably use 2x4 or 4x4 lumber.

I think the glass is 1/2". Not 100% sure though.

[ez0429]

I wanted to know will adding water from my current tank that's healthy and been cycled into a new tank speed up the cycling process? And if so how much water should I add?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@ez0429 Not really but adding media from your filtration system and even gravel can help the process. When you think of a fish tank "cycling", it's not the water that cycles. It's the beneficial bacteria that is growing in the cycling process and it will be attached to rocks, gravel, filter media, bio balls, etc... Hope that helps.

[ez0429]

@cichlids4everdotcom Thanks there is a video here on how to cycle a tank 3 min. Just type "Cycle a fish tank in 3 min" and tell me if you think is possible?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@ez0429 I guess it could be. He is moving the bacteria to the new tank.

[rebeldog53]

wow really beautiful tank

[cichlids4everdotcom]

thanks.

[EcBuddy123]

ok u have sand right? when u put it in do u let it settle or do u just turn on the filter after instalation? wanna do sand for my turtle tank ,want the fx5 looks good nice tank

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@EcBuddy123 This tank has crushed coral. If you are using playsand, make sure you rinse it out first to remove the dust. This will help speed up the settling process. You can also put the sand in first, then cover it with plastic wrap and then add the water. It will help keep the sand down and wont cloud the tank up as much. If you do wind up with a cloudy tank, I would try to let most of the it settle (24 hours) and then turn the FX5 on. Hope that helps.

[EcBuddy123]

ok thanks (gonna use calcium sand) will do tat THANKs!!

[scatcat90]

wow.. i can't find words.... amazing tank!

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@scatcat90 thanks.

[larryjackson4125]

Man, I love your tank. How ever I am wth the person belo me with why you put egg create under your gravel and also where did you fnd those big rocks for your tank? Either way oe lookat it, you have a very nice tank

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@larryjackson4125 It is called Feather Stone. I purchased it at a local landscape supply store. It's very similar to lava rock and can be cut/shaped.

[larryjackson4125]

Okay... Thanks! Once again you have such a nice tank. I am in the process of doing my two tanks over...

[lolustupid]

why did you put egg crate under the gravel?

[stib858]

Most likey to stop the stones sinking to the glass..

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@lolustupid stib858 is correct. This prevents the rocks from shifting when the fish dig the crushed coral. It also protects the bottom of the tank if a rock does fall.

[jujubasenna]

dude very nice tank. im moving my 2rtc, 1 Jardini arowana, a Pacu and 2 placos. wanna do something similar. good job

[cichlids4everdotcom]

thanks.

[HopliteAlex]

very nice tank better than others ive ever seen

[cichlids4everdotcom]

Thanks.

[provancha70]

Replaced the demasoni with 3 frontosa zaire(because of which I have a 200gallon at home waiting to be set up) Demasoni can be real pains:(. Any ways do you think you could give me some advice/instruction on how to set up a sump for the future?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

Yes they can.

Stop by our website, we have a live chat.

[provancha70]

Love this setup, I only have a little 46gal bowfront running AC110 & Eheim 2215 along with a emperor 280 filled with floss and substrat pro for increased bio filtration. I also lined the bedding with crushed coral and allowed bacteria to colonize into it for about two weeks before covering it with large grain argonite sand so serve as a natural buffer. I have 2 yellow labs, 7 Kenyi, 2 Namalenje Peacock males and 3 females, 1 Cyrtocara moori, and recently removed 4 demasoni cuz of fighting.

[KevinLi89]

hey the white plastic thing at 1:28 where did you buy it? and wuts it called thx

[cichlids4everdotcom]

I think you're referring to egg grate? You can purchase it at Home Depot or Lowes in the lighting section. It's also known as light diffuser.

[KevinLi89]

yeah they're called light diffuser thanks a bunch!! now I can build a basking dock + ramp for my slider who's been sinking his turtle dock haha

[erickoston3s]

whats the song, awsome!

??

[brenesmora]

lol im spent 3grand on my 185 tank

[orellanaomar]

this looks realy awesome great job

[cichlids4everdotcom]

thanks.

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@orellanaomar thanks.

[KingNeptune151]

Nice setup.

[cichlids4everdotcom]

Thanks.

[KingNeptune151]

What plants are those?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

I get them @ the dollar store. Not sure on what they are called. I used 2 bunches of them in the tank. ($2) =)

[JSB2390]

How much would you guess you spent total on this tank.

[cichlids4everdotcom]

Tank, Stand, Glass Tops, Lights,Fluval FX5, Sump Return pumps plus substrate, rocks and DIY sump / plants. I'm guess around $1700.

[cichlids4everdotcom]

Home Depot or Lowes. It's in the lighting section and is usually labeled as Light Diffuser.

[AdrienBCaldwell]

Those plants look nice. Nicer than what I've seen available at the store. :)

[cichlids4everdotcom]

Thanks!

[frozenmouse76]

would 2 fx5s be better than 1 fx5 and a sump , i am upgrading shortly and wondering what to do ps is the fish in your avtar an adult geophagus sp tapajos (redheaded horseface) i just purchased a pair both about 6"

[cichlids4everdotcom]

2 Fx5s would be fine. I went with a sump because my tank is drilled with overflows.

My avatar is a Blue Cobolt Zebra.

[fishbum3273]

Beautiful set up.Where did you get the plants?I'm setting up a 180 for SA cichlids,and am looking for some tips on fake plants for it.Your look awesome.

[cichlids4everdotcom]

Thanks. I got the plants from the dollar store. Just remove the main stem that contains metal and they work fine.

[fishbum3273]

Thanks for the quick reply.One more thing,where did you get the stones?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

The stone is called Feather stone. I purchased it at a local landscape supply compant for 40 cents a pound. It's very porous and has alot of air pockets. Most of the time the stones will actually float in the water. To get it to sink I put it on the grill for a half hour then submerged in ice cold water. This expels the air in the stone and allows it to sink. You can carve/cut the stone very easily using house hold tools such as drills, chisels, dremel tool, etc....

[hockeyphuck]

wow dude, sic setup. Really...beautiful.

i've been looking for ideas on how to decorate my 125 (when i get it), and you'res is one of the best i've seen yet

does the crushed coral substrate maintain the PH very well? or dou you have to maintain it with aquarium salt?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

Thanks! I dont use any buffers for the pH. It stays right at 8.2. The crushed coral help buffer it.

[narutoxsasuke104]

how did you use ur anti - chlorine? i dont know how to use mine. :(

[cichlids4everdotcom]

For the initial fill (with no fish) i just dose it in the tank. For doing water changes i premix in a 5 gallon butcket. Your Chlorine remover should have instructions on the container for how much to use.

[narutoxsasuke104]

i have a 5 gallon tank its only small tough ill put 5 guppies and 1 janitor fish to clean the dirt but the bottle is different language i dont know how to read it so how did you use yours? you put the dose and just wait for weeks?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

Most of them are instant. I pre mix it in a bucket with tap water, stir it up alittle and pour it into the tank.

[narutoxsasuke104]

when can i put the plants

[cichlids4everdotcom]

I use fake plants so i put them in right away.

[ogregulator]

What exactly did you use to keep the plants down? Im going to make my 125gal a sandy bottom. But I want some plants. To keep the look going. Also are back filters ok with sand?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

I took an old plastic containter (rubbermaid bin) and cut some strips out of it. I drilled some holes and pushed the fake plants through them. I have some pics of them on our website.

If you're talking about hang on back filters, yes they should be fine. The only time you will have problems is if your tank isnt tall. The return water might move your sand but you should be fine with the 125 gallon tank.

[str8t6]

looks like mine!

[cichlids4everdotcom]

well, wheres your video then? :P

[obzion]

whats the name of that song

[cichlids4everdotcom]

Which one?

[isai769]

the one in the vid what is the name of the song :/

[7milewest]

nice tank p.s like the songs keep up the good work