Starting a new Loach Tank

[Jaguar]

Hi all, not been on for a while, but I am now starting a new tank. An 800 litre tank for clown loaches. Pic below



12 Clown Loaches, another 20 to follow soon.

Tank 72 x 26 x 26 Actual internal dimensions 800 litres

Filters. 2 x Fluval FX5, 1 x Eheim 2217, 1 x Fluval 403 (Eheim contains 5 litres of Eheim Torf Peat pellets. 1 litre of RowaPhos in 1 FX5)

Other pumps. 2 x Powerheads moving 1000 litres per hour each.

Heaters. 2 x Eheim Jager 300w.

Bogwood. 2 x large pieces as centre piece.

Various pots.

Rocks and other decor to be added.

pH = 6.5
KH = 7
GH = 8
Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 15
Phosphate = 0
Temperature = 30c
Water Flow Rate = 8600 litres per hour of which 6600 is filtered.
Lighting = 2 x 58w T8 tubes.

[chefkeith]

Looks great! Water parameters are excellent too. Are you using tap water or RO Water? Wish my tap water was that good. I live near Lake St. Clair in Detroit, Michigan and the tap water here is quite high in phosphates. Where are you from?

[Jaguar]

I live in West Wales, UK, the water is straight from the tap, but first dechlorinated using a Carbon Purifier (http://www.absolute-koi.com/subcat1095.html) normally used in Koi ponds. I also add a small amount of Seachem Prime just to be safe.

To get the phosphates down I have a litre of Rowaphos in one of the FX5s, and will be changing it on a 3 monthly basis or less if the phosphate levels begin to rise.

[redshark1]

Great tank dimensions. Good luck with the project.

Thanks for getting pictures on, it's something I try to do as much as possible as it makes the forum more interesting.

I hope to see pictures later too.

[Jaguar]

Thanks Redshark...

I will try to keep up to date photos as things progress. The tank is nowhere near finished yet, more decor and plants to go in over the next weeks or even months, work and money permitting. As long as the Clowns keep still for a few seconds I will get some photos of them done.

[Jaguar]

A video of tank thus far, click picture to start...

[Ellabellaboo]

Hi Jaguar

That is a fantastic tank, really impressive on the video

Daft question, but is it a bubble curtain you are using at the back ?

Ellabellaboo

[Jaguar]

Hi Jaguar

That is a fantastic tank, really impressive on the video

Daft question, but is it a bubble curtain you are using at the back ?

Ellabellaboo

Hi Ellabellaboo,

Thank you.

Not a daft question at all. Yes it is an air curtain. In order to get the right amount of air pressure, I don't mess with the smaller pumps I use a Belkin Aqua Koi Air 50. Big enough to drive 12 large air stones at a depth of 3m.