New 120 gallon loach tank [pics]

[ctabone]

Hi folks,
I recently purchased a new 120 gallon for my loaches so I thought I'd share the specifics and photos with the community here. Feedback, constructive criticism, etc. is always appreciated.

The old 55 gallon tank is here:
http://forums.loaches.com/viewtopic.php?t=11957

The pleco and loaches were growing a little too big for that tank so it was time for an upgrade.

Equipment:
120 Gallon Tank
Filster XP3
Aquaclear 50 Powerhead w/ Quick Filter (back left corner)
Hydor Koriala 1 (back right corner)
Hydor Koriala 3 (front right corner)
300 Watt Heater
Substrate - Eco-Complete w/ gravel on top

Fish:
7 Chromobotia macracanthus (2-3 inches)
4 Botia almorhae
1 Crossocheilus siamensis (he thinks he's a loach)
1 Plecostomus

...and a huge black PVC tunnel system for them to hide and play.

Future Direction:
The old tank had quite a few plants and they held up well against the loaches - but unfortunately my high-wattage light ended up breaking so most of them didn't last. On the priority board for future purchases are a sump to replace the filter and a new lighting ballast to add some colorful green to the tank. Thanks for looking!

Front of Tank - Before Hydor Koriala's and tunnel system...


Front of Tank - After new tunnel system and water pumps...

[chefkeith]

The new tank looks very nice. I liked the pics from the old thread too.

I love it when a plan comes together like this. You even said in the last thread that you'd get a new big tank for the loaches and that's exactly what you did. Bravo for keeping your word.

I got a few questions. I like the black pvc pipe. Did you paint that yourself or did you find it that way? If paint, what kind of paint? If purchased that way, where did you purchase it from?

I'm looking to get some plants soon. If you got the plants online, where did you get them from? Were the plants in good shape when you received them?

The water flow sounds real good.
I think adding a sump filter is great idea.

Please keep us updated on the progress of this tank.

[ctabone]

Thanks for the comments!

Regarding your questions:

The PVC pipe I used is more properly called Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene or ABS pipe (as opposed to Polyvinyl Chloride or PVC). I referred to it as PVC just as more of a generic term. It is available from most home improvement stores and comes in a black color by default. Mine was purchased from Lowes (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=p ... 4294960418).

The pipe openings are usually between 2" - 4" inches (although other variations exist) and they are commonly used as waste pipes, drains, etc. Next time I deep clean the tank I'll remove the whole structure and post a photo.

For plants - mine were purchased from http://www.aquariumplants.com/ The service was very good; everything arrived alive and about 90% lived until my higher wattage light ballast broke. The shipping was a bit steep but only because they require air-mail and/or next day shipping. Great selection and good products.

One more note - I was looking at your Paludarium the other day and that setup is just incredible. I think it'll be my next project to build something along those lines once I get some $$ and a bigger place. Really impressive stuff.

[kimura]

Those are some nice looking loaches and a cool setup.

I would however, highly recommend a solid black or blue background to

hide your cords. you wont believe the difference it makes.

[Chocobo81]

I'm looking to get a 120 gallon tank too. Can you tell me how much you got yours for? Did you get a stand with it too?

[starsplitter7]

I just got plants from The Aquatic Plant Depot on a tip from Waterfaller. http://aquaticplantdepot.com/index.html

I am lucky, it is just down the road from me, so I went to pick them up and didn't need to pay shipping. The prices are the best I have ever seen, and I was very happy with the quality. I paid less than $30 for $75 worth of plants (if I bought them at the store). I was amazed. I am not a plant person, so I can't testify to the quality, but for the price, I can't imagine anything better. I was thrilled. I also got some nerites, and I found them to be great too.

I bought mostly Vals, some crypts, anacharis, . . . talk about happy fish!

[LoachOrgy]

nice tank. those pictures are deceiving. it looks like a 55 like mine.

im running about the same filtration you have on your 120 as i am on my 55.

[ctabone]

Those are some nice looking loaches and a cool setup.

I would however, highly recommend a solid black or blue background to

hide your cords. you wont believe the difference it makes.

Good idea, I may purchase a plain black background for the tank.

I'm looking to get a 120 gallon tank too. Can you tell me how much you got yours for? Did you get a stand with it too?

I was able to get this tank for an incredible price off of craig's list - $250 for the tank + stand. The tradeoff was that I had to drain, clean, and move the tank, but it was well worth the effort.

nice tank. those pictures are deceiving. it looks like a 55 like mine.

im running about the same filtration you have on your 120 as i am on my 55.

This is true I will post a photo with myself next to the tank (or something for scale). The tank itself is gigantic, but the pieces of driftwood are also huge so it makes the tank look smaller.

Next up on the list (in 2 weeks) is pool filter sand to replace the gravel.