Craigo's 125 Gallon Tank Build

Craigo · 03-15-2012, 09:43 PM

Ok, so I've gone a bit crazy about this business of keeping fish. Since I was laid off from my job last January - and I can't go out and ride my PWC in the cold Seattle wetness - I have stocked up a 10 gallon, a 29 gallon and now I have taken on a huge 125 gallon aquarium project. I've got two weeks to complete the build - before I return to work.

I found a local guy (on my list) who offered up his 5 year old Acrylic Seaclear 125 gallon tank for $200.00. I thought it was a good deal - so I took it off his hands for him. It had been set up as a coral reef tank - and there's going to be a lot of elbow grease to get this tank how I need it.

...

I need to remove the coralline from the acrylic, polish it up, mount a couple of bio filters, mount some heaters, mount some lighting, build a stand, aqua-scape it, and add some freshwater fishes.

Have I gone insane?

Step 1) So tomorrow I'm going to attempt to remove the coralline from the tank and get it cleaned up.

Pics to come...

drunkenbeast · 03-15-2012, 10:58 PM

Nice! cant wait to see how this comes along

Crazy · 03-16-2012, 07:11 AM

That sounds like an awsome build, you going with any plants?

jrman83 · 03-16-2012, 07:23 AM

I just keep hearing the sound of a cash register in the background....left there from back when I bought my 2-125s.

I spent $3k on each one.

Summer · 03-16-2012, 08:06 AM

Sounds great!! Take progress pics!

Craigo · 03-16-2012, 12:45 PM

Here are some before and after shots of the preliminary cleaning - I have to get more vinegar in order to finish removing the coralline. I got 70% of it off with my pressure washer.

Before -

After -

Looks pretty damn good - no stress cracking!

Ranger · 03-16-2012, 04:38 PM

If the holes were for a sump you could always get your own sump and do your filtration from there so you don't have a filter on show.

And if you get a decent return pump you could stick your water heater in there also so it is not on show in the main tank.

Craigo · 03-16-2012, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrman83

I just keep hearing the sound of a cash register in the background....left there from back when I bought my 2-125s.

I spent $3k on each one.

Did I not mention that this is a budget build?

The sound of the register comes from my other hobbies.

I've already spend the price of this tank in one piston for my RXP this winter.

So far $200+$75+$55= $330.00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranger

If the holes were for a sump you could always get your own sump and do your filtration from there so you don't have a filter on show.

And if you get a decent return pump you could stick your water heater in there also so it is not on show in the main tank.

It's probably what I should be doing, and I've actually changed course from my original post - and will likely leave the sump in place and run the water level short of the overflow. I'll likely put aeration in the sump. Probably still a dumb idea - I just don't know enough about this stuff.

I'm thinking Ram Cichlid tank? <<< beaslbob likes that Idea - 'cause it would require lots of plants.

jbrown5217 · 03-17-2012, 01:23 AM

looking forward to this build, I bet it will be awesome

Craigo · 03-17-2012, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbrown5217

looking forward to this build, I bet it will be awesome

Thanks!

What do you think I should put in it? Maybe Oscars?

Craigo · 03-17-2012, 08:39 AM

I found these on the porch this morning.

jbrown5217 · 03-17-2012, 11:20 AM

I say put what you want in it, that is personal preference. I can tell you what I would do, but it might be totally different than what you have in mind. If you want oscars get oscars.

Craigo · 03-17-2012, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbrown5217

I can tell you what I would do, but it might be totally different than what you have in mind.

I don't know what I want to do with it - that is why I'm looking for suggestions.

jbrown5217 · 03-17-2012, 01:43 PM

Alright, I'd probably do small fish in schools of at least 10.

I'd probably stock it something like

10+ rasboras
10+ neon or cardinal tetras
10+ Danios (probably celestial pearl)
a couple smaller plecos (4" - 6") or one slightly larger pleco (I know of one that gets to 7" and a couple others that get to 11")
1 gourami
1 redtail shark

And I think that is where I would stop stocking gives everything plenty of room and it would create a cool looking tank

Craigo · 03-17-2012, 03:55 PM

Well, the coralline is gone - now it just needs to be brought back to life.

Step 2) - time for a polishing!

Crazy · 03-17-2012, 06:59 PM

I keep Oscars and I can say they are great fish with a Huge personality, but teammates are hard to find. What I like is that they are never hiding and great to watch. Oh yeah and live feeding is always fun with a big fish!

piklmike · 03-18-2012, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craigo

Here are some before and after shots of the preliminary cleaning - I have to get more vinegar in order to finish removing the coralline. I got 70% of it off with my pressure washer.

Before -

After -

Looks pretty damn good - no stress cracking!

OMG! QUICK SELL IT BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!!!!!!!!!!

Craigo · 03-18-2012, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piklmike

OMG! QUICK SELL IT BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!!!!!!!!!!

Why? Whats wrong with it?

piklmike · 03-19-2012, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craigo

Why? Whats wrong with it?

ADDICTION!!!

Craigo · 03-19-2012, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piklmike

ADDICTION!!!

Gotcha. I thought you saw something wrong with my tank.

03-15-2012, 09:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
Craigo Roly Poly Fish Head Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 43 Location: Seattle Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 6 Times Said "Thanks" 18 Times Was Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Craigo's 125 Gallon Tank Build Ok, so I've gone a bit crazy about this business of keeping fish. Since I was laid off from my job last January - and I can't go out and ride my PWC in the cold Seattle wetness - I have stocked up a 10 gallon, a 29 gallon and now I have taken on a huge 125 gallon aquarium project. I've got two weeks to complete the build - before I return to work. I found a local guy (on my list) who offered up his 5 year old Acrylic Seaclear 125 gallon tank for $200.00. I thought it was a good deal - so I took it off his hands for him. It had been set up as a coral reef tank - and there's going to be a lot of elbow grease to get this tank how I need it. ... I need to remove the coralline from the acrylic, polish it up, mount a couple of bio filters, mount some heaters, mount some lighting, build a stand, aqua-scape it, and add some freshwater fishes. Have I gone insane? Step 1) So tomorrow I'm going to attempt to remove the coralline from the tank and get it cleaned up. Pics to come... __________________ 5 Gallon W/ (1) Crown Tail 10 Gallon W/ (2) Neon Tetras (1) Fancy Guppies (1) Female Crowntail (2) Oto Cats (2) Baby Comb Tails 29 Gallon W/ (5) African Cichlids 125 Gallon W/ (6) Discus Cichlids (4) Electric Blue Rams (2) German Blue Rams (5) Bolovian Rams (1) Black Angel Fish (1) Koi Angel Fish (8) Electric Green Glo Fish Tetras (3) Bleeding Heart Tetras (1) Albino Colombian Tetras (7) Rummy Nose Tetras (1) Clown Pleco & (1) Albino Bristle-nose Pleco Last edited by Craigo : 03-16-2012 at 05:37 PM.

03-15-2012, 10:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
drunkenbeast drunkenbeast's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 277 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 30 Times Said "Thanks" 6 Times Was Thanked 62 Times in 59 Posts	Re: Craigo's 125 Gallon Tank Build Nice! cant wait to see how this comes along __________________ Tank 125g african cichlids making it work 75g rimless Reef in progress

03-16-2012, 07:11 AM	#3 (permalink)
Crazy The reason Susan is crazy Crazy's Photo Gallery Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 544 Name: Crazy Location: southwest Louisiana Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 160 Times Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 236 Times in 205 Posts	Re: Craigo's 125 Gallon Tank Build That sounds like an awsome build, you going with any plants? __________________ 75g Blackwater Oscar tank, 55g rescued Koi tank, 55g Native tank, 55g Community tank, 29g Community tank, 25g Bolivian Ram tank, 20H GBR tank, 20L Black Convict, 20L in progress, 10g Fry tank, 10g Dragonscale betta tank, 3g Crowntail betta tank.

03-16-2012, 07:23 AM	#4 (permalink)
jrman83 ....has no life.... Super Moderator jrman83's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 10,660 Name: Ben Location: White Plains, MD Feedback: 16 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 4,253 Times Said "Thanks" 507 Times Was Thanked 2,891 Times in 2,664 Posts	Re: Craigo's 125 Gallon Tank Build I just keep hearing the sound of a cash register in the background....left there from back when I bought my 2-125s. I spent $3k on each one.

03-16-2012, 08:06 AM	#5 (permalink)
Summer Susan and Bev's protégé Super Moderator Summer's Photo Gallery Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 2,848 Name: Summer Location: Pennsylvania Feedback: 12 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 1,872 Times Said "Thanks" 183 Times Was Thanked 646 Times in 625 Posts	Re: Craigo's 125 Gallon Tank Build Sounds great!! Take progress pics! __________________ "Being ignorant is not so much a Shame, as being unwilling to learn".-- Benjamin Franklin

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03-16-2012, 12:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
Craigo Roly Poly Fish Head Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 43 Location: Seattle Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 6 Times Said "Thanks" 18 Times Was Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Craigo's 125 Gallon Tank Build Here are some before and after shots of the preliminary cleaning - I have to get more vinegar in order to finish removing the coralline. I got 70% of it off with my pressure washer. Before - After - Looks pretty damn good - no stress cracking! __________________ 5 Gallon W/ (1) Crown Tail 10 Gallon W/ (2) Neon Tetras (1) Fancy Guppies (1) Female Crowntail (2) Oto Cats (2) Baby Comb Tails 29 Gallon W/ (5) African Cichlids 125 Gallon W/ (6) Discus Cichlids (4) Electric Blue Rams (2) German Blue Rams (5) Bolovian Rams (1) Black Angel Fish (1) Koi Angel Fish (8) Electric Green Glo Fish Tetras (3) Bleeding Heart Tetras (1) Albino Colombian Tetras (7) Rummy Nose Tetras (1) Clown Pleco & (1) Albino Bristle-nose Pleco

03-16-2012, 04:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
Ranger Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 53 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 3 Times Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 11 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Craigo's 125 Gallon Tank Build If the holes were for a sump you could always get your own sump and do your filtration from there so you don't have a filter on show. And if you get a decent return pump you could stick your water heater in there also so it is not on show in the main tank.

03-17-2012, 01:23 AM	#9 (permalink)
jbrown5217 No Title Needed jbrown5217's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 855 Name: Jon Location: Currently live in Nashua, NH for school, but home is in Wilbraham, MA Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 106 Times Said "Thanks" 69 Times Was Thanked 172 Times in 161 Posts	Re: Craigo's 125 Gallon Tank Build looking forward to this build, I bet it will be awesome __________________ Check out my 10 gallon shrimp build ---> http://www.aquariumforum.com/f45/10-...ild-39531.html Check out my 10 gallon cpd build ---> http://www.aquariumforum.com/f45/10-...ild-39637.html

03-17-2012, 08:39 AM	#11 (permalink)
Craigo Roly Poly Fish Head Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 43 Location: Seattle Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 6 Times Said "Thanks" 18 Times Was Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Craigo's 125 Gallon Tank Build I found these on the porch this morning. __________________ 5 Gallon W/ (1) Crown Tail 10 Gallon W/ (2) Neon Tetras (1) Fancy Guppies (1) Female Crowntail (2) Oto Cats (2) Baby Comb Tails 29 Gallon W/ (5) African Cichlids 125 Gallon W/ (6) Discus Cichlids (4) Electric Blue Rams (2) German Blue Rams (5) Bolovian Rams (1) Black Angel Fish (1) Koi Angel Fish (8) Electric Green Glo Fish Tetras (3) Bleeding Heart Tetras (1) Albino Colombian Tetras (7) Rummy Nose Tetras (1) Clown Pleco & (1) Albino Bristle-nose Pleco

03-17-2012, 11:20 AM	#12 (permalink)
jbrown5217 No Title Needed jbrown5217's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 855 Name: Jon Location: Currently live in Nashua, NH for school, but home is in Wilbraham, MA Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 106 Times Said "Thanks" 69 Times Was Thanked 172 Times in 161 Posts	Re: Craigo's 125 Gallon Tank Build I say put what you want in it, that is personal preference. I can tell you what I would do, but it might be totally different than what you have in mind. If you want oscars get oscars. __________________ Check out my 10 gallon shrimp build ---> http://www.aquariumforum.com/f45/10-...ild-39531.html Check out my 10 gallon cpd build ---> http://www.aquariumforum.com/f45/10-...ild-39637.html

03-17-2012, 01:43 PM	#14 (permalink)
jbrown5217 No Title Needed jbrown5217's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 855 Name: Jon Location: Currently live in Nashua, NH for school, but home is in Wilbraham, MA Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 106 Times Said "Thanks" 69 Times Was Thanked 172 Times in 161 Posts	Re: Craigo's 125 Gallon Tank Build Alright, I'd probably do small fish in schools of at least 10. I'd probably stock it something like 10+ rasboras 10+ neon or cardinal tetras 10+ Danios (probably celestial pearl) a couple smaller plecos (4" - 6") or one slightly larger pleco (I know of one that gets to 7" and a couple others that get to 11") 1 gourami 1 redtail shark And I think that is where I would stop stocking gives everything plenty of room and it would create a cool looking tank __________________ Check out my 10 gallon shrimp build ---> http://www.aquariumforum.com/f45/10-...ild-39531.html Check out my 10 gallon cpd build ---> http://www.aquariumforum.com/f45/10-...ild-39637.html Last edited by jbrown5217 : 03-17-2012 at 04:37 PM.

03-17-2012, 03:55 PM	#15 (permalink)
Craigo Roly Poly Fish Head Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 43 Location: Seattle Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 6 Times Said "Thanks" 18 Times Was Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Craigo's 125 Gallon Tank Build Well, the coralline is gone - now it just needs to be brought back to life. Step 2) - time for a polishing! __________________ 5 Gallon W/ (1) Crown Tail 10 Gallon W/ (2) Neon Tetras (1) Fancy Guppies (1) Female Crowntail (2) Oto Cats (2) Baby Comb Tails 29 Gallon W/ (5) African Cichlids 125 Gallon W/ (6) Discus Cichlids (4) Electric Blue Rams (2) German Blue Rams (5) Bolovian Rams (1) Black Angel Fish (1) Koi Angel Fish (8) Electric Green Glo Fish Tetras (3) Bleeding Heart Tetras (1) Albino Colombian Tetras (7) Rummy Nose Tetras (1) Clown Pleco & (1) Albino Bristle-nose Pleco Last edited by Craigo : 03-19-2012 at 07:21 AM.

03-17-2012, 06:59 PM	#16 (permalink)
Crazy The reason Susan is crazy Crazy's Photo Gallery Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 544 Name: Crazy Location: southwest Louisiana Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 160 Times Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 236 Times in 205 Posts	Re: Craigo's 125 Gallon Tank Build I keep Oscars and I can say they are great fish with a Huge personality, but teammates are hard to find. What I like is that they are never hiding and great to watch. Oh yeah and live feeding is always fun with a big fish! __________________ 75g Blackwater Oscar tank, 55g rescued Koi tank, 55g Native tank, 55g Community tank, 29g Community tank, 25g Bolivian Ram tank, 20H GBR tank, 20L Black Convict, 20L in progress, 10g Fry tank, 10g Dragonscale betta tank, 3g Crowntail betta tank.

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