65 Gallon Cichlid Tank

[Grete_J]

I spent an obscene amount of hours plowing through equipment, display pieces of driftwood, etc... when my only intention was to buy the tank w/a fairly specific footprint of 36"L x 18"D. Hours later, I ended up with...





Cannot forget the wood to build the stand!!


Or boiling the driftwood.... making dinner is important I guess...

[AWW]

whats your fish plan? Malawi, Tang, New world, or old world? I cant wait to see this tank fully set up!

[Grete_J]

New world... I've got a gorgeous pair of rams (thanks Pat) that I'd rather not part with

[AWW]

ooo sounds good.

Stay away from apistos if your new to cichlids, they are usually quite expensive. I have always wanted to do a ram tank because there are so many varriants now (german blue, electric blue, gold, balloon gold, blue balloon, bolivian)

[Grete_J]

I'm kind of wondering about a discus tank, but have heard they're hard to keep.... anyone?

[AWW]

I kept them for a while. Unless you are used to testing water, setting the ph, running optimum filtration, and keeping the tank Bare Bottom, i would not recommend them

[Grete_J]

I kept them for a while. Unless you are used to testing water, setting the ph, running optimum filtration, and keeping the tank Bare Bottom, i would not recommend them

I do that daily with the axolotl's, so I do the rams as well... why is bare bottom preferred over substrate? Or a light substrate over a dark....

[AWW]

Bare bottom is just easier to maintain with discus. If you are used to maintaining a tank like that, then no reason not trying to keep them. The rUle is 1 discus for 10 gallons. That being said, they do like to be in groups.

All of that being said, discus also look awesome in a planted tank. Its good to have places for them to hide. Its just harder to maintain good water chemistry with plants. Plants also help filter.

In conclusion, i think there are two ways to start a discus tank. Get used to keeping discus the easy way, with a bare bottom way. This is ideal for growing large healthy discus because water changes are easy. The second way, is to plant your tank, monitor and keep the water chemistry right. Then add discus after a few months.

[Grete_J]

My friend Jen came over to "assist" with aquarium stand building... finally! Ok fine, she built it, I held pieces of 2 x 4's.





Have to make sure it's sturdy enough to hold 500+ lbs.



Our photographer



Finished product on a budget

[taureandragon76]

I would brace the top of the legs under the top more. Just cut 2 x 4 to fit nice and snug in between the tops of the legs all around the perimeter of the inside of the top