Slow, slow, slow getting started... (1 Viewer)

[Carrie Jo]

Well guys I joined your group quite a while back to learn about saltwater. I was slowed down by the fact the tank I bought had a leak in it so I needed to repair before starting, not to mention learning a lot to figure things out. Including that my sump was not only inadequate but way too small, not powerful enough etc.

I continued to study like crazy about saltwater, fish, sea life, water conditions, and all the lovely things that can go wrong. In the meantime I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia along the way and just today started to take the silicone off the inner part of the tank with the understanding that the saltwater idea is just way too much for me to learn and deal with at this point in my life.

So if any of you remember I have a 92 gallon bow-fronted corner tank. I am removing the black silicone and if I ever get it all off I will be putting clear silicone on it. I purchased Aqueon Aquarium Sealant. I thought 2 tubes would be enough but a person told me I should have 3 tubes. So I ordered 2 more so I will have 4 in total before starting to seal (10.3 oz) If anyone thinks I should have more on hand please let me know ASAP!

So I am going to turn the tank into a freshwater tank instead. Being that you guys have been so helpful over all this time I figured I might run some ideas by you guys since I figure many of you started in fresh water or do both. While I have had fresh water tanks for over 25 years I never did go into detail about it as much studying I did about saltwater so I figured I would do the one thing I never got to do with my fish tank. PLAN AHEAD and get to play with a "big tank." I am sure many of you are laughing but 92 gallons is huge when the largest I ever had was a 40 gallon. Plan ahead the plant life, fish life, water quality, etc. I spent a couple of hours in a fish store and happened to run into someone with a marine biology degree. (BIG SMILE) So I was able to run all the fish by her that I was considering and see if she thought they would do okay together and how many of each kind would be okay etc.

It took forever to get the baffle off. And believe me what little I have done is no where near finished even the 1st of 3 sides. Any tips, warnings, or watch out for "this" would be great to hear! I am nervous about getting to the bow front part of the tank.

Big Question: I was going to go with the fluval fx4 for a filter for the tank. The lady at the store suggested that I just take the baffle off and plug the tank and hang the input and output over the side of the tank. Good idea or bad? Of course I am moving slow haven't bought the filter yet but I need to buy a reverse osmosis for the house first because there is no way I am starting this guy off with tap water after what I have learned from all of you guys. Besides I need to replace the water filter in the old house anyways. But I did buy the plugs today for the very least water testing time. LOL

The light fixture on the 92 gallon is a 6 t5 bulbs which are unfortunately 34". Said but hey don't think you could get a longer blub in there if you wanted to. Of course I could be wrong and often am! Lady at the store suggested 3 6,700 K and 3 10,000K. Thoughts when dealing with fresh water planted tank?

The fish I was going to "plan to slowly stock the tank with are as follows
4 bristle nose
4 congos tetras (probably 3 males 1 female)
4 neon dwarf rainbows
5 silver tip tetras
1 or 2 dwarf gouramis
3 red and blue columbian tetras
on the fence on this one 4 red serpae tetras
5 golden ram cichlids or maybe one blue one in the mix
1 angel fish bought very small to be raise with them all
3 corey cats

Too much? leaving anything great for cleaning out? something out there on the list a bad idea? Anything you would have with those guys if you where having them in a tank? Yes I know I won't put them in all at once. Couldn't afford to if I wanted to LOL. I figure it would take a few months to do that if not longer. Besides buying the fish a little at a time is the fun part. Taking your time and being picky to get the color or fish you really want instead of just grabbing what is available is worth the wait.

Plants I was going to go with Broad leaf amazon swords in the back some anubis somewhere and a crypt wendtii. Any of those bad ideas? I have some decorations from my freshwater tanks over the years of "fake wood" and some from a friend's of mine that her tank leaked and she was ready to give it up due to her age.

I am going to rinse the heck out of the sand the tank came with I really like it and use it. I have cleaned I think 1/2 or 1/3 of it though I will have to find where I stashed the clean portion. LOL.

Apparently I have taken so long to start on my tank there are bets going on about when if ever I would get it going. Gosh if I wasn't taking kids to work, college, school, and all the other stuff I could have been done long ago! And it probably could have been salt! LOL

 

[Wingnut]

It is all ok , at least you have learned enough to know that maybe at this point in time Saltwater does not work for you , I respect that and good luck with the freshwater.

 

[Reefahholic]

I vote go FOWLR. Super easy and not far from a fresh water system as far as maintenance goes and overall work. Plus... you get to pick out all the colorful fish.

You have the tank. All you need is a sump, pump, heater, lights, and rock. All of which you would have to have with a FW tank too.

 

[Clownfish Chris]

Agreed. The only difference is having to mix salt to proper salinity. You don't need to worry about nutrients nearly as much. In my opinion a fowlr is probably a bit easier than fresh water.

 

[Diesel]

Hey there,
I promised myself something but I'm going to break this promise for this time only (just don't ask me)
Not sure who the lady was in the fish store but I've my doubts.
You explained everything very well and we shouldn't think about how many and what kind of fish yet.
First step is to get your tank fixed.
You mentioned it was leaking and every one is looking over that, by just removing the silicone corners and re-silicone that ain't going to fix the leak 100%.
IMO and many you need to remove the piece of glass where the leak is located and remove all old silicone and apply new, let it dry 24hours and apply silicone on the inside corners.
Only than you will have a perfect fix.
Of course you can stop the leak by just doing the inside corners but you said it your self that you wanna take your time and do it the right way.

That said we jump to the next chapter................ what kind of planted tank you want??
There are many layouts and you have to look which plants will work for you as many can become a pain in the rear when they start growing not to mention that some can grow out very large and you have no way of trimming them as that is bad.
Substrate............... you can't just use sand, you need a substrate that support the plant life other factors are the liquate fertilizers and the Co2 application for the plant life.
Mainly the Co2 as without that you plants will struggle a lot and in a few weeks they just not look like what they suppose to look like.

Lights, some what of truth in the combination the lady gave you (I've to give her that) you mention you had 6 bulb fixture., just trying to figure out how many watts is that total.
Plants need at least if you work with T5's between the 3 to 5 watts per gallon.
I believe they run 25 watts each........... (6 x 25 = 150)
Looking at your tank of 92 gallons if we multiply that by 3 (3 x 92 = 276) you coming up to short for light support on you tank.
You still have plenty of time to look online for the adequate lights that will support your plants to be successful but if you ask me this website still has the best lights.
A H Supply » Do-it-yourself aquarium lighting
It's a DIY but supper easy and you will have the best light fixture on the market.
Every tank that I had setup for freshwater I went their lights and the few on here that still remember my planted tanks know what they looked like.
I could grow every freshwater plant on the market and I had plenty of the market as well (imported from Europe)
Here a link to amazing freshwater plants that you can't find in most LFS, https://www.azgardens.com/product-category/freshwater-aquarium/freshwater-aquarium-plants/
I would go with a combo of 2x5500/ 3x6700/ 1x8000

Next step is filtration, the FX 4 fluval is a great filter, yet I prefer the Eheim canisters, just easier to clean and you will get a 95% biological filtration out of it.
A balanced ECO-system is a must in fresh water aquaria as it limited to clean your canister once in the 6 months or longer.

In a 92 gallon tank I would stick with calm fish, I recommend as Amano would do the same and you can ask Jeff or Mike from ADG (a sponsor here) that a stamp collection of fish gets you all hyped up in fresh water, yes it is different than salt water cause of that.
Fresh water has more calmness over it, less water flow, colors that blend in with each other, easy swimming fish.
My $0.02 are 6 O-cats, 6 Coridoras, a school of 25 Cardinals, 6 emperor tetra's and some fresh water shrimp, with the right layout your tank can look stunning and all you do on a daily schedule is feed your fish, once or twice a week clean glass and top-off with RO water (RODI is over kill) I just topped off with faucet water as we just talking less than a gallon here twice a week.

Yet there are more things to discuss as heaters, food, plant fertilizers, pressurized Co2 or home made Co2, drifwood and what kind, rocks and what kind, activated carbon or not and ventilation in the canopy or just open top.

 

[Carrie Jo]

Wow thanks for all the honest information Diesel! It does have a small leak (at least I think it does because I saw a small amount of salt creep on the left side bottom, wall facing glass. It has that lovely black silicone everyone has complained about. (I had a freshwater tank for 20 plus years and it didn't leak until recently) I think the (92 gallon tank was built in 2003 that I am fixing) if I remember the date on the sticker right. I thought about having it redone by someone but nothing would piss me off more than paying someone to do that and having to redo it myself with a giant leak or disaster in the night. Not to mention the money.

I am terrified with the thought of taking the tank actually all the way apart. To be honest I have been so scared of just what I am doing now. The tank, hood and everything is so big and heavy and I am not as strong or coordinated as I used to be (NOT THAT I WAS COORDINATED TO BEGIN WITH. LOL) I am also scared not to take it apart and regret it so much later encase I luck out and get my health back.

I bought a really nice fish tank stand and hood used from Always in Shorts. It has a tall wooden top hood but leaving off the glass I think we might have a few shrimp popping out of the water and getting stuck on the lights. He had specially put in the t5 fixture in that hood and believe me there sn't a whole lot of room when you are talking a 92 gallon corner tank hood. I really want to use the hood but maybe I should see if I could come up with a different design under there. Boy that is a whole ball of wax on it's own. But yes with finances I would have to do a DIY kind. That is another reason I would love to change the light set up 34" bulbs are expensive and not as much output. And the other reason taking things slow is fine makes more since. I am glad I haven't spent the money replacing the bulbs yet.

I was going to just stick with easy to grow plants that are more forgiving with the light because even though some of the bulbs I was looking at where 39 watts I would still run short as you would say, because I had figured the low end at 3 watts and was like "wow didn't even hit that!" But your pictures are inticing me to do otherwize.

I figure I don't still need a sump which would take away one headache. Though I did buy a 40gallon that "just barely fit under the tank to make one with" I might sneak a tank under there for growing plants and quarantine area (hubby might never know LOL he just doesn't understand you need a quarantine tank or a OMG that fish is not going to work and a place to put it till you can find it another home!). I told him I wanted to set up the 40 and get my plants started growing and he was like not another tank. I was like big deal I remember having 4 tanks in our house when the kids where first born. But him having cancer 4 times in the last 17 years, my fibromyalgia (yea I think it is more adrenal fatigue, and other stuff, etc. whatever did a lot of research to keep him here MD Anderson was shocked that his cancer took 12 years to turn into angioscaroma and he is considered a miracle case [honestly we are still fighting for his life health wise not to mention the side effects he lives with from chemo and surgery, don't get me started on the stuff our government allows in our so called "food"), and 3 kids (only one left that isn't 18 YEA!!!) has taken a heck of a toll on all of us. So yea I have SLOWED down. Gosh I remember being young and getting soooooo much done in a day! I miss that!

I saw late last night how long ago I got the 92 gallon that has been empty since I brought it home no wonder people are taking bets if I will ever get it going! But it was a bad buy the person I got the tank from obviously knew it was leaking I figured that out once getting it home and the stand was swollen (particle board and full of mold smell) First time buying a used tank that I got burnt badly but I really love the design because I could "go big in my small area." That was why I was happy to find the solid wood stand and hood from ALWAYS in Shorts on here. I still need to fix a cosmetic piece of wood on the front and change out the door hardware (you know how saltwater sumps love to rust all the screws and hinges) So now I still need to find the same hinges cheap to replace the 6 door hinges. Another fun adventure. Not something you can pick up at lowes. So the search goes on.

The lady in the fish store was young and full of that young energy! LOL that is why I wanted to run the list by you guys with the real life experience of mixing different ones. There are plenty of the theories of this will go with that but we all know in life it isn't that simple and sometime you always had one fish or another that breaks all the stereo types that can either make your day or break your heart and kill your fish! A tank that size planted with decorations trying to catch someone to get out of there could be a nightmare!

Diesel is there a reason you left out the golden ram cichlid my understanding is that they are a peaceful cichlid and I had my heart set on a few? Of course I have seen quite a few of so called peaceful dwarf gourami that were not peaceful or compatible with my others before.
Diesel do you think it is bad to use the sand (I will have to go look at it and see what it is called if I can figure that out it looks really nice not like regular sand) that came with the tank? I cleaned part of it really a lot including drying it in the oven on low a little at a time. I like it but... I have attached plants to decorations before had anibus (yea I cannot spell at all) growing all over the place in my 29 gallon octagon. Too bad I don't still have them had enough of them I could have done quite a bit with them and they grow in low lighting and believe me my lighting was horrible and it was taller than this tank. My short arms are so thankful that this tank is only 24 inches or close to it. It is a bear trying to reach in there hung over to remove the silicone.

Diesel do you think there is any way I can actually do a complete reseal on a 92 gallon bow-fronted tank myself? I would definitely have to have my son and hubby's help when it came to removing the heavy glass and OMG the house just from taking everything out of the underneath and the stuff off the top is EVERYWHERE! I am terrified of breaking or putting something back together wrong not level or breaks because I goofed up somewhere. I guess I should have kept the 29 gallon octagon would have gave me practice and maybe a tiny bit of confidence. While I am willing to take my time I don't know how the rest of the family will feel with a mess forever in the small living quarters LOL.

As for others suggesting a FLOWR tank I am a PLANT FREAK I could never ever have a fresh water tank without plants what Diesel said about the plant site excites me! I feel like a fresh water tank without plants would be depriving the fish!

I did buy plugs for the bulk heads I don't wan to shut down options when I do have a drilled tank! But if I am going to use the baffle and such I will need to figure that out before I silicone everything back in or is that something I could get away with silconine later into the tank? I figure since silicone won't stick to dried silicone I better figure that out now.

 

[Carrie Jo]

oh No the DIY lighting site is under reconstruction!

 

[Diesel]

CJ, that's a old tank.
If the leak is that little I would just reseal it, but remove all old silicone use tape in the corners to have a nice straight line and be happy with it.
Being happy is all what it takes in this hobby as I remember the days that ppl were starting to carbon dose with Vodka and I didn't but instead just drunk it while I was sitting in front of my tank which was a model tank that time not like a super model but that's a different story.

Easy going plants can be as much interesting as the rare high end plants (oh for the ppl who were thinking only corals can be in that category......... ha plants can be as well and pricey too) ever heard of the Underwater Orchid................ well me either but maybe one day there will be something like that.

Golden ram or the Mikrogeophagus ramirezi can be pretty I prefer the blue type but yet it can be territorial and a bulldog in your tank sure it will feast on the beneficial shrimp.
Yet a stunning fish.

Sand is bad if you plant the roots of the plants in there, I always used the Amazonia from ADA and never had a issue with plants.
There are other specific plant substrates you can find but just don't use sand.
It's like planting a Oak tree in the dessert and I have been a few times in a dessert and never find a oak.
If you want to turn your tank in a dessert start thinking about mosses or plants that don't need their feet in the dessert sand, Anubias, Java Ferns, Lobelias and mosses can be your options and most of them are easy any ways.

IMO, if it was a slow leak as you mention I would reseal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKactsdPpO8 there are many other links.
Work with the lights you have and just maybe upgrade the reflectors as that might make a difference.
If you have the sand use it (no sand for a reef that will bring your PH up and no good for plants)
Using the bulkheads is easy and smart, just make sure where they are located you have a opening in your stand.
IMO you don't need a 40 breeder for a QT or back up tank, put your filter under the stand and all your other stuff.
A tank crash is less likely to happen with freshwater and as far ick goes easy to treat in the tank as plants don't care much.
Most mistake ppl make is not acclimating the fish long enough and go through a PH or temp chock.

 

[Carrie Jo]

OMG okay I thought I found the leak. I keep stripping the silicone and darn if I didn't come across a circular crack in the tank. I am trying to remember how to post a picture of it on here. Is it even salvageable? I don't know if I want to cry or scream. (haven't quite finished taking off the silicone) I will post the pics as soon as I can and as soon as I figure out how.

 

[Diesel]

Not good....... a crack is never good.
If you ask me use the 40 breeder as a freshwater planted tank.
The lights will support that the fullest.
I takes just a little TLC on the DIY to make it work on the stand and it still looks like you have a cornertank.
Yes I'm known for bending the glass, done it before.

 

[Carrie Jo]

it should show 3 pictures 2 of the crack and 1 of the leak

 

[Diesel]

That looks ugly, CJ.
I'm afraid that tank had it's time.
The only option is to replace the glass on that side but I wouldn't put that kind of money in there.
As I said maybe the option to use the 40 breeder as a freshwater tank.

 

[Carrie Jo]

http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/...of tank/20170703_153618_HDR-1_zps2nndnb40.jpg

THe other picture was of the leak where the silicone had space in it. This is one of the crack. it is a small crack in the corner bottom of the slide glass.

another shot of the small crack it happens to be on the same side of glass with the silicone leak

http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/...ank/20170703_153643_Burst01-1_zpsenkc99bj.jpg

I thought about taking it off and flipping it to where it would be on top in the back center of the right angle where the 2 back pieces meet or maybe seeing how much a piece of glass that size and thickness. Only bad thing is the bow front where things count have some small scratches on it. I don't know I just don't want to give up. I wish I could afford to just buy a new one same size. The glass looks to be 3/8" thick.

It is just that my living room is small and this shape fits so perfectly. Really think I should throw in the towel?

 

[Carrie Jo]

http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac295/carriejo824/20170703_230251_HDR-1_zpssqjok1xh.jpg

One last picture to put the size in perspective of the crack. The ruler starts a little after the beginning but I thought it might help guess it looks like 2 small cracks. But it is all on the same piece of rectangular glass that is flat including the ugly picture you saw first which isn't a crack just no sealent.

 

[Reefahholic]

Call Nick at Oceanlife and see what a standard Planet Aquarium 90/G costs. It's cheap. I'm guessing around $200 to $250. Then bring it hither and let me drill it for you free of charge. We'll get you setup right! If we could get Diesel away from the deer and turkey's for 10 minutes, he may even help you do a few things to ur tank. I can build your sump too. Just order the baffles from Marc over at Melevesreef and we'll build you a sump.

Have you looked at all the saltwater plant species?!! Check out turtle grass! Do some Xenia! There are no FW species that pulse! Lol

 

[Carrie Jo]

Well I guess I will need to make some phone calls to see just how bad a piece of 3/8" thick about 33.5" x 24" is. I can give up the saltwater thing. I guess because I studied it long enough to realize it was a lot to learn and deal with not to mention crazy expensive. But I really don't want to give up on my tank. Is glass crazy expensive?

I went and bought the tank and had to buy a new stand with canopy and have to redo it. It is a real wood stand and canopy. I really like it.

Could I get away with flipping the glass and silicon the piece to death by having it up top?

Am I just crazy? I am going to need more than 4 tubes of silicone aren't I?

Sent from my LG-H918 using Tapatalk

 

[Diesel]

CJ, I wouldn't do it.
A crack is a crack and no matter how you turn it.
After you fill it with water by every sound that you hear you think your tank just exploded.
Yes you can replace the glass but you also can look around for a used corner tank.
My best bet the two ppl to talk too is Mike at ADG, Mike brings into the warehouse a lot of used tanks.
Just don't drop my name as he might tell you to load it up for a Starbucks.
The other person is Dennis at FJW, he doesn't even know what all is in his storage.
Now you have some homework to do CJ.
Just don't give up on your freshwater dream.

 

[Bigfishy]

Diesel is right . When you fill the tank. the crack will have pressure put on it from the weight of the water. A crack is a weak spot that will eventually give way. You don't want 90 gallons of water exploding into your living rooms. Don't cut corners and do it the right way. You said the front has scratches, which means you will never really be satisfied with the tank.


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[Reefahholic]

Trust me, it's nearly just expensive to buy glass that size as it is to buy a new tank that size.

Then having to fix that panel is no easy task. If you haven't done it before, you will probably end up with a situation on ur hands.

The biggest question on my mind is what kind of sealant is that aqueon? It may be low grade junk. I wouldn't trust it unless you know who makes it or exactly what kind it is.

 

[Carrie Jo]

http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac295/carriejo824/20170701_155010_HDR_zpsjyrb2z4o.jpg

darn I thought I studied enough up on the silicone a while back and this was a good one. What should I be using?