I have recently got my hands on a very large tank for an extremely good price, but I’ve had to buy it quickly before anyone else took it. Because the tank is so large I’m not 100% sure on how to go about setting it up. I’ve set up other tanks before but definitely not one this big. It came with a large filter that pumps 1500 L/h and a stand. Does anyone have advice on how to start with a freshwater set up? I have vague ideas but it is quite overwhelming.
Posted by UphillCascade
9 Comments
Edit: for reference the tank is 600L or 160 gallons
Good lord. Jealous, and yet not at the same time.
Can’t even fathom these dimensions. Is it like a foot wide lol?
What are the actual dimensions on this thing? By math to be 16 it’d be 132″x12″x12″ but that doesn’t look proportionate from the pictures.
I would definitely make sure all the seams and corners look good, especially those braces across the top. As for setting it up, other than being really long it isn’t that big of a tank. Get it on a damn good stand and support it properly, load it up and off you go. You could do a sump system easily since it’s already drilled, or cap it off and run a couple canister filters if that’s more your style.
I’ve been helping setup a 480 gallon with my old man (albeit very slowly) as an upgrade from his 150. We got a second hand acrylic tank that was previously used for a reef setup.
Nice catfish
I’m a simple man, I see a big tank, I get jealous and upvote.
Start with getting it on the stand and equipment set up and connected. Inspect all the edges and seals. I would fill it with water and get the filter in and running, do this on a day you can be home all day and have towels/buckets ready in case of an issue. I would also start cycling the tank then.
Personally, I would do dirt with a sand cap, that is my go to. Look into a big piece of driftwood and consider a rivers edge scape. Lots of river rocks in varied sizes. I would do some kind of valisineria, I love the way it grows up and over in a tank. Swords are also great and crypts. Crypts will send out runners and create more plants. Swords reproduce kinda like spider plants so that is fun.
Stocking, I love Congo tetras. They are underrated fish. Electric blue acara if you want to go a little bigger fish but if a pair decide to get amorous and breed that can be an issue. A bunch of Corries could be fun in the bottom. I’ve also really enjoyed having guppies in big tanks, if there is cover for the babies. And the tank size opens you up to some of the medium sized plecos, like green phantoms, so lots of options there.
Ah another question, I love lidless tanks but I’m worried about jumpers or snails climbing over the rim. This tank doesn’t have an overhang on the edge so I understand if no lid wouldn’t be possible.
But where are you gonna put it? That’s my struggle…