440ltr cube . Amazon

BakerJoe · Jan 16, 2022

Hi

. New to the forum, I’ve been planning this tank ever since I bought this house and now we are finally finished the revamp it’s going in to a odd alcove space . It’s going to be 90cm wide 70cm high and 70cm deep front to back . Planning on manacapuru angel’s a nice group of tetras . And a group cats, possibly corys but that’s maybe too predictable . Planning on running co2 but I’ll need a little help with that I’ve only ran it once and that was years ago . . So far I’ve built the unit ordered the tank . And ordered the kitchen unit doors for the unit I’ve built . . The windows only east facing behind the tank . Is never opened so we are frosting it and frosting the back of the tank . For what will be a pretty nice effect I think (hope

)

Colin_T · Jan 16, 2022

Hi and welcome to the forum

Can you get the tank made shorter (not as high)?
Any tank that is more than 2 feet high is a pain in the butt to work in or to clean.

The tank will also be made from thicker glass due to the height, 10mm thick for 2ft high, 12mm for 70cm high. If the tank doesn't have cross members and support strips, the glass will be 12mm thick for 2ft high, and 15mm thick for 70cm high. Whilst this doesn't sound like much, it is a huge difference in weight and cost.

Going 70cm wide (front to back) is also going to make it difficult to clean.

I would get a 3ft long x 2ft wide x 2ft high,
or a 3ft long x 2ft wide x 18inch high,
or if you want the height, then go 3ft long x 18 inches wide x 2ft high instead. It will be easier to clean and maintain, weigh less, and cost less.

You will probably have issues getting the tank into that recess. A smaller lighter tank would be easier to fit in there.

BakerJoe · Jan 16, 2022

Colin_T said:
Hi and welcome to the forum

Can you get the tank made shorter (not as high)?
Any tank that is more than 2 feet high is a pain in the butt to work in or to clean.

The tank will also be made from thicker glass due to the height, 10mm thick for 2ft high, 12mm for 70cm high. If the tank doesn't have cross members and support strips, the glass will be 12mm thick for 2ft high, and 15mm thick for 70cm high. Whilst this doesn't sound like much, it is a huge difference in weight and cost.

Going 70cm wide (front to back) is also going to make it difficult to clean.

I would get a 3ft long x 2ft wide x 2ft high,
or a 3ft long x 2ft wide x 18inch high,
or if you want the height, then go 3ft long x 18 inches wide x 2ft high instead. It will be easier to clean and maintain, weigh less, and cost less.

You will probably have issues getting the tank into that recess. A smaller lighter tank would be easier to fit in there.

Ah I’ve already got the tank on order . It’s 12mm glass with a glass sliding lid . Not a fan of the open top ones . Yeah I know it’s going to be tricky to get to the back but other than setting it up I shouldn’t have to do that often . I’ll just use tools to assist me . It’s the hight I was after . Especially stocking with angels . Water changes will be done under the tank as I’ve got drainage plumbed in so it will pump the water outside into the courtyard drain . Fill will come from a mixer tap linked to the utility. I’ve done this with my 500ltr Malawi tank and it’s made a water change a 30 min job of simply turning a Tap and setting a timer. As far as getting it in should have enough wiggle room. 2cm each side and about 40cm behind the tank . That I can actually get to by going through the cupboard as the cupboard is 3ft tall

Byron · Jan 17, 2022

The Red Shoulder Manacapuru angelfish is a geographic variant of the species Pterophylum scalare, that is indigenous to the Rio Manacapuru in Northwestern Brazil. I've no idea if this variant is being raised commercially (as opposed to being solely wild caught) but I did come across one site that claims to have tank-bred fish--do you know the source of your intended fish? I ask because this will determine the temperature, or more precisely restrict the temperature if wild caught, which will influence possible tankmate species.

I would not do white on the tank rear glass, but black. Light-coloured tank backgrounds do impact fish making them more unsettled; plan non-shiny black is best. I use black construction paper, but you may want to look at something different in case it gets wet and with the tank built in could be difficult dealing with if it does.

My real concern here is the space. Length of the tank is the most important factor with angelfish because the males establish territories, and regardless of height a three-foot space is not much room. You don't mention the number of angelfish intended, but unless you are able to acquire a bonded pair, it needs to be a group of at least five, preferably a couple more--and I honestly do not think the space is sufficient.

BakerJoe · Jan 25, 2022

Byron said:
The Red Shoulder Manacapuru angelfish is a geographic variant of the species Pterophylum scalare, that is indigenous to the Rio Manacapuru in Northwestern Brazil. I've no idea if this variant is being raised commercially (as opposed to being solely wild caught) but I did come across one site that claims to have tank-bred fish--do you know the source of your intended fish? I ask because this will determine the temperature, or more precisely restrict the temperature if wild caught, which will influence possible tankmate species.

I would not do white on the tank rear glass, but black. Light-coloured tank backgrounds do impact fish making them more unsettled; plan non-shiny black is best. I use black construction paper, but you may want to look at something different in case it gets wet and with the tank built in could be difficult dealing with if it does.

My real concern here is the space. Length of the tank is the most important factor with angelfish because the males establish territories, and regardless of height a three-foot space is not much room. You don't mention the number of angelfish intended, but unless you are able to acquire a bonded pair, it needs to be a group of at least five, preferably a couple more--and I honestly do not think the space is sufficient.

I do have a lfs ( owned by a good friend who can put me in touch with a local breeder ) I did keep Altums years back but to be fair that was in a 5ft x2ft x2ft . Maybe angels aren’t the way to go . I’ve always found them pretty peaceful though .. well compared to Malawi’s anyway

Byron · Jan 25, 2022

BakerJoe said:
I do have a lfs ( owned by a good friend who can put me in touch with a local breeder ) I did keep Altums years back but to be fair that was in a 5ft x2ft x2ft . Maybe angels aren’t the way to go . I’ve always found them pretty peaceful though .. well compared to Malawi’s anyway

You're thinking on the right wavelength. A 5-foot tank would be fine. There are still plenty of options for fish.

BakerJoe · Jan 25, 2022

Byron said:
You're thinking on the right wavelength. A 5-foot tank would be fine. There are still plenty of options for fish.

It’s not going to be a 5ft tank though as that won’t fit . … what ever fish goes in it will be selected to suit the space , plenty of options in a 3ft cube especially as it’s going to end up 400trs of water . Keyholes would be fine . Apistogrammas etc or maybe just a big shoal of tetras .

Byron · Jan 25, 2022

BakerJoe said:
It’s not going to be a 5ft tank though as that won’t fit . … what ever fish goes in it will be selected to suit the space , plenty of options in a 3ft cube especially as it’s going to end up 400trs of water . Keyholes would be fine . Apistogrammas etc or maybe just a big shoal of tetras .

Sorry, i didn't say that clearly...I meant that your thinking that angelfish need a 5-foot tank was correct, and this fish is not suited to your intended cube.

As for options in the cube...you need to keep in mind fish for each level, from strictly surface, to mid-water, to substrate. If this is not achieved, in a tank this large a cube it will always seem "empty." If the substrate is sand, Corydoras are good options because they will be moving throughout the tank, browsing surfaces of wood and plants, as well as the sand. Most neotropical cichlids are primarily lower level fish, near the substrate. Mid and upper level would be the areas for good-sized groups of species of characins (tetras, pencilfishes, hatchetfishes). Interesting loricariids like Farlowella vitatta (this is the smaller fish, not the "Royals") and/or Rineloricaria (again the smaller whiptails).

BakerJoe · Jan 25, 2022

this is my inspiration, though I’m going to add a bed of crypts around the base of the Roots and some epiphytes to the branches higher up in the water . Smooth sand bed . I quite fancy a nice group of false bandit corys . Maybe a group of red phantoms or pencils is a good call I did have a amazing group some years back and did get a lot of joy from them . And a larger fish of some sort of I can think of a suitable one .

Byron · Jan 25, 2022

Yes, that sort of tank was in my mind's eye. Notice the cichlids and the tetras are all in the lower half...this is because the cichlids naturally live there, but with the tetras [if that is what they are, can't get the photo clear enough to really see them] most likely because of the "open" upper area, it is disconcerting to forest fish. Floating plants, like Frogbit if you want to be true to the Amazon, or Water Sprite or Water Lettuce if geography of the plants does not matter, would be well worth it.

BakerJoe · Jan 25, 2022

Yeah that’s a good shout , you’ve given me a fair bit to think about . I loved keeping rams but they are bottom huggers too.At least in my tank they always seemed to be . In my mind I’d like a nice Cory on the sand a schooling fish mid water ( fairly colourful to keep the wife and don happy ) and a pair /group of something mid sized

if only they would all stay put it will be great but the tetras will end up on the sand and the corys zooming up and down the verticals of the glass

. I either need a fairly brave tetra or to provide cover like you say … I had planned of scattering some Lilly pads In the open water for cover and because of some footage I’d seen on you tube of the Amazon basin . I’m going to ask my buddy about pencils though. Flag cichlids are nice but depending on the tetra could be a issue if they paired up

Byron · Jan 25, 2022

BakerJoe said:
Yeah that’s a good shout , you’ve given me a fair bit to think about . I loved keeping rams but they are bottom huggers too.At least in my tank they always seemed to be . In my mind I’d like a nice Cory on the sand a schooling fish mid water ( fairly colourful to keep the wife and don happy ) and a pair /group of something mid sized if only they would all stay put it will be great but the tetras will end up on the sand and the corys zooming up and down the verticals of the glass . I either need a fairly brave tetra or to provide cover like you say … I had planned of scattering some Lilly pads In the open water for cover and because of some footage I’d seen on you tube of the Amazon basin . I’m going to ask my buddy about pencils though. Flag cichlids are nice but depending on the tetra could be a issue if they paired up

All neotropical cichlids are bottom fish, meaning the lower half of the tank. There may be a species or two that are not, but I have never come across them.

Fish will remain where they tend to be, provided we give them the environment/aquascape they expect. Research of the habitat of each species is the key to success.

BakerJoe · Jan 30, 2022

Built a bit more of the unit this weekend, just need to play with the hinges a bit more and run some sealant round the edges of the unit . Also had a trip to get some hardscape materials too . Sourced my co2 supply ( a friend who owns a pub will get me 6kg or 12kg bottles ) just need to buy the regular now . Hopefully the tank will arrive in the next 2 weeks

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