Help! new tank setups

[sgtbirch]

OK. here it is.I currently have two nicaraguense cichlids in a 36g high. It seems that the tank got awefully small awefully fast. So I have been waiting to steal the perfect used tank for the local paper want adds. last week i missed out on a 72gal bow front with stand filter and decor and a couple of fish for $350 U.S. I have given up the later idea. Since I have plenty enough filters I am just going to buy the 75 gal glass. Build my own stand(any advice on construction is appreciated) and hood. My question is when I do the water changes in my 35 gallon. If I take that water and add 50% tap water(tap water parameters are good except the hardness) and put it in the 75 gal. will this help my tank cycle faster. (I would like to get my nics out of the small tank ASAP before my male kills my female). This 75 gal will be my new cichlid tank. I would like to know any ideas on what type of fish I could add with them so they can all be added at the same time. I also want to make my 35 gal into a planted tank, with some tiger barbs, clown loaches, puffers and some really cool cats. my LFS has a catfish person. Does this sound like a reasonable tank??

 

[sgtbirch]

I should add. I am an adaquate carpenter hobbyist. So I'm not gonna make the stand out of cereal boxes. Just in case anyone was wondering. I estmate the wieght to be as follows Water = 600 lbs rocks and gravel and decor=200lbs any ides on glass wieght? Wow now I hope my floor can hold it from falling in the basement.

 

[semper fi]

cereal boxes! if only they would work the way my kids go through it!

as far as tank wieght goes my 180 with 1" glass weighs 250 lbs. my 65 wieghs about 50 lbs. would depend on the thickness of the glass.

transfering the water, gravel, sponge filters and any of the other equipment will give you an instant setup. do it alot with my 180. use the water, sponges and gravel to set up a new tank.

if you want to take a drive, there is a place in westland called cichlid world. they have the best prices on tanks that i have found. fish prices are outrageous though. sometimes he has used tanks also.

if you are going to drive to cichlid world, then i woulld suggest that you get with cichlidmaster and check out his set up and fish also. well worth the trip.

maggie

 

[cichlidmaster]

First...thanks Mags!!!!!!!!!!

Next........

sgt,

If you do decide to come down this way look me up!! Always glad to meet a new fishy person as well as board member.

I can also take ya round to a few of my haunts (fishy)!!

CM

 

[semper fi]

let me know if you guys do hook up. i could either meet you or you guys and spouses could come up to my work and i will buy you dinner!

maggie

 

[sgtbirch]

SWEET I was already gonna head there (westland)when I heard about cichlid world. Then all these bonuses came in . I will be visiting. Not sure if my wife will go( we have a two week old little baby boy. But I may bring a friend who is a saltwater enthusiast. I read how many tanks CM has but I forgot. What are you up to CM. I feel fortunate that both of you who have given my the most advice live so close. But heres another quesyion what if I dont wanna switch my gravel is that a big deal since my water change will be vacummed from my gravel??
I am very excited to meet you guys. Just dont know when. with a newbron and school and homeimprovements I am very busy. So let me know what you guys think it would have to fall on a weekend.

 

[sgtbirch]

tonight I am posting a few pics of my tank in member photos so check out my nics. I believe my female mey be pretty colorful for a nic. Havent seen one quite like her.