After even more delays (personal, not tank related) I finally have my tank up in my apartment! I am filling it as we speak with my new Python (love it!).

Here are a few early pictures...will add more as the night goes on, along with the trillion questions that will probably come up!

Cruddy pics as usual since I am using a cruddy cell phone camera...I just realized that my camcorder takes still pics but I need to buy a memory card...yay no more cruddy pictures!

Current tank...tiny and lovely with nylon bags of media everywhere, ceramic cylinders spilling out of the filters and Bio-wheels crammed in the corner:



My newly painted, reinforced stand:



Washing the tank in the tub:



Pile o' stuff:



Washing rocks:



More later...if you can stand it!

Tank ON the stand:



First water going in YAY YAY YAY!



I know these are boring as heck but I said I would document...

And if anyone has any ideas on when to move filter media... http://www.kokosgoldfish.invisionzone.com/...=0&#entry536026

Thank you very much!

Go check it out, girl!!! New tank!! Your fish are gonna be so happy. What a size difference between the old and new tank.

We all love these documented type posts!! You have done it all; so thoroughly Jen. I remember your other thread preparing. The new tank looks huge in the tub there...you must be so excited to put the fish in and get decorating I'm so excited for you. How're you going to put the fish in to acclimitise? More pics, more pics! Is it ready yet????? (impatient...)

Wow Jen - it's looking awesome I see Andrea has answered your question (same thought I had) so now the next pic I wanna see is your fish in the new 55

I've never had any problems introducing my fish to a new tank set up, especially when I run the filters for a couple of hours first.... I have always adopted the method that I would use 20-40% tank water (from another of my tanks) and the remainder new water.

Thanks guys! Can I run the filters for a few minutes with no cartridges in them? That won't hurt anything will it? I just want to see if they work since I have not tried them yet! With my luck you never know!

And should I remove the carbon from my pre-made cartridges or maybe leave it in for a week or two in case there are any impurities? Normally I would not use carbon unless removing meds. Sorry for asking both places....

Yes to the first question and running carbon for the first couple of days isn't a bad idea. It doesn't really house any good bacteria so maybe replacing it with more media that does will help your biological filtration along

My plans are (with the twin Emperor 280's) is to have one filter cartridge full of crushed coral for my cruddy kh problem, the other empty so it is easy to swish off the junk, then the two extra media baskets full of ceramic cylinders, plus I will have my Whisper 40i from the old tank in there and it is FULL of bacteria...or something anyway! LOL!

So I will take the carbon out soon and probably not use it again, thanks!

For acclimating, I plan to let the water sit for at least 24 hours with filters running so the temp is the same (no heaters), then check the ph and make sure it is the same, and then I think I should be ok to just add one of the fish in there, right? See how he does, then add another like 8 hours later? I will have my usualy heart attack moving them, I hate catching them they are fast and strong and scare me to death that one will jump on the floor or something!

Then I plan to just leave two in for awhile (2 weeks maybe?) and monitor params closely (in both tanks since the other one will be underfiltered, although with two less fish) and see what happens with the cycle. If all goes well, then the other two can go in!

And then...maybe I will get a little black moor for my 20, but we'll see!

I simply cannot wait to see them swimming in a big tank!

Congratulations Jen, the tank and stand look awesome!

Thank you Annette, are you feeling any better? I hope so-it is no fun being sick.

The best part of this is that I got the tank, stand, hood w/ lights, two Emperor 280's, two air pumps, some plastic plants and gravel for $105!

Hooray for Jen!!!! By the way,what a bargain on everything-you learn fast!!! I think we're as excited as you, so continue with this saga!

Thank you!

First bad news though...one of the Emperor's is not working.

I plug it in and nothing happens, even if i plug it in the same place as the one that works. Erg, my fiance is goingto freak if I have to buy another filter, but I want to get my fish in there! I think Penguin 350's were on sale for $29 at Petsmart....

Darn, darn, darn! I may have even wrecked it myself somehow clening it and all...

EDIT: WAIT! Do they stop if the intake tube is not in right? I jiggled it and it came to life! Spray bar water in my face and everything! If that is all it was then I am SO happy! If it is loose wiring though I don;t want to risk my fish.

Yay!

Well would you look at that - both working

I think your plan for your filters is an excellent one - enough biological and mechanical filtration plus the added bonus of raising your kh....

I can't wait to see your fish in the tank and a full front shot with it filled

So..... how excited are you at the moment?

WAY EXCITED Excited enough to shout on the internet!

My fish are watching the new tank I swear, they have all been pointed toward it since I turned the filters on! (sorry about the horrible pic)



Oh man, I cannot wait to put them in there...

Now, if I could just figure out a way to get that tiny bit of sand/gravel out of the bottom of the tank I'd be set! Everything I try it eother gets stuck under the edge or something. The tank was full of gravel when I bought it and I got all but about a teaspoon full of teeny pieces of it and it is sitting on the bottom of the tank and I-want-it-OUT!

I had this same problem and ended up picking out the last 30 or so with my fingernails - sheesh it took forever

I love that shot of your fish - they really are looking over at the new tank aren't they?

They are totally looking at the new tank...it is hilarious! They are still like that too.

So I just drained it again, am about to add the rocks, refill, dechlor and let the filters run for 24 hours with cartridges only. Then *maybe* tomorrow night I can add a fish! Of course then I will stay up all night watching to make sure he/she is ok, lol!

And you should see the rest of my house, no laundry is done, kitchen a mess, fish supplies all over the living room. Oh well! And my daughter actually wants me to put her to bed, can you believe that? We are watching Grease and she is getting sleepy so I should probably leave the tank alone for 5 minutes before someonbe calls child welfare on me!

WOW, Looks awesome Jen!! We can both be excited now! I just put up my 75 gallon tonight. I bet your fish will be soooo happy to have a new home.

LOL Erin, I just posted in your thread saying the same thing! We can have tank anniversaries together!

Yay! Let's eat cake!

Woohoo! Anniversary cake!

Now I am freaking out though because I keep thinking I can smell bleach inthe tank, which is what I used to disinfect. I rinsed it forever, but you never know. It may just be that I am smelling the chlorine in our water, which is pretty high, but I am so paranoid. I will fill and refill a few more times to make sure and use massive amounts of Prime, so hopefully all will be well!

Oh jen YAY!!!!! You're fish are just as excited as you! I can't wait to see them in their new home.

If you think you can smell bleach it is not too late to rinse a few more times. I often mistake the tap chlorine smell for bleach when I'm paranoid too, but better safe than sorry.

OH MY goodness! My first night with the Python and I wasn't paying attention and OVERFILLED the tank! Yes, and I do live on the third floor. Thank goodness I was sitting two feet away!

There is going to have to be a "stand up while the tank is filling, eyes onthe tank" rule, no sitting inthe chair, especially not at the computer! And here I was, all excited that I could fill up my tank while sitting down!

At least I thought to unplug the surge protector (where the water was dripping into_ before shutting off the water, it was just starting to get hit with water. Of course I have no drip loops or anything set up yet. Dumb, dumb, dumb!

Durrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

I have spilled more water before though just with a bucket, so I still love the Python so far~!

lol, My water is highly chlorinated too. It smelled like a swimming pool! The smell goes away in a couple of days though, helps adding Prime to the water as well.

My water is actually BLUE! I added a ton of prime, put a cartridge with carbon in one of the filters, and will leave it running overnight. Tomorrow I will change out the water again and start over. Then, tomorrow night, hopefully, a fish can get in! YAY YAY YAY YAY!

OMG mine too!! Did you see how blue it was in my thread?

I just looked again, mine is the same color exactly! And I am also 5'4". And then there is the whole goth thing...lol, we must be goldie sisters or something. Or perhaps I have had too much excitement (and caffeine) in one day and I should probably go to bed!

LMAO!! Yes goldie sisters indeed! We should start a club!

You should go to sleep, as should I. So much excitement!

Well, after the Python mishap everything else went well last night, I drained and refilled again, added some rocks, a heavy dose of Prime and ran the filters with carbon in last night. With some luck there will be at least one fish in there tonight!

I need to see if I can get this tubing I bought to work for extending the intake tubes to the bottom of the tank, if not I will just have to buy the actual parts from Marineland, but for both filters it is only like $20 with shipping so not too bad! Worth it for a poo-free tank, right?

It is impossible to sit in here with the filters running and not have to pee every 5 minutes lol, they are running w/o the Bio-wheels and the top covers open so it is like a giant fountain....

Thanks for checking in, I will update more later, off to do the Father's Day thing~!

Ahhh...double post. It IS all about me! (Hi Devs!)

Its looking great Jen!! I posted more pics in my thread too, let me know what you think! (It's all about me too ya know! )

LOL this thread has made me laugh
I'm soooo excited for you and your fishies :jig

Houston, we have fish! I moved one of my commons over a few minutes ago since the ph was finally matched. He is kind of darting around alot, and stuff but i am hoping that is just from the new surroundings, plus he has never seen a barebottom before!

Here are three pics:



Gee mom, where are all the rocks?



My cat likes the new tank too! She's "helping"!

Yay!! The darting is probably just nervousness, and he should settle down soon. Is that cherry?

Aw Jen, thats great! He looks so happy with all the room.

This one is Pony Boy, Cherry has such a long flowing tail I am always scared to catch her so I moved the easiest one first! Actually, the smallest white common (Soda Pop) is the easiest to catch, he/she kept swimming INTO the net, (I use the net to herd them into a plastic container) but that one has a torn/frayed dorsal fin so he/she is staying in the 20 which is salted and already cycled. So of course Soda was easiest to catch since I didn't want him/her!

Pony is settling down a bit, I think it is the barebottom throwing him off...can they see their reflection in the bottom?

I moved all the ceramic cylinders that have been soaking in the 20 into the Emperors and the rest in a nylon bag on the bottom of the tank. Both Bio-wheels are on too, they have also been floating in the 20 for a few weeks. And I moved one of the 20's filters over entirely, but MAN I hated to move such a yucky, skanky filter into a clean, sparkling tank! I know it is for the best though...

Also, ot, but I have never had a Bio-wheel filter before, are the wheels supposed to turn at a steady rate or in little spurts? Like it turns, stops, turns, stops...I guess that makes sense since it is from the water and not on a mechanical thing spinning it, but just wanted to check. It keeps turning around, it just does so in little spurts.

Thanks for checking in guys!

WoW! You tank is coming along GREAT!!

Hey, if ya' wanna save a little $$$ instead of new intake tubes you CAN go to Wallyworld or Home D*pot! I took my intake tube with me & found some tubing that fit right into it. I got a good bit for not much $$. I was able to make on tube reach ALL the way to the bottom. You can choose whatever length YOU want!! Plus have extra for later!!

PS.....We L O V E pics!! Post a million of 'em!!

You go girl!!

Hey Jeana! I did buy some tubing to try and DIY an extension for the intake, but it looks like it might be a little harder than I thought. The Emperor intake tubes are rectangular sort of, not round, so finding proper tubing is hard. But tomorrow my fiance is going to help me try and get it on there and use hot or boiling water/hair dryer to make sure there is no leaks. Cross your fingers for us! I can always just buy the parts I need from Marineland, it would only be about $20 for both filters, to get the actual part, but I am willing to try the DIY way first!

Thanks for your kind words aboiut the tank, I am still not sure about the whole barebottom thing, but I am going to try it for a bit! I will also add another fish in the am and put up some more pics.

Hey Jen,Have you tried Big Al's Tropical on line? They sell Marineland Emperor Extension Bars for 2.99 a piece.Shipping is about 8.00.http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/produc...id1=1971;pcid2=

Looking good, looking good...
I think the barebottom must feel different but what a trade- gravel for huge tank Are the rest of the family moved in yet????

Devs, I had not tried looking on there, that is much cheaper than buying them from Marineland direct and I found the coupler piece I need as well. Thank you VERY much! It may be easier and look nicer in the long run to just buy the actual, proper pieces. I may buy an extra media basket too, I broke one trying to cram too much coral into it tonight...all I broke off was the little clip at the top though, it still works when it is in the filter you just have to be careful it doesn't fall apart when you pull it out.

The thing I am having issues with now is the Bio-wheel on one of the filters is not turning properly or stops turning altogether. The other one is fine, but this one is either all jerky or stops completely. I have tried the spray bar in every possible position and even adjusting the intake flow, but no luck yet. I was thinking of putting something around the little pegs that hold the wheel in place so it would raise it up a tiny bit and see if that worked? Any thoughts? This is my first Bio-wheel filter.

Thanks, i am off to bed but I will check back soon, and I will add more pics as soon as I add the second fish in!

Check the Bio wheel itself.Sometimes they get the slightest little bend(kink) in the folds of it,and they'll stop working. I've been using Bio Wheels for a number of years now,and they seem to have a mind of their own.
I'm glad I could help you.Some of Big Al's prices have gone up recently,but in the end I think they'll match prices if you can show it,and they're great when it comes to buying parts and such.

Oh my stars!!!!!!

I haven't been on in a while and have missed all the excitement--until now!!

How exciting is this?! I am sooooooo happy for you and your fish, Jen!! The stand looks magnificent!! I can't wait to hear how the rest of the fish do in their new paradise. Please keep us posted and the more pics the better!

I know what you mean about the laundry needing to be done, the house being a mess, etc. I've been working on and off (mostly on) since OCTOBER on this stupid chilo thing. Lots of treatments, water changes, and such. My fishies' tank is definitely cleaner than my house!! (Oh BTW--I literally LOL when I read under your avatar about my chilo )

Anyway, glad to hear things are going well. I will be adding my fish to their new tank as soon as it cycles. I wish it was ready so I could share the anniversary with you and glitterfish!! (Perhaps you could share your anniversary cake with me anyway )

Trinket...only two are moved in for now. One of my commons has a torn fin so he will stay in the 20 with some salt for a bit, plus I want to see how the new tank hand;es the waste load, and then go from there. Plus, if I keep my 20 cycled I can get a little black moor maybe...I still might add gravel later, I have TONS, but I wanted to try out the barebottom and see. It kinda freaks out the fish though, but I think they'll get used to it.

Devs...the Bio-wheel itself is ok, I switched it with the other one and it works fine in there. It seems like the grooves where you place the wheel, one of them is lower than the other, making the wheel sit a tad crooked and so it gets caught on the filter itself. I will keep messing with it though, haven't given up yet! I can wrap masking tape around one end and it helps but the masking tape might come off and with my luck one of my fish would eat it, so I am trying to figure out another way. And Big Al's was perfect for my parts, much cheaper than anywhere else, thank you so much!

Fantailfan1- Thank you for the compliments, and of course you can share our anniversary and/or cake, what the heck! The more the merrier. I will have some more pics shortly, I added the second fish in tonight. I was wondering if you had seen my "personal message" or whatever it is called under my avatar, it has been up for two weeks or so...just for you!

More pics, although there is still no decoration! After about 20 minutes of trying to safely catch him, I got the second fish into the new tank. He definitely thought the barebottom was weird too , and the other fish was VERY glad to see him! Like glad enough that he was chasing him around sniffing his vent area...of course I have not been able to accurately sex my fish, so it would be just my luck that they would lay eggs in the new tank, but I am hoping they just really missed eachother! Amd the white fish does have missing scales, it isn't just the cruddy pics, he came to me witth missing scales and his previous owner said they were always like that and they have just never grown back! Weirdness.

Alright, what you really want, more cruddy cell phone pics:

Kisses!



"I'm scared of the shiny bottom!"



"It's ok Johnny, the bottom won't hurt you!"

This had better be platonic butt sniffing!



And two tank shots, although not much has changed. The stuff piled up behind it is to keep that cats away-I need to move things before I can add the hoods, and that will require taking out some of the water, so i am planning to wait until the first water change.

Jen,I think that all is coming along very well. The fish may be freaked with the new space and bare bottom for a moment,but they'll adjust in no time. I loved the "Butt Sniffing" pic--too funny!

Wow Jen - they actually look small in that tank I think they're going to have a blast in there