Ideas for setting up a new tank?

[Timberwolf]

I just acquired a a tank that will be the tank I've always wanted, once I get it set up. The questions I have have to do with suggestions ways to set up the tank. It is a 48-inch, 75 gallon tank that has been pre-drilled for filtration. I am at a complete loss as to how to set it up (it is drilled, but does not have any of the hardware).

I'd love to hear what has worked and, probably more importantly, not worked for those of you who have similar set-ups. It will most likely be a community tank, but will have several types of cats (LDA-25 and Corydoras Aeneas to begin with, but I am also a fan of Pictus cats and synodontids).

I have lots of ideas, most of which would do more harm than good, like trying to find a way to put the heater into the filtered water return. In a tank with this much space, is it unheard of to use different substrates in different portions of the tank (flourite for plants and sand or gravel in other parts of the tank)?

Are there any books that will be useful in putting this together?

[L number Banana]

In a tank with this much space, is it unheard of to use different substrates in different portions of the tank (flourite for plants and sand or gravel in other parts of the tank)?

Only bit I can answer with any real experience. I have black flourite in the back and white sand in the front. I have plates of slate - like an old dry stone wall - separating the two BUT I've heard it works better if you use aquarium silicone to glue a flexible 'wall' of plastic as a divider. You can make it bendy so it looks like a more natural ridge. May even be able to find a thin strip of weather strip or something like that with a flat lip to do the job. Minimal 'gluing' and you can remove it if you get bored with the idea. I found the root of some plants grew under the slate and out into the sand. Still not a problem and my plants grow like mad - flourite is good stuff.

Some ideas: I'm wondering if synos with pims & corys will be a problem. Different parts of the world so maybe the pims and corys together? Some people create biotopes of fish from only one area or region. For example, here's the catfish from Orinoco in South America : http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/se ... esults=200
Lots of choice and there's many other types of non-catfish from there too.

The heater in the filter would loose a lot of heat on it's travels maybe? Nice wood or rocks can disguise a heater pretty good as long as there's enough flow?

Some of the more experienced people will surely give you some good pointers so don't rush it, sounds like it will be an awesome tank and planning is a good part of the fun!

Good luck

[Timberwolf]

Thanks. I like the idea of a biotope, but I've already blown that idea with the mix of fish I have, who will be moving into a bigger home as I set it up. So far, I have mollies from the Carolinas, tetras and cats from South America, a loach from Asia, and minnows from the upper Midwest, in the good ol' USA. They will all move into the bigger tank and I also want to add a pair of gouramis, some cherry barbs, and some harlequin rasboras. Small and peaceful for the majority of the fish. Cats can be bigger, but I will happily admit that I have a lot to learn about cats. Needless to say, no one goes into the tank until I have talked to people who know more than I do. I guess that I define the difference between "purist" and "hobbyist" and expert, I ain't. My biggest concern is that everyone gets along and is happy and healthy. if they would neaver actually meet each other in nature, oh well. Maybe when I can put together a room with different tanks, I can create other themes and biotopes.

I do like your idea for segregating the substrates. I took me a couple of time reading through it to figure out what you meant. I know I can't just throw any rock in, but I can't remember exactly how to test which ones are ok, or not. Slate is obviously ok, as are sandstones and lava rock, but what about granites and bassaults? Building caves is something else i will need to figure out.

It's going to be a while before I can even build the stand for it. I'm thinking that, because of the weight of the tank, it makes sense to build the stand around a 4x4 frame with nice, furniture-grade plywood covering it.

Thanks again! This is going to be a long-term project.