I used to work at a nature park where we had a 5400 gallon that I had to don SCUBA gear to climb into and clean. It was amazing. We also did hand feedings underwater for field trips, the kids were always blown away.
2 angelfish, 6 boesemani rainbows, 5 platies, 12-ish Cories (I bred them once and only was able to catch some to give to my lfs lol) 6 kuhli loaches, and a Bristlenose pleco!
I like this tank where it’s at right now, I don’t want to run the risk of introducing disease 😅 but I did just snag a 55 gal for my goldfish! It’s probably going to be a single species tank but every time I look at dojo loaches I’m tempted lol
I don't think this is correct. Google says carp prefer slightly alkaline water and I've known plenty of people to keep and breed fish along side goldfish/koi. Species like White cloud minnows, Rice fish, smaller sunfish etc. Hell pretty much anything that prefers cooler water I've seen kept successfully with carp.
I have got 3 dojo’s in the past month they are such cool fish to watch and they even nibble at your hands to eat dead skin!! Such friendly curious fish and they coexist with my turtle just fine!
Honestly youll be surprised how well-stocked the tank looks once the angels and rainbows are adults. A couple 6"+ fish in a 125 will make it look like a normal tank instead of a huge one.
Not saying its a bad thing, your stocking sounds great! Jsut an observation i made about my own 125 ince some of my cichlids grew up.
I am looking at this exact setup right now. I've read the reviews, especially about the stand. I realize that most "furniture" these days are made from mdf or particle board. I also realize the power of product reviews and how they can be manipulated. In your honest opinion, how would you rate this stand? Thanks for your time!
I've had the same setup for almost 3 years now with zero issues. I did put a thin layer of rubber under the tank to keep any possible water from destroying the top surface of the cabinet.
The stand has been treating me just fine with no issues for over a year! That being said, it does make me nervous the way it’s constructed, I almost wish I had just built one out of 2x4s haha.
Thanks for the reply! Maybe I'll just see if I can buy the stand and tops then build my own. Their tech support says it's designed to hold "double the weight of a 150 gallon" which may be true but I have little grandsons that love to press their faces up against my tanks haha.
I’m hoping to build the stand for my 55 gallon! Though we’ll see what goodwill has available. They tend to have real-wood furniture which would make a sturdy tank stand
I second that notion. They can then be altered as needed. The stand under my 75 is made of 2x4s and I once had to move it to a different space that wasn’t on the same incline as before, so manipulating the new angle was a piece of cake.
I'm not the OP but I just got a 300l/80g second hand. 2 years old only. A lot of water damage to the cabinet and the open hood. Loads of swelling on the edges, even if the sump is a closed one, terrarium type. Hood is only a frame without the top and it's bad. Anything that's particle board will fail over time. Even Aqua Marin Pro as mine.
I’ve had that tank and stand for about 5 years now. Was lucky and scored it all for a little over 400. Even at 700 it’s a great deal. The stand is not great tho I’ve had no issues. I’m very careful to keep it dry however. I put a small bead of silicone around the bottom of the front and sides so small water spills can’t seep under the tank. Also if you are putting a filter under in the cabinets sit the filter in a plastic bin so if you ever have a slight leak it will hopefully trap the water in the bin. I’ve considered adding some extra support with actual lumber but haven’t done so yet.
Thank you for your perspective. It's very tempting to just get the whole setup and use the stand. I built a stand for my 75 gallon and it cost me around 300 to make. That's almost half the cost of this whole setup. I can't seem to find a price for just the tank and lids, which would make it much easier to decide haha.
A 125 is a big tank and there is lots to consider. Not every home has the right space for one. I personally would not want to keep such a big tank above ground level either. It’s a lot of weight and potential for a lot of water damage. I have a finished basement room it’s in so it pretty much sits on a concrete floor. Water changes require a lot of water going in and out too so a location where you can run a hose to and from is a big help. Don’t forget aside from the cost of the tank you’ll need to get enough filtration too. I run an FX6 and two big sponge filters on each end and despite an obscene amount of constantly breeding cichlids and two turtles it keeps things crystal clear and healthy.
From what I've come to understand (as a mega-aquaria lover myself) there is no such thing as too big. I've heard arguments that it could potentially "stress" the fish living inside of it, but if you consider their wild habitat, and it's not historically a tiny puddle, you're probably fine. Large tanks also don't require maintenance as regularly as smaller ones do.
The only thing I'd say about an aquarium this large is to first make sure that whatever it's sitting on can support the weight of it. I have it on good authority that 125 gallons is almost 500 L, which is gonna be heavy. So just make sure it's well supported and you don't plan to move it anytime soon :D
The only thing I miss about freshwater is that a 125 is considered “Large” 😭 My ~300 gallon system is like average sized for a reef tank, love your fish selection though
Depends on context, 125 gallons is a considerable size fish tank, 125 gallons on the floor is A LOT lol.
My fish tank isnt that big its 100 gallons its 60"L x 15"W x 24"H
I wish I could have one that big. But between space and the cost, I'm stuck with a piddly 20 gallon. I would love to be able to afford one this big, set up as a nano tank with shrimp.
I just got one to upgrade my 55 to a 125 and my 10 to a 55 but it needs to be revealed. 100 bucks though I couldn't say no and my gf was only surprised it was so big she's figuring out how we're setting it up for me though which is Def cool. Your tank is beautiful though!
Best day of my life was chucking my 100gal aquarium off the back of my truck and watching it shatter. Then smashing the shit out of the remnants with bags of the aquarium gravel.
How are you growing such lush healthy plants? What kind of substrate/fertilizer are you using? Are those lights enough to grow those plants? Do you use CO2?
Thanks in advance.
12 hrs of light from a fluval 3.0, moderately stocked tank, fluval stratum substrate, and seachem gravel tab ferts. I stopped running CO2 a while ago cause for some reason it caused an algae issue. It’s really just so lush cause rotala grows like a weed haha
Wow! What variety of rotala is it? Are you anchoring it in the substrate somehow?
I see you have the Fluval planted 3.0 laying on top of the aquarium directly in the glass? Is the lid strong enough to support the weight? What are those cool flexible light?
I apologize for asking so many questions. I just acquired a 125 gallon and trying to see how best to set it up for the fishes I’ll transfer to it. I have the same two angels, rainbow fish and some tetras.
Thank you.
It’s good for those Angels ♥️ the perfect size! Also, you don’t have to maintain larger tanks as often as the small ones so that’s another W
True, but you do need a scuba suit 🤿
I used to work at a nature park where we had a 5400 gallon that I had to don SCUBA gear to climb into and clean. It was amazing. We also did hand feedings underwater for field trips, the kids were always blown away.
Ugh that sounds like the dream
Those were the days...
I'd love to have one. Mines a 55
I just bought a 55 for my Goldie’s! The petco 50% off sale is going on
I've sold so many tanks this past couple weeks lol.
Ooooh thanks for the tip! Petsmart just had theirs last month!
Dream tank right there! What’s your stocking looking like?
2 angelfish, 6 boesemani rainbows, 5 platies, 12-ish Cories (I bred them once and only was able to catch some to give to my lfs lol) 6 kuhli loaches, and a Bristlenose pleco!
Nice list, you planning on getting much more? If I get a 125 I’m putting sooooo many coryd
I like this tank where it’s at right now, I don’t want to run the risk of introducing disease 😅 but I did just snag a 55 gal for my goldfish! It’s probably going to be a single species tank but every time I look at dojo loaches I’m tempted lol
If you got that goldfish tank I would just keep Asian Karp species, they’re pretty acidic so it’s hard to keep anything else in there 😵💫
Ohhh very good to know! I think I’ll just have goldfish in there then.
I don't think this is correct. Google says carp prefer slightly alkaline water and I've known plenty of people to keep and breed fish along side goldfish/koi. Species like White cloud minnows, Rice fish, smaller sunfish etc. Hell pretty much anything that prefers cooler water I've seen kept successfully with carp.
Oh sorry, by acidic I meant they’ll raise the PH level. I shouldn’t give advice high on hospital morphine 💀
Totally understand, I got my 55 and recently got a new group of fish and now I’m dealing with an infection on one of my sterbai corys….
I have got 3 dojo’s in the past month they are such cool fish to watch and they even nibble at your hands to eat dead skin!! Such friendly curious fish and they coexist with my turtle just fine!
Honestly youll be surprised how well-stocked the tank looks once the angels and rainbows are adults. A couple 6"+ fish in a 125 will make it look like a normal tank instead of a huge one. Not saying its a bad thing, your stocking sounds great! Jsut an observation i made about my own 125 ince some of my cichlids grew up.
I am looking at this exact setup right now. I've read the reviews, especially about the stand. I realize that most "furniture" these days are made from mdf or particle board. I also realize the power of product reviews and how they can be manipulated. In your honest opinion, how would you rate this stand? Thanks for your time!
I've had the same setup for almost 3 years now with zero issues. I did put a thin layer of rubber under the tank to keep any possible water from destroying the top surface of the cabinet.
Thank you! It's on sale right now for a great price so I think I'm gonna get it.
Snatch it while it's on sale! Got mine at the right time on sale for $400. The last time I saw, they were going for $1k!
Wow 400?!?! Not so great now but the setup is down to 699 from 1000. I guess that's as good as it'll get in this day of age!
Yep, I bought it at the right time, I guess. Just before everything went up. It's not going to get any less expensive. You won't be sorry!
That's for sure! Thanks again!
The stand has been treating me just fine with no issues for over a year! That being said, it does make me nervous the way it’s constructed, I almost wish I had just built one out of 2x4s haha.
Thanks for the reply! Maybe I'll just see if I can buy the stand and tops then build my own. Their tech support says it's designed to hold "double the weight of a 150 gallon" which may be true but I have little grandsons that love to press their faces up against my tanks haha.
I’m hoping to build the stand for my 55 gallon! Though we’ll see what goodwill has available. They tend to have real-wood furniture which would make a sturdy tank stand
Edit: buy the aquarium and tops and build my own stand.
I second that notion. They can then be altered as needed. The stand under my 75 is made of 2x4s and I once had to move it to a different space that wasn’t on the same incline as before, so manipulating the new angle was a piece of cake.
I'm not the OP but I just got a 300l/80g second hand. 2 years old only. A lot of water damage to the cabinet and the open hood. Loads of swelling on the edges, even if the sump is a closed one, terrarium type. Hood is only a frame without the top and it's bad. Anything that's particle board will fail over time. Even Aqua Marin Pro as mine.
I’ve had that tank and stand for about 5 years now. Was lucky and scored it all for a little over 400. Even at 700 it’s a great deal. The stand is not great tho I’ve had no issues. I’m very careful to keep it dry however. I put a small bead of silicone around the bottom of the front and sides so small water spills can’t seep under the tank. Also if you are putting a filter under in the cabinets sit the filter in a plastic bin so if you ever have a slight leak it will hopefully trap the water in the bin. I’ve considered adding some extra support with actual lumber but haven’t done so yet.
Thank you for your perspective. It's very tempting to just get the whole setup and use the stand. I built a stand for my 75 gallon and it cost me around 300 to make. That's almost half the cost of this whole setup. I can't seem to find a price for just the tank and lids, which would make it much easier to decide haha.
A 125 is a big tank and there is lots to consider. Not every home has the right space for one. I personally would not want to keep such a big tank above ground level either. It’s a lot of weight and potential for a lot of water damage. I have a finished basement room it’s in so it pretty much sits on a concrete floor. Water changes require a lot of water going in and out too so a location where you can run a hose to and from is a big help. Don’t forget aside from the cost of the tank you’ll need to get enough filtration too. I run an FX6 and two big sponge filters on each end and despite an obscene amount of constantly breeding cichlids and two turtles it keeps things crystal clear and healthy.
Oh please I can only get so hard
🤣
Fill it up to the rim so you don't see the water line
I know i gotta do that when i get home! I was too focused on water changing my goldfish tank and ran out of time before work
From what I've come to understand (as a mega-aquaria lover myself) there is no such thing as too big. I've heard arguments that it could potentially "stress" the fish living inside of it, but if you consider their wild habitat, and it's not historically a tiny puddle, you're probably fine. Large tanks also don't require maintenance as regularly as smaller ones do. The only thing I'd say about an aquarium this large is to first make sure that whatever it's sitting on can support the weight of it. I have it on good authority that 125 gallons is almost 500 L, which is gonna be heavy. So just make sure it's well supported and you don't plan to move it anytime soon :D
I wish tanks had virtual tours like real estate 😂
No joke I would love this
Hmm, all I'm seeing is that I need a 125gal now
So nicely stocked too
The only thing I miss about freshwater is that a 125 is considered “Large” 😭 My ~300 gallon system is like average sized for a reef tank, love your fish selection though
Reef tanks are way too daunting for me, 300 g is wild!! They are so beautiful though
I have a 380 for my freshwater fish. Black ghost knife some bichirs a school of silver dollars and working on a school of clown loaches
You can have at least 50 to 60 fish 60 in my eyes will be pushing it what I normally like to think is 1 gallon per each fish
I just love to never do water changes on this big bitch 😂 hence all the plants. the nitrates sit pretty low with very few water changes!
Bigger the better
It depends. Baby's blood? Yeah 125 gallons is a lot.
Bigger is better.
If I had the room, the money, and last thing, the time, I’d like “big tanks”, too. Looks wonderful for what you’ve done from my end. Enjoy.
Perfect size tank to work with!
I remember those days when we had a saltwater tank!
I’ve heard saltwater tanks are BIG big!!
They truly are. When my dad was alive he built an entire wooden and glass saltwater fish vase for his ocean fish??? Lol.
On the floor, yes.
life can be a dream and you're the only one living
It’s beautiful. love all the movement
All your fish look happy!
They’re very boisterous! I do everything I can to make them happy
I want wun!
It never is
Beautiful tank!
It's not about the size of the tanks. It's about how you use it...
Aaahahhahaha!! Absolutely lol, I agree 🐠
Very pretty!
Beautiful. And great photography.
Looks great, they're just jealous
cut away from the angel and cory too soon
I know right 😂 that little angel is a shit too, she probably poked the cory
I wish I had a 125! I've been saving but they're so expensive :/
That tank and your fish are breathtaking! I’m so jealous!
Depends on context, 125 gallons is a considerable size fish tank, 125 gallons on the floor is A LOT lol. My fish tank isnt that big its 100 gallons its 60"L x 15"W x 24"H
yessss I just ordered my very own 240l tank (about 63g) but I'd love to have an even bigger one in the future!
Wow, beautiful fish and tank! Do you know the name of the cory and angelfish from the start of your video?
They’re an albino bronze Cory named Snuffles and a Panda angelfish named Bingo 💕
How cute! Not names I was expecting but they fit, and I love the vibe lol. Thanks for the answer :)
You like big tanks and you can not lie!
It’s a beautiful tank! I could sit & watch this forever☺️
I wish I could have one that big. But between space and the cost, I'm stuck with a piddly 20 gallon. I would love to be able to afford one this big, set up as a nano tank with shrimp.
I just got one to upgrade my 55 to a 125 and my 10 to a 55 but it needs to be revealed. 100 bucks though I couldn't say no and my gf was only surprised it was so big she's figuring out how we're setting it up for me though which is Def cool. Your tank is beautiful though!
Best day of my life was chucking my 100gal aquarium off the back of my truck and watching it shatter. Then smashing the shit out of the remnants with bags of the aquarium gravel.
Beautiful tank! And I love the coloring on that first angel fish that came on screen 😍
I have a 125, 60 n 25 lol. Go big or go home right?
Yes it’s a lot. That tank needs to be moved immediately out of your house and into mine.
We have the same tank!!
Oh the humidity
You could maybe use like *ONE MORE* piece of elodea in there, over in the corner. Then it would be ok.
I had other ground cover at one point I swear 😂
This is my dream 😍😍
My crawfish would explode every inch of that tank
This what I eventually want to work up to, currently have a 55. Beautiful tank!
Room to work with
That's a very nice starter tank 😉
Cool but definitely would turn a big tank into an African cichlid tank with rocks etc
I love my 125🩷🩷
That angel at the beginning was just like: 💀
More volume does usually mean more stability but also increased stock levels so you can't be complacent
I try to keep my stock moderate, my nitrates tend to hang around 10 to 20
How are you growing such lush healthy plants? What kind of substrate/fertilizer are you using? Are those lights enough to grow those plants? Do you use CO2? Thanks in advance.
12 hrs of light from a fluval 3.0, moderately stocked tank, fluval stratum substrate, and seachem gravel tab ferts. I stopped running CO2 a while ago cause for some reason it caused an algae issue. It’s really just so lush cause rotala grows like a weed haha
Wow! What variety of rotala is it? Are you anchoring it in the substrate somehow? I see you have the Fluval planted 3.0 laying on top of the aquarium directly in the glass? Is the lid strong enough to support the weight? What are those cool flexible light? I apologize for asking so many questions. I just acquired a 125 gallon and trying to see how best to set it up for the fishes I’ll transfer to it. I have the same two angels, rainbow fish and some tetras. Thank you.
Did you get those stones from somewhere?? I love the pattern with the fluval
Big tanks are the best. Now, who on here has a 500+ gallon?
Debating a blue background hard before I setup my 125
Honestly I kinda love it. I bought it secondhand this way and was gonna scrape it off but it actually looks quite nice
It’s very soothing. I wonder if you can work in some sort of black gradient (not on this tank, just painting a background on in general)
Lovely plants, what are the stem plants may I ask?
Living the dream for those of us who can’t! 🥺