fish selections.... 10 gal, going to 55 gal soon.

[Caleb]

After reviewing this video, the guy makes an excellent case for using acrylic paint...cheap, no overspray, many colors to choose from, cheap, easy to roll on, and easy to remove.

[video=youtube;EqWAl5TpzY0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqWAl5TpzY0[/video]

 

[DarkRose]

Wow, how did I miss this thread? Must be because I seem to be spending more time lately on fish forums than INGO, lol.

Didn't go through the whole thread, but what have you decided on?

I'm running a 75 gallon with African cichlids (Malawi Haps, Peacocks, and Mbuna), a 29 gallon planted community tank in my sons room (Oto cats, Ram cichlids, farlowella cat, some shrimp, tetras, snakeskin barbs, and hatchetfish), and starting on a planted 40 gallon breeder tank in my room with a little bit more aquascaping, for assorted fancy shrimp, probably some celestial pearl danios, and some Badis and Scarlet Badis...

I got back into fish keeping hard in the last year or so...

I see some discussion of background...
Two of my tanks have 3D background, one has black spraypaint, both ways look good, depending on what you want. Spray paint is relatively quick, and really easy, and really cheap.

 

[DarkRose]

I got on their live chat to figure out what size I needed, no help whatsoever. I know grown cichlids are usually around 6", maybe up to 8" but I yet to see how wide and tall they get. I want to buy them for the long term...

Depends on the type of cichlid... Oscars can get really big (think 14"+), I've got a Malawi Eyebiter and Venustus that will both probably push 10", and some of the South American cichlids get really big. Most of mine should max out around 6-7" or so though... And they can be pretty thick.

If you've got a thick skin (I've learned the hard way), monsterfishkeepers.com has TONS of good info, specializing in large fish, and large cichlids are really popular over there. I spend a lot of time on that forum lately.

 

[Frosty]

After reviewing this video, the guy makes an excellent case for using acrylic paint...cheap, no overspray, many colors to choose from, cheap, easy to roll on, and easy to remove.

[video=youtube;EqWAl5TpzY0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqWAl5TpzY0[/video]

I tried to roll it on on my 30, no good! Unless he has a really good way to roll it on, I suggest just spraying it.

 

[Caleb]

Wow, how did I miss this thread? Must be because I seem to be spending more time lately on fish forums than INGO, lol.

Didn't go through the whole thread, but what have you decided on?

I'm running a 75 gallon with African cichlids (Malawi Haps, Peacocks, and Mbuna), a 29 gallon planted community tank in my sons room (Oto cats, Ram cichlids, farlowella cat, some shrimp, tetras, snakeskin barbs, and hatchetfish), and starting on a planted 40 gallon breeder tank in my room with a little bit more aquascaping, for assorted fancy shrimp, probably some celestial pearl danios, and some Badis and Scarlet Badis...

I got back into fish keeping hard in the last year or so...

I see some discussion of background...
Two of my tanks have 3D background, one has black spraypaint, both ways look good, depending on what you want. Spray paint is relatively quick, and really easy, and really cheap.

African cichlids...still doing some research.

Depends on the type of cichlid... Oscars can get really big (think 14"+), I've got a Malawi Eyebiter and Venustus that will both probably push 10", and some of the South American cichlids get really big. Most of mine should max out around 6-7" or so though... And they can be pretty thick.

If you've got a thick skin (I've learned the hard way), monsterfishkeepers.com has TONS of good info, specializing in large fish, and large cichlids are really popular over there. I spend a lot of time on that forum lately.

I'll have to check them out....what's your username on there?

I tried to roll it on on my 30, no good! Unless he has a really good way to roll it on, I suggest just spraying it.

The guy said you had to use a quality sponge filter...I'll probably try it, it'd only cost a couple bucks.

 

[Frosty]

Very true, and if it doesn't work a few minutes with a razor will fix it

 

[Caleb]

Got my paint...once I find a big bin to store my water for a bit, I'll put out the tank and stand and pain the back...can't wait!

 

[Caleb]

Operation: Acrylic

 

[Frosty]

Looks like fun... I'm kinda jealous! I might need to start another freshwater tank!

 

[Caleb]

Looks like fun... I'm kinda jealous! I might need to start another freshwater tank!

You got everything to do it, no?

 

[Frosty]

You got everything to do it, no?

Nope, I would need everything, but that's part of the fun! I'm thinking a 40 gallon breeder planted tank. Of course the one thing I won't be able to get is the wife's permission!

 

[Caleb]

Nope, I would need everything, but that's part of the fun! I'm thinking a 40 gallon breeder planted tank. Of course the one thing I won't be able to get is the wife's permission!

why not?

 

[Frosty]

why not?

Probably because of the 30 gallon that I want to redo and the 90 gallon that's not holding water yet. Not to mention the 10 gallon salt quarintine tank in the boys room and the 5 gallon in my daughters room, no place to put one in the kitchen, and I won't put it in the bedroom cause the first thing I'd do is stub my toe on it in the dark!

 

[Caleb]

Probably because of the 30 gallon that I want to redo and the 90 gallon that's not holding water yet. Not to mention the 10 gallon salt quarintine tank in the boys room and the 5 gallon in my daughters room, no place to put one in the kitchen, and I won't put it in the bedroom cause the first thing I'd do is stub my toe on it in the dark!

I wish I could have that 90 gal tank...I'm just getting this 55 gal up and running and already want to go bigger...

 

[Caleb]

Oh yea...black background with just one coat on it...

 

[Caleb]

Before:

After:

 

[DarkRose]

My username on MFK is the same as here.

Shot of my 75gallon cichlid tank with 3D background, when it was freshly filled. Lots more rockwork in it now.

Apparently most of my shots of my community tank are on my phone only at the moment. Need to get updated shots of my fish too...

Be careful, fishkeeping can be as addictive as guns and tattoos... I'm into all 3, plus cigars... I have to restrain myself from acquiring any more hobbies, LOL!

 

[Frosty]

Before:

After:

Looks good Caleb! So I guess the foam roller is the way to go huh?

 

[Caleb]

Looks good Caleb! So I guess the foam roller is the way to go huh?

I'd wish I'd bought a better roller, mine was flimsy. It appears the trick is one light coat going one direction, wait an hour or more then thick coat going perpendicular direction.

 

[Caleb]

DarkRose, I joined MFK last night, username is cdrake261