BEFORE You Buy that BIG AQUARIUM and MONSTER FISH - WATCH THIS!
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- Опубліковано 13 січ 2024
- Big aquariums and monster fish are amazing but there are some downsides. Things that come with running big aquariums and keeping large fish that must be considered before you commit and make that investment. Let's talk about the downside of keeping big aquariums and monster fish!
All that being said, there is no doubt that I LOVE my big tanks and fish and I'll tell you why I do near the end of this video.
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Your channel is fast becoming the best aquarium channel on UA-cam. Keep up the good work!
Very kind of you. Thank you😀😀❤️
Great topic! I have a monster tank on the wall. Two things that I found out after installation that I didn't think about. It's 4 feet wide and 10 feet long and cleaning the front glass is difficult. Getting a specific fish out is a bear too.
I have 3 55 gallon setups and my electric bill is starting to become a problem with all the sponge filters and wave makers running 24/7. But the love of the hobby keeps me in it month after month. Great video man. Much love. Keep it up.
Great topic. I've got a 125 g and the one issue I noticed is the larger fish destroy decor. It is very hard to keep this tank planted. Many larger fish will eat and uproot plants. Keeping this tank at the proper temperature consumes a lot of electricity even in the summer when the AC is running.
Hreat information to thank about jumping in to the big boy tanks. Thanks for sharing
Thanks for reminding me about reduncancy. I have one 5000 gallon pump in my sump and have thousands of $'s invested in my 500 gallon. Just ordered an FX 6 which I am going to use in parallel with my sump and plugged into an electrical line that is on another circuit. TIP- if you go with redundancy in electrical equipment like filters, plug each into a different circuit if possible. That way if one circuit breaker trips (e.g. heater malfunction), only one pump will go out as opposed to both.
Excellent video, Ben! I live in an apt, ground floor, 40 gallon. I did have a 55 but downsized. I was always aware of size, costs, maintenance, space, etc, when purchasing any tank. A 40 gallon is now my limit and even in a house, a 20-55 would be the max. I have too much anxiety for anything larger lol
150 gal discus tank with 40gal sump. Lots of work but incredibly rewarding. The tank is along joists and had the floor reinforced. I don’t even want to think about a leak and damage to the hardwood.
For me, big aquariums are my 340 and 500 gallon systems. I too love mine. A few key learnings. Almost all support systems from filters to lighting to heating require some level of customization. Off the shelf equipment is not made for giant tanks. You will need to draw upon plumbing and electrical skills to do the job right. Heaven forbid you have to move or sell your large aquarium system. I bought my tanks used and both sellers tried for a year and had to settle for 15 cents on every dollar invested. Trying to decorate or clean the bottom of a 3 foot deep tank presents some unique challenges. CURIOSLY i am now finding 50 gallon aquariums with colorful, schooling nano fish and robust plant growth to be more interesting, natural and beautiful than the large giant aquariums with the big bruisers. Great topic
Maybe someday you’ll turn that 500 into a jungle scape with 100 cardinal tetras.
And you’re right, it’s all dialed in to accommodate for the unorthodox size and we never get back what we invest in it (unless you attach an amount to the joy we got along the way…). Thanks for stopping by😀👍🏻
I actually like acrylic aquariums better they are a lot less heavier good video
I think you covered the negatives I've encountered. I dont have a 300 gallon, but I have a 210 and two 150Highs and a 120High and yeah, the money involved with setting them up and running them is the biggest hurdle. Water use isn't a concern for me because Im on a well, but I know it's a big deal for those people on municipal water.
Like you, I just can't seem to find much, if any, joy in the smaller tanks or smaller fish. I like the interaction I get with my big bruisers. Little fish just float around and do their own thing without much of a care for me or what Im doing.
GIVE ME THOSE TAIL WAGGERS!!! 🤣
. I went in to a pet shop. I said, “Can I buy a goldfish?” The guy said, “Do you want an aquarium?”
I said, “I don’t care what star sign it is.”
Thanks for all your work ❤
My canister filter ripped a 6" crack on me last week
Thank God it did it - as I was adjusting one of the hoses 😬
So I could deal with it instantly 🙌
To counter that. I have a 100 gallon tank that I set up as a dirt tank. It has a small sponge filter. I keep my temperature at the same as my house; 72 degrees so it only comes on at night when my heating is down. I have breed my own fish to fill it. I got the rocks from the beach. The plants are from my other tanks. So if you think, there are lots of ways to make it cheaper.
How many fish you have in your tank? A small sponge filter would never be enough with a fully stocked 75g or 100g tank if the tank is fully stocked. And if your into african cyclids they normally have to be overstocked to keep aggression down so you would have to turn your tank water over by 8-10 times an hr.
I bought a custom GlassCages 150 gallon 48x30x25H back in 2006. I intended to put it in my living room. But when I went under the house to reinforce the floor, the crawl space was too small to get under the living room. So I put it in my dining room where there was 3 feet height of workspace. I had estimated that with the tank, sump, stand, and water, it would weigh right around 2,000 lbs.
Definitely reinforce if you’re not on a concrete slab.
Very smart move! Thanks for watching and commenting.
All good points Ben. Had to watch this because we are picking up our 210 acrylic tonight. It's going to be the center piece of our fish room. Our room is a heated section of our garage. Hey, can we be in the garage club too then? 😊 Great video!
We’re different chapters of the Garage Gang 🤣😀👍🏻
👍🤠 I’ve only ever had a 125. Loved it. . . . I looked at Denison Barbs, they would be a nice addition. Those red stripes stand out really well, and they school together. Cichlid Bros had a nice video on them. 🖖
I will say, one of the BENEFITS of a big tank, you have less chance on big water quality changes vs smaller tanks.
Very true! Someone once said, “Dilution is the solution to pollution.” Small tanks can go wonky real fast.
Thanks Ben for the great info!
Love your videos brother !! Keep posting 🤜
Nice one! Glad to see another fish keeper with a garage full of tanks. I'm the same. My biggest is a 10ft 330G glass tank. Now I hear you about the weight. That was a little heavy. Good point about the redundant filtration too. Currently I only run an FX5 at one end and an FX6 at the other but I'm starting to think I need a bit more. I would like to turn an empty 75G I have into some kind of a sump but my tank isn't drilled unfortunately. For heating its summer here in Australia so all my heaters are turned off. I looked at the temp today of that tank. 92F!
There are "overflow boxes" that work like a drilled tank without the drilling. One example is Eshopps PF-800.
@@BenOchart Great thanks I'll have a look. One advantage of large tanks that I can't recall if you mentioned or not is the stability of the water column....and the easier it is to maintain that
Ben, I've followed your channel for about a year now. I feel like you have told us to quarantine! quarantine! quarantine! But my stubborn butt got too comfortable and added 12 more rummynose tetras straight from the local fish store into my 75-gallon. This tank has electric blue acaras, angels, keyhole chiclids, and rummynose tetras. But after only one week after putting them in my tank, I see ick. Luckily, mom came I cluch and took me back to that local fish store, and we got some ick x, and I'm trying really hard to get the tank up to 82. And I think I caught it early.
Ben, I guess I should listen to my elders a little more.... 😂 (I'm 15)
For a lot of us, including myself, the lessons are not truly learned until we’ve experienced something like this. Ich isn’t that bad and ich-x should get rid of it fast. Be sure there’s no carbon or chemical filtration like Purigen in the filters. When you’re all done treating and the Ich is gone, run some activated charcoal for a month so soak up residual meds, then toss it out. Good luck.
This old video might help: My Tropical Fish, African Cichlids, HAVE ICH! (Ick) - How I Won the Battle! [THIS REALLY WORKED!]
ua-cam.com/video/ma2K_kMUqOY/v-deo.html
@BenOchart thank you Ben! And thank you for your time.
Appreciate all the knowledge Ben. Unfortunately I may be on the Live Stream Replay crew with all the extra work hours here. One thing I wanted to mention is I have officially modified my water change schedule to every other week for all my tanks. Going on about 3ish months no issues. Catch up soon & Happy New Year!
I’ve dabbled with that schedule Jon, with top offs during the off weeks and the did well.
Make a lot of money🤣😀👍🏻
@@BenOchart Gotta grind when the grinding is good 💯
I agree with everything you said ben one other issue is cleaning the inside of the tank from a reach aspect. You're right get ready to spend more money but you're also right big tanks cannot be beat. Later ben
I've got to get on a stool to reach decor, LOL!
Great advice Ben! I have my 220-gallon glass aquarium from Planet in my basement, it took 4 big guys to bring it into my house. And yes so much more satisfying looking at a big aquarium.
They are worth the effort!
I love big tanks and i cannot lie.
. You other brothers cant deny...
I ran into the weight issue in my 2nd floor apartment..... they say any tank above a 125 YOU MUST SUPPORT UNDERNEATH IT....honestly I wouldnt go over a 100 gallons upstairs without support....I settled on a 75 because obviously I cant bang on my neighbors door below and say, "hey, you mind If I run some steel support jacks under my tank, they won't be in your way?" ya ok
LOL - that would have taken some superior sales skills🤣
75 is actually a great size suitable for a very wide variety of options.
Not sure I qualify as a "monster" tank... I have a 120. (60x18x25) I couldn't swing 6' so I bought the only 5' tank I could find. I agree with everything you said. This tank introduced me to monster canister filters (fx6), wave makers, and figuring out how to heat it!! I remember thinking at the time that I spent more just on gravel than I have on previous entire setups!! I went with a heavily planted community tank so I don't have the extra expense of big fish, but when you buy tetras 25 at a time that gets expensive too!! I really enjoy having it though so it has been worth it so far. I do live in terror of a catastrophic failure... every time I clean the fx6 I panic as I'm opening the valves... but so far so good! Glad to hear your repair was that easy. My first thought was how could you repair that plumbing with the tank full!!??
Oh, one last thing... when I bought this tank and they brought it out on a fork lift I think I almost soiled myself!!! When I got home I found out it is movable (empty) with 2 or 3 people, but not something I would want to do often!!! I should add in.... make sure you have the stand level before you even start, once the gravel etc is in, you won't be able to lift it again.
Good points! A 125 is VERY enjoyable size. I had a 5’ acrylic full of peacocks in Calif and I really enjoyed that set up.
Ben,
Awesome video. I want to get a 125 or a 150 but they are so expensive. I have a 98 gal and yeah the costs certainly add up with filtration and food especially with bigger fish. Crazy stuff. Good reminders and tips. Have you looked into the lights from oase Jason just got them for his 125 tank. On prime time aquatics and they are 6 ft lights and fully programmable and controlled by an app I think. That way you wouldn’t have to worry about the three lights that are on the one aquarium.
Oase is really coming on strong. I’ll have to look into them.
Great tips!
Good information. Thanks,
Love your Videos Ben! A 200+ gallon tank is my dream tank for my Living Room but, probably too much Weight to handle. Question and Story: I just wanted to make sure i have enough Oxygen for my fish. I have a 90 gallon with ( 3 severums, 2 Electric blue acara, 1 Blood parrot, 1 Geophagus sveni, 1 golden nugget pleco, 4 cory cats, 2 Otocinclus Catfish). I was using 2 Tidal 110"s BUT, last week I changed both Tidals out for one Fluval FX6 and Man I Love It! The tank is now Dead Silent! So, i had the output of the FX6 turned up to make Water Agitation for Oxygen But, LoL i wasn't sure if that was enough agitation to make enough Oxygen. So, yesterday I got a SICCE XStream SDC wave maker and installed it last night near the Top of my Tank. Man it is Fantastic! I was experimenting with it and have it down to about 7% power, which still makes a big difference and I think that 7% is working great. What's your opinion? Do i even need the wave maker? I Love it though and think 7% is the magic # for my set--up... Still with the FX6 and the SICCE XStream SDC, My tank is Silent and I Love it. Thank You Ben for your inspiration and all the Work you put in making all these videos.
Better to have it running and not really need it than need it and not have it.
The test is were the fish hanging out near the top and working their mouths, gasping. If not, you were probably okay. But as the fish put on size and when you service that FX you will be glad that wave maker is on there.
Thanks for watching and for the kind words of encouragement 👍🏻😀👍🏻
PS- Here’s an oldie with some oxygen tips: OXYGEN! Are We Choking Our Fish?! (How to Tell and What to Do About it!) - It worked for Me!
ua-cam.com/video/NUS13qzfgrc/v-deo.html
@@BenOchart Thanks for the reply! My new severum is 7" ! My blood parrot was a jerk/bully sometimes BUT, as soon as i put that 7" Severum in, the jerk calmed right down quickly LoL. The 7" severum is super gentle to all other fish. I got him at my Local store. Elmer's Aquarium in Monroeville, PA. Elmer's has been around for 55 Years! They have almost 300 Tanks to look at and shop from. It's a Great store! Pittsburgh has 2 Big places to go: Elmer's Aquarium and Aqua World. That 7" severum was $199.
You are so right! It also takes time to do those large water changes. I agree acrylic is the way to go. I have a 50 & 60 acrylic tank, which is enough for me. I have had glass tanks leak over the years. Your tanks and fish are gorgeous though, Thank you-
Hey Ben, been watching your channel for a while. I just got a Glass Cages 84x24x25 with stand. I agree with everything you said. Still in the process of setting up. So excited to get it wet. Im taking my time and doing everything the best I can. I have my tank in the basement, so on concrete slab. The tank itself is expensive, then you add on water, power, decor, and of course fish it adds up. I had to hire movers to get it in place. For my tank setup the budget was around 10k all in. Bottom line you have to want it and know what you are getting into. That said I think its well worth the effort / expense. ( ask me again in a year lol ). My plan is to get fish in the spring, after I had the tank running for a while.
Very wise to not rush it. It really is going to such a joy to sit in front of your labor of love!
Just got my first 125g. Weight is a major concern which i knew upfront, but not being able to reach the bottom never occurred to me. I knew I'd need a stool but not an extendable everything! I can only reach if most of the water is removed. Makes rearranging decor challenging.
That must be a "tall" 125. Is it 5 or 6' across?
@@BenOchart 5 foot wide 2 foot tall
Good video
Those big tanks terrify me…the upkeep, cost …and the flooding should it fail. Give me a nice nano every day..👍🏽👍🏽
They’re pretty stable once set up but I will say that having everything in the garage with a concrete floor has been much less stressful.
@@BenOchart For sure…👍🏽
Another great video, thanks Ben! I'm going to be getting a 125, my biggest yet. And was wondering about bracing the floor in the basement. Also, the tank behind you is beautiful! Are those artifical plants? If so, where did you get them?
Im in a basement and my flooring is on concrete so im good. Depends how/where yours was located id assume.
Thanks! Unfortunately the source of those plants is no longer in business (Elite Cichlids)😞
Over the summer, I'm trying to get a 125 planted angle tank (mabey some geos too...)
I have my 90 for 10-12 yrs now i would love to go 125 150 or 180 but the reason i never did is exactly wut u sed weight & cost ur spot on
Great video Ben I'm in the process of purchasing another large tank I'm looking for a 7 or 8 ft tank. What are the dimensions on your 300 I know you said 7 ft. But what is the front to back and top to bottom dimensions. I really looking at 7x30x30 tank
33” front to back and 25” tall. I wanted a lot of turnaround room for fish like that Malawi trout that can get over 15”
@@BenOchart Yea my plans are to house 2 Arrowanas in this big tank That is my goal for 2024 and they need that distance front to back for turn around as well or maybe even bigger.
You really don't have to deal with plumbing on a tank that size. HOBs or canisters are just fine for anything that fits in your house. Sumps are just a little easier to clean.
The heating costs are what worry me... everything else is ok
Thanks Ben I just set up my first true monster tank @ 600 gallons it's amazing
I don't have money for a big tank
That is awesome!👏 😀👍🏻
How many gallons is that tank?
300 gallons plus a 40 gallon sump
Acrylic all the way , yes it will scratch but no it won’t burst
Was an issue for me originally before I learned how to prevent 99% of the scratches and how to remove scratches without disrupting the filled aquarium
Owning a large tank sure is expensive but it’s well worth it. It is easier to make my 135 gallon with 55 fish stay clean than it was to keep my 46 gallon with 12 fish clean, but the water changes are a bit more of a hassle
Tew1970