New 265G almost set-up......

[misterted]

I just wanted to fill everybody in on my 265G saga.

I got the tank into my home this past Sunday, cleaned it and bought almost everything I needed for it.
I don't want to ramble on but it's a drilled tank with custom overflows and all that stuff but one of the PVC fittings on one of the returns was broken so I had to buy the parts. After 2 days of work on it I was ready to fill it up and di, last night. Once I turned on the filters that PVC connection I bought started to leak like the titianic.
I had to call in a professional this morning to check all my fittings and make sure all was OK. As of now all is well and I will start her up tonight and will hoepfully add the fish tonight also as they are getting antsy in the 75G they are stuffed into.....at the expaense of 2 Callainos OB juveniles that gave their lives in the ensuing battle.


I'll post pictures as soon as it's completed. The rockwork looks great IMO.


Hope you guys like it.
Check back here soon.

One last thing......this was by no means an easy task.

Ted

[Haplee]

Ted,
Good luck with your new 265. It must be a huge project but I am sure it will be worth the effort. Can't wait to see pics of the finished project.

[eggzackary]

Be sure to get some pics up so I can drool=)

[AMBUSHPREDATOR]

I'm sure it's gonna be awesome , keep us posted.

[YoungAquaticPhotos]

Good luck with it Ted! Keep us updated! Make sure to post pics.
I knew I should have talked you into the juvie callainos!

[fischfan13]

I just got off the phone with Ted.
I think that we should add a trip to Ted's house this Spring so that we can all see his new tank, and maybe we can post pictures of the guy with the nicest Mbuna in ALL of New Jersey.

ps
This is to the guy on "another site" who has nothing better to do than roll his eyes...
Dontcha wish you could have a 265g?:pointlaugh:

[misterted]

Fisch, LOL!!

OK, Here are a couple of pics of it while I'm waiting for the temperature to stabilize and add the fish.

This is a full front view. Don't pay attention to the reflection of me in the tank.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/misterted/265G.jpg

Here is an angled view to get a better look at the rockwork.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/misterted/265GAngle.jpg

I'm wondering if I should add any fake plants. I have 3 and would put them in the front right, middle, and left....any opinions?

These pics are without the cap on. I'm not putting it on until I am done with everything. I still have one more problem to fix with the plumbing and it should be fixed by tomorrow night.

[fischfan13]

:woot::woot::woot:

I would add a nice background of artificial plants so that your Mbuna could graze off of them.
So I guess my answer is yes and no.
Yes I Would do it, but no I would only add them to the back of the tank.

[AlishanAS]

Nice tank. I wish I could fit something like that in the house.

You can fill it with fish from 04-04

[YoungAquaticPhotos]

Nice tank setup! Do you have enough rocks?

[misterted]

Ed you're joking right? I actually have a bunch of extra rocks I didn't use.
Fisch, I have to think about the plants. You say in the back?

I put all the fish in, that was hell.

The Williamsis are funny, a bunch of them are playing in the jet stream in the back of the tank. All the males have taken their respective territories and colors are on.

I'm exhausted.

[fischfan13]

Cmon, lets see the first ever exclusive photo of the 265g with fish!

[EMTBMIKE]

I hate setting up a new tank. Every time I do something always goes wrong. I am glad you have everything worked out. Lets see some pictures.

[YoungAquaticPhotos]

Of course I am joking Ted! What do you have like 500lbs. of rocks! I thought I had a lot till I saw this tank!

[misterted]

Mike, a lot went wrong. But, in retrospect the tank was moved into the house on Sunday afternoon and the fish went in on Tuesday night so not that bad. One last adjustment tonight and it should be done.

I'll add pictures with fish tonight. It looks like it needs more.

Ed, I combined the rocks from my 75 and 125 tanks. In my 75 I had a 52lb. texas holey rock showpiece that is now in the center of the new tank. I would say 500lbs is on the money.

One last thing....I think I know why Ps. Williamsi took so long to be exported out of the lake. It's because nobody was able to catch them. Without a doubt one of the fastest moving fish I have ever encountered.

[YoungAquaticPhotos]

I saw that nice piece of holey rock in the tub you had and in the tank now! I was going to have Marianne distract you so I could carry it out to my car but then I would need another knee surgery, so it wasn't worth it! :1devil: Can't wait to see the pics!

[emartin]

Fisch, LOL!!

OK, Here are a couple of pics of it while I'm waiting for the temperature to stabilize and add the fish.

This is a full front view. Don't pay attention to the reflection of me in the tank.

I'm wondering if I should add any fake plants. I have 3 and would put them in the front right, middle, and left....any opinions?

These pics are without the cap on. I'm not putting it on until I am done with everything. I still have one more problem to fix with the plumbing and it should be fixed by tomorrow night.
Heh, I have the exact same stand for my 265g but it's rosewood color, and I have a canopy as well... I love Perfecto's prestige series stands....pricey though!

Anyway the tank looks good! What Mbuna do you plan on stocking in it?

~Ed

[emartin]

Ed you're joking right? I actually have a bunch of extra rocks I didn't use.
Fisch, I have to think about the plants. You say in the back?

I put all the fish in, that was hell.

The Williamsis are funny, a bunch of them are playing in the jet stream in the back of the tank. All the males have taken their respective territories and colors are on.

I'm exhausted.
It's a BIGGER nightmare to net fish out of a 265g... When I was netting all my extra fish out of mine to bring over AMBUSHPREDATORS place to trade for additional tanks I drove over in a soaked shirt and pants from the fish... Those guys were a nightmare to net out of there, I've even had some of them cornered in the top and just when I was about to scoop them out, they'd jump out of the water to the other side of the tank....splashing a few gallons of water on me in the process.... -_-

And yeah my haps do the same in the water return jets...they ride it back and forth whenever they are bored! They don't always swim against it though but I do see them do it from time to time.

~Ed

[phillyofish]

Nice Tank, I guess you'll need those gloves that go up to your shoulders. or just wear a raincoat and rubberband your sleeves....:colrface:

[misterted]

you should have seen me last night netting the fish. I was soaked!

[nick a]

Wow! Looks fantastic. I'd add some greenery as well. It'd be great if you could get some extra tall plants to fill in and break up some of the open upper zone!

[misterted]

Here are some pics with the fish. They're not fully colored up yet though and I took these on the quick. There are currently 68 fish im there plus 6 Synos and a Pleco. I have one more group of 4 fish coming and I still feel like I need more fish.

Still no cap installed. Not till everything is perfect.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/misterted/265center.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/misterted/265fish1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/misterted/265fish2.jpg

I love the way these overflows are installed. Very cool.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/misterted/overflow.jpg

[smitty]

awesome tank I wish I could install one that big, nice batch of fish, I look fwd to more pics.

smitty

[Haplee]

WOW!! Awesome is a good word.

[nick a]

Quit paying the cable bill--all the entertainment anyone could want is right there:partay:

[YoungAquaticPhotos]

Great looking tank now with the fish in it! Makes me think about changing my 265 from Haps to mbuna. I see a few of the Demasoni are still holding. They look awesome!
Good luck with it!

[eggzackary]

Nice tank!! I could sit and watch it for hours:)

[KutztownCichlids]

Beautiful tank and nicely done.

Bruce

[fischfan13]

Hey Ted, hows the tank running?
Maybe a few pics with the canopy on.

[AlishanAS]

Ted - You may want to consider taking a few more photos of your tank and trying for the January Tank of the Month contest.

[AMBUSHPREDATOR]

Really nice you've certainly arrived.

[mack74]

Really good job looks great!

[misterted]

Really nice you've certainly arrived.

Not so sure I've arrived. I really scaled back from 5 tanks (125, 75, 29, 10, 10) to 2 tanks (265, 10).

So I figured this was the best way to do it.
Also got a great deal on the setup...it was not purchased new....almost new though.

Thanks for the kind words everyone.
I'll get some pics up with the canopy soon.
How do I go for the tank of the month thing?

[fischfan13]

How do I go for the tank of the month thing?


http://forums.eastcoastcichlids.org/forumdisplay.php?f=37

[LuvMiCichlids]

I love how you set up the rocks. Very nice.... They are going to love it... Goood Luck...

[misterted]

Newer pics with the cap posted in the january photo contest thread.