wiggins 125g build thread

As far as the zip ties, none of these are for function. They arn't holding anything together. The rock pile was placed prior to the substrate and I arranged it to be stable with gravity alone. I put the zip ties in only so I can find the holes later once the water has been added. You'd be surprised how hard they can be to find. Once I start to add livestock, I'll generally replace most of the zip ties with small plastic dowels, so they arn't noticeable.

The lace rock that I got is sourced. I have used it before, and I know for a fact that the some of the LFS' in the area get theirs from the same source. This place is a landscape supply company, not a ardware store. The possibility of contamination, escpecially from chemicalsand fertilizers is always present in my mind when sourcing materials. It's a little late tonight, but tomorow I'll post some pics of my 55 and mu 75 which both have this same rock. They are awesome!! At least to me, but I'm a bit biased. The 55's been up for more than a year and is running bare bothtom, the 75 has only been up three months, and I'm using the same crushed limestone in it that I will be in the 125. The 75 took longer to cycle than normal (I used over 60lbs of rock out of my 110), but it is kicking super strong now, and the PH, Alkalinity, and Calcium are always perfect. I don't have to supplement CA or add buffer, so so far so good.

 

as promised 1st the 55

This is about 65% Lace rock same source as for the new 125.

 

And now for the new 75

This tank is about three months old and is running 90+% same lace rock and 100% crushed limestone locally sourced.

 

nice tank