150 Gallon Custom Aquarium | South American Cichlid Tank

Today's video is the complete setup of my new Custom Aquarium, a 150 Gallon South American Cichlid tank. This aquarium was custom made to be the largest glass tank we could likely fit down into my basement. I went with South American cichlids in a planted aquarium.
The 150 gallon aquarium was provided by Custom Aquariums out of Wisconsin. Their tanks and stands are all custom built and top quality, and I couldn't be happier with how this tank turned out. Below is a link to their website, as well as the full factory tour we did a few months back:
www.customaquariums.com/
- Unboxing Video: • UNBOXING THE NEW DREAM...
- Factory Tour: • How Custom Aquariums A...
If you're interested in any of the products and equipment we use in our aquariums, check out the affiliate links below.
Equipment
- Sicce Syncra SDC - amzn.to/35yJ0MD
- Sicce XStream SDC - amzn.to/3fRZWk1
- Carib Sea Crystal River Sand - amzn.to/3C4E6TX
- AI Prime Lights - bulkreefsupply.sjv.io/4PN0W0
- Fluval 300W Heaters - amzn.to/3sz0EZN
Plants
- Easy Root Tabs - geni.us/zUnBaPD
- Easy Green Fertilizer - geni.us/NAl6lK
Food
- Xtreme Krill Flakes - geni.us/iTAWsN
- Xtreme Big Fella Pellets - geni.us/9Cra
- Xtreme Nice Pellets - geni.us/6ADcc
Chemicals/Media
- Chemi-Pure Green - amzn.to/3HAsg51
- Seachem Prime: geni.us/iys7T
- Fritz Glass/Acrylic Cleaner: geni.us/uvmwK8
Thanks for watching, and we'll see you next week!

[@fishranch]

Tell Quinn to smile... damn bro !

[@CichlidBros]

😂

[@kashifkashu7899]

Quick and cool update buddy...Apistogramma got a huge upgrade.but now u will miss him since she was always by your side while u were working on your laptop.😅👍😃

[@CichlidBros]

Haha true! I’ll trade the loneliness for a better tank for the little guy. Might just have to work in front of this tank now lol

[@kashifkashu7899]

@@CichlidBros well said bro..😄

[@edwinosae]

Peaceful cichlid community tank, really nice.

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks!

[@jdiamond78]

I'll be on KZbin all week and as soon as it flashes in my mind like I wonder when they're going to drop a new video boom there it is LOL

[@99Canecas]

Cichlid Bros for the Win!!! Except Quinn 😂😂😂

[@CichlidBros]

Lol he redeemed himself with the scape

[@johnjr47]

Awesome video congratulations on the new tank could you do me one favor replace the Chicago Cubs sign to a St. Louis Cardinals sign I’m from St. Louis 😂😂

[@CichlidBros]

Haha thank you. Wouldn’t wana ruin a great fish room with that type of sign! Lol 🤙🏼

[@adrienneconley7418]

great video cichlid bros!

[@krzysztofkopaczewski4319]

At least 👍🏼 the tank looks great but fish just amazing 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼

[@benreynen8739]

Beauty tank bro! I’m jealous! One day….

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you!

[@coyslilfishery9713]

Ya... this might have just become my favorite tank on the page 😍

[@paulneuman6021]

Really nice bros!!!

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks! 👍🏻

[@tonilynn1597]

Just wow 👌🏻 just subbed

[@CichlidBros]

Welcome to the channel!

[@BeautyOnEarth]

To everyone who is reading this, you’re beautiful and an amazing person. Please exercise frequently and eat more fruits/veggies. I wish you all good health, great success, and everlasting happiness!!!!!!!!!!

[@joeyhacker7518]

Wow👏 Love the tank and hardscape‼️ Those EB Acara 🐟 and Sveni 🐠 look top notch🙌‼️

[@Duclosxrp]

oh man that is awesome....congrats on the tank...

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you 🤙🏼

[@twistedadjust]

Love the new setup these fish are going to enjoy

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you!

[@bs90002]

Beautiful ❤

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks!

[@AaronLewisOfficial]

Setup looks sick Cichlid Bros, I am excited to see a future video on it!

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you, appreciate it! More videos to come on the tank in the future 🤙🏼

[@SynergizeMeCapn]

Cichlid bro-in laws haha awesome video!

[@CichlidBros]

Haha, thanks!

[@HeRo-qd6tk]

Superbly done guys

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you!

[@joanvirgil6299]

What a awesome tank!

[@chisavagecichlids4788]

Nice job love the set up . The flags are awesome 😎 😁.

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you!

[@lopezfam7317]

God bless you and God bless anyone reading this! Hope you have an awesome day! Seek him while you can! Jesus is the way and the only way and he is returning soon! Whenever you think you aren't loved... Remember the ultimate sacrifice was for love! ENDING YOUR LIFE IS NEVER THE ANSWER! For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 KJV The wages of sin is death (hell) but Jesus paid our debt on the cross, for our salvation! We must turn to God and away from our sinful ways, Confess Jesus is Lord and believe with our hearts that he was risen from the dead by God, and we must be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and The Holy Spirit and live by His word and Commandments! Trust that God will help with the rest! Seek God today before it's too late! Today could be your last day on earth! Have a blessed day!

[@miguelcintron7048]

Love the new set up and how to hook up a sump from custom aquarium, appreciate it

[@DTaylorYoutubeChannel]

Awesome!!!! That sand doesn’t need rinsing, if not…. I need that!

[@tobiasgriffin2289]

And I thought my set up was sophisticated? Wow! Beautiful! If my wife ever lets me get another set up I’m definitely gonna reference this video. Gotta get some kids out of my house to create some extra space😊

[@bdaquatics7584]

Sickkkk duuuuude you're living the dream bro!! 🔥 🔥

[@DoloVik]

Tank came out immaculate 👌🏽🔥

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you!

[@jillholler7983]

Looks really good!

[@rpliegos]

Congratulations on the new aquarium! Looks amazing! Those Svenis are going to become the centerpiece of the tank!

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you! Can't wait to see them reach their full potential!

[@rajanandsingh3977]

Beautiful work bro 😎 It’s awesome!!

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks!

[@toradogaming3563]

glad your dream came true

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you 👊🏻👊🏻

[@a-aron1550]

Nice.

[@kelleyrobinson4907]

nice

[@samiam159007]

You guys outdid yourselves on this one. One of your best videos!

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you! Really appreciate it!

[@annys_fishtanks7770]

You guys always have the best tanks 🌟thanks for sharing!

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks for watching!

[@apss5736]

amazing

[@raahulkhanna3962]

Congratulations dear sir ❤️

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you!

[@cichlidman5598]

Looks amazing!!

[@barat5943]

Wow, can't say much. Just have to sit back and enjoy that tank!

[@CichlidBros]

Appreciate it!

[@JavedKhan-oo6kf]

Awesome excellent sir congratulations for your new American cichlid fish tanks setup lot of blessings frm india 🇮🇳

[@guerrarsenal]

Beautiful set up

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you!

[@razinfishes1918]

Looking great! Love the setup

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks!

[@zsworld6609]

So cool

[@FloodXL]

Really awesome tank! Will be fun to see that evolve.

[@seansquill8773]

Awesome 🤩🤩🤩 Sveni looking absolutely amazing !!! How’s the Apisto getting along with everyone?

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks, Sean! So far so good. He's the one I'm keeping the closest eye on, but everything has been peaceful to start

[@jasonmaceyko1902]

Wow !! That looks fantastic !! Especially the Geo's.

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you!

[@adrians868]

Amazing tank and fish! My personal favorites in the tank are the electric blue acaras and the geophagus🙌🏼

[@tjautocross]

The new tank looks incredible! Nice job on the scape and thanks for sharing.

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you, appreciate it!

[@drewsta005]

Awesome set up! Love how it’s looking

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you! 👌🏻

[@aaronk4310]

That filtration is serious and impressive

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks! I’ve been very happy with it so far 🤙🏼

[@brianp6180]

Awesome tank! That wood is very unique. Love the mixture of fish especially those angel fish. I have never seen them before. That sump looks like a Great set up. I have never tried a sump been using canisters for decades. Could be one in my future!

[@maskenvalorant1693]

WOW my favorite cichlid setup yet by you guys 😍 I love that you have plants with them I cant wait to recreate this on a smaller scale in my 90 gallon! I just bought my first pleco a sunshine pleco I love it but he/she is only a baby still:)

[@debnazario7226]

Yeah wait!!!! Mine is huge like a 10 " long

[@olafcichlids3121]

Thanks for sharing it gives me new inspiration👍 happy fishkeeping bro's

[@t1dirty]

Very nice ..can't wait till I go bigger

[@024DJF]

Gorgeous tank! Great video as well! ✌️

[@CichlidBros]

Appreciate it!

[@_FrankCastle_]

*THAT TANK SCREAMS DISCUS!!!!!*

[@India78]

Beautiful tank 😍😍😍

[@changye6926]

Really cool setup! I have 7 sveni too, hoping to see their fins extend longer when they grow bigger.

[@rajishmaharaj7552]

Tank looks great. Cant wait to see how it progresses.

[@juliaheinritz3264]

Wow...looks really nice!! I am still new to fish keeping and wondered how sump setups work so I found the sump set up demo very intersting... I just bought my first 75 gallon tank today. It is exciting. I sure hope it doesn't leak as I would guess it is not the same quality as Custom Aquariums. The plants look very nice as well.

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you for watching! Best of luck with your new tank 👌🏻

[@robertsmith8795]

I'm taking a lot of my inspiration from you for my 125 US GAL planted SA tank and thought I would drop in a suggestion on a couple of fish you might not have considered. A pair of Amatitlania Nanoluteus. Beautiful looking fish, peaceful (nothing like regular convicts) and won't eat your plants. Keep up the good work sir 😀👍

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks for the suggestions. Will look into it!

[@luissimental6191]

Killer tank bro!👍

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks!

[@BenOchart]

Great job! A couple questions: How much was that driftwood? (I’m looking for a similar size piece), and what kind of pleco do you have in there? He’s awesome. Thanks!

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks, Ben! Appreciate it. The driftwood was around $200 I believe. Tried not to look at the price tag lol. The Plecos are one king tiger and one leopard frog (L333 and L134)

[@lopezfam7317]

God bless you and God bless anyone reading this! Hope you have an awesome day! Seek him while you can! Jesus is the way and the only way and he is returning soon! Whenever you think you aren't loved... Remember the ultimate sacrifice was for love! ENDING YOUR LIFE IS NEVER THE ANSWER! For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 KJV The wages of sin is death (hell) but Jesus paid our debt on the cross, for our salvation! We must turn to God and away from our sinful ways, Confess Jesus is Lord and believe with our hearts that he was risen from the dead by God, and we must be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and The Holy Spirit and live by His word and Commandments! Trust that God will help with the rest! Seek God today before it's too late! Today could be your last day on earth! Have a blessed day!

[@TommysTanks]

Nice video boy.

[@bunnyviperaquatics2108]

THANK YOU! I can’t believe it. I have an empty 180 from Custom Aquariums, perfect tank! I have NO IDEA how to do the sump- this really helped! Do you have a slightly more in-depth vid on these sumps? Here’s the AMAZING PART- I have been growing babies for this tank: Geo Winemilleri, reg & albino Heckelii, EBAs, & Angels FOR THIS TANK! Great minds think alike! I also bought a female Balzanii because I saw & fell in love w yours. Can you believe that?! I’m AMAZED! Thank you SO MUCH for your help! I’m not as terrified of that sump now thanks to you. (It’s my first!)

[@micahrocks5969]

5 electric blue acaras is cool. The Geos are real nice. I got myself a 125 gallon with an Ehiem 300W heater (heats very well). Just added Gold Saum, Jack Dempsey, Firemouth, Electric Bue Acara, Red Parrot and Albino Bichir. Hate to say it but the Bichir is kind of an experiment with the rest. I have 4 brothers and we do everything together. I guess that's why fish keeping is so near and dear to me. But you Bros have definitely influenced me to have this tank setup and tank mates. Your previous videos made it look so fun to keep South American Cichlids! Take Care! Keep doing awesome things! Micah J.

[@bernielee0088]

This is what I want some day.. as far as tank size and fish combo... Looks great. Just surprised you didn't wash the sand.

[@victoraudrain200]

Love the new tank : ) His will be interesting to add the female nicaraguense and put a trio, are super beautiful cichlid in the 150 gallons tank!

[@BERTalert7]

That tank and sump are incredible and the final product looks gorgeous but it needs more synodontis! (Although. I think everything needs more synodontis,) so... take that for what it's worth.

[@rara5212]

So many fish on the first day. Keep nitrite level in mind!

[@AlexK-ew1mo]

It's great to have a KZbin channel about your hobby to fund your hobby. I'm curious of the total price tag. The size is out of reach for me but I can dream..... I really like the custom tank.

[@ademirloco4fish654]

Very nice tank and set-up. Now my personal opinion, with that tank and all that equipment i just go to marine , not saying nothing negative, it is only personal likes. Well done guys .

[@kotarohayes6561]

Love the new tank and such a super nice piece of driftwood! Quick question, how long did this tank set up take from start to finish?

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you! From unboxing to the final setup, it was about a week or so

[@yoshi9177]

Just a recommendation, you’ve mentioned soaking driftwood and doing frequent water changes to try to get rid of tannins in your tanks, have you ever tried purigen? It’s a rechargable filter media that I’ve used on all my tanks. I put three of the packets into a 55 gallon tank and it cleared up my black water overnight, and lasted over a month before I had to recharge it

[@CichlidBros]

Yep, I’ve used chemi pure, which can do the same. Another reason to soak the driftwood was to make sure it stayed submerged

[@rajadey4919]

Beautiful layout. Can the Sveni's be kept in a planted tank or will they dig and uproot all the plants?

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks! They will dig around some. I used plant weights on any rooted plants. And glue on all non rooted plants

[@andrewdaniel4728]

Hi Troy looking for a bit of info from You! Loved your combo of severums, geo tapajos and electric blue acara! So much so, that’s what I’ve mostly went for! My tanks 120g, currently have a red a spot and red shoulder severum (both bout 4”) have 6 tapajos (4-5”) and looking to add acara! How many can I safely add in there do you think? I prob don’t have room for more severums I don’t think! Thanks !

[@Kendez.]

Looks great what made you pick this sand out vs the seem more popular Torpedo Beach any benefits from one over the other thanks

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks! Just wanted to try out a different type. I like the grain size too

[@davidbowman2501]

The tank looks great! I think some tall stem plants across the back would make it even better. Amazon swords or some Val.

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you! I may add more over time 👌🏻

[@philcarlino6942]

Very cool setup. I think some congo tetras or columbians, maybe black skirts would look good in there. A big schooling tetra. They might also diffuse any aggression that might arise. Great video.

[@DTaylorYoutubeChannel]

Great! If I get that sand will I have to rinse it?

[@webera]

Great setup. I see you added angelfish to cichild tank. is that dither fish? I have 75g Hap only tank. What fresh water dither fish would you recommend? I am thinking of Rainbow fish. thoughts?

[@wisconsinaquatics]

That driftwood is HOT! I wonder what kind of wood that is? Nice tank and explanation video you could go way further into detail but I know you held back lol

[@CichlidBros]

Haha, thanks! Definitely cut a lot out since it was getting to be a long video. Will share more details over time in future vids! I believe that called the driftwood dragonwood

[@wisconsinaquatics]

Fish nerds can sense one another lol I can't wait to see the next series of videos on this tank.

[@TheCountSummon]

Looking great! 😁 Any fears about those fish destroying the moss/non-epiphytes?

[@doyleanderson5357]

very nice/ i have a 75 gallon how many of these geo,s could i keep without over stocking / no other fish thxs

[@yellowr7769]

Hello! Great content! I am doing a fishless cycle right now on my 75 but once that is done I wanted to do a mimic of this tank with the geos and acaras as the stars with some plecos and angels as well. What would you say would be a good number of each for a 75 that is filtering about 500-600gph?

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you! I’d so 1-3 of each, since you’re adding others with them

[@TURKO2424]

The pre seeded media cane out of a tank already cycled?

[@suckslip]

How do you make sure your plecos are eating? My blue acaras and geophagus go after the wafers soon as they go in the tank no matter what time of day I put them in.

[@javieltaino]

Still one of my favorite tanks on KZbin for sure. Quick question? Did you also glue the drain lines onto the stealth box? Thanks!

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks! I did. They fit pretty snug and probably would stay locked in, but I played it safe and glued them

[@thommie.thefish7598]

Nice tank! Do you have the 12 or 18 inch arm?

[@moderntouchdesignsbyrobgru4640]

Awesome tank! Do you have any trouble with your angel fish being blown around by the wavemaker?

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks! No issues there. With it angled upward, the flow is gentle throughout most of the tank

[@moderntouchdesignsbyrobgru4640]

@@CichlidBros Sounds good. I have a really nice wave maker with adjustable settings. It's set strong enough to remove the detritus off the bottom of the substrate reducing major gravel vacs but not so strong to annoy the fish. But thank you for your response because every other video that I've seen with angel fish did not have a wave maker. Keep up the good work and keep the videos coming!

[@yorkaquariums1840]

This tank is awesome! The 180 is really cool but this 150 is a master piece! Lighting, stocking, scaping are all perfect. Quick question.. I live in the Chicagoland area as well and have liquid rock coming out of the tap lol. How does your Apistogramma Mac fair in that? I've always wanted to try them out but keep hearing they don't do well in our water. But by the looks of it yours is thriving.

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you! My apisto has done just fine in harder water and higher ph, but I know some can be sensitive, especially wild caught. Not sure if mine would ever breed with these parameters, but could always try it out and get a female…

[@yorkaquariums1840]

​@@CichlidBros Good to know.. Yea you should give it a try. I was told Bolivian Rams wouldn't breed in such hard water but I've spawned them dozens of times. So maybe you could do the same with the Apisto!

[@recrockett]

@@CichlidBros How hard is your water? Are you just using tap, or mixing with other water? Hard Indiana water here, and thinking about a few Apistos in a 32 gallon tank. Thanks.

[@billanderson2730]

Your tank and the Coach’s tank got me to pull the trigger for an order to custom aquarium. Getting similar tank, seamless sump etc One question. Getting same stealth box 2400 GPH. How did you configure the drain options in box to minimize noise. Did you replace supplied valve with a gate ($$) valve. Thanks for your time.

[@CichlidBros]

I did a herbie overflow setup, which comes with the stealth box plumbing. To stop the draining sound, I turned down my return pump to about 45%. A gate valve would be ideal for turning the sump otherwise

[@ronsmith2817]

Super! General idea about how much something like this cost?

[@jeffrotenheber2681]

Awesome set up! I have a 190 gallon custom aquiriums with the seamless sump also. Did you just install 1 return pump? I am running 2 and mine are pretty noisy and I might upgrade. Is yours quite? How many gallons per hour? If you just ran 1 how did you plumb it? Thanks for any info

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you! Mine has been pretty quiet. The Sicce pump’s power can be adjusted which is nice to be able to tune the flow. I used a Y valve to split the return hose, but a T could also work

[@MrPramit007]

😍🤩🤩🤩

[@wesstaff2493]

I have a brand new 180 gallon tank. It has finger prints, and a little glue spots from the sticker/add from the store on the inside of the tank. How should I clean that off......I assume no windex. Thanks and great channel. Also, what are the type of rocks? Looks great!!

[@marc_e_mcfly1585]

Can you please tell me what type/variant of apisto that is? Thanks! Love your videos. About to get some regular blue acaras and can't wait!

[@CichlidBros]

Apistogramma macmasteri. And thanks for watching! Good luck with the acaras 👍🏻

[@finaganfishhouse]

Great video guys in your opinion is the h2overflow noisy and did you do a beananimal setup?

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks! I just did the herbie setup and turned the return pump down (to about 50%) until the water level was right. It’s really quiet now

[@finaganfishhouse]

@@CichlidBros oh ok cause I was wondering how it would be possible to get quiet when water is going straight into the sock and not a settling chamber...... Thanks oh good deal on the pollyfil..... You should look into a 30-45ppi poret foam does the same thing as poly but won't fall apart and reusable for years

[@felixpichler4627]

Amazing Aquarium. Would it be possible to add some kind of tetras or would the bigger cichlids eat them ?

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks! Larger tetras would work. I ended up adding a big school of Denison barbs

[@wetwaterfish]

Nice setup, what lights are you running??

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks! AI Prime Lights - amzn.to/35yWwA8