Building 2 x 1200 Gallon DIY Aquariums!

[@Lee-re1by]

Giant val for the discus tank!

[@DashDrones]

Man i love that Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Shirt😂

[@AquariumDomain.]

😊😊

[@artvanderlay2390]

Your work ethic is impressive. Full time job , building these and then the maintenance of your current setups. I would struggle to keep a 2ft tank. Well done.

[@AquariumDomain.]

Trust me I have my good days and my bad days lol 🙂🙂

[@scrubjay93]

Thank you for sharing this build. Love seeing the happy residents enjoying their Xingu River tank🐟🐟🐟

[@AquariumDomain.]

Thanks! I have been blown away by how much they seem to enjoy their new tank...I mean it is not like they were crowded in the 3000 gallon, but they really do seem to like the new tank 😊

[@shadowheat1]

Hi, I always look forward to your new posts. It will be amazing once all your giant tanks are complete. In addition, the new chill videos of the fish in their natural routine will be awesome! Keep up the good work 🎉

[@AquariumDomain.]

Thanks! 🙂

[@shadowheat1]

Your welcome

[@philcarlino6942]

I love these updates. It's cool to see all the progress. I appreciate the hard work. Also, super excited about those chill videos with the tanks. Lots of aquascapers on youtube build a tank and then you don't see them again until they're ready to tear them down and build a new one. What I like about your channel is that your tanks are built to last, which includes the scape. Tanks mature and progress, plants and fish grow. It's a great idea to be able to document this, you'll have a documentary on the history and the evolution of these tanks. Keep up the great work, brother. Peace.

[@AquariumDomain.]

Hey Phil! Definitely, a lot tanks for youtubers only last 6-12 months and even non-youtubers reset tanks after 2-3 years. I think it will be interesting to see where these tanks end up 10+ years from now 😊

[@Josh_Rickard]

Man a huge school of monster altums would be really cool to see swimming through some giant roots in one of your future tanks

[@AquariumDomain.]

A monster group of Altums would fit perfectly in the 1200 gallon I am working on now 🙂🙂

[@martinkruse7675]

I absolutely love this channel!

[@AquariumDomain.]

Wow, thank you!

[@murphdawg33]

Looking forward to seeing some in depth footage of all of the tanks!

[@AquariumDomain.]

I just want to see some footage of the fish without them reacting to me being there 😊

[@JoseRios-co1be]

we need to see more of the building of the tanks. live thanks.JR.

[@AquariumDomain.]

That's a tough one, it is hard to film and build at the same time, plus mostly just me going in and out of the room measuring, cutting, gluing and screwing 😊😊

[@ultimatefishkeeping]

I have an idea, however it might be too late to share it with you. 14:59. If you move the partition to the opposite end you could then have Three glass walls which would allow you to look right through the Aquarium to the mothership Aquarium, so that you would not obstruct the view of such a beautiful Aquarium. 🤙🏼🙂🤙🏼❤️

[@AquariumDomain.]

Everything you wrote is true, but i have a different...hopefully equally beautiful idea for the aquarium....basically a lot of plants and river bank; where as, having glass on 3 sides would sort of force a peninsula style aquascape 🙂

[@sarno85]

Looks great!! So much going on. 1, 1200 gallon build at time gives you some ideas to change something that you may not like. Or vice versa. Either way super cool builds dude. 4500 is still 1 of my favorite build series on KZbin. I love that aquarium! I love the plants, the scape, the stock, it's just so awesome!!

[@AquariumDomain.]

You nailed it, just in case in the process of the one build I want to tweak something for second one. 😊 Crazy thing is just how far the 4500 gallon still has to go in regards to fish stock, maturing ecosystem and I can tell you right now that I am not happy with the powerheads and have already purchased pumps to build a closed loop internal water flow system...when I get the time lol 😊😊

[@h.p.stephens988]

If you remove the bag from your miter saw and hook a shop vac up to it, it will help tremendously with the sawdust on indoor cuts. I like using my m18 shop vac with miter saw so I’m not pulling a ton of amps at once from one circuit

[@AquariumDomain.]

My 20 year old shop vac died during the building of the 4500 gallon, I need a new one...will check out the M18. Based on my experience with Milwaukee tools I am sure it is probably very good. 😊

[@h.p.stephens988]

@@AquariumDomain. definitely got your money’s worth outta that one! Haha

[@kwackytankslap9339]

A curtain of giant vallis at the back and maybe some Java fern on the branches

[@Pete_Moore]

It could be cool to add some air plants and/or orchids to add some variety and texture. I love the channel - you are inspiring!

[@AquariumDomain.]

Thanks Pete! I will have to look into those, so far I have always grown bog plants. 🙂

[@kaibsix]

I understand and im sure will be epic.

[@AquariumDomain.]

😊

[@moretoliving2236]

Wanted to share some life experience. In setting up and breaking down tanks I always struggled to scoop out gravel and all that mess. Eventually I just could not take it anymore and ended up getting 10ft of biggest vinyl hose that ace hardware sells. It has to be like an inch inside diameter and boy did that make all the difference. What I do is I start the siphon and all the gunk and the gravel and whatever flows into a container with a water pump removing water. Having all the crap deposited into a container allows me not to have to scoop it all out, have all the gravel outside in the grass and whatever... it just collects in one convenient package and I do whatever with it afterwards. For my filtration room that is outside of the house I just drain into 5 gallon buckets and it overflows directly onto ground. So where I am getting with this is... your discharge hose should discharge to a container outside. That way it collects itself into a stock tank or whatever. Then when 3000 is completely clean, you can run same pump through a sieve. Amazon sells them for like $30 and they come with a whole bunch of sieve sizes in a package and ohh my god do I love them sooooooo. Best $32 I have ever spent. You can very quickly separate your sand from your stones from your pebbles from your whatever else. You can probably DIY out of hardware cloth so it can do it while you are cleaning out the 3000. Amen on saving lumber. Every time I go to lowes I almost have a heart attack. I remember being outraged about paying $22 for a sheet of plywood back in the day. Same exact one sells for 20,30,50% more depending on the season.

[@AquariumDomain.]

That is awesome to hear, makes me feel pretty confident about my trash pump / vinyl hose solution 🙂 Yeah the lumber prices these days are nuts, if I knew in 2019 what I know now I would have bought a ton of materials and just stocked my shed from floor to ceiling lol 🙂

[@jeffkane4391]

Thanks for sharing the progress it's looking great Jeremy 😊

[@AquariumDomain.]

Always! 😊

[@gourmei7590]

Jungle Val or Hydrocotyle would be very nice in the back!

[@rynoleroux8843]

Great progress. Recon that trash pump will do the job just fine! keen to see the new content of all the tanks in their natural beauty!

[@AquariumDomain.]

Thanks! I really hope the trash pump works as expected...really hope it does lol 😊😊

[@mateuszx17]

I would also like to see in these videos these growing up crew - young fishes for these big tanks , whats going on with them, that is interesting too.

[@AquariumDomain.]

Unfortunately I don't have big grow out tanks, they are big 150g tubs...so basically have to do underwater footage to show the fish. I some underwater footage of them a couple of videos back, but it doesn't look as good as it would if they were in a tank. 😊

[@ryry6753]

Great work fella. 👏

[@AquariumDomain.]

😊

[@gankas]

You could plant red lotus plants as background tall plant in your discus tank.

[@AquariumDomain.]

Good call, I have one I can move over from another tank 😊

[@lloyd011721]

i think you should absolutely upload like aquarium asmr videos of each of your tanks

[@AquariumDomain.]

😊

[@TheirWorldAquatics]

Great work!

[@AquariumDomain.]

Thanks Joe!

[@puirYorick]

I'm looking forward to the bonus tank footage. I never understand why creators add music to time lapses and CCTV clips but I always have my mute button if I don't like the tunes, right. Good buy on that heavy duty gravel sucker. With all your monster tanks it will pay for itself in no time. 👍🏼

[@AquariumDomain.]

Yeah I watched some videos of people using the trash pump and it looks like it is going to really come in handy in my fish basement lol 😊😊

[@rudyquezada7088]

Ooorahh !! Awesome, aquariums builds !!

[@AquariumDomain.]

😊

[@Pinki-77]

Tie moss to the wood to green them up.

[@jakesenior3565]

I always look forward to your updates and the 4500 is looking spectacular! The fish colours look incredible much better than when they were in the 3000. Question on the 2 x 1200... are you going 2 viewing windows for each tank... not my money but I think you'll kick yourself if when viewing the 4500 at either end you aren' able to glance into either of the 1200.

[@AquariumDomain.]

Thanks! I am blown away by how much happier the big boys seem in the 4500, I mean it is not like the 3000 gallon was a jail cell or anything 😊😊 The thing with windows on both sides is that it greatly effects the aquascape, forces more of a center scape and doesn't allow for a river bank.

[@gr_aquatics]

Red Tigre lotus may look great in that tank

[@AquariumDomain.]

Good call, I have one I can move over from another tank 😊

[@kaibsix]

Awe , ok, i was hoping to be able to see through to the main aquarium as well as being able to be able to enjoy both aquariums at the same time… i know more work and money but maybe worth the thought 💭

[@AquariumDomain.]

I get the sentiment but I designed the room to view the big tank from the middle of the room and the side tanks from the front. Glass on both sides really effects the aquascap as it sort of forces a center scape as it would look weird to scape up against the glass....hopefully it will all make sense and look good in the end 🙂

[@bbaquatics2051]

Semper Fi!

[@SkippersAquariums]

Great video cant wait for the next update!!!!

[@AquariumDomain.]

Thanks Skip!

[@turcueugen4682]

As vertical plants at the discus aquarium I would propose Echinodorus floribundus or Echinodorus grandiflora, both can reach 120 cm or 3 feet. As for discus, if you still like the natural style (I absolutely try an aspect as close to nature as possible, even the leaf litter I put on the substrate) why not use wild forms discus they are much more beautiful than the screaming pigeon blood coloration

[@AquariumDomain.]

Echinodorus floribundus or Echinodorus grandiflora both look like bog plants, I wonder how they would do with 2' below water and 1' + above 🤔

[@IsmaelTorres-k5b]

I think jungle val will look really good or Italian val. I also love ludwigia repens, I got it in my 75 gallon and it looks amazing.

[@AquariumDomain.]

Val was hands down the consensus winner 😊 Which actually works great as I have another full of Val to pull from 😊

[@FintasticFreaks]

Looking great as always! What kind of plywood are you using on these tanks by chance and hiw thick? I also think Jungle val would look sweet with thos e discus, maybe throw ina couple amazon or oreiental swords in there too. Hoping all goes well with Predator Bay 3000.

[@AquariumDomain.]

Thanks Austin! The plywood is 3/4" thick RTD sheathing. Seems like some form of Val is the clear winner from the comments....and that works good for me because I have another tank that is full of Val that I can harvest from 😊

[@jamesdickinson3054]

jugle val or crypt balansae for the discus tank.

[@miguelcintron7048]

Semper Fi Brother Great Progress

[@AquariumDomain.]

😊

[@brianwbid]

For the Discus tank, I suggest some species of vallisneria.

[@AquariumDomain.]

Val has by far been the number one suggestion, which works because I have another tank full of it that I can pull from for free 😊😊

[@brianwbid]

@AquariumDomain. vallisneria spiralis is a cool looking species. Free is the best species.

[@gravediggeraquatics3512]

Crpytocoryne Aponegetifolia is a tall plant for discus tank

[@AquariumDomain.]

The height on the Crpytocoryne Aponegetifolia is perfect, but they get pretty bushy. I don't think I would do it in the Discus tank, but I have an upcoming redo of the 750 that this would be perfect for...added it to my list! 😊😊

[@DiscusNT]

I would paint the higher part of the ceiling white, and leave the lower part over the 4500 dark as is.

[@glosfishgb6267]

👍vid

[@oscardean6351]

AD it’s all coming along very nicely. I assume you’re going to have glass either side of the 1400s so you can view the fish from either side I hope that’s what you’re doing is it 👍😳

[@AquariumDomain.]

Thanks Dean! Actually just having glass on one side on the 1200 builds, fits better my plans for the aquascape 😊

[@oscardean6351]

@@AquariumDomain. probably the best idea we don’t want any accidents with that amount of water and rock 👍☹️

[@KathouQC]

For the glass, what did you use? Not tempered 1/2" of thickness? thank :)

[@AquariumDomain.]

Yes it will be 1/2" tempered glass for each.

[@carver2667]

Very inspiring and has great content. I have a question, how often do you do actual water changes and how much water do you change during water changes in all your tanks.?

[@AquariumDomain.]

It is really hard to give you a specific answer, it varies quite a bit between tanks and between stages of the tank, ie how long it has been running and how established the ecosystem is, or if a particular event occurs that necessitates a water change. In general though I use a lot of techniques to limit water changes, ie plants, deep substrates, wetland filters, sump / refugium filters, balance fish stocks to tank size etc.

[@CHOPRJOHN]

Great vid as always, love the shirt!

[@AquariumDomain.]

Thanks!

[@Fishaddict1970]

Like you said lumber is at a high price so I’m just wondering what the flat laid 2 by stock on the floor provides ? Is it cheaper than just buying 2x10/12 and having all joists on the floor ?

[@AquariumDomain.]

I do that for weight distribution primarily, but also to screw the joists into to provide rigidity without having to do blocking in between the joists.

[@chickenfist1554]

Vallisneria will work well for the Discus tank background. So will Aponogeton's like Crispus and Ulvaceus. They grow from tubers though so will need a period of dormancy when they start dying back. Java fern and Echinodorus Parviflorus will also work well for the other areas :)

[@AquariumDomain.]

My 315 gallon is overrun with Val, thinking to move a few over 😊

[@Jdubswateringhole]

Did you consider doing glass on front and back of the 1200s so you could enjoy from both sides?

[@AquariumDomain.]

A lot of folks have asked about it, but it was never my intention to do that. Glass on both side would turn the tank into a peninsula style tank which doesn't match up with my planned aquascape or room design. 😊

[@Jdubswateringhole]

@@AquariumDomain. thanks for reply. So more a design decision vs what is possible with plywood tank? Glad to see you over on TGOE’s live stream last night. 👍

[@2Jim2u]

don't mind question, are you trying to save pea-gravel/sand etc from 3000? (gravel-screenage outside) Also what's the integrity of that hose like? hoisting buckets over the tank lip has gotta be hard (dead lifts). You almost need an engine hoist for all the substrate you're lifting over tank lip?

[@AquariumDomain.]

I will save the gravel for sure, I have a big tarp that I will pump it all out onto and then sort it from there and put into buckets, bins, etc. Even more so than the weight with lifting it out by bucket is that there was very little extra room between the top of the tank and frame above to get the bucket through and of course I had to stand hunched over the whole time...not fun 😊

[@andrewzuckerman]

Nice progress, looking good. So, are you only putting glass on one side of the 1200s? You don't think you will regret that long term? Part of what makes predator bay so cool is seeing it from multiple sides, and I feel like that would be cool with these tanks too (obviously not the side with the filter though). Or is it cuz the glass is so expensive?

[@AquariumDomain.]

Yeah the glass is expensive, but if I wanted to have glass on both sides I would do it...kinda now or never since it changes the build. But I never did intend to have glass on both sides, I have a plan for the aquascape that doesn't fit with a peninsula style tank where the scape is down the middle. Now that I think about it the current Predator Bay is the only tank like that...guess because it is in the middle of the room.....that does have me thinking though...maybe one 1200g with glass just on the front and the other with glass on both sides...hmmmm 😊😊

[@andrewzuckerman]

@@AquariumDomain.Sounds good! Can't wait to see it!

[@lloyd011721]

wait are you about to build your 1200s with the pillar support pole of your room going through it?

[@AquariumDomain.]

Yes I am. My 3000 gallon aquarium has a pole going through the middle of it as well. 😊

[@kaibsix]

Are the 2 1200 gallon aquariums not going to 14:41 have glass on both sides?

[@AquariumDomain.]

Nope, the plan is to have glass on one side, basically smaller replicas of the 4500 gallon 😊

[@GST_HENNN]

DIDN'T KNO U WERE A TEUFEL HUNDEN!!! #OOORAH

[@jonathannorth531]

I thought you were going to add windows on both long sides - so that you can view through the tank. If that doesn't work - then just make sure the corridor between tanks is big enough. At the moment it looks like the gap between the 4500 and 1200 might be bigger than between the 1200 and future wall tank?

[@AquariumDomain.]

The future wall tank only overlaps with the two 1200 gallon tanks by about a foot or so of the wetland filter the space in front of the wall tank is the big open area in the middle and the space in front of the 1200 gallon tanks is open...just brick wall.

[@jbsplace1041]

Trying to find larger Siamese Algae Eaters, with no luck. All the ones I see are about 2.5" or so. Any ideas where I can get larger, like 4 to 5" ?

[@AquariumDomain.]

Sorry no. I always see them sold as babies as well.

[@devachapman6315]

Question: on the 1200 why not but the wet land filter on the wall side of the tank and you could have a viewing window on that side? maybe you will talk about still watching... the Discus tank looks a lot better. all tho i am not a fan of the sticks in there i would like to see more branch wood going side to side then plants on to of that. but hey its not my tank. :)

[@AquariumDomain.]

My vision is that the middle area is where I will view the 4500 and 600 gallon and want to be surrounded by plants, the viewing areas for the two 1200 gallons is the front corners of the room...I guess what I am trying to say is that I have a mental picture and am building everything out to that picture...hopefully it will all work out and make sense in the end 🙂

[@richiealridge837]

Are you going to put glass on both sides of the new tanks?

[@AquariumDomain.]

I don't plan to, the aquascapes I have in mind do better with a background to build off of, rather than a center peninsula style scape that you would pretty much have to do with glass on both sides.

[@COOPERSCICHILDS]

Coooool

[@ethanketterman1286]

Im sure youve said on one of your previous videos but, do you have a cheap light you use for your plants?

[@AquariumDomain.]

I use a few different types, but I use LED Flood lights (6000k) on a lot of my tanks like the 4500...work great and are cheap. 😊

[@darrellle4967]

Front and back windows on the1200s??

[@AquariumDomain.]

On one of them there will be just a front window, haven't fully decided on the second one.

[@fishiefarmer11]

What pump did u use to drain for a water change on your system ?

[@AquariumDomain.]

I have a couple of Sicce Ultra Zeros for water changes.

[@DeeFromBrooklyn]

How do you remove all the humidity and moisture from that room. With just afew hundred gallons, I see build-up. I can imagine how much yours generates.

[@AquariumDomain.]

Run covers on all the tanks and ductless mini splits.

[@Mikey52194]

You should have a viewing panel on both on sides of the 1200's so you can see through them! or is that not possible?

[@AquariumDomain.]

It is possible, but it impacts the aquascape inside the aquarium, basically forces a peninsula style scape in the middle of the tank. I have different plans for the aquascapes in the 1200's 😊

[@Mikey52194]

@@AquariumDomain. that makes sense thanks for answering

[@mitymac]

having those braces in the footprint breaks my brain every time i see it 😂 i know you're not gonna let em get wet but still 🤪

[@AquariumDomain.]

Both my 3000 gallon and my 750 gallon have poles in them, its no issue to build around them 😊

[@pedroluisroman1263]

What are you going to do with the current Predator Bay once the fish are migrated to the new one?

[@AquariumDomain.]

That is becoming my lagoon aquarium, with all the marine community fish being moved over from the 600 reef slope and 265 marine tanks.

[@pedroluisroman1263]

That's gonna look amazing!

[@edwimpee3346]

Have you ever tried bamboo in your aquariums

[@AquariumDomain.]

Yeah, I did lucky bamboo plants in a 5 gallon I had setup in my kitchen many years ago. 😊

[@gregfoster6916]

Find some kids to pay to shovel that muck. The only way I see that pump working is if you add more water and keep the sediment agitated and suspended in the water. I could be wrong. I’m curious to see!

[@AquariumDomain.]

Yeah you definitely have to keep the water coming the entire time the pump is in use. I imagine I will give it a try this week...so we will see how it goes. 😊

[@aquarium.talktv]

How are you doing water changes on that 4500? Lol

[@AquariumDomain.]

Just my normal twice a week 50% water change 🙂 kidding of course...no water changes yet on the 4500, still not nearly enough fish load just to feed all of those plants 🙂🙂

[@aquarium.talktv]

@@AquariumDomain. yeah I was thinking you must have a auto change system going lol. That’s a lot of manual water changing otherwise

[@dannyc9813]

I know the post is in the way, but why not put the filter system up against the wall? Then put another clear window on the end.

[@axioq]

I know nothing of the construction process but I was really hoping for windows on both sides so could enjoy it while looking at the 4500 as well

[@rynoleroux8843]

I had a similar thought, but it changes the aesthetics completely as you have to scape the tank completely differently when you do a peninsula vs. a "standard" or solid back tank. All that said. It's also more pricey as you have to double up on the glass. At the end of the day it's up to the creator. Your idea is not a bad one at all, but it's probably not what he has in mind.

[@AquariumDomain.]

You can certainly do it multiple different ways and all be good, but I have an overall plan on how I want the room to look and plans to incorporate the support poles into the wetland filter plants...create a bit of an oasis in the middle spot in the room. 😊

[@AquariumDomain.]

Like @rynoleroux8843 commented it is the difference between a peninsula style tank and a standard tank and how that effects the aquascape.

[@AquariumDomain.]

Couldn't have said it better myself 😊

[@aronro1291]

I have 2 plecos and 2 chineese algae eaters im trying to get rid of because they got to big for my tanks

[@MagnaRads]

Hire some small kids 😂

[@AquariumDomain.]

Lol 😊

[@IamNothing82]

Looks awesome, but some plants like the monstera are gonna be too big. They don't call it a Monstera for nothing 😊. Greetings from the Netherlands.

[@AquariumDomain.]

Netherlands nice! I have a big monstera upstairs and it is about 2m tall and maybe 2.5m wide, if you count both growing upwards and forward toward the lights I think a full grown plant should fit pretty well...but we'll see over time. 😊

[@IamNothing82]

@@AquariumDomain. i have 2 as well and are getting huge. Maybe/perhaps the space between the ceiling and tank looks smaller on video. Love watching your tanks!! Take care .

[@phillydon1]

First 😂😂

[@AquariumDomain.]

Woot! 😊

[@abcaquaticbiotopecreations8915]

Ewwww... Ryobi "tools" 😅

[@AquariumDomain.]

Hey Keni! 😊

[@abcaquaticbiotopecreations8915]

@@AquariumDomain. lol hey Jeremy! Hope all is well man

[@AquariumDomain.]

@@abcaquaticbiotopecreations8915 Can't complain, but I wouldn't mind some better working weather....you know with my Ryobi tools LOL 😁😁

[@abcaquaticbiotopecreations8915]

@AquariumDomain. lol well I can't poke to much fun at ya, you obviously get the job done with them .

[@jeremy87turbo87]

Are you wearing? Navy seal Trident? If so, what seal team were you?

[@AquariumDomain.]

Nope, that is the Globe and Eagle of the Marine Corps

[@Lee-re1by]

Giant val for the discus tank!

[@AquariumDomain.]

I have some growing in another tank...could move a couple over 😊