New 180 gallon tank few questions and any ideas

So I found someone sell a 180 gallon aquarium 3 years old with very nice finished stand, heaters, lights, glass canopy, sump (think its a tidepool not sure if ill use any opinions on this), Fluval FX5 and another canister filter, CORALIFE® Pure-Flo Reverse Osmosis Water Purification System (for later use with saltwater tank) and many other goodies for $550. I am thinking I got a pretty good deal what you think? My plan is the make this become my new frontosa tank. Who are right now in a 125 show tank which they need the more space since they are really starting to grow in size. I am picking up the aquarium this weekend and going to start planning the set up. I was wondering what were some views on what to run in the 3 baskets of the fluval fx5. I use biomass rings in my 2 125 aquariums but I was wondering if anyone used bioballs and which you think are better?

I am thinking of using pool filter sand then various rocks for aquascaping. If you have any ideas you have ever seen that you think look good or pics of tanks that have great ideas feel free to link.

Thanks for any ideas and ill try to get pics add of the tank and everything this weekend.

i have used bioballs and they work but i can not say they work better than the biomass rings. congratz on the new tank.

i use bio balls and the biomass rings but dont know which works better

bio mas has more surface area on them, so more bacteria will stay on them.

I have a 180 gallon with an FX5 also. And I am also using a Rena XP3 canister filter too. I have Ceramic Rings in the XP3. And I am using Lava Rocks in my FX5, I have a few friends that swear by the Lava Rocks. So I thought I would give it a try. Please let us know what ya end up using. Enjoy your new tank.

koolaid68 wrote:

I have a 180 gallon with an FX5 also. And I am also using a Rena XP3 canister filter too. I have Ceramic Rings in the XP3. And I am using Lava Rocks in my FX5, I have a few friends that swear by the Lava Rocks. So I thought I would give it a try. Please let us know what ya end up using. Enjoy your new tank.

I will also be running a xp3 with this tank. I decided to use ceramic rings I just ordered 8 lbs of them for $18 which wasn't to bad for price I think.

KOOL!!! now i found my XP3 on CL. for $60. Now if i was going to buy one brand new i think i would have gotten the XP4. But I am happy and glad that i have the XP3. man, i love my 180. if ya look up the DIY I have pics and showed how i built my stand. as a matter a fact i just posted pics of two fish that just gave me fry. once you get your tank up and running please post pics.

I am starting the cleaning up process tonight the guy i bought it from use to have 3d background on it so i have to take off all the old silcone. If i get that done tonight then ill do a test fill as always just to be safe.

95% cleaning done and test fill going on :)

Loving the tank already

good so far. keep the pics coming.....