My First Aquarium [55gal]

[w1nk5]

Well my wife bought me a used incomplete 55gal tank for Christmas last year. This year we spent another couple hundred getting it set up for my son for this years Christmas.

As you can see, I still don't have any fish in it. Im going to do a fishless cycle first.

Anyways... here she is:

This is right after it was set up and the filter was running:
(I refinished the tank cabinet that came with it and raised it up 8in.)

http://www.freewebs.com/chathamkentcap/images/flash1New.jpg

This is a couple days later at night with the hood light on:

http://www.freewebs.com/chathamkentcap/images/stitchFinal.jpg

Let me know what you guys think. If you have any advice or criticism, it's ok.. I'm not sensitive.

[CACAdmin]

A very nice tank. I like your aquascaping. No idea what shape the stand was in before but you obviously did a good job on the refinishing.:yes: Looks good.

[PintoHawk]

Oh wow, it is GORGEOUS, I am so envious. :p

My only criticism is that you need some fish. Haha.

[thegrandpoohbah]

VERY nice for a first time set-up, well done! If you could find some way to hide the heater then it would look even cleaner.

[w1nk5]

Thanks a lot guys, and girl (I think). I am definitely going to get a taller plant to cover that heater. I'll probably make a trip to my local pet store and get a few things this weekend. Everything you see in that picture came with the tank other than the star fish my wife brought home from Florida, so I wanna see whats out there.

Do you guys think that gravel can sustain plant life? Or will I need to add an additional layer of substrate next time I clean out the tank? The tank also came with some kind of CO2 system I haven't really looked at so I'd like to tank advantage of that.

I would love to have a planted tank.

[MDahms]

You could go for some Java fern or Anubias mounted on the rocks. Both are low light plants that will draw nutrients from the water column. What kind of light fixture is in the hood and what type and wattage of bulbs do you have currently?
I really like aquatic mosses and they do well in low light situations and look great attached to submerged wood. Stem plants or other fast growing plants are always good for keeping the water quality up. Plants that root in the substrate will need additional nutrients but root tabs should be sufficient for many plants. I am new to growing plants in aquariums and only have two planted tanks that both have Flourite plus one has a laterite base layer as well so I have no experience with growing substrate rooting plants in plain aquarium gravel.
I know little about C02 so hopefully someone else can help with that. I have opted to go for the low tech approach to growing aquatic plants.

Do you know what type of fish you will be keeping? I keep thinking some bosemani or other colourful rainbows would look pretty spectacular.

Mike

[CACAdmin]

I have gravel and low light (and no CO2) and grow amazondswords, hygro, anubias, vals, and some crypts.

[Melody]

You've done a fabulous job with it and the refinishing job is beautiful! I think you're going to be a natural for aquascaping... bets on how long before that tank is fully planted? Any takers? I'm thinkin' inside of a year. :wink:

[w1nk5]

Thanks Melody ::D:

See, I had no idea I could grow plants in my tank without some sort of nutrient rich substrate. Now I'm getting really excited, I'm going to stop at the pet shop today after work and see what they have for plants and fish. I'll see if I can't find some of the plants mentioned above and I'll create a list of other plants and fish I like.

I'll take a look in some of my books to see whats compatible, but I'll also post my list on here to get your input.

I'm not sure on the wattage of my current lighting, I just got that lid a couple days before Christmas. I know its one of those long flourescent bulbs, I'll check the wattage tonight and let you know.

I'm also going to be stopping to get some ammonia and the appropriate test kits to start my fishless cycle tonight, so wish me luck.

Thanks again for all the great advice and courtesy.

Happy New Year :smile:

[STANKYfish]

Tank looks very nice! I have tried eco complete (black) as a substrate for plants. Even after it has sat out in a bucket and reused, still works great. I have also used flora base, but find it too dusty and easily disturbed. Plants do well with this also. As well, have used just gravel, mostly for established plants. I tried co2, diy and canister but just rely on fish poop and lights (T5's) Hope this helps you decide.

[Melody]

Oh good, I can feed an addiction with practical stuff - I love doing that. Adding live plants will help seed beneficial bacteria and provide both the surface and conditions it thrives on. Plants serve you well in helping with maintenance too. You simply HAVE to buy them, and you don't have to wait until the cycle is over either! :SoExcited:

If you aren't into snails, you may want to disinfect (http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/forum/showthread.php?t=754) new plants. This will also help in preventing the introduction to disease. It kills the beneficial bacteria on the plant too, unfortunately. If snails don't bother you, you shouldn't have to worry about disease right now as any Ich or whatever should die off before you introduce fish in 6 weeks.

Speaking of disease, be on the lookout for a smaller used tank so you can use it as a quarantine tank. You can usually pick up a 10g with all the equipment for a song if you keep your eyes on the Classifieds.

[tigerbarb420]

The tank is lookin great! Especially for your first tank. WOW you have a good eye.

[w1nk5]

Thanks a lot guys. I appreciate it.