Setup for 55 gal tank - lighting, filtration and covers

[thoth]

I have maintained a 28 gal. bowfront planted tank (Swords, wendtii and java ferns mainly) for about 20 months, stocked with Glowlight tetras, two clown loaches and various smaller (non-tiger) barbs and swortails (which I would like to continue breeding). I fell in love with the planted aquascape and wanted to do more with it. I used a fluorite red/eco-complete substrate and a cured piece of driftwood as decor and began using peat as a water softener inline with the filter (I stopped using activated carbon cartridges as it is said to pull microminerals from the water, and mainly only used it when the tannin levels got too high).

I recently received a 55 gallon long (48"L x 13"W x 20"H) tank and stand for a Christmas present and am looking to get it set up as a much nicer planted tank. The shape of my existing one made aquascaping and lighting difficult, plus i have a larger budget now to manage things. I have been buying items for a while through thatpetplace.com and was pleased with their prices and selection.

I am planning to use the same substrate mixture, and am going to buy uncured driftwood online (with the slate base). My local tap water is very alkaline, and treatment with peat in the filter has been the only decent way I've been able to soften it to a decent pH (7.3-7.5). The goal is that the tannins from the driftwood will be useful in lieu of peat and give it a blackwater look.

I am also investing into a decent CO2 injector system. The DIY units are cost-efficient but I dislike the mess and regular maintenance of the CO2. I want a set it/forget it set up if at all possible, esp something I can conceal in the stand.

My initial question involves lighting. I was looking at the following Nova Extreme assembly (http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/204900/i/7/product.web), and thought it would work nicely for my tank and price range; with the fixture array it also gives me about 4 watts/gal which is what I hear is recommended, even if I would have to swap out various light types. I am not creative in the least, so a custom-built cover is not in my future. I wanted something to give me the proper light range, fan-cooling and bulb selection. The only issue is this particular light fixture would require a secondary cover for the tank or else go coverless. I have used glass covers in the past but deal with incessant mineral buildup which vinegar washes and scraping only partially alleviate. I have yet to find a cleaning mixture that will clean the glass perfectly without leaving any possible residue that will kill the fish (e.g., Windex).

Should I go with a plastic cover that can be easier to clean or look at some sort of standard glass covers? The Clown loaches are notorious jumpers, and my concern is they will jump out if the top is left open to the air. I have had these guys for almost a year and they are going to be a permanent fixture in my new tank - I love watching their antics.

Secondly is filtration. I currently use a Penguin BioWheel 150, and debated going to the 350 and a power head for the larger tank. My concern is the filter material. The planted tank had an amazing amount of buildup on the filters (I used the DIY format where I retained the filter brackets, purchased some filter media and used rubber bands to secure). I clean the filters about every two weeks, rotating in a new cartridge with an old one, but the amount of detritus in the filter is amazing. I looked heavily at an Eheim assembly, mainly due to the external tank and easier cleaning process (the power filter is a pain to clean every two weeks). However, I worried about the canister clogging up, even with a prefilter screen on the Eheim. The Eheim assembly I want with the proper tubing and filters almost doubles my budget for a filter, unfortunately. I also wanted to get something more powerful for filtration in the event I went saltwater someday and wanted to reuse the canister assembly. Any recommendations between power and canister types?

I was also looking to buy some local rock pieces for decor in the tank. I know there is the rule about testing for calcium but are there any rock types that would be beneficial in a planted tank? We mostly have sandstone from the MO area around here, but wasn't sure if I could specifically ask a local rock supplier for a specific type or style.

Thanks in advance for any assistance. This is my first post to AC, so I hope the length hasn't bored anyone.

[Nolapete]

Great post. Very thorough.

ahsupply.com has great retrofit kits if you want a DIY lighting option
lightbulbsdirect.com has really good prices on all kinds of bulbs

The Nova light is good if you want a ready made. Maybe you can find a Nova retrofit and just get a simple wood canopy hood to keep the clown loaches in.

I'm not a fan of canisters. I like the easy access of Aquaclear filters. They are really easy to maintain and are very durable.

[Rex Grigg]

If you also received standard strip lights with the 55 gallon I would suggest AH Supply kits for lighting. You don't need 4 wpg. In fact with 110 watts of AH supply kits you can grow 90% of the plants available.

I would also suggest getting some egg crate to cover the tank. It has two advantages. Keeps fish in and allows light in and acts as an open top tank.

I would suggest a canister filter. But why not get a Rena XP-3? Eheim is a nice line of filters but they are expensive. I'm not a big fan of HOB filters on anything but the smallest aquariums.

[TwoTankAmin]

I will touch on some other issues here. Clown loaches are a fav fish of mine as are planted tanks. As the clowns get larger, they tend to uproot plants as they forage for food in the substrate. They are particularly harsh on some plants typically used in co2 added tanks.

Canisters are the preferred filter for co2 added tanks as its easy to eliminate surface aggitation with them. I use an Eheim Pro II 2026 on my high light 50 and have it doubleing as my co2 "reactor". The co2 runs directly into the intake. I have run this for over 5 years now with good success.

I agree with Rex on the AH Supply and being able to grow most plants using 110w over the 55. Their reflectors are awesome.

[discusman54]

I see your considering the Magnum 350 cannister, I have this filter. If I could do it over I would get the Rena or Eheim. Seems like the 350 is limited in what I can put in the cannister since it flows from the outside to the center where a bottom to top flow makes layering media much more efficient. Also the boi-wheels tend to gas off the CO2. Some like the 350 for the water polishing with the paper element, I can only leave this filter element in for half a day or the flow goes down to where the bio-wheels are not spinning. Then I have to take the can apart and put the other media back in, kind of a pain.
Ah Supply kits are great. I just put there kit in a 55g hood last week. 110watts of good bright lights. There reflectors are excellent for getting the most out of a 2 55watt bulbs.
If you still want more watts I like these lights. http://http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/product_info.php?cPath=71_74&products_id=1170 (http://http//www.catalinaaquarium.com/product_info.php?cPath=71_74&products_id=1170)
I have one, good price and quality.
Good luck, I love setting up a new tank!!

[Ajordan]

My experience with uncured driftwood with slate bottom is that it floats. If you are considering a large piece that would be a focal point for a 55g plan on adding rocks around the base or soaking in water for a LONG time. Mine has been in my 37g for about 8 months and I'm not convinced it wouldn't float if the rocks (concealed by substrate) were to be removed.

Also, plastic covers tend to warp. I like the egg crate idea if you want open top.

I use a vinegar dilution to clean my tanks. If a little gets in, it's not the end of the world. It works pretty well on lime and scaly deposits left by hard water.