Update on my tank.

[tidioute06]

Thanks to help and great articles on this site i finally have my tank up and running.

50g Planted
Fish:
5 Tiger Barbs
1 Clown Loach
Plants:
8 - Jungle vallisneria (http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/208853/product.web) 6 - Corkscrew val (http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/208879/product.web) 1 - Marble radican (http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/208934/product.web) 4 - Rosette (http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/208860/product.web) 2 - Cardamine (http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/198805/product.web) 2 - Medium Amazon (http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/208931/product.web) 1 - Medium Brazil (http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/208874/product.web) 3 - Purple Cabomba (http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/208933/product.web) 2 - Ozelot Sword (http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/208904/product.web) 3 - Myrio filigree (http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/208861/product.web) 1 - Oriental Sword (http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/208852/product.web) 3 - Rotala (http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/208867/product.web) 4 - Microsword (http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/208919/product.web)I plan on adding a bit more livestock once i'm sure the bio has been established.Couple pics

This is what it used to look like...

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m95/tidioute06/oldtank.jpg

This is what it looks like now!

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m95/tidioute06/tank.jpg

Couple pics of the fish:

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m95/tidioute06/fish1.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m95/tidioute06/fish3.jpg


Thanks for all the helps folks.

[KuchDaddy]

I like the new version much better. Looks good!

[tattoobaz]

thats a much better look. have you thought about putting a background on maybe a solid blue or black i find it brings the colours out a bit more?

[BoredAgain]

I threw up in my mouth a bit when I saw that first pic. Great looking tank now, keep up the good work! Get a background though...paint it black.

[tidioute06]

I'm thinking about getting black poster board for the background. just gotta make a run to target.

[kjr928]

INFINITELY BETTER.

Would consider adding more clown loaches since they are more comfortable in groups.

[tidioute06]

I plan on adding about 2-3 more once i make sure the tank can handle the current bio load. I was able to get some substrate and a small sponge from a friend who had an established tank for a couple years. I've been monitoring the water para and once i'm sure it has stabilized i'll look into adding a few more fish.

[oscaremmy]

I like what you have done and I am sure the fish appreciate it too! No more neuroses and nightmares when they wake up to pink and blue gravel! LOL Great work!!!

[BoredAgain]

I'm thinking about getting black poster board for the background. just gotta make a run to target.
Poster board is fine, if you can find some that size. I was unable to find some that would fit my 55g at Target or any art supply stores. I'm glad that I painted, looks so much better. For smaller tanks, I'll still use poster board or some kind of paper.

[Joetee]

I painted mine with Rust-Oleum Hammered. Color 7215 Black. I just completely covered the tank and masked it off real good, cleaned it with Alcohol, and spray painted it. But mine was outside at the time. You might be able to find a can to brush on.
BTY Your new tank looks real nice.

Joetee

[tidioute06]

Thanks folks. I got some black posterboard and hung it on the back. looks awesome now def brings the color. I'm a little concerned i might not have enough lighting for the plants though. I'm only running 1 Eclipse F30T8 120v, 60hz, 40 watts. I'm thinking about upgrading to a double bulb set up. Any suggestions?

[Joetee]

40 watts isn't quit enough for a planted tank, though some low light plants might grow.
I prefer 1 to 2 watts a gallon for a low tech (no C02 added tank). I like 6700K and\or 6700k - 10000k mix in color spectrum. There are others too. The Bow front also is a problem for low light. The light does not get to the front so good.
AH Supply has some real good "Bright Light Kits" if you would like to revamp your existing hood. Check them out AHSupply.com

Joetee

[tidioute06]

Thanks I'll have to check them out. I am currently using a somewhat homemade co2 injection system. Seems to be working quite well so far. If it continues to work i'll post some plans on how to build it.

[Joetee]

Are you using the Sugar Yeast method? I used one for months. I had three 2 liter bottles all tied together running and I would change one out every week. This kept the C02 more stable. Stability is the key to C02. Also Its a good idea to use a fourth empty bottle before the tank to keep any back flow from entering the tank.

Joetee

[tidioute06]

a variation of the sugar yeast method. I bought a small plastic air tight tube and the reactive ingredients. Drilled a hole in the top cap and glued in a fixture to attach the hose to. I also got my hands on a nifty lil device that diffuses the co2 in the tank. Basically just a zig zag piece of plasic lol.

I just bought 1 x 96 watt Bright Kit and 96watt 6700K Compact Fluorescent Bulb from ah supply! Thanks Joe hopefully this will help my plants flourish.

[Joetee]

What kind of filter are you using?

[Joetee]

I just seen you filter. A HOB filter. This is going to really remove your C02. Also a air stone will also remove C02. You can run the air stone after the lights go out to help with C02. Canister Filter would be the way to go. Keep your water level real high so it does not stir the surface to much will help a little. You only need a slight circulation at the surface.
What Ferts are you using/dosing? Are you adding Excel?

Joetee

[tidioute06]

Well for the tank i have 2. A top fin 60 300GPH and a biowheel 100 100GPH.
Might be a bit overkill on the filters but i like it. I keep the water lvl just about even with overflow of the filters. I am currently using API Leaf Zone plant food. Dont use an airstone i figured the plants would give off enough o2..

[Joetee]

You can order some dry ferts for $19.10 (startup package including shipping) that will last you appx 2 years. A lot cheaper than liquid store bought.
RexGrigg.com has them and they are great.
Rex is a real cool guy. He sold me my C02 system and some ferts. I told him what I had and he designed it perfectly. I had two tanks across the room from each other. 1 1/2 years now with no problems at all. He knows his stuff.

Joetee

[john_auberry]

much better

[tidioute06]

ok so i was thinking about getting a couple more clown loaches to make a little group. I was under the assumption that they grown between 6-8 inches in length..my friends telling me they get up to 16inch in length...I'm not sure my 50g tank will be big enough for one let alone 3. What do you folks think?

[tattoobaz]

ime clown loach are much better of in groups but will eventually get to the 12" mark so yeh may not work to well in your tank im afraid. definately not long term anyway

[lucy42083]

ime clown loach are much better of in groups but will eventually get to the 12" mark so yeh may not work to well in your tank im afraid. definately not long term anyway

I agree. They grow slowly though, so if you have a definite place that can take them as they grow too large, and really want to keep the 1 you have, I'd still get a couple others. It looks like he is trying to school w/ the tiger barbs in the photo, they really need friends to be happy. But, probably the best thing would be to get rid of the 1 you have soon and replace it with another bottom dweller, there are plenty that would do great in that tank.

[tidioute06]

Ya i think i'm going to end up taking him back and getting credit for maybe some more barbs. Sucks though... the guy has a ton of character for a fish lol..

[Lupin]

ok so i was thinking about getting a couple more clown loaches to make a little group. I was under the assumption that they grown between 6-8 inches in length..my friends telling me they get up to 16inch in length...I'm not sure my 50g tank will be big enough for one let alone 3. What do you folks think?
You can add more assuming you can upgrade your tank in two years or less. The earlier, the better. 16 inches is rarely accomplished but a good one if you can.

If you cannot upgrade however, then try Botia striata which can grow to 4 inches only. Botia almorhae can reach 5-6 inches and I must admit they are rather boisterous for most fish but will absolutely be fine with tiger barbs. Your other choices ae Botia kubotai, Botia histrionica, Botia rostrata and Botia dario.

[tidioute06]

Thanks for the info. I am moving to NC later this year and i plan on trying to build myself a 1000g Reef tank and perhaps a 200g freshwater tank. Upgrading shouldnt be an issue but i will def look into those other guys as well.

[Marinemom]

If it were me, I would go ahead and return the one clown loache you have. They need to be in groups and the tank you have set up right now is just too small for him. Once you make your move to NC, and get the other tanks set up, then you can look into getting the clown loaches at that time.

Marinemom

[Digital]

When I had small clown loaches in my 90g planted they ate holes in my amazon sword! :T

From what I have read they like to eat plants... maybe I'll try them again one day but I do know they get a good size!

[gatotsu77]

Seems I'm late to join in on the conversation about the difference in before and after pictures... lets just say I'm VERY glad you decided to make the change, and the tank looks MUCH better. I bet the fish are happy being away from all of the neon colors too. :P

[glcasper]

I threw up in my mouth a bit when I saw that first pic. Great looking tank now, keep up the good work! Get a background though...paint it black.
Hahaha. That's mean! But yes, it looks so much better now. Great work!

[Reefscape]

A really good tank change.....Looks very natural indeed...Love the clowns...superb...Good work

[Marinemom]

I like the second picture better too. However, everyone has their own style to their tanks so saying something mean about the first pic is not just mean but inappropriate as well. Glad you made the change. Hope you like it. I think the fish do.

Marinemom

[Coler]

oh I much prefer the new look - personal preference is for natural myself. great job :D

[tidioute06]

So after a few weeks i'm really happy with how the tank turned out.

here is a pic of it when it was just planted.
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m95/tidioute06/tankjustplanted.jpg


and here are a couple from this morning. It was right after a 50% water change so kinda bubbly.
The tank has 5 tiger barbs (plan on adding about 10 more eventually), 3 clown loaches (will be moved to my much bigger tank in NC in about 6 months), and about 50 ghost shrimp.

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m95/tidioute06/tank1-1.jpg


http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m95/tidioute06/tank2.jpg


I've had a lot of success with the plants the Purple Cabomba especially. The microsword is a pain in the butt. the clowns keep digging it loose from the bottom and i have to keep replanting it. Right now i'm going through a mini cycle and i'm not sure why.. Ammonia has been spiking to around .5ppm but no higher. Everything else reads fine. Been doing lots of water changes so i'm sure the co2 lvls are a bit lower than i'd like. I'm using a diy co2 diffuser atm but i plan on upgrading to injection once i finish the 20g sump i'm building. Figured the sump would be better for filtration, less surface aggitation in the main tank. Well let me know what ya'll think. I'm alway open to suggestions on how to improve my tank!

[FL22]

Wow!! Looks good! I'm glad to see that you added more clown loaches in there. They are one of my favorite fish! Good Luck with the move and I cant wait to see the monster tanks:p:

[Easydoesit]

looks soo much better! it looks really nice. thats a big change, from the 1st pic to now :) n that lil loach does look like he tries to school with the tiger barbs

[tidioute06]

ya it's quite interesting watching the loaches and the barbs interact. One minute they are schooling together separately the next one or 2 of the loaches get in the barb group and then start chasing them all over the tank. I actually got an upgrade since this morning. I went the thatfishplace. Most of you prolly know by www.thatpetplace.com and they had a sale on canister filters so i picked up a marineland C-360. Just got it up and running and i i love it soo far.

[Lexi_D]

oh I much prefer the new look - personal preference is for natural myself. great job :D


I agree! :D

[jm1212]

nice progression shots.

[Arturo]

Very nice transformation, I like the way you set every thing up.