View Full Version : My First Planted Tank 55g
Cichlidiot420
12-19-2008, 12:21 AM
Decided to scrap the fake stuff and take the planted route. any sugestions to make it better? im just kinda winging it keeping it low tech.
http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo152/CanadianBacon420/DSCI0166.jpg
Quick5oh
12-19-2008, 12:55 AM
Looks good, I love the driftwood.. Any fish in there??
Cichlidiot420
12-19-2008, 12:57 AM
Looks good, I love the driftwood.. Any fish in there??
a red spotted gold sev and a salvini that im trading in tomorrow hopfully. im open to some suggestions on what i should stock it with.
Sweet start to the tank! Should really look natural as the vegetation begins to grow. All you really need to add is time (and your new stock of course).
yikesjason
12-19-2008, 10:17 AM
you should have fun as the plants grow and multiply, you then can start to scape it. You learn a lot on that first planted tank
rusfamily1
12-19-2008, 10:45 AM
Looks great! I think time and patience to fill out are all you need at this point.
I too am setting up a 55 gal this week, but, have not purchased anything to decorate with. I'm curious where you purchased your plants (very healthy) and driftwood?
rich311k
12-19-2008, 10:49 AM
Looks like a nice start to me. I would add one more piece of driftwood three is better than two.
spunjin
12-19-2008, 10:50 AM
It does look good now, just wait a few weeks and the plants will grow nice and tall. You may want to fit a sponge around the intake of your HOB filters to keep plant leaves from slowing the flow of the filter. It may be an eyesore but eventually the plants will block it from sight and you may be able to find one that is black to match the background.
spunjin
12-19-2008, 10:51 AM
Also what rich said, a piece of driftwood that spans the tank to make an arch might look good.
jm1212
12-19-2008, 11:24 AM
good start! add some ludwigia to get some nice red and orange tones in there
saram521
12-19-2008, 11:24 AM
That's a very nice beginning planted tank :). I really like the piece of driftwood that resembles a tree stump.
Damodred
12-19-2008, 11:26 AM
I think it already looks great!
Rbishop
12-21-2008, 5:58 AM
A great beginning!
noodles62
12-21-2008, 8:57 AM
Looks great!
Cichlidiot420
12-21-2008, 9:14 PM
thanks for the compliments everyone. i ended up changing the playsand i had over to Flourite Dark and love the new look. i could only afford 2 bags but plan on picking up 2 more after the holidays. it makes it look alot more natural. i kept the layout pretty much the same except i moved the Bacopa Caroliniana in front of the driftwood on the right to spread the plants out abit more. i also got rid of the java fern that was tied to the driftwood on the right it made it look to cluttered. i got rid of my cichlids and got 1x gold gourami, 1x peral gourami, 1x tiger barb, and 4x glo-lite tetras. i also plan on getting half dozen neons when i can. do i have room for anymore fish? heres some pics or the new look, dont mind the cloudy water the flourite is some messy stuff!! even after you wash it good. it will be clear in the next couple days.
http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo152/CanadianBacon420/DSCI0167.jpg
http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo152/CanadianBacon420/DSCI0166-1.jpg
http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo152/CanadianBacon420/DSCI0168.jpg
rich311k
12-21-2008, 9:15 PM
Very nice!
Damodred
12-21-2008, 9:21 PM
Cool! Keep in mind that Tiger Barbs are schooling fish that will do best in a group of at least 6. I recommend 10 or more to reduce/eliminate aggression. I'd also pick up 2 more of the glowlights (also a schooling fish). You certainly have room for 6 or more Neons too. Have you considered Cardinals instead of Neons? They're a little larger and more colorful than Neons. Will your gouramis be aggressive with one another? Someone with more gourami experience may be able to comment on that.
Mokomon
12-21-2008, 9:30 PM
It looks awesome!
Cichlidiot420
12-21-2008, 9:30 PM
Cool! Keep in mind that Tiger Barbs are schooling fish that will do best in a group of at least 6. I recommend 10 or more to reduce/eliminate aggression. I'd also pick up 2 more of the glowlights (also a schooling fish). You certainly have room for 6 or more Neons too. Have you considered Cardinals instead of Neons? They're a little larger and more colorful than Neons. Will your gouramis be aggressive with one another? Someone with more gourami experience may be able to comment on that.
thanks, yeah i was debaiting over neons or cardinals. my lfs said the guy they get their pick ups from neons were all DOA so i dont know when they will have more. so far the gourami havent bothered each other. so i could get 9 more tiger barbs, 6 cardinals and 2 more glo lites? not really that into tiger barbs to want 10 of them whats some other options? thanks again!!