Help me redesign my tank!

enrique4jc

enrique4jc

AC Members
Oct 17, 2006
615
13
18
Russell Springs, KY
Real Name
Eric
Okay gang, here's the deal. I've got a 29-gallon community tank. I keep everything well maintained, test my water regularly (API Master Test Kit), keep up with my water changes, etc. I've got good hardware in the tank as well (Penguin Biowheel 300, VisiTherm Stealth 100w). The tank stays in pretty good shape as far as that is concerned. Right now though, the tank is pretty lame overall. I mean, don't get me wrong, I enjoy watching all my fishy friends and taking care of them. But I'd like to make this tank something really special to look at, and I want your advice!

First, the decor. Currently, its got blue gravel, an assortment of fake plants that arent even layed out well, and a sunken ship ornament with bubblestones underneath. I want to redo this completely. I want a new substrate, live plants, maybe some driftwood. I want to create a much more natural environment. Give me your suggestions on...

- Substrate: Sand or gravel, color suggestions?
- Plants: No special lighting, just a standard flouresent lamp in the hood from the LFS that says its good for fish colors and plants. I need some easy to grow, relatively hardy plants since this is my first run at a planted tank.
- Decor: Driftwood, ornaments, bubbles? What do you think?


Second, the stock. You can see my current stock in my signature. I really don't intend on getting rid of anything I have. I really like watching the neons school together. But other than them, there's nothing in the tank that really stands out. Any suggestions on something I could add to the mix that would just really round out my stock and perhaps create a cool centerpiece?

Thanks for any advice! I'll look forward to seeing what you have to say!
 
enrique4jc said:
- Substrate: Sand or gravel, color suggestions?
- Plants: No special lighting, just a standard flouresent lamp in the hood from the LFS that says its good for fish colors and plants. I need some easy to grow, relatively hardy plants since this is my first run at a planted tank.
- Decor: Driftwood, ornaments, bubbles? What do you think?
Click to expand...

i would go with a more natural color gravel. maybe eco complete. i got a 20 gal with black sand and really like it. i also like the play and pool sand at home depot or even the 50 pound gravel.

you most likely will need better lighting. how many watts is it? you can go the cheap way with power compact bulbs from walmart or something. you could also look into ahsupply.com lighting system.

driftwood is nice. i have also used terracotta posts with moss or java fern or something. all depends on what you like.
 
Maybe a male betta? or a couple of females? I have a male betta with 3 albino and 2 julli cory cats. They get a long great so far.
 
Black sand and background. Add a colorful dwarf gourami.
 
I second the gourami rather than the betta, since the neons and tetras might pick at the bettas fins.

For plants I'd say some relatively easy, low light plants are java fern, java moss, anubias, anacharis, crypts, water sprite, and Brazilian pennywort. You can look them up here: http://www.aquahobby.com/e_garden.php

I also have black sand in my 10 gallon and 5 gallon hex that I like the look of. Much better than the bright blue gravel that I started out with a couple years ago.

You won't be sorry for going with a more natural look either. I think most start out with what you have (i.e. cheesy artificial decorations) and then refine their tastes to a more natural look as they get into the hobby more. This doesn't happen for everyone, but I would say it does to most. It is fun to have a tank that brings out the kid in you, though. Colorful gravel, castles, scuba divers and trasure chests, and fake shark ornaments can be fun as well.

At this point, I don't think I could ever go back to fake plants and clown puke gravel.
 
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Sand is better than gravel IMO. It allows for the roots to spread easier and not get uprooted as easily. If you have to use root tabs, sand helps keep the tab around the roots better when it is disturbed, so it doesn't get into the water column as easily. Sand is easier to clean. With sand it is easier to have carpeting plants, because of the smaller grain size.

I have Black Tahitian Moon sand in my tank, but this is expensive if you want more than one 20lb bag, which is $20. Pool filter sand is a good sand, but it is light in color and poop and other nasties show up quite easily, it is around $5 for a 50lb bag, i believe. There is play sand, which is a darker tan brown color, but it is very hard to wash clean and compacts easier than other sand types. I'm not sure what other alternative sand types there are, but maybe someone else will know. The types I listed are the most commonly talked about ones.

You can get Tahitian sand at Petsmart ( where I got mine some time ago), Pool Filter sand at a pool store, and Play sand at a department store ( Lowe's or Home Depot).

If you want to you could also get plant specific substrates, as suggested before, though they will cost quite a bit more.
 
Enrique, one advantage to sand is fish love it. The cories will anyway! I got pool filter sand at Leslie's in Lexington and I'm really happy w/it. Less than $10 for 50 lbs. You can go to a pond or landscaping shop and pick out some interesting rocks for your tank- 30-50 cents a pound. Rocks make really nice decorations. :)
 
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