decorating 55 gallon

[dlaube]

Well here's the deal, got a new 55 gallon tank. Bought some more fake plants for it. I put in a few rocks that I've collected a few years ago. But the tank just feels so bland....soooo soooo bland

I don't really enjoy the gravel color, although there is no way I am going to change it, It's just not going to happen. I figured maybe I could just cover up the majority of it with rock caves, and use plants to distract from it.

For the most part I'm not really sure of where to go from here. I don't want to spend a fortune on decoration. I've thought about collecting rocks from the shore of lake Erie, but I know that all of the great lakes are pretty well polluted, and the fact that the rocks I have now haven't killed any fish is fairly lucky. I don't know if I could dodge another bullet like that. As for plants, I don't really know what kind of plants would be appropriate for a cichlid tank, which at the moment is what my goal is. AAANNND, I really dont know anything at all about live plants...I don't want to deal with high maintenance plants along with already fairly high maintenance fish.

here are a few pictures, it looks a lot better in person, but that is not saying much.

][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)
][Only Registered Users Can See Links.] ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)

[MCHRKiller]

I think a tank background would help you alot, a plain black one usually looks best. What kind of cichlids are you planning? If your going with New World american cichlids some driftwood would help the scape out tremendously, as well as the addition of more rock. If your going africans I would look into a ton more rock. But I can tell you from personal experience if you hate your substrate the decor isnt going to change that.

[dlaube]

I wouldnt say I hate it...but it seems like theres too much of it seen. Like too much of the surface is exposed, kindof giving it a barren and desolate look. I would like to get more rocks, bu the only place around me I know I could get them for free is on the shore of lake erie, which from everything I have ever read is a really bad idea.

[Northernguy]

The rocks from Erie should be fine.You will have to clean them with a brush under hot water.Make sure the rocks are clean.You can also soak them in a bit of bleach and water but its not really neccesary.Make sure all the bleach smell is rinsed away.You can also let them air dry.
Its a lot cheaper than buying them at your local fish store (lfs).
I get all my driftwood the same way.

[MCHRKiller]

Ive always heard it is pretty polluted so I think I to would take the safe side and avoid that. You could probably purchase rock from your LFS, or a garden/landscape center would be much cheaper.