AmyLynn's 55gallon journal

[AmyLynn]

Sooooo, I'll start at the beginning and walk through to today.

I got the "bug" again back in August after I totally scrubbed down and revitalized my sadly neglected 29 gallon. And at that point I decided it would be fantastic to have a bigger tank. So I started perusing Craigslist and found a great deal on a 55 gallon with a black stand and canopy for $75 in Fort Collins, CO.

Here we are at the beginning of our project starting to put the black flourite sand in. I do wish I had painted the back of the tank first. Oh well.

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/thumbs/starting_the_sand.jpg (http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/showphoto.php?photo=16690)

Here it is filled up with the fantastic PURPLE silk plants I bought of of ebay.

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/thumbs/everybody_s_home.jpg (http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/showphoto.php?photo=16692)

Since I had moved the whisper HOB that I'd been running on the 29 gallon I went ahead and moved everyone over. I also have an eheim ecco canister filter running on this tank. At this point the tank was lit by a 2x40 watt flourescent t12 shop fixture with a 6500K plant bulb. VERY BRIGHT LOOKING.

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/thumbs/Morning_sept_27_2009.jpg (http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/showphoto.php?photo=16693)

[rich311k]

Very nice. You did a good job on it.

[AmyLynn]

In October I bought some manzanita wood and added that to the hardscape. Also replaced the glass heater that wasn't working correctly with a 300 watt stainless steel submersible with an external control. The shoplight had decided not to work correctly. The light kept overheating under the canopy and I lost one bulb less than 2 weeks after putting it up.


http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/thumbs/FulltankOct1709.jpg (http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/showphoto.php?photo=16694)

In November I added a gold angel and a school of 6 dwarf neon rainbows. All were brought back from Denver.

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/thumbs/angel_and_rainbows.jpg (http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/showphoto.php?photo=16695)

At the end of December I added 4 more dwarf neon rainbows and started with the live plants. Everything was brought back from Denver again. Also added the new current 2x54 watt t5 fixture.

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/thumbs/new_plants.jpg (http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/showphoto.php?photo=16697)

Toward the end of January I ended up pulling out the rocks and scrubbing them, plus scrubbing off a couple of the plants of the dreaded black brush algae. Nasty stuff.



http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/thumbs/P1020899.JPG (http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/showphoto.php?photo=16696)

[Northernguy]

That tank looks great!
I do like the purple!!!
I have the same one as the last on the right!lol

[AmyLynn]

Today I totally rescaped the tank and added a whole greenhouse worth of new plants ordered from ebay.

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/thumbs/Right_side.jpg (http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/showphoto.php?photo=16699)

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/thumbs/Cloudy_right_end_shot.jpg (http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/showphoto.php?photo=16700)

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/thumbs/Left_side.jpg (http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/showphoto.php?photo=16701)

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/thumbs/Left_end_shot.jpg (http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/showphoto.php?photo=16702)

[AmyLynn]

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/thumbs/Driftwood.jpg (http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/showphoto.php?photo=16703)

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/thumbs/Full_tank_shot.jpg (http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/showphoto.php?photo=16698)

AND I FOUND MY SHRIMP AGAIN!

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/thumbs/Shrimp.jpg (http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/showphoto.php?photo=16704)

[AmyLynn]

That tank looks great!
I do like the purple!!!
I have the same one as the last on the right!lol

Problem is that the purple isn't purple anymore. The BBA has totally taken them over. I think I'm going to scrub them off, soak them in some hydrogen peroxide and then store them with all of my extra stuff. I don't need them anymore. :hmm3grin2orange:

[MCHRKiller]

Epic changes! Tank looks fabulous, very nicely done :22:

[AmyLynn]

Thanks Jenn. I'm pretty pleased with it. Now we'll see which plants I can keep alive. LOL I still cannot believe what all I got in that bunch from ebay.

[Northernguy]

I do like the tank now!lol
You did a great job!thumbs2:
I find silk plants last longer in my tanks.Live plants are considered salad!lol

[Taurus]

Epic changes! Tank looks fabulous, very nicely done :22:

Wow yeah! Love the angel, dwarf neon bows, and the pearls! thumbs2:

This is now MY dream tank! Well done Amy.

[fins_n_fur]

Very nice transformation! I like it!

[Gil klogher]

I'd love real plants in mine but im afraid of importing diseases or snails or anything else undesirable. How do you know whether a plant is safe or not?

[AmyLynn]

Thanks all! I am LOVING the tank. I find myself just stopping on the way through the house and watching.

The crypts have a couple leaves that are suffering melt down. But that's to be expected. After shipping and then transplant shock I'd be surprised if they didn't.

The upside down catfish have been the most surprising. They've been out swimming!!! :19: They haven't been out this much since I got them a few years ago. I was a little afraid that I traumatized one yesterday when one of his barbs got caught in my net. But they've both been out cruising. thumbs2:

[AmyLynn]

I'd love real plants in mine but im afraid of importing diseases or snails or anything else undesirable. How do you know whether a plant is safe or not?

I don't think anyone can guarantee that. Although I've never heard of diseases coming in on plants, just snails.

There are dips you can do with your plants to protect against snails and such. Bleach and potassium permanganate both top the list. I chose yesterday to swish mine in some hydrogen peroxide. I know it won't do much, but I'm hoping it killed off the black brush algae I already had on some of my plants. The java moss already looks 100 times better between that an the trimming it got.

[AmyLynn]

One little tiny snail (so far). Must have come in on the plants. Sneaky devil, but kinda pretty. Much nicer than the mystery snails I used to have in the 29 years ago.



http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/thumbs/snail.jpg (http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/showphoto.php?photo=16729)

[MCHRKiller]

Dont be alarmed if your swords start to loose some of their older leaves either, I think that Mike actually grows them emersed even tho the description states submerged. The ones I got were really tough leaved much to tough for submerged growth and now the older tough leaves are browning. Just a heads up if you have the same issue :11:

[AmyLynn]

Thanks Jenn. I did notice a couple of brown spots starting on them today. But I'll watch and trim them back. Now I need to try and remember to have patience and not to go buying more plants and overloading my tank. :hmm3grin2orange:

[kathymac]

Love your new tank,very nice layout. I'm fixing to start my new 55 gal I got for my birthday, hope mine looks half as good as yours.

[AmyLynn]

Love your new tank,very nice layout. I'm fixing to start my new 55 gal I got for my birthday, hope mine looks half as good as yours.

Thanks! There is tons of great help on the forum. MCHRKiller gave me a lot of guidance and advice. Keep us updated and good luck!

[AmyLynn]

SOMEBODY is eating/picking the leaves off of all my stem plants. Every day I scoop more leaves off of the top of the water. I think when I do the water change tomorrow I'll have to pull them out, clean them up and see how bad the damage is.

I know I've seen both the platies and the pearl gouramis picking at various things. I guess if they kill them I'll be on the hunt for something else with color for the tank. Silly fishes. :fish2:

[cherokee_psh]

The live plants really make an impressive show.

[rothenb1]

Your tank looks really nice! Great job.

[HeyNow]

Just wanted to say that I really like your tank. I love the decor with the plants.

Oh and I like your horse avatar too thumbs2: My two ponies are pictured in mine

[AmyLynn]

Thanks for the compliments guys. I'm having fun with this tank. Although a tiny bit frustrated at the moment.

Did a bit of rescaping Monday. Moved some plants, cleaned up the ludwigias. At least, I think it's all ludwigia. LOL Found when I pulled up the bunches that they were rotting at the bottom. Unbunched them and trimmed up the ends. Lost almost half a stem on some of the pieces. Threw one whole bunch away. Not sure if maybe I don't have enough light????????

Got my narrow leaf java fern in on Tuesday. (after waiting very patiently) So Tuesday evening I added it to the tank along with the two small pieces of african water fern that were tangled up with the java. Still not sure I'm totally happy with the shape. And I'm noticing that my anubias are struggling. I keep having leaves melt back to little leaf skeletons. Any ideas????

Left side
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/Left_side_0217.jpg

Right side
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/Right_side_0217.jpg

Full Tank
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/Full_tank_shot_0217.jpg

[MCHRKiller]

What is your lighting and dosing? Sometimes anubias will do that if moved...I had a couple do that when I moved them but they are sprouting new leaves and making a nice recovery. Tank looks great overall Id say. Plants look nice and green. Well done :22:

[AmyLynn]

I've only been dosing Flourish comp and iron once a week. Just got more comp in so I may start dosing twice a week on that. Also got some Flourish trace and nitrogen. Crypts are looking a bit yellow, but they really aren't melting now.

Light is a Current Nova Extreme T5HO freshwater. Gives me 108 watts of light over the 55g.

I just keep trimming leaves back and waiting. Thanks :-)

[MCHRKiller]

That should be plenty of light for your 55, its in the medium range. Definatly pick up dosing some more...may do them good. I have to dose the 100G 4X a week. Flourish products are great because theyre pretty low concentration and its hard to overdose them with normal measurements for your tank size. If you can pick up some Potassium as well, usually if you suspect a deficiency its probably Potassium as it is about the most common depleted substance in the tank.

[AmyLynn]

Really tempted to try the excel, but I'm afraid I'll lose those nice tall vals. Thought I remembered ordering potassium, but I guess not. Hard to keep track sometimes (blush)

I'll up my dosing to twice a week. And try to be patient. :11:

Thanks again :thumbupright:

[Taurus]

[QUOTE=AmyLynn] And try to be patient.
QUOTE]

You will be patient.....like me (not). :14:

[AmyLynn]

I can do it! I promise. LOL

[Crispy]

Tank looks great! A fine job if I may say so. thumbs2:

[AmyLynn]

Thanks :22:

[Cliff]

Wow, I'm a little jealous.

That looks fantastic

Excellent job on the tank

[Cliff]

Ya know, I'm setting up a 75 gallon this spring, I think I will model it off of your tank tank.

I hope you don't mind:ssmile:

[AmyLynn]

That's an incredibly nice compliment. Thank you so very much :11:

[AmyLynn]

Not a lot of changes to the tank recently. Moved one clump of java moss from the side of the driftwood to the top and switched the needle leaf java fern I had at the very top of the driftwood for the african water fern I had down lower. So far so good.

My crypts seem to have quit melting and are now putting on new leaves quite quickly. And the ludwigia is doing a bit better. I pinch the tops off whenever I see new leaves forming in hopes that they'll really bush out. They seem to be putting on new leaves so I'll just keep watching them. The jungle val is growing HUGE. :help: I now have leaves that go front to back along the top a couple of times. Wonder if I should trim them at some point?

Stepped up my dosing to twice weekly. I think I'm doing almost the full range of Flourish. LOL I am dosing excel and so far the vals seem to be taking it well. I won't cry too hard if I lose them because everything else is going crazy and the bba algae that I had is going away even with a light dosing. :19:

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/March_1_2010_full_tank.jpg

[MCHRKiller]

Tank looks awesome...well done :22:

[AmyLynn]

Thanks :11:

It wouldn't look this good without your advice. Changing my dosing to twice weekly made a huge difference in the plant growth. thumbs2:

[MCHRKiller]

I learned the hardway on my old 55G that cutting on ferts doesnt obtain good results...more ferts are definatly better :22:

[AmyLynn]

I made a note of that. LOL

[Taurus]

How are the Angel, Rainbows, and Pearls all getting along Amy?

[AmyLynn]

Everyone gets along great. The angel does her/his own thing and doesn't bother anyone. The large male gourami sometimes likes to chase whoever might be thinking wayward thoughts. And, the males rainbows like to spar with each other on occasion. But no heavy aggression, no torn fins and no injuries. Most of the time they're very paceful and they all do their own thing.

Oh, and the male platies harass each other and the females endlessly. Damn men. :fish2:

[AmyLynn]

Tiny bit of frustration with it right now. I pulled a lot of leaves off of the vals and the sags tonight. They both look so tiny right now. But they were melting and just nasty. Not sure what's up with both of them.

Not totally happy with the scape I have. Just can not figure out what I need to move where. I did end up pulling out the ludwigias. I was getting sick and tired of fishing dead leaves out of the water all of the time. And I really don't have enough light to keep them red and growing well. :scry: Spread things out a little more along the back and split up one of the bigger clumps of NL java fern. I think I'd like some more regular java fern and a little more lace leaf java.

Lost one of the 4 female platties over the weekend. And I've decided to give the 4 males away to a friend. They are constantly either harassing the girls or bickering amongst themselves and I'm tired of them. Goodbye boys! LOL

Thoughts on the scaping? What am I missing? What should I move? :help:

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/March_15_2010_full_tank.jpg

Compare to 2 weeks ago.
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/March_1_2010_full_tank.jpg

[Lab_Rat]

Your tank looks awesome! About the only thing I would do is add a true foreground plant to some of the open area in the front. Crypt parva would be a nice choice. Dwarf sag would be another. There are many high light plants that would fill that role well too (not sure your lighting/co2/ferts).

[MCHRKiller]

Your excel dosing has probably finally caught up with the vals and probably caused the melt.

Personally I would do something with the white rock. I would push the one on the far right down into the substrate about 3/4-1", and then trade places with the far left rock and the off centered front one and also push them into the substrate. Pushing rockwork into the substrate suprisingly makes a difference it makes it appear to have been there longer instead of floating on top of the substrate.

Otherwise let the vals recover and in time the tank will be chocked full :22:

[AmyLynn]

Your tank looks awesome! About the only thing I would do is add a true foreground plant to some of the open area in the front. Crypt parva would be a nice choice. Dwarf sag would be another. There are many high light plants that would fill that role well too (not sure your lighting/co2/ferts).

Thanks :22:

Staying away from high light plants. I'm running 108 watts of t5, no co2 and flourish comp, iron, trace and nitrogen. And a tiny bit of excel. I think, now that the bba is gone I'll probably stop with the excel.

I have a little bit of dwarf chain sword, but it seems to have quit growing. :scry: Not sure what to do to help it out.

[AmyLynn]

Your excel dosing has probably finally caught up with the vals and probably caused the melt.

Personally I would do something with the white rock. I would push the one on the far right down into the substrate about 3/4-1", and then trade places with the far left rock and the off centered front one and also push them into the substrate. Pushing rockwork into the substrate suprisingly makes a difference it makes it appear to have been there longer instead of floating on top of the substrate.

Otherwise let the vals recover and in time the tank will be chocked full :22:

The sags are actually melting worse and faster than the vals. Not sure what's up with them. I trimmed a lot of older bigger leaves last night, but the others are very pale and thin. Hopefully it'll recover.

The rocks are actually clear down almost onto the glass. They're pretty large rocks. I was looking for some a bit smaller when I found these on ebay. But when you live in bfe you take what you can find. LOL I might try switching a couple and see what I get. I've got the substrate built up behind the two bigger ones so I'll have to play a bit.

Any idea for some color now that I pulled the ludwigia out?

ETA: I haven't dosed excel the last two times I've dosed. The bba seems to be going away totally now.

[MCHRKiller]

A good easy pop of color can come from red tiger lotus, rotala rotundifolia also gets good color...also more crypts would add some hints of red and brown :22:

[Mith]

Fun thread Amy! You are doing a wnderful job with your tank!

[Taurus]

And you getting some of the best advice around here when in comes to planted tanks. Again, your tank is a dream tank. :ssmile:

[AmyLynn]

A good easy pop of color can come from red tiger lotus, rotala rotundifolia also gets good color...also more crypts would add some hints of red and brown :22:

Red lotus is one I thought of. And i do love my little crypts. :18:

[AmyLynn]

Fun thread Amy! You are doing a wnderful job with your tank!

Thanks Mith. (blush) I'm having fun with the plants. It's frustrating, but rewarding when they respond and grow. And the fish look so much happier.

[AmyLynn]

And you getting some of the best advice around here when in comes to planted tanks. Again, your tank is a dream tank. :ssmile:

Thanks Taurus. (blush) I'm learning a lot and because of that I'm having good luck. I'm enjoying it more than I even thought I would.

[AmyLynn]

Not too many changes to the tank. Still having issues with the saggitaria despite dosing ferts and trimming decaying leaves. I have ONE that is doing well. I may just concede defeat and pull the others to make room for something else.

Jungle val is getting very looooong. Seem to be doing well with the excel I am dosing. Starting to see some new leaves coming up from the substrate so they must be happy.

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/Jungle_Val_May_2010.jpg

The swords are now almost totally submersed leaves instead of the confusing emersed leaves it came with. And the baby swords are all growing and doing very well too.

I think I'm about 95% happy with the tank. Would like to move the taller crypt to the back shortly (forgive me for not remembering it's name) and very frustrated with the sags. But otherwise YAY!

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/Full_tank_May_2010.jpg

[Lab_Rat]

Looks good! I wish I could get my vals to grow like that.

[AmyLynn]

Evidently mine LIKE the excel. I think they're confused. But I'll take it. LOL

[MCHRKiller]

Tank looks awesome! Once those swords really get going its going to be great. I know one of my baby swords is about to catch its parents due to that darned emersed growth taking so long to be delt with :22:

[AmyLynn]

Thanks Jenn. :ssmile:

That emersed growth really confused me for a while as to what type of swords those were. But there's definitely no doubt now. LOL

Any more suggestions on the sags? Or are they just doomed?

[MCHRKiller]

lol, i cant grow sags either. It could be your excel or it just could be not to their liking...ive never had sag to grow and in theory my tank should be perfect for them. Just how it is sometimes :22:

[AmyLynn]

Well then, I think I may try and hit one of the good lfs in Denver while out there this weekend and see what I can find to replace them. I can NOT believe how terrible they look compared to when I got them. :scry:

[MCHRKiller]

Best of luck! 4leaf clover is supposidly an excellent carpeting style plant if you can find any :22:

[AmyLynn]

Couple of weeks ago I hit Denver and got a few new plants for the tank. Pulled all of the sags but one that was happily growing along. Replaced them with a red rubin sword, two aponogetons and a very very tiny red lotus plantlet. So far so good :-) Also did a minor rescaping by moving the biggest crypt back and the tiniest crypt to the front and right.


http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/June_6_2010_full_tank.jpg

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/left_side_rescaped.jpg

[MCHRKiller]

Tank looks awesome! Job well done :22:

[megastealer]

Very cool! What is that plant growing on top of your driftwood?

[rich311k]

Great looking tank.

[AmyLynn]

Thanks guys! The new plants seem to be settling in quite well. Everyone has already had a little bit of new growth. :19:

megastealer: on the very top of the driftwood is just java moss. Lower down on the front I have lace java fern and growing out of the middle is a bunch of needle leaf java fern and regular java fern.

[Taurus]

Tank just keeps getting better! :ssmile:

[AmyLynn]

thanks Taurus (blush)

[AmyLynn]

Wow!! Long time no update!

The tank has undergone a few small changes, but nothing major. Still not totally happy with the scape, but I think part of that is that it really is difficult to get depth in a 55 gallon. Wish I had held out for a 75. :fish2:

Pulled out all of the jungle vals. Just wasn't liking them constantly needing trimmed and cleaned up. Replaced them with 4 crypt retrospiralis. Also added a cute little vesuvius sword.

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/Full_Tank_Sept_2010.jpg

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/Right_Tank_Sept_2010.jpg

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/Left_Tank_Sept_2010.jpg

[MCHRKiller]

Tank has really matured nicely! Awesome job with it :22:

[HeyNow]

I love your tank. What do you have on the driftwood?

[AmyLynn]

Thanks Jenn. Hoping those new crypts grow in and cover over that filter intake. Any suggests for the scape???

Hi Hey, LOL The driftwood has a combination of needle leaf java fern, regular java fern, lace java fern and java moss. Oh, and a somewhat large African water fern on the back of it that will be moved to the 29g when I get it set up. It was a freebie with some other plants.

[MCHRKiller]

I think the tank looks great myself, if you wanted to add some more taller plants which are super easy to grow...Aponegeton crispus is an excellent choice.

[AmyLynn]

I'm hoping that the crypt retrospiralis will grow in tall and thick with a little time and patience. But I like the looks of the aponogeton crispus and will have to keep that in mine. Especially as I set the 29g back up this winter.

[AmyLynn]

Wow.... almost 5 months since my last update. Not a lot has changed. The red sword now almost touches the top of the water. My amazon swords aren't doing hardly anything. I just pruned the nasty leaves off of them today and tucked some more fertilizer around them. My vesuvius sword refuses to root out, not sure what is the cause of that. And I've been lax in my ferts and the algae is trying to get ahead of me. And the java moss is trying hard to take over everything in the tank. LOL Took out a baseball sized clump today.

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/Feb122011.jpg

[fishluvr]

forgetting everything bad you said about your tank, i think it looks great, i didnt read your whole journal yet, as i noticed in another post you just came back so i came to the last page here, but are you using co2 injections? i'm planning on doing a 75 gallon tank, i have great lights but don't want to get so involved that i need co2

[AmyLynn]

Not currently using co2 injection. Was a little more involved than I wanted to get. That said.... if I'm not going to use co2 I NEED to be more consistent with my excel dosage.

[MCHRKiller]

The tank is looking fantastic :22:

[Cliff]

Your tank still looks great thumbs2:

[AmyLynn]

Thanks guys.. :-D Really itching to go up in size to either a 75 or a 90 gallon. Wishing I had more room front to back. Things are getting tight in there. LOL But holding off for now because I will probably be moving in the next few months. No sense in upgrading and getting a new tank up when I'll just have to tear it down.

[KingFisher]

Thanks guys.. :-D Really itching to go up in size to either a 75 or a 90 gallon. Wishing I had more room front to back. Things are getting tight in there. LOL But holding off for now because I will probably be moving in the next few months. No sense in upgrading and getting a new tank up when I'll just have to tear it down.

I bet you will really enjoy the deeper tank.. I certainly do since I switched.

Very smart waiting until you move to upgrade.

The tank is looking great! thumbs2:

[AmyLynn]

Thanks Kingfisher.... If I decide to keep the oversized chunk of driftwood I have now I think I'll push more to the 90 gallon for the extra height as well. My java moss actually sticks out of the top of the water right now and traps a lot of debris. Had to do a good cleaning of the stinky mass yesterday. blech

[Taurus]

The tank is beautiful as always. The dwarf 'bows and angel make a great combination! :ssmile:

[AmyLynn]

Thanks Taurus. :-)

[Lab_Rat]

Looks great!

[AmyLynn]

Thanks Labby :-)

[Ticklemekevin10]

Tank looks awesome! That's exactly what I'm hoping for when my 90 gal is finally set up. What lfs's do you go to in Denver?

[Sandz]

This tank looks amazing! Great looking, bright greens and even if they arent rooting, they looks very vibrant!

[AmyLynn]

Thanks guys.

Kevin,

My current favorite is Neptune's down off of county line road. I've been to Broadway tropicals a couple of times, but they are spendy and not really very helpful. Got any good recommendations?

[AmyLynn]

Really frustrated with the tank right now... Pulled the needle leaf java out and the java moss off of the top to discover that the driftwood with it's nifty caves traps and holds a lot of nasty debris. The synodontis are going to be upset but it HAS to go... I also haven't been changing water as often as it needs and it's showing it by a huge growth of brown algae.

Will probably be moving some time next month. Tank will get a total tear down in the process, but I'm also keeping my eyes open for a deal on a 75 gallon on craigslist. Found some nice manzanita on www.manzanita.com that I'm trying to justify buying. (blush) Also thinking about changing the substrate. Right now it is black flourite. I bought red flora max for the betta tank and I'm really liking it. So maybe????

[AmyLynn]

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/P1030489.JPG

[Cermet]

Very nice - like the center piece - good overall balance on plant grouping/arrangement.:22:

[AmyLynn]

That centerpiece is going to go bye bye.. it's actually far too large for the tank. Nearly touches front and back.

Thanks :ssmile:

[Taurus]

Whaooaaaaa....slow down. Just take the center driftwood piece out and give it a good scrub down with a stiff bristle brush and it's reusable again.

[AmyLynn]

A scrubbing won't keep it from accumulating mulm and debris again. LOL And it's too big. :D

http://www.manzanita.com/stumps/page3/stump14.htm

[Taurus]

Ok, can't argue with that. :ssmile:

Manzanita is narrow and stands upright making less likely to catch debris such as uneaten fish food. Gravel might be easier to vacuum. Go for it! :ssmile:

[MCHRKiller]

I just got some very very awesome driftwood from thedriftwoodstore.com, his woods are also very cheap for the sizes as well. I think the tank looks great as it is...if you opted to upgrade to a 75G the wood you have would also no longer be too large :14:

[AmyLynn]

Thinking longer and branchier though. A little less chunky. This piece would look awesome in more of a square tank though.

Driftwood store won't load :(

[AmyLynn]

I get to upgrade.... I get to upgrade..... *happy dance* :cheerleadersmileygi

[Taurus]

:partydance: Yeah, you go girl! :19:

[AmyLynn]

Hopefully he waits until I'm out there to start the wood work. Would love to get the journal from the literal beginning. thumbs2:

[5GenCO]

Maybe he will wait...Maybe not...Like all guys I bet he would take a bribe to wait....:kisscheek: if you know what I mean!!:18:

[AmyLynn]

I'm guessing it will take him that long to even decide how he wants to build it. :hmm3grin2orange:

[AmyLynn]

We are moved and up and running. No losses at all. Tank is temporarily scaped, but the upside down catfish are ticked because I didn't give them their giant castle back. After having to pry one of them out I didn't feel like letting them back in it. LOL

[Rue]

LOL...

I'm glad everyone survived the change over!

[MCHRKiller]

Glad to hear the move has gone well, look forward to updates :22:

[AmyLynn]

I did discover that the new fine nets work great for the synodontis. But not so well for the otocinclus. One poor little guy got a tiny little nose barbel stuck in the net. Took a few minutes to untangle him.

[AmyLynn]

Went fish/driftwood shopping yesterday. :19: Didn't find any wood that I liked so i guess I'll end up ordering some online. But I added a school of the cutest panda cories. I forgot how much fun they really are. LOL

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/panda_cories.jpg

[AmyLynn]

There have been a few changes to the tank. Found some driftwood pieces that I liked the look of as a grouping so the tank has been totally rescaped. Started making my own root "tabs" using a method from the planted tank forum. My swords are all finally GROWING! Bought some new plants from a user on the planted tank, but am somewhat disappointed in them. Bought an aflame sword, two frans stoffels swords, a crypt balansae, a crypt Pontderiifolia and an anubia petite nana. I have lost the aflame and one of the frans stoffels. Am keeping fingers crossed on the others. Also got some crypt spiralis which is growing nicely and was just given some spiral vals.

So, here is the current tank setup. :22:

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/ftsJune292011.jpg

Left side
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/leftsideJune292011.jpg

Right side
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fishpictures/data/956/rightsideJune292011.jpg

[MCHRKiller]

Tank looks great! When it grows out it will be fabulous. :22:

[Lab_Rat]

Looks great! Glad your move was a success.

[AmyLynn]

Been wondering what the heck was up with those swords. Apparently they were not impressed with regular root tabs.

Thanks Labby. Thankfully no movers to break tanks and the small crew we had was extremely careful.

[KingFisher]

Awesome tank AmyLynn. I am jealous. thumbs2:

[Taurus]

Beautiful tank and fish Amy. I've always admired your 55 and now it's getting better. thumbs2:

Bows and Pearl look great. How's the Angel doing?

[AmyLynn]

Don't be jealous of me. I'm still learning as I go. LOL

Thanks Taurus. The angel got rehomed. After the move he/she started getting more aggressive. Even caught him harassing the bows, which was totally unlike him. So, he went to the lfs and I brought home a few more bows and 6 little panda cories. It was a good trade. thumbs2:

Possibly when I get the 75 up and running I'll look at getting another angel. I had really wanted a koi veil tail anyways.

[AmyLynn]

Just a quickie update since I see it's been 3+ months.

Still waiting on the upgrade. After we've both looked over the 75g that P picked up for me this past spring we're not sure if it's worth trying to clean and repair. I need to pull it out and clean it before the weather turns cold so i can decide if it's worth it. If I keep it I need to replace the top rim and center brace because the center brace is broken. Good news is a new rim will only cost me $40 brand new.

Plants were starting to look really sad and I couldn't think of why until it dawned on me how old the bulbs in the light were. Those bulbs were about 22 mos old... oops LOL So, replaced both bulbs this weekend. Hoping for a quiet Sunday this weekend so I can get my hands in there and do some serious plant trimming and move a few around.

Seems I have issues with circulation http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?p=935855#post935855 Was thinking of going with powerheads, but then remembered the Rena Filstar that is buried SOMEWHERE in the boxes and totes in the garage. If I can get to that and dig it out (hopefully it's not at the back on the bottom) it might take care of the circulation problem.

Stay tuned for future updates! Pictures to come in a few days.