My First Aquarium Is Finally Up! [Archive]

octopus44

06-26-2007, 12:43 AM

Hey everyone my first aquarium is finally up and running. The images are from 2 days after set up.

Here are the details:
-55g
-4x65W light fixture (currently only using a total of 130W)
-aquariumplants.com substrate
-2 HOB filters (only until I can afford a canister filter)
-1/15 HP chiller
-DIY CO2 with spiro diffuser (currently is not working. grrrr)

Plants:
Narrow Leaf Java Fern
Java Moss
HC
Amazon Sword
Ludwigia (not sure what kind)

Fauna:
There is currently no fauna but I plan on having cardinals, amano shrimp, and a twig catfish.

The tank is a little bare at the moment but will look much better once the HC creates a nice carpet and the java moss fills in. I also plan on getting some vallisneria nana for the left hand corner and some dwarf hair grass here and there.

Any comments or criticism is gladly welcomed.

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left side
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angle
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lengthwise (from left side)
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Thanks for looking!

A340

06-26-2007, 12:49 AM

Very nice! Did you buy the wood with the plants already on them, or did you do it yourself?

Rue

06-26-2007, 12:51 AM

Wow! I luv it! :malelovies: I even like the emptyness of the left side!

I'm totally impressed...way to go!

octopus44

06-26-2007, 12:59 AM

Very nice! Did you buy the wood with the plants already on them, or did you do it yourself?

Thanks alizee. I did the wood on the plants myself. It took a while and a lot of screaming to tie it all on.

Wow! I luv it! I even like the emptyness of the left side!

I'm totally impressed...way to go!

Thanks! I really like the emptiness on the left as well and plan to keep it pretty empty except for some grass growing up the back.

gm72

06-26-2007, 01:38 AM

Wow, just great looking stuff. Will be interested to see how it all comes together as the plants grow!

cocoa_pleco

06-26-2007, 02:10 AM

thats is BEAUTIFUL!

when i board all my fish when im gone july/august, im gonna redo my 55g. its not the way i really want it. i think i need black gravel to go with the plants

SkarloeysMom

06-26-2007, 02:13 AM

Very nice! I love the asymetrical arrangement. Very artistic natural look. Your fish are going to love it!:luxlove:

octopus44

06-26-2007, 02:31 AM

Thanks for the compliments everyone. I have been arranging this aquarium in my head for the last two months and I really think that helped. I'm glad I didn't have all the money to put it together quickly because having lots of time imagine different layouts and get a feel of how you want the aquarium I think is key to getting a good layout. Along with looking at lots of pictures of other peoples tanks and picking out what you like and discarding the rest.

Cocoa_Pleco- I really like the black gravel. It gives a nice natural look and it is very small so planting was easy. I got mine from [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]. it was reasonably priced (as compared to other aquatic plant substrates such as eco-complete). The 5 gallon bucket was enough to get my 55g (4 sq ft) 3 inches deep. As to how it will work in the long run I am not yet sure.

zackish

06-26-2007, 05:34 AM

just...wow...that lighting setup is crazy....you can definetly grow some higher end plants....maybe chrona will hop on and give you his 2 cents.

Drumachine09

06-26-2007, 05:35 AM

I LOVE that substrate

Lady Hobbs

06-26-2007, 08:42 AM

I love just everything about this tank. You did a great job and if this is your first tank, I hope I'm around to see your second and third! There is not one thing I would want to change.

You deserve a big gold star!

RobbieG

06-26-2007, 10:38 AM

Looks great - the dark colors will really show off your fish

nanaglen2001

06-26-2007, 11:07 AM

Really nice setup. I hope you get your CO2 working soon, then your plants will explode.

I like especialy the dark gravel and you got yourself an awsome root.

Just imagine a school of at least 30 Neontetras cruising in this tank. :hmm3grin2orange: that`ll be a view.

octopus44

06-26-2007, 02:03 PM

My CO2 started bubling like crazy last night! It took 2 days to get going but now it's going strong. This is so exciting! :19:

Thanks again for the compliments everyone.:41: Don't pump up my head too much though or I might get too confident and screw somthing up.

Just imagine a school of at least 30 Neontetras cruising in this tank. that`ll be a view.

I plan on a school of about 20+ cardinal tetras. I agree they will look great agains the black background and plants.

genitor

06-26-2007, 02:46 PM

looking good octopus.

I see in your list of equipment you have a chiller. Why do you need a chiller?

octopus44

06-26-2007, 02:56 PM

looking good octopus.

I see in your list of equipment you have a chiller. Why do you need a chiller?

I live in New Orleans without AC so I cant keep my tank below 86+ without the chiller. I would have to run AC all day long to keep the tank cool enough for my plants and fish. Keeping the tank cool is a lot cheaper than keeping the whole house cool (which is a very old poorly insulated house).

Rue

06-26-2007, 03:02 PM

I've been to N'awlins twice...both times in November...and it was too hot for me then...LOL...

I'm surprised you can manage without AC...glad your fish are getting the chiller though...

genitor

06-26-2007, 03:42 PM

I live in New Orleans without AC so I cant keep my tank below 86+ without the chiller. I would have to run AC all day long to keep the tank cool enough for my plants and fish. Keeping the tank cool is a lot cheaper than keeping the whole house cool (which is a very old poorly insulated house).

I have that problem too. My tanks are at around 86+ also, I definitely can't afford a chiller but my fishes are fine with the temp., had them over a year now with no problems with my angels breeding constantly.

Like the chiller idea since i read somewhere that fish metabolism increases with temp. and that fish will actually live a little longer with the temp. lower.

octopus44

06-26-2007, 04:22 PM

I've been to N'awlins twice...both times in November...and it was too hot for me then...LOL...

I'm surprised you can manage without AC...glad your fish are getting the chiller though...

Too hot in November!?....ah I see you are from Canada...

The heat really isn't that bad once you get used to it. My first few weeks of summer here were miserable but now I dont mind the heat....most of the time. August can get pretty dang hot.

I have that problem too. My tanks are at around 86+ also, I definitely can't afford a chiller but my fishes are fine with the temp., had them over a year now with no problems with my angels breeding constantly.

Like the chiller idea since i read somewhere that fish metabolism increases with temp. and that fish will actually live a little longer with the temp. lower.

I really shouln't have spent the money on a chiller but I figured it will make my fish and plants alot healthier and happier if the tank wasn't always 86 and sometimes hotter. The chiller keeps the temp cool and steady. I also see the chiller as an investment. They sell like hotcakes on ebay in the summer and they sell almost at the new price.

cocoa_pleco

06-26-2007, 04:47 PM

lol, now your substrate has be wanting to change mine! now i have a good excuse to go to petsmart today :ezpi_wink1: either more fluorite for the 55g or some other substrate

zackish

06-26-2007, 06:23 PM

lol, now your substrate has be wanting to change mine! now i have a good excuse to go to petsmart today :ezpi_wink1: either more fluorite for the 55g or some other substrate

try the eco-complete stuff, I highly reccommend it.

Also, lucky you guys your tanks can stay so warm...I am gunan be stuck in the winter when it's 0 degrees with a 200 watt heater on non-stop in my basement nonetheless. My basement is the coolest part of the whole house....

Also, octopus, where did you get that wood for your tank...it's really nice.

cocoa_pleco

06-26-2007, 06:29 PM

same with my basement. it's the same temperature throughout the year. if i dont use my heaters, the tanks only drop to about 75F

zackish

06-26-2007, 06:31 PM

same with my basement. it's the same temperature throughout the year. if i dont use my heaters, the tanks only drop to about 75F

Not for me hahaah my basement will drop to like 60 something. But the summer is good because my basement stays the coolest but right now I am cycling my tank so I have it set at about 85 and that heater is constantly on because it's only about 70 down here.

hungryhound

06-26-2007, 06:33 PM

Nice looking tank.

It will look stunning when the HC grows in.

Maybe I missed it, but are you planning on dosing fertilizers. With that much light you may want to think about dosing Potassium, nitrate and phosphates, trace and maybe iron to maximize your plant growth and avoid algae issues.

It is off to a great start and will be amazing when it grows in.

I really like the fact that you are using only a few different species. My tanks have many different species and sometimes it gets very busy.

I would also suggest a black background to keep the clean look that the tank posses.

octopus44

06-26-2007, 07:23 PM

try the eco-complete stuff, I highly reccommend it.

Also, lucky you guys your tanks can stay so warm...I am gunan be stuck in the winter when it's 0 degrees with a 200 watt heater on non-stop in my basement nonetheless. My basement is the coolest part of the whole house....

Also, octopus, where did you get that wood for your tank...it's really nice.

Yes but a heater is a lot cheaper to buy than a chiller :ezpi_wink1:

I found a half dead tree growing over some rocks(thats what gave it the cool twisting shapes) at the edge of lake Pontchatrain.

Maybe I missed it, but are you planning on dosing fertilizers. With that much light you may want to think about dosing Potassium, nitrate and phosphates, trace and maybe iron to maximize your plant growth and avoid algae issues.

Nope you didn't miss it. I didn't state that but I am dosing. Thanks for looking out.

I would also suggest a black background to keep the clean look that the tank posses.

The background is black, but I am using a trashbag so it is kind of a dull black. This is only temporary untill I can get something better.

hungryhound

06-26-2007, 07:26 PM

The background is black, but I am using a trashbag so it is kind of a dull black. This is only temporary untill I can get something better.

Okay. I saw the wrinkles in the far left corner and thought that they were power cords. If you smoothed it out. I doubt you would be able to tell the difference between the black trashbag and a store bought background.

gm72

06-26-2007, 11:25 PM

octopus44

06-27-2007, 12:22 AM

Agreed. Try using the vasoline method of background placement. Cut a piece of trash bag to length and height for your tank. Apply vasoline liberally to the back of the aquarium. Use a ruler or taping knife to apply the plastic. Sticks like glue and looks good.

Won't that be patchy? I'm not sure if I like the idea of vasoline all over the back of my aquarium. I may try that on a small section of the tank and see if I like it. Thanks for the suggestion.

zackish

06-27-2007, 04:04 AM

Won't that be patchy? I'm not sure if I like the idea of vasoline all over the back of my aquarium. I may try that on a small section of the tank and see if I like it. Thanks for the suggestion.

I would say make sure it's very thinly and evenly spread and that may even give it a glossy cool look if it's real even.

octopus44

06-27-2007, 03:34 PM

I think I may just get some poster board or something. I dont know if glossy is the look I am going for.

lol I just noticed I got a cookie. Thats funny. Thanks drumachine

gm72

06-28-2007, 12:42 AM

It doesn't end up looking glossy, looks awesome, like it is part of the tank. Nothing more.

crackatinny

06-28-2007, 12:48 AM

Just one word to describe that setup
AWESOME

octopus44

06-28-2007, 05:29 AM

It doesn't end up looking glossy, looks awesome, like it is part of the tank. Nothing more.

Well I guess I will give it a go then. Time to pick up some vasoline.

Just one word to describe that setup
AWESOME

Thanks!

Drumachine09

06-28-2007, 06:25 AM

I think I may just get some poster board or something. I dont know if glossy is the look I am going for.

lol I just noticed I got a cookie. Thats funny. Thanks drumachine

Anytime.

The vassline with brighten up your background. Right now, the light is mostly bouncing off of the glass, and back into the aquarium. When you apply the vaseline, it messes with the refraction of the light, making a bright, clear background.

1MileCrash

06-28-2007, 04:15 PM

wow...that looks amazing. want to come and design my next tank?

one question. are you planning on adding a power head for a bit of current for both the fish and the plants sake?

zackish

06-28-2007, 04:32 PM

Anytime.

The vassline with brighten up your background. Right now, the light is mostly bouncing off of the glass, and back into the aquarium. When you apply the vaseline, it messes with the refraction of the light, making a bright, clear background.

That's what I meant:c3:

octopus44

06-28-2007, 05:50 PM

wow...that looks amazing. want to come and design my next tank?

one question. are you planning on adding a power head for a bit of current for both the fish and the plants sake?

Thanks 1mile:c5:

I didn't mention it in my first post but there is a pump which brings in the cool water from the chiller and also provides circulation and blows the co2 bubbles from the diffusor into the tank.

cocoa_pleco

06-28-2007, 05:53 PM

actually, you dont want a powerhead running in the tank. any airstones or oxygen sources rupture the CO2 and deplete the plants of it.

Drumachine09

06-28-2007, 05:55 PM

actually, you dont want a powerhead running in the tank. any airstones or oxygen sources rupture the CO2 and deplete the plants of it.

Powerheads dont bring in oxygen if you dont use the tube. If you put in the plug, you could use a powerhead, but i dont know why you would want to in a freshwater aquarium.

If you really want to, you could put it towards the front of the tank, and aim the powerhead at the glass.

cocoa_pleco

06-28-2007, 05:57 PM

that too, but the powerhead would just blow current. the plants oxygenate enough and the powerhead would be just about useless. powerheads are mainly for UGF's. overstocked tanks, and salt tanks with corals

octopus44

06-28-2007, 08:38 PM

Correct me if I am wrong but it seems that the current that a powerhead provides would create a healthier environment for fish. A lot of the fish we put in our tanks come from rivers or streams where there is a constant current. I have heard many people talk about how their fish like to swim up against the current that there pump or filter input creates(kinda like a fish treadmill).

gm72

06-28-2007, 08:43 PM

Partially correct, but you really shouldn't need one in the setup you are describing. Also take into account what is being said about the effect of it on the CO2.

octopus44

06-28-2007, 09:03 PM

Partially correct, but you really shouldn't need one in the setup you are describing. Also take into account what is being said about the effect of it on the CO2.

I dont think the current from my pump is doing anything to lower my CO2 levels. It is low enough as to where it is not creating any surface agitation. To the contrary I believe the current is helping my CO2. The bubbles from my diffusor go up into the current created by the pump thereby creating a CO2 mist over my plants and keeping the bubbles suspended in the water longer giving the CO2 more time to dissolve into the water (instead of just floating strait up to the surface).

I do need the pump for my chiller though. So i dont have much of a choice.

zackish

06-29-2007, 02:50 AM

Drumachine09

06-29-2007, 02:53 AM

The oxegen from the pump is actually depleting the CO2, that is why if you are going to be really serious with this planted setup you should look into a canister filter.

Once again, you do NOT need to use the air tube on the powerhead. If you keep the powerhead low enough in the tank, you will not have any excess surface agitation

HOB's aren't good for planted aquariums because of the current when it comes out of the filter area.

As long as you keep your tanks topped off (which you should), you shouldnt have a problem with the "waterfall effect" from the HOB

Therefore a pump wouldn't be good either or anything breaking the surface.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

XRTech

06-29-2007, 03:43 AM

Aquarium looks great. It would be great to see updated pics as the weeks go by. Keep up the good work!

octopus44

06-29-2007, 01:38 PM

The oxegen from the pump is actually depleting the CO2, that is why if you are going to be really serious with this planted setup you should look into a canister filter. HOB's aren't good for planted aquariums because of the current when it comes out of the filter area. Therefore a pump wouldn't be good either or anything breaking the surface.

I am unclear as to how oxygen is coming from the pump except for a few small bubbles here and there that may be trapped in my chiller. Is there only oxygen (like Drumachine09 has pointed out) if an airtube is attached. There is no airtube attached.

As for the HOB's I do plan on getting a canister filter. For three reasons:
Better filtration, less equipment in the tank, and to cut down on surface agitation. For now I keep the tank filled to the brim so there is very little surface agitation, but I would still like there to be less.

Aquarium looks great. It would be great to see updated pics as the weeks go by. Keep up the good work!
Thanks, I will post some new pics when the plants have filled out a little more or after I add some new ones.

tropfish

06-29-2007, 02:52 PM

Amazing tank really nice! thumbs2:

j0hnh0lmes

06-29-2007, 03:32 PM

I love the choice of layout and plants!

octopus44

07-11-2007, 03:33 PM

Just a quick update:

The tank is now 2 1/2 weeks old. I have had some algae issues but I think I have that under control now. I have added some val nana, val americana, micro word, and two weeds that I found in my university greenhouse. I also put in some ghost shrimp, a CAE (who kicked the algaes A**) and have some amano shrimp on the way. I still don't have enough money for cardinals. Has anyone run into any problems keeping a CAE and shrimp together?

I had to thin out the java fern because many of the leaves were covered in algae, but there are alot of new ferns unfolding.

The tank is now completely cycled which is exciting because I think the high nitrites were contributing to my algae problem.

Anyways, heres a pic:

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Thanks for looking!

RobbieG

07-11-2007, 04:19 PM

That really looks awesome! The plants and roots/wood really look natural.

Rue

07-11-2007, 04:32 PM

Yup! It looks awesome! And it will keep looking better and better as it matures!

sushant

07-11-2007, 08:56 PM

its beautiful.i'll love to see it fully stocked.

dev

07-11-2007, 09:55 PM

Has anyone run into any problems keeping a CAE and shrimp together?

They will often cause problems with just about any fish you can think of, but I've never heard about them bothering shrimp.

Great tank, btw. And I'm glad to see someone here that shares my views on powerheads ;)

Zerileous

07-12-2007, 01:11 AM

wow looking great!
one question though, what's going on with the HC? does it have runners out yet becuase i would have expected it to be a little further along.

Drumachine09

07-12-2007, 01:14 AM

Everyones planted tanks make me soooo jealous.

octopus44

07-12-2007, 04:43 AM

They will often cause problems with just about any fish you can think of, but I've never heard about them bothering shrimp.

I haven't seen him harm any ghosts so far but better safe then sorry. He will definitely be coming out once i put some other fish in.

wow looking great!
one question though, what's going on with the HC? does it have runners out yet becuase i would have expected it to be a little further along.

Yeah I am a little worried about the HC. It is still sprouting new leaves (very slowly) but some of the leaves (mostly older ones) are browning. I am hoping now that my tank is cycled and the algae is is beginning to come under control that it will bounce back. Once I get on a regular fert dosing schedule things should also improve. I have read that some peoples HC to a few weeks to start spreading. I haven't given up hope yet.

Everyones planted tanks make me soooo jealous.

Have you tried one yet? Its alot of fun. definitely a challenge.