Emily's 55 gallon aquarium journal. =)

**emilyekk** · 07-08-2009, 05:59 AM

Figured I'd better start a thread for my 55 gallon before I overrun the forum with posts, lol.

Right now this is what I have (or what is currently being shipped to me):

*standard 55 gallon tank
* 2 hoods with 2 17W lights (1 light per hood)
* aquaclear 70 filter
* wood stand for 55 gallon

This is what I still need to get (what I am planning on so far):

* 3/20lb. bags of tahitian moon sand (black)
* various easy to grow green aquarium plants (don't know what types yet)
* either driftwood or fake wood to maybe wrap the plants on
* some type of rock/cave structure (preferably dark rock or black)

I am planning on a black substrate, a black background and GREEN plants. I don't really want color from anything else except the fish.
Do you all think that would look okay?

Here are the list of fish I am planning on so far:
* 2 pearl gouramis
* 8 albino cories (already have 2, and have 2 julii cories but will possibly trade the julii's)
* 15 neons (already have 5, need 10 more)
* 5 balloon mollies (already have)

(fish that I am considering)
* 8 glo fish
* 8 cherry barbs
* 6 praecox rainbows

My problem is that I can't really buy fish online due to the astronomical shipping costs, so I'm basically hoping to find all of those fish around Fort Lauderdale, lol. It's a big city so I am HOPING for the best. It seems like most of the LFS have shut down however. Every number I call is either disconnected or only for saltwater fish. *sigh*

Anyhow - those are the basic preemptive plans so far. I haven't even had a chance to clean the tank yet. Right now it's just sitting outside full of water, lol. I am awaiting the stand and filter (ordered from petco online) so hopefully I can get that set up and then buy the sand and get it running by the end of next week.

Does it matter when I start adding plants? Can I add the plants long after the tank has begun cycling?

I ask because I am getting EXTREMELY low on funds and I am pushing it even buying the sand, but I know I need to get that in there before I fill the tank with water... so I really don't have the plants yet. I'm not planning on adding my current fish to the big tank until at LEAST probably the beginning of September... does that sound good or should I wait longer? They seem okay in the 10 gallon for now, but I don't know how long it will take the 4 baby mollies to be as big as momma and start pooping all over the place and dirtying the tank, lol.

Once the tank is set up and all of my current fish are switched over, I would plan to add the additional tetras, then the cories, and then whatever else I decide. Probably add the gourami's last... would it matter when I add them?

This initial thread is way longer than I intended... oops... but at least its all mishmashed here and not scattered around 10 different threads in the forum! lol.

**Z Fish Man** · 07-08-2009, 06:24 AM

As far as the black and green color scheme goes I think it will look nice. That pretty much how my tank is set up but my substrate is more of a very dark brown/gray (eco complete). The plants and fish stand out very nice with everything else being black but so do imperfections like discolored gravel chunks or fish poop. If you maintain the tank well it will reward you.

You can add plants anytime even before the tank is cycled or long after it has been cycled. You just might want to invest in some root tabs when you put them in.

Good luck with everything!

**bushwhacker** · 07-08-2009, 04:18 PM

if your going to add live plants you really need better lighting. what you have is just over 1/2 watt per gal. try to get 1.5 to 2 wpg

**Paw Broon** · 07-08-2009, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by bushwhacker

if your going to add live plants you really need better lighting. what you have is just over 1/2 watt per gal. try to get 1.5 to 2 wpg

There's 4 17watt lights so a little over a watt per gal.

**bushwhacker** · 07-08-2009, 04:55 PM

stirling this is at the top of the post

* 2 hoods with 2 17W lights (1 light per hood)

**Paw Broon** · 07-08-2009, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by bushwhacker

stirling this is at the top of the post

* 2 hoods with 2 17W lights (1 light per hood)

Oh yeah, oops sorry

**emilyekk** · 07-08-2009, 05:40 PM

When you buy lights is it just a separate piece that will fit snugly into the hood?
Or do I have to buy a whole new hood or?
The lights confuse me more than anything honestly.

Anyone have links to good lights for plants (that won't fry the fish from their brightess, lol)?

**emilyekk** · 07-09-2009, 02:53 AM

Has anyone else used the "fish tank cleaning spray" they sell at petco and petsupermarket? I was there today and almost bought some - then I was wondering if salt and white vinegar wouldn't be just as effective...

What is the wattage I should be looking for (ideally) in my tank to have the plants grow? (keep in mind I can only have one light per hood, 2 lights total)

I was looking at petco and couldn't remember, lol. Are white lights the best to get?

**LadyHatred** · 07-09-2009, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by emilyekk

What is the wattage I should be looking for (ideally) in my tank to have the plants grow? (keep in mind I can only have one light per hood, 2 lights total)

I was looking at petco and couldn't remember, lol. Are white lights the best to get?

I think whats being said, Emily, is that you need to get your lighting up to around 2 watts per gallon of water and that your current lights are not quite doing that.

BUT! Thats not saying just go buy higher wattage bulbs. The balast (thing that the lights go in) needs to be able to handle x-amount of watts. It should say on it the max it can take.

** If I'm wrong here, please! correct me!! I do not want to mis-lead anyone!!**

**bushwhacker** · 07-09-2009, 03:33 PM

actually i'd get rid of the hoods and go look on ebay.. i've bought 2 diff lights there reasonably. my 55 was 108 watts but one of the bulbs was actinic and didnt look right i replaced the bulb with a 28 watt daylight from lowes (t5 bulbs) for a total of 82 watts plants grow fine, not as fast as i would like but still nice