Jenn's 56G Column Tank

**MCHRKiller** · 03-03-2013, 03:50 AM

This is my first "real" tank in the house and consequently it is not in the fish room, thus it will have its own journal. The space had originally been intended for a 75/90G however I purchased couch which wound up taking up more room than I had intended. Thus I wound up with a space of 34", this is about the largest functional tank for the space. Plus the cube like shape does look nice...I am so far quite pleased with how the tank is shaping up.

Filtration: Rena XP3
Lighting: 130watt Coralife(freebie from storage)
Substrate: HTH Pool Filter Sand(Ace Hardware) ~50lbs
Hardscape: Some awesome wood courtesy of Chad Ramsey on PT.net
2-3" Smooth black Riverstone in the front
Softscape: Jungle Vals along the back wall
Heating: 1x300watt Hydor Inline, 2x100 watt Fluval E heaters for backup and to avoid cold spots
Additional Circulation: Koralia Evolution 550

Livestock: 1 Pair of Wild Type Discus...I may go with domestics, however they will have a more natural look. I also may start out with 3-5 younger discus if I cannot source a mated pair. 24 tetras...unsure what species, am open for suggestions. 2-3 BN plecos, 12 Corydoras sterbai.

And here is the initial photo...tank has no water but by golly it has a hardscape

Oh and yes...I will be adding a background; black of course. But for now you get to enjoy my grey wall.

**fishmommie** · 03-03-2013, 04:02 AM

Wow. that's going to be gorgeous. The driftwood is stunning. You know way more about fish than I do but I do remember someone telling me once that you had to be careful with driftwood and discus and not have any sharp pieces that they might ram into as they can get pretty skittish and take off without looking where they're going. Just thought I'd share that.
Can't wait to see this tank filled :o)

**Cliff** · 03-03-2013, 04:12 AM

Nice looking drift wood

Can;t wait to see this tank set-up and stocked

**talldutchie** · 03-03-2013, 04:28 AM

Nice wood indeed. Tetra.. try something slightly different maybe, black neons?

I get not much idea from scale from this picture. Will there be enough room left for the discus to swim?

**steeler1** · 03-03-2013, 06:29 AM

I would go with Cardinal Tetras.

**ameliaaahx** · 03-03-2013, 06:56 AM

Can't wait to see it all set up! Your tanks are always amazing Jenn.

Cardinals would be nice, or maybe something a little different like Black Neons.

EDIT: LOL Dutchie I didn't even notice your comment since after I posted.

**~firefly~** · 03-03-2013, 10:30 AM

I do like the sound of this set-up. The angles of all that wood should encourage breeding. I can see the eggs all over them already!

Good suggestions so far for black neons. Lovely, understated, fish. You might also consider green neons or glowlight tetra.

**MCHRKiller** · 03-03-2013, 10:34 AM

The tank still offers a lot of room for the discus. The branches break up the tank but there is lots of room in and around them. They just act as territorial barriers if anything. As soon as a pair forms the other couple would get the boot. I am hoping to just buy a pair and avoid having to re-home but we shall see. I had considered cardinals as it is the obvious choice for discus, but I would like to get something a bit out of the ordinary as well. I have thought of Von Rios and Bleeding Hearts and even considered Serpae.Had not thought of Black Neons...those are another good choice, thanks for the suggestion. Given the shoal size of 24 and the fact that discus don't really have long trailing fins I don't expect an issue with nipping.

**talldutchie** · 03-03-2013, 10:42 AM

Probably depends on your discus. Plenty of people make serpea work, others report they're too active for their discus. Black neons may or may not be to your liking but it will be a safe choice.