New Set-up

dcwillms

New Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2006
Messages
25
Reaction score
0
Hello, I am getting quite bored of my fish tank setup, and it seems as if my fish are looking forward to a new one as well. I have had the same setup for over a year now, and I know it should not be changed, but almost all my plants have been eaten to no ones bussiness, and rocks keep falling over. If anyone here could be able to show me a picture or describe how to set up a nice looking aquarium (55g) for under or around 50$. I already have 3 Amazon Swords, A Veilsomething, and various plants that are sprouting all over the bottom of the tank. (no clue what they are). Money isn't exactly an object, but I am 17 and know better ways to spend my money, but I do love my little suckers.

I think I should add that I have about 20 Zebra Danios, 1 Angelfish (for now), and a Pleco for now.
 
Hi,

For what you're will to spend I don't think you can make a huge difference plant wise. What are the tank stats; water quality, lighting, fert, etc

Sam
 
Well, I don't exactly know those type of things. It is the TopFin 55 Gallon Starter Tank from Petsmart, and everything is stock. The lighting is stock, and I don't know how to explain the water becuase I have never tested it. Sorry, I am not hardcore about fishtanks and the like, but I do love them. My friend comes over and checks the water and such once every couple of weeks for me. He says the Nitrite and Nitrate are at near perfec t levels (no clue what that means). I also do not have a C02 injector. Sorry, cannot give much else info. I was just looking for pictures and the like, but if someone could give me some better suggestions, feel free. Maybe a large piece of driftwood for a centerpiece?
 
A pic of your tank would be great. Bring a sample of your water to your local fish store, and ask for a water test. Nitrate, PH, GH and KH are the most important I should think... You can easily set up a DIY CO2 unit that will work for a 55 gallon.

http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...17501&hl=gallon

Also, reading the pinned topics in this forum will give you a better understanding as to how to grow successful plants.

Hope this helps.
 
Here are some pictures. Please do not criticize, only add some suggestions. And I know I do not have a c02 injector, but will be getting one quite soon.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f106/dcwillms/DSCF0017.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f106/dcwillms/DSCF0015.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f106/dcwillms/DSCF0014.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f106/dcwillms/DSCF0013.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f106/dcwillms/DSCF0012.jpg

And no, that is not a flag with a weed leaf on it, it is the Saskachewan flag.
 
Not sure, but I got them from Petsmart and they said Aquarium Safe. So they are good, and no fish have died in that tank, so I am assuming they are good. BTW, my tank is a little messy as I just did some cleaning and the like. All the decorations are not in the right spots and not even buried in the gravel. I don't want to put them back in all the way only to pull em out again. I will show you a picture with my chest and the coins when I place them right. It looks WICKED. So, any suggestions?
 
Not sure if you're really going to need CO2 with (what looks like) low light. You might be better off just sticking with the Amazon (and what sounds like) Vallis. Any idea how many watts per gallon you have there ?

But if you space some Amazon Swords a good 10" apart (they grow huge!) along the back, that would look great. And perhaps just a huge piece of wood as well on the left hand side (instead of the smaller cave).

Anyway, not sure if those were the type of suggestions you were after ? :)
 
That is exactly the type of info I was after! Thank you very much. Are you sure about the swords? I have seen them in friends' tanks, and I have never seen them larger than say a foot tall tops. I also want more or less of a nice place for my angel to hide. He seems a little bit scared of my deadly pack of danios that are defending their turf. What do you think about floating plants?
 
Personally I'm not a fan of floating plants. In a fairly low-medium light tank, they will cut out even more light. You can place your swords closer (say 5" apart) but mine branch out incredibly and each plant is approx 10" in width - even with massive weekly leaf removal. This is in my non CO2 tank with fairly low light too. What would help them a great deal though, are root feeding tablets, as they are massive root feeders.

The problem with Amazon Swords are, that once they establish and root/branch out, they are really hard to remove without some major gravel disturbance. So think carefully about how many plants you place and where.

I'm sure your Angel will like the extra hiding space and peace :)
 
I love you SOOOOOOO MUCH! Well, I dipped into my tank with my amazons in it, and placed them around the back like you said, and wow, the tank looks alot better with them! I plan on getting some driftwood now, and putting some java moss or something around the top to complete the look. Maybe just straight up get rid of the decorations. Except the treasure chest :D It is never leaving, and neither are those sweet coins! Anyways, my angel has ALREADY taken to the new plants and loves them. I also put some cabomba's in, and for some reason the danios are already chowing down on them :huh: No big, if they want, they can feed away. Once again, thank you SOOOOOO much.
 
No probs :thumbs: hope it works out. The Java moss also sounds like a good idea and will go well with your treasure chest feature ;) Give us some new pics once it's all settled.
 

Most reactions

Back
Top