kwc1974

This is my 55G tank, and I was wanting some suggestions or comments about the layout. This is the first tank I have posted on APC forum. Don't worry about being harsh, if your opinion rings true, than so be it. Thats what I am looking for, constructive criticism. The tanks is only tree weeks setup, (one week since CO2 addition) so it really has not grown out yet


paramiters
-55G perfecto
-Marineland Emperor 400...yeah know I am looking for an eheim
-5# pressurized CO2 w/ Milwaukee (ma975) gauge
-(4) 65W pc bulbs w/ (4) moonlights
-(2) Ebo Jager heaters
-Temp 76F
-ph 7.4
-CO2 23ppm (calculated)

Pants
-Anubias Barteri (Nana)
-Bacopa Caroliniana
-Bacopa Monnieri (Monywort)
-Cryptocoryne Wenditii (red – green)
-Cryptocoryne Willisii (Lucens)
-Cobomba Pulcherrima (Purple Cobomba)
-Echinodorus Bleheri (Amazon sword)
-Echinodorus ‘Rubin’ (Rubin sword)
-Fontinalis Antipyretica (Willow moss)
-Glossostigma Elatinoides
-Hygrophila Difformis (Water wisteria)
-Hygrophila Polysperma (Sunset)
-uwigia Repens
-icrosorum Pteropus (Narrow leaf java fern)
-ymphaea Lotus (red – green)
-allisneria Spiralis (Italian Val)
-(ruffled cryp)??

Fish
-Angel (2)
-Black neon (11)
-Olive nerite snails (5)
-Amano algae eating shrimp (6)
-Clown pleco (1)
*looking to add Apistos..hence the clay pot

milalic

I say it is a good start. I would even out the substrate in the front. I like the wood positioning and the plants around them. It needs to grow out a little more to have a better idea of what it is going to look like

spcyamada

Hey, I also have a 55 gallon that I've been trying to setup for quite some time. How are you dosing your fertilizers? How long do you have the lights running for? Which plants currently in the tank do you favor? One last question, how many pieces of wood are in there? You have a lot of different "pants" growing in your tank lol. I think my favorite plant in your tank is the barteri. I have one in the 55 also which produces nice flowers. I'm not sure of the reasons why you chose a 55 gallon, but I know I kind of regret it. It is pretty narrow to work with, but your tank seems to have some depth. I think that the 75 or 120 gallon All-Glass aquariums are perfect for plants. Thanks for sharing and giving me some ideas!
Aaron

kwc1974

I have found that some low spots on the substrate, although a little unsightly, will help debris settle in one spot for easy clean up. Yeah on this tank the low spots are a little extream in the middle but that was to accentuate a natural void in the center wood. (I kinda like hidden areas for the fish to hang out in)

but I think your right I will probly smoth most of them out.

I bought this 55 years ago and now just don't have te excess funds to upgrade...or the apporval from the wife
there are 5 pieces of wood in the tank most of which was hand collected on my grandfathers ranch in central Texas.
Ferts are dosed once per week, I am recearching a dosing system to add later
lights are on 12 hr per day

And yeah, there are a lot of plants, but I guess I take the approach of overplant & remove some later.

cranetech

I think maybe what spcyamada meant is that you have alot of species in your tank. or maybe pants.
Im in the same sort of situation, had my 55 for probably 10 years and it sat empty for about 8. finally set it up thinking the kids would like to have the fish but if since found a whole new interest in the planted aspect.

Your arrangement looks good to me. I think you have it balanced quite nicely. Im a little bugged by how high the light sits. For me, it detracts from whats inside. and if theres some way you can hide the intake for the filter that would help too. I guess youre looking for an eheim or whatever. But unless you have a bunch of fish in there, it would probably be overkill. Do you have something using those pots?

kwc1974

not yet, but I will be picking up some dwarf cichlids maybe this weekend

Gonzofish

Great start! First, I would remove the ceramic pot. Next I would think about a simple composition, for example, taller plants on the ends of the tank tapering down to the smallest plants in the center and foreground. Create a valley shape with the plants. Then, rearrange the drifwood a few times and try putting it in awkward positions just to see what happens. The best path to a great aquascape is experimentation.