Xalyx's 55 gallon high tech (56k) **UPDATE 2-22**

[Xalyx]

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Setup this tank a few weeks ago and I'm taking pictures of it each step of the way.

Equipment

Filter - Eheim 2217 Classic Pro

Substrate - Black Diamond

Lights - (6) Modular T2HO 13 Watt 6400k 73 lumens per watt (950 lumens), Coralife PowerCenter Night/Day Timer, and Moonlight LEDs

CO2 - 5Gal. Tank, AquariumPlant's Electronic Regulator, Inline Reactor 5000, Milwaukee pH controller (SMS122)

Ferts/Dosing - AquariumPlant's TOTAL substrate Pellets, TRACE substrate pellets, Microbe-Lift Nite-Out II Nutrifying Bacteria, Microbe-Lift Special Blend, Prime, Flourish Comprehensive Supplement, Flourish Potassium, Flourish Iron

Flora Updated 2/19
Cabomba Caroliniana
Java Moss
Ludwigia Repens
Hemianthus callitrichoides (hc)
Rotala Indica
Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata 'Cuba'
Limnophila Hippuroides
Fissidens Fotanus
Peacock (taiwan) moss
Java Fern
Anubias nana petite
Anubias barteri var. nana "Golden"
Hygrophila angustifolia
Hygrophila corymbosa Eaten by octos
Ludwigia glandulosa
Bacopa monnieri
Egeria densa


Fauna
15+ Red Cherry Shrimp (breeding, too many to count)
8 Almino Shrimp (breeding, too many to count)
7 Octocinclus Catfish
11 Neon Tetra
12 Cardinal Tetra
Colombian Tetra

(coming soon)

Cardinal Shrimp

A New Beginning
11 • 13 • 2010

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This is just the very beginning stages of my tank, still cycling. I am glad I'm finally done with all the equipment, it came together nicely. Can't wait to finish cycling so I can move on to the planting stage.



I sanded and finished this stand and canopy myself in my garage. It was already stained but not water treated, didn't like the color too much either, sanded that out, stained, finished. But its still ugly pine :-[ Wish I had an oak stand.



This is my setup under my stand with an Eheim 2217 Pro, Inline Reactor 5000, Electronic Regulator and Ph Controller.



The Ph probe sticks into the reactor plumbing so I don't have any extra clutter in my tank






Here is my lighting. These are T2 fixtures with directional lighting, reflectors built into the bulb covers, I have 4 of them. 73 lumens per watt or 950 lumens per fixture. I am planning to get 2 more for the bottom row even though the 4 I have I think will be more than enough.





These lights are blindingly bright, I have to shield my eyes when I lift the cover. My tank is completely lit with only 2 of them turned on.




Soon I should have some pictures of my hardscape. I'm looking forward to how this tank will turn out and you guys should too!

[Xalyx]

Here are pictures of the hardscape. I'm not sure how I want it to look I just put them in the tank and tried some things.







Maybe a stacked effect?

[bsmith]

Nice start. I would definitely clump them together with a focal point being slightly to the left or right of the center of the aquarium. Have you ever done any reading on aquascaping? There are a lot of good articles on the wed that should help you pick a design that is pleasing to the eye.

I'm not familiar with t2's but they sure do look bright. Also let us know how that AP's electronic regulator works out for you.

What are your plans for flora and fauna?

[Xalyx]

Originally Posted by bsmith

Nice start. I would definitely clump them together with a focal point being slightly to the left or right of the center of the aquarium. Have you ever done any reading on aquascaping? There are a lot of good articles on the wed that should help you pick a design that is pleasing to the eye.

I'm not familiar with t2's but they sure do look bright. Also let us know how that AP's electronic regulator works out for you.

What are your plans for flora and fauna?

I've done a ton of reading setting all this up. I could make a booklet with all of my aquascape bookmarks.

But I haven't really seen anything to help me with the hardscape. I know about picking a focal point slightly to the left or right of the center but that little bit of information doesn't really help when designing the overall layout of my tank. I just got some driftwood today I'll take some pictures.

I'm not really sure about the plants, I know the kind of look I'm looking for but I'm not familiar with individual species. I know I want to use HC for the foreground. I plan to create a moss wall for the background because I don't want to just paint it black like everyone else. As for aquascaping styles I like dutch the best. I want to create something like that.

I went to the fish store today and bought some java moss and cabomba just because I don't have anything in my tank. I'm still researching plants though mostly. If you have any suggestions that would be great.

As for fauna.... cherry shrimp and neon tetra. Maybe some white clouds.

[TeamTeal]

i would move the rocks closer together. it looks really empty when theres 5 rocks in 5 different places and they are kinda "out there"

[Xalyx]

Originally Posted by TeamTeal

i would move the rocks closer together. it looks really empty when theres 5 rocks in 5 different places and they are kinda "out there"

I put them spaced because I planned to have plants growing over them to create a hilly effect. I was debating whether to have them close/stacked or not. I'll try it out, thanks.

Here are pictures of my driftwood
Edit: These pictures don't do the wood any justice x.x The way I have them now looks great



This is the same piece stood up



And this is the other piece, it's really pretty nice colors

[Xalyx]

Here are new pictures. This is the layout I kind of decided on for now.



There's my lone cabomba in the back.







Then I decided to plant it with cabomba and java moss just to see how the plants do because I don't want to jagg off $200-300+ worth of plants and have something go wrong. So I'm just trying to see if the cabomba stems will root and the moss will grow then I'll make changes.





I'll be happy when these start facing straight up and not limping over like dying old men.

[sewingalot]

I love your last line. I am cracking up over it. I actually like the spacing of the rocks. I can envision what you are going after. Subscribing to this thread so I can keep up to date!

[Xalyx]

Originally Posted by sewingalot

I love your last line. I am cracking up over it. I actually like the spacing of the rocks. I can envision what you are going after. Subscribing to this thread so I can keep up to date!

Spacing of the rocks as in how I had them before? What are you envisioning because I don't have a clue! LOL. I have some ideas but I am feeling unsure of myself. Aquascaping is so nerve racking.

[sewingalot]

Yes as in before. I like the new look too. But I really did like the rocks in your first design. It's a nice rock.

[Xalyx]

Originally Posted by sewingalot

Yes as in before. I like the new look too. But I really did like the rocks in your first design. It's a nice rock.

Well the main reason I scrapped the first design is because I didn't have enough rocks to space them and stack them to create a center piece. I did consider using a plant as a center piece but then you have to have your center piece growing in problems problems problems. Then I wasn't sure what type of plant much simpler to just use hardscape. This really isn't the type of driftwood I wanted either but good driftwood is so hard to find.

I'm glad you like it because I am doubting myself.

[Xalyx]

In less than 24 hours they're standing tall I think my water quality is good.

[sewingalot]

Amazing transformation! The plant is beautiful. As far as hardscaping, you can always change what you don't like.

[Xalyx]

I upgraded and added two more lights for a total of 6. I have them on a timer now, they come on at 8 AM and shut off at 8 PM.





And here's some updated pictures of my tank. Really the right side is bare and these pictures mainly show the left. But more plants coming soon, these plants where just test subjects. (evil laugh)







I can't seem to get a full picture of it I have to play with my camera a bit







This is two driftwood pieces with moss that I don't know the name of (fail)



This is the Ludwigia Repens





I have plants and lunar leds coming in the mail looking forward to it.

[rickztahone]

Alwaysgreat to see another 55g. Keep up the great work