55 Gal "Dueces" Pic heavy - Now Algae Free

[rekles75]

This is my other 55 gal, I was using as a holding tank. To grow out some plants but now I have decided to do something with it. I got this tank from Roundtreesj last year. It is identical to my other 55 gal except that he made his own light canopy. He did a damn good job with it also. It has 7 32 watt t-8 fourescents in it. It is very bright compared to my other light that I paid $100 for.

Ok Specs

55gal
7 - 32 watt t-8 custom made canopy w/ diy fans
2 - hydor nano powerheads. left side constantly ran, the right comes on with CO2.
10lb co2 cannister w/ 3 way splitter also going to a 10gal and 4 gal finnex
Milwaukee Reg. w/ 3 way splitter
Rena Xp - 3 Filter w/ purigen.
EI dosing regime
Hydor inline 300w heater
4 - 9l bags of Aquasoil

Plants
Needle leaf java fern
Bolbitis heudelotti
Anubias barteri v. "Nana"
Anubias barteri v. "barteri"
Althernantera Reineckii
Hemigraphis sp. Traian
Echino. Vesuvius
Eleocharis sp."Belem"
Others I dont know the names of, If I am missing anything please add.

Fish
9 Bleeding Heart Tetras
15 Rasbora Het
10 Glow Light Tetras
6 Ottos
2 Pygmy Gouramis
1 Amano Shrimp ( I thought they all died months ago, this little guy survived and has been hiding for at least 4 months.)

Other things
Maylaysian Drift Wood (MDW) from badcopnofishtank. This was left over from a my other 55 gal. I am not totally sold on the look right now. I may pull it out in the long run.

All rocks are from Dewalltheway. If you follow 55 gal tanks you know the one I am talking about. I am in no way trying to duplicate what Dew did, But I did like the wall idea and I tried my own wall to see what it looks like. I wanted the anabias' to come though holes in the wall.

This is the last pic which I took this morning. Unfortunately it is still cloudy.



Thats really cloudy. I am hoping it will clear up tomorrow.

[rekles75]

Here are some along the way, setting up pics.

AS


Tank is empty with a layer of "mulm" What a funny word.


Plants in bucket


Fishys temporary home



Rocks from Dewalltheway.


Cleaning AS - I now know this was a terrible idea, You live and you learn.


1 bag down



I will go with this layout for now.


Fill 'er up




Soupy water



I got rushed in the end because it was almost time to go to work. Nothing is final as far as hardscape goes. I will have my hand and arm in this tank for a the next few weeks. So I am open to all suggestions. I was not going for a traditional scape, so I know some will say that rock walls dont look natural but aahhh. I like the idea.

[chicago_animal]

I cant wait for a CLEAR PIC after everything settles down. I am thinking of stealing your use of the rocks circling the plants. Thats so cool looking.

[mott]

Why on earth did you rinse the AS????

[mott]

And please don't put the fish in that tank for at least two weeks

[Craigthor]

Originally Posted by mott

Why on earth did you rinse the AS????

What I was wondering.

[rekles75]

Originally Posted by mott

Why on earth did you rinse the AS????

Originally Posted by Craigthor

What I was wondering.

Because I was told that was what you had to do with AS on this forum becuase of the dust and ammonia spike.

[rekles75]

Originally Posted by mott

And please don't put the fish in that tank for at least two weeks

Well that I know now because the ammonia is through the roof. I have to cram the fish in my 10 gal now.

[Craigthor]

ADA is susposed to just be dumped in.

I would llke to see thread where everyone told you to rinse it.

The dust has all kinds of good stuff in it. also when you rinse it you cna break the aquasoil down and it becomes a muddy mess.

Craig

[rountreesj]

Nicely done...glad to see you put it to good use...

[rekles75]

Originally Posted by rountreesj

Nicely done...glad to see you put it to good use...

Thanks Stephan

[rekles75]

Originally Posted by Craigthor

ADA is susposed to just be dumped in.

I would llke to see thread where everyone told you to rinse it.

The dust has all kinds of good stuff in it. also when you rinse it you cna break the aquasoil down and it becomes a muddy mess.

Craig

Well I just went back and find the thread I was reading and I am embarrassed to say that I didnt go back and read it after I decided to get the AS. After I read it and read people say to rinse AS a mod replied and listed various links stating the opposite. I didnt go back to the thread after I read it the first time. This sucks a lot. I hope I didnt mess the AS too much. Do you think if I got another 3 or 9litre bag that it would help a little or should I just leave it as it is and hope for the best?

[Craigthor]

Originally Posted by rekles75

Well I just went back and find the thread I was reading and I am embarrassed to say that I didnt go back and read it after I decided to get the AS. After I read it and read people say to rinse AS a mod replied and listed various links stating the opposite. I didnt go back to the thread after I read it the first time. This sucks a lot. I hope I didnt mess the AS too much. Do you think if I got another 3 or 9litre bag that it would help a little or should I just leave it as it is and hope for the best?

I would just let everything settle out. Maybe a couple of 50% water changes to reduce the cloudiness in the tank. Also some fine filter floss in your filter to catch the small particles.

Craig

[rountreesj]

will most likely be ok...just gonna miss a few of the starting benefits. After all, people dont buy the stuff because the dust on it is so awsome. The actually soil is what is relly good...unless you squished it all or something...

[rekles75]

Thanks guys, I have already started doing the 50% water changes. I can already start seeing the back of the tank. I didnt squish the AS I believe it will be ok. I do wish I hadn't of rinsed it though but oh well.

I do hope it clears up soon, I would like some feedback because I am not 100% sold on the wood.