Bigstick's 55 gallon Cichlid Tank-Update-9-22

[bigstick120]

Originally Posted by eds

Very nice looking tank.
Love the reds in front.
Usually I'm not a big fan of printed backgrounds, but I think you are making yours work.
Will you be keeping it high on the sides and low in the middle?
If so, will the middle grow to hide the heater?
I think the heater is a little distracting presently.
One thing I'd suggest to think about is creating a focal point.
I think things almost look too busy, with the wild profusion of various healthy plants.
55s are tough to scape well - I think you are well on your way.
A little tweaking here and there will make tremendous difference.
Thanks for sharing.

This pic is a little old and it has filled in pretty well

The thing that you see in the middle isn't a heater its a powerhead with a quick filter attached to power my Under gravel jets. The ludwiga has filled that area in pretty well.

I have a serious collectoritus(sp?) problem so I agree that it is a little busy, when I settle on what plants I want I will try and create a focal point. Thanks for the suggestions it is appericated!!!

[anchor10]

I love this tank. I've been doing the rock scaping thing and I'm getting bored with it. I also have Africans from both Lakes! Are you doing this with 2 watts per gallon? What co2 system are you using, and did it alter your pH?

Thanks.

[bigstick120]

Originally Posted by anchor10

I love this tank. I've been doing the rock scaping thing and I'm getting bored with it. I also have Africans from both Lakes! Are you doing this with 2 watts per gallon? What co2 system are you using, and did it alter your pH?

Thanks.

Hey thanks alot, yes I am using 2WPG, it is pressurized CO2 and yes it alters the PH, the cichlids dont seem to mind thought. I think that they are more senstive to the GH of the water then the PH which is about 6.7-6.8. The yellow labs are still breeding. I actually rescaped this tank so it looks very different, I'll have to update the journal.

[bigstick120]

Here it sits on 1-26. I am thinking of getting rid of my cichlds and doing something else with the tank.

[bigstick120]

Here it is today. Needs trimmed up a little. I was having some hair algae issues but I cleared that up with 50 ml of hydrogen perxoide.
Photo is a little fuzzy but I was in a hurry

[VITARTE]

Originally Posted by bigstick120

Here it is today. Needs trimmed up a little. I was having some hair algae issues but I cleared that up with 50 ml of hydrogen perxoide.
Photo is a little fuzzy but I was in a hurry

Hey Big,
I know there's a thread about it, but do you mind elaborating a little about the 50 ml hydrogen peroxide algae treatment in your tank.
Thanks
Rafo.
PS. Great looking tank btw.

[vandyll]

Nice looking tank. Hope they leave your plants alone for the most part.

I must say, those frontosas are gorgeous

[bigstick120]

Originally Posted by VITARTE

Hey Big,
I know there's a thread about it, but do you mind elaborating a little about the 50 ml hydrogen peroxide algae treatment in your tank.
Thanks
Rafo.
PS. Great looking tank btw.

I based mine off of this link H2O2
I spot treated the areas that has some black spot and thread was heavy on my needle leaf java fern that is tied to driftwood. I used a syringe to treat the areas, turned off the filters and left it sit for about 10 minutes. Did a 50% water change. It bubbled a little but not crazy like I have heard others say. It didnt look like to did anything but 2-3 days later it was pretty much gone. No harm to the fish or any plants. I wasnt very bad but I hate any algae

[guaiac_boy]

Bigstick,

You sent me a very nice plant package once. It's kind of fun to see where they all came from. The A. reneki, repens, and ceylon are all doing great in my tank.

[awrieger]

That's looking really great!

[bigstick120]

Did a little overhaul this weekend

Now I just play the waiting game and see how it looks when it fills in.

Before:



After:

[scolley]

Whoaaa. I really love the "before"! The wood in the "after" is interesting, but I'm gonna have to wait for the grow in too! I suppose this, and any major change, is an act of faith!

That is unless you are like Amano, who says he can see what it's going to look like in his mind's eye. Me, I'm gonna wait for the grow-in, and hope it looks as good as the "before". That was great!

[bigstick120]

HA!!! I have a 'vision' but not like Amano!! It was just to much jungle before, I thinned out a TON of plants. It was just to full and didnt seem to have any direction or focal point. Hopefully the middle will be full and the sides will fill in with the stems. Time will only tell

[bastalker]

Stick....U have one hell of a tank!!! The before tank........Picture it with a black background!! Now go back an put it back the way it was!!

[DrAzE03]

love how the fronts look w/ the plants. Would like 2 see how your new setup fills out.