[Dan Knowlton]

I have a 20 gallon tank in my man cave/music room upstairs but really wanted a larger tank in the family room. I REALLY wanted a 60 cube but got shot down so I am going with an almost free 55 gallon - pics will show why it was almost free!

Nice weather for working on the tank outside - sunny, 74 fahrenheit and little wind.

CRUSTY tank!

Barkeeper's Friend worked wonders although there is still some gunk on the glass in a couple areas. I'll keep working on it!

Crusty stand!

Sanding is done, primer and painting is next!

All the equipment is in - 29 gallon tank for the sump, Poret foam, pump, lights, regulator (I have a CO2 tank - just gotta get it filled) heater and substrate. I will be using lava pebbles in nylon bags to build up height, got some nice red lava to build into some real height, Stratum to provide area for planting around and behind the "mounds", and will be using pool sand to provide a flat area in the front and lead the eye toward the back to provide some depth.

I am still planning the plant list and fish, although I am leaning toward 15 or so Congo Tetra's and a school of cory's. That is CERTAINLY subject to change!

Anyway, painting tomorrow - a light sage green that will work well with the family room (we're in Florida!). I'll keep you posted.

I had another thread asking about linking two 10 gallons for the sump but decided to modify the stand. There is a center upright that keeps me from having enough width for the 29 but that upright is not structural so it will go and I will use the 29. I am used to having tanks supported on all 4 sides but this stand supports on the ends and along the front. Nice thick glass on the tank!

Dan

 

[Aaronious]

this is super cool! good luck to you. Them bosses can be sticklers. My "boss" said that I can insulate the garage and put a bunch of tanks in there. yay! but the other half as to become a greenhouse for her. lol. She planned this...

couple thoughts, very glad you're not doing the 2x10g sump thing. that sounds like so many things could happen. I get where you're coming from, foraging for space in a tank stand can be no fun.

The corys... super cute and I recommend. they will help move and break down the waste at the bottom on top of the substrate. But you're still going to need help with the glass and plants. SAE and a Bristlenose pleco would be my suggestions there. Or you can go with a Rainbow shark and a few Otos or a few Hillstream Loaches.

Personally I have been thinking a Rainbow and some Otos would be cool. would cover all the bases. But I still think best bet would be Otos or SAE and a BN pleco. And of course a Mystery snail for good measure. just do one. or some Rabbit snails... well if you have corys, Rabbits may not be needed.

 

[NotThePainter]

Try using a Magic Eraser wet with vinegar for the white stuff on the glass. It really works well. Don't do what I did and stop at 95%, you want it all gone. You can also use a fresh straight razor, also with vinegar.

 

[Dan Knowlton]

Great suggestions! Thanks!

I am really looking forward to using the lights I got. I used t5's on my tanks in California (40 and 120 gallons) and have a Finnex 24/7 planted in my man cave. For this one I got a SB Lights Freshwater 32" Basic that has much more control over the lighting and puts out a LOT of light. They recommend the 32" for a 48" tank

I'm going to use CO2 and plan to get a peristaltic pump for dosing to keep up with the nutrient demands of the plants.

I am in a pet store wasteland here -35 minute drive to a good fish store located in Daytona Beach or an hour up to Jacksonville. I'm planning on getting most of the plants and fish from a store that will special order them for me that is located in Jacksonville. I got some stonecats (Noturus flavus) and habrosus cory's from him and they were really nice. The plants are all special orders and the list I can choose from is huge - all the plants are from growers in South Florida and the plants I saw being prepped for shipping looked really good. I am going to take some buce's out of my small tank and maybe a couple other plants.

Again, thanks for the comments and suggestions.

Dan

 

[Dan Knowlton]

Got some work done on the tank - almost all of the carbonate is off the glass and the back of the tank is painted flat black, the stand is painted and drilled, the tank and stand are inside for more work and I have to get a 20 gallon long tank for the sump. I could make the 29 gallon tank work but it would be uncomfortably tall. All of the equipment and parts needed have arrived except for the soft silicone tubing for the pump return and that should be here in 2 days. My current 20 long is stuffed full of plants that will be planted in the 55 - the only problem is that there was some duckweed included.

The return from the pump will be placed to the side of the weir to allow circulation with the "nozzle" parallel with the back of the tank. I may have to add one or more Tunze Nanostreams when the plants fill in. I added painter's tape grids to the outside of the front of the tank to aid in layout - my wife thinks I am losing my mind!

At this point, I am intending to use Congo Tetra's as the main fish and have not decided on which Cory species. I keep thinking of how nice a group of Angelfish would look...

Sorry about the slow progress. I have been playing too many gigs and practices lately (bass guitar) and new music can really be a time sink!

Dan