[EmotionalFescue]

Sweeeet. When it comes to aquariums, I'm in the bigger is better camp. I think you'll really appreciate the extra volume and working space.

We've all been inspired by the tanks of others, so there's always a lot of that going into a new build. It will very quickly become entirely your own. but I'm flattered to have provided some inspiration for your next project. Can't wait to see what you come up with!

 

[Le duke]

Nice. I went with a 75 over a 55 for the exact same reason. Footprint.

And, yes, @EmotionalFescue has the best tank here.

If I could do it all over again, I’d likely just go with a 120U or similar 4’x2’x2’ tank and stand. Aside from water change volume/time and number of plants, bigger is actually easier, IMO.


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[Virtus]

Nice. I went with a 75 over a 55 for the exact same reason. Footprint.

And, yes, @EmotionalFescue has the best tank here.

If I could do it all over again, I’d likely just go with a 120U or similar 4’x2’x2’ tank and stand. Aside from water change volume/time and number of plants, bigger is actually easier, IMO.


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Yeah, I would urge anyone considering a 55 to go with a 75 instead after my experience. If I had unlimited budget I'd get an even bigger, fancy, rimless tank but I'm looking forward to the additional options this upgrade will allow.

I got the stand put together tonight and I'm pretty impressed; especially for what I paid for it. It was one of the smoothest flat-pack furniture builds I've done - excellent directions and all of the hardware was individually labelled. Even my wife was impressed, at least more than she was when I told her I bought a "fancy" stand at Petsmart ha. It will be nice to have some storage for supplies near the tank.

 

[Virtus]

Took about 6 hours of work throughout the day but the big move is complete. Poor fish have to be stressed as can be; hopefully everyone fares okay and quickly acclimates.

I'm decently happy with the new scape but may have made the "beach" a little too long. Curious others thoughts as I'm still really new to this. The extra 6" of width of the 75 over the 55 makes a WORLD of difference.

 

[CGY_Betta_Guy]

Might need a bit more plants to balance out that transition from under the wood and rocks out into the negative space on the one end. Or maybe even more rocks, but really it looks good the way it is too since it is viewable from both sides.

 

[Virtus]

Might need a bit more plants to balance out that transition from under the wood and rocks out into the negative space on the one end. Or maybe even more rocks, but really it looks good the way it is too since it is viewable from both sides.

I think I can gently "stretch" the entire scape without disturbing too much. Going to give things a few days to settle before making any more changes though. I made the mistake of getting the spacing how I wanted with just the rocks not realizing how much the plants would fill in.

What shorter plants would be good around that transition? Don't really want to do any more dwarf hairgrass. Maybe more dwarf sag or Monte Carlo? Maybe some anubias petite on rocks out on the beach?

 

[EmotionalFescue]

Looking good! Having a big beach isn't a bad thing, especially for a peninsula tank you'll be viewing from both sides. My only suggestion would be to honor your gut. If you're not satisfied with it after a day or two, change it. In my experience that nagging feeling never goes away. Best to make it right before you go too far.

 

[CGY_Betta_Guy]

I would agree with EmotionalFescue to give it a couple days to let the scape grow on you before changing it too much.

If you do feel you need some more plants in there maybe go with something with a different texture like a tripartita or ranunculus. I havent personally used either so not sure how they are maintenance wise but they are ones i want to try in the near future.

 

[Virtus]

I would agree with EmotionalFescue to give it a couple days to let the scape grow on you before changing it too much.

If you do feel you need some more plants in there maybe go with something with a different texture like a tripartita or ranunculus. I havent personally used either so not sure how they are maintenance wise but they are ones i want to try in the near future.

That's the plan and scape has already grown on me some. Thanks for the recommendations; I love the look of ranunculus but unfortunately doesn't look like it would do well in a low tech tank.

Does anyone have experience with staurogyne repens? Would a row of something like Monte Carlo along the open side look odd?

 

[Virtus]

Everyone still enjoying mealtime like normal. Apologies for the reflections; I am no @EmotionalFescue when it comes to scaping or photography 😂

 

[LidijaPN]

Looking good!!! And I’m resonating so hard with your opening sentence.

 

[Virtus]

Looking good!!! And I’m resonating so hard with your opening sentence.

Haha. My wife (who got us started in the hobby) told me no more tanks.

@EmotionalFescue what was the back of tank holder you're using to contain the pothos roots?

 

[EmotionalFescue]

Haha. My wife (who got us started in the hobby) told me no more tanks.

@EmotionalFescue what was the back of tank holder you're using to contain the pothos roots?

It's a CPR Aquatic hang on back refugium.

 

[Virtus]

It's a CPR Aquatic hang on back refugium.

Thanks but holy expensive batman!! Do you think a small breeder box or specimen holder with some holes drilled into it would work or would the roots still find their way out?

 

[EmotionalFescue]

Thanks but holy expensive batman!! Do you think a small breeder box or specimen holder with some holes drilled into it would work or would the roots still find their way out?

Yeah, I hesitate to recommend it for just pothos because it's pretty spendy. Its purpose in my tank is primarily as a planter for the Monstera, which has truly gnarly and all-consuming roots. Now that it's rooted well, the Monstera is growing upright without support just like it would in a pot. that's just not something that you need for pothos.

 

[Virtus]

Yeah, I hesitate to recommend it for just pothos because it's pretty spendy. Its purpose in my tank is primarily as a planter for the Monstera, which has truly gnarly and all-consuming roots. Now that it's rooted well, the Monstera is growing upright without support just like it would in a pot. that's just not something that you need for pothos.

Do you think something inexpensive is needed at all for just a pothos? I don't mind the roots as they are now but don't really want them to spread much deeper.

 

[EmotionalFescue]

Do you think something inexpensive is needed at all for just a pothos? I don't mind the roots as they are now but don't really want them to spread much deeper.

If it were me, and it was just pothos, I don't think I would try to contain the roots like I'm doing for the Monstera. You can periodically trim the pothos roots to keep them from taking over, and just focus on securing it to the rim of the tank. I have used the potho-carry 3-d printed pothos holders for this in the past and would recommend them.

 

[Virtus]

After dinner is one of my favorite times to watch the tank. Everyone is out for an evening stroll ha. Haven’t had any issues in the first week of the new tank and everyone has remained peaceful.

 

[LidijaPN]

Ooooh your gourami are biyuuuuutiful! Who’s the guy with orange tail spike on the first pic?