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Since you are using a HOB filter my advice is to not use the disposable cartridges, or not to use them past the free ones that come with the box. Instead buy some filter foam (if the filter doesn't come with - not sure on the seachem ones) and just use the foam forever. Squeeze it and rinse it in old tank water to clean, and otherwise run it forever. The cartridges are expensive and frankly soooo much worse then reusing filter foam.My wife brought home a 20 gallon tank "for our kids" in early January that I sort of laughed about but quickly found myself enthralled by. Then I bought her a 55 gallon for her birthday we have set-up peninsula-style in our living room. We've quickly gone done the rabbit hole and are absolutely in love with this hobby. Unfortunately we didn't do enough research ahead of time (nitrogen cycle who?) and so had some set backs but luckily with the help of daily water changes and Seachem Prime and Stability we only had a few deaths. Things have settled in and water parameters have been good but I'm still checking daily. Only issue now is our neon tetras and glass catfish are slowly just disappearing out of the 55....
I work from home and spend a ton of time in the mornings and evenings observing the tanks so naturally I "needed" one in my office. Petco was having another sale so I picked up a 10g and stand and got them set-up. Then I promptly re-boxed everything and exchanged it for a 20 long - ah, that's much better!
I'm currently working on my hardscape design with Black Diamond Blasting Sand, Dragon/Ohko stone, and Mopani driftwood. Latest iteration is pictured below.
View attachment 1038865
Light is a Hygger 26W full spectrum LED and I've ordered a Seachem Tidal 55 HOB filter. Plan was to run the new filter on the 55 for a week or so to hopefully pick up some beneficial bacteria and then finish a fish-less cycle in the 20L before adding stock. I may ditch that plan and run a fish-in cycle in an attempt to save our last 2 neons and glass cats.
I've placed an order with WetPlants for the below plants. Not sure if anyone has experience with them and I've seen mixed reviews but they had a sale plus a first order discount that made them significantly cheaper than some of the other popular options. Hopefully being cheap (or frugal as I call it) doesn't bite me there.
Beginner plant starter pack:
Mystery plant pack that includes 5 random varieties
- 2 Anubias
- 3 Crypt Wendtii green
- 5 Dwarf Sag
- 3 Java fern
- 2 Bacopa
- 2 Buce
- 2 Myrio green
- 1 Java moss cup
2 Annubias Petite
2 Moneywort
2 Crypt Spiralis
3 Dwarf Hairgrass
I look forward to chronically this adventure and as a newbie definitely appreciate any thoughts/tips/tricks/wisdom you can provide.
Other bits of advice, if you don't own a water changing system like a python, then invest in one right away.
And following up on that, get used to doing big 50+% water changes at least once a week.
You haven't mentioned your fertilizer yet, if you don't have one, then you will definitely want to get one. There are a few options here, my personal favorite is nicolg thrive (or thriveC if you are not injecting co2), because it is an easy to dose all in one. But there are a lot of good options available these days.
Good luck!