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Hello all, i figured i would post up my venture into planted tanks. I apologies up front if i don't know the proper terms and acronyms, this is all new to me and a far cry from my other hobbies 
That being said, here we go.
A couple months ago we decided my daughter was ready for a pet and i figured a few gold fish would be a good start. A friend of mine gave me a 10gal tank and we were off! I started off with the typical Spongebob decor and 4 comet goldfish. I ended up getting a couple plants for a more natural look and ditched the pineapple house. I found out quick that i enjoyed the plants much more than the goldfish. After much research and scouring the internet i quickly realized i had to ditch the goldfish and get a bigger tank. I found a new home for the goldfish and picked up a 55gal this past sat.
Here is a picture of the 10gal before i broke it down. I upgraded the lighting and added CO2 injection.
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I picked up a Aqueon 55gal kit and some supplys.
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I never liked how the filter and wiring was visible from the back of the tank so i opted for a black background. I picked up some black vinyl sheet.
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I applied it using a solution in a spray bottle (75% water, 25% Isopropyl alcohol, and a couple drops of soap) and a squeegee.
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I positioned, trimmed, and squeegeed the solution to the edges.
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I got some polycarbonate strips cut in different heights and some clear RTV.
![]()
I positioned the dividers to keep the carpeting plants where i wanted them and also to keep the substrate from sliding. i laid out my hardscape and went to town. I taped the dividers and secured with the RTV.
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I dirted the bottom of the tank with MGOPM that had the bits of wood chips and sticks removed.
![]()
I added my substrates and it was ready for some water!
![]()
The hardest part of the entire process was adding the water. I had no way to hook up a hose so i had to fill the entire tank with a 1/2 gallon pitcher :icon_eek:
![]()
I filled the tank about a third of the way and planted it. I used Dwarf hairgrass, micro sward, and rotala magenta. I don't plan on adding any livestock for a while. Here is the finished product
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I am already making plans to upgrade the lighting and CO2 system.
Thanks for reading, any comments or criticism are welcome.
~Allen~
That being said, here we go.A couple months ago we decided my daughter was ready for a pet and i figured a few gold fish would be a good start. A friend of mine gave me a 10gal tank and we were off! I started off with the typical Spongebob decor and 4 comet goldfish. I ended up getting a couple plants for a more natural look and ditched the pineapple house. I found out quick that i enjoyed the plants much more than the goldfish. After much research and scouring the internet i quickly realized i had to ditch the goldfish and get a bigger tank. I found a new home for the goldfish and picked up a 55gal this past sat.
Here is a picture of the 10gal before i broke it down. I upgraded the lighting and added CO2 injection.
I picked up a Aqueon 55gal kit and some supplys.
I never liked how the filter and wiring was visible from the back of the tank so i opted for a black background. I picked up some black vinyl sheet.
I applied it using a solution in a spray bottle (75% water, 25% Isopropyl alcohol, and a couple drops of soap) and a squeegee.
I positioned, trimmed, and squeegeed the solution to the edges.
I got some polycarbonate strips cut in different heights and some clear RTV.
I positioned the dividers to keep the carpeting plants where i wanted them and also to keep the substrate from sliding. i laid out my hardscape and went to town. I taped the dividers and secured with the RTV.
I dirted the bottom of the tank with MGOPM that had the bits of wood chips and sticks removed.
I added my substrates and it was ready for some water!
The hardest part of the entire process was adding the water. I had no way to hook up a hose so i had to fill the entire tank with a 1/2 gallon pitcher :icon_eek:
I filled the tank about a third of the way and planted it. I used Dwarf hairgrass, micro sward, and rotala magenta. I don't plan on adding any livestock for a while. Here is the finished product
I am already making plans to upgrade the lighting and CO2 system.
Thanks for reading, any comments or criticism are welcome.
~Allen~
