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I'm getting a 55 gallon tank for Christmas (Yaaaay!!). The details of this design and my ideas/a rough draft of how I want it to look is here: www.zoobeedee.com/tank.html

Congratulations! Before you get help, we need more info...
1. How many watts per gallon?
2. Tank temperature?
3. Fish types?

By the way, the link was dead.

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

I think this link will work. http://onfinite.com/libraries/207013/0e4.jpg

About that design: I know the driftwood may be unreasonable, so it will likely need to be thinner, but I would still like it to create an arch. The substrate in the middle will be sand ideally, and the "islands" will have small plant-friendly gravel for the brunt of the planting. The tall things are vallisneria, the round light green mounds are pennywort (or whatever -wort is the one that looks like loads of small lilypads), and the red blobs are lotus. Anubias nana will be on the driftwood, as well as some kind of moss. I need help planning out filler plants, that aren't too difficult to take care of, because this is my first serious tank. Originally, the big green blob in the back there was going to be a riccia or glosso carpet, but I decided against that when I wanted to use sand substrate-- but what do you think could be used so the open space isn't too barren? Thanks (oh, by the way, I intend on keeping the temperature in the high 70's)

Last edited by smantzer at 02-Dec-2004 14:41

I'm not sure on watts per gallon, or how much I need. I'm shooting for over 55 gallons. I want it to be a tank for large (but not too large or poopy-- so no plecos, arowanas or oscars) and exotic fish. My only planned residents so far are a ctenopoma acusitoire, leius fasciatus, and maybe a few large needlefish. If the tank is large enough, and you think it would work out, perhaps a freshwater stingray.

i just setup a 55usg and my first fish that i got were a leporinus and a needlefish. i was thinking of adding some silver dollars or silver-tipped sharks but like you im still debating. as for the fw sting ray, i tried to find a lfs that would get one but was declined, so good luck on your search! i hear there easiest to get up north, but i thought they from brazil.?

I'm in Pennsylvania, and my LFS has arowanas, gars, stingrays, etc all the time. It rocks

PA ... hmm, Hidden Reef or That Pet Place?


I wouldn't do a freshwater Ray in there, if only because the Ray would really need the full bottom of the tank. The plants will take up too much space. Possibly a teacup ray in a 6' tank would work but I'm not sure I'd keep one with the ctenopoma.

-Molly
Visit shelldwellers.com!

Nice design. White sand for the substrate will look great for about a month maybe two. At that point the granules will begin to green from algae. Due the light color you will need to remove a layer of the substrate. Consider a darker substrate with a light opaque background on the tank.

Cryptocoryne is a large family of plants that are generally considered to be "easy". I would use c. cripatula balansae for some height in the background. it has thin crinkled leaves that will extend to the surface of the tank. C. Lutens and C. wendtii green will give you some low, 3 to 5 inch, filler plants while c. wendtii brown may reach heights of 12 to 14 inches and provide an interesting red/brown.

Crypts will do well with 2 watts per gallon and OK with less. See http://www.tropica.com for good info on the family and requirments.

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

LittleMousling: Actually, it's a small place called Frazer Zoo. Awesome animals there.

Thank you for the suggestions so far. I suppose I'll have to nix the idea of a ray. What other large but not too large fish could fill in the bottom? Also, I'm thinking, if I can find a co2 generator somehow under $100, I may use that, so I probably won't be limited to just "easy" plants.

CO2 under $100
http://www.hagen.com/usa/aquatic/product.cfm?CAT=1&SUBCAT=118&PROD_ID=01076900020101

A group of cories would do nicely on that sandy bottom you are wanting. They would also help to keep the detritus from accumulating within the plant stems.

As for upper fish, the Rainbows are not only beautiful fish, but very active, and do great with almost any other fish.

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There is always a bigger fish...

Hi smantzer, thought you might be interested in this pic. It doesn't have the driftwood bridge between the two islands, but the concept seems basically similar. And ain't it a stunning tank!



whetu attached this image:

I must say, I have to agree, that is an awesomely stunning tank. So much so, that I think I will try the idea in my 125 gal next month.

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There is always a bigger fish...

Haha, that's where I got my inspiration, actualy! You caught me! I didn't want to completely rip it off though, so I changed some things here and there.

Unfortunately, cories and rainbows probably wouldn't work. So far, the fish I'm putting in there are rather large (over 7 inches) and predatory. Oh, and thank you TONS for the link!! I've had so much trouble finding co2 that isn't insanely expensive.

Last edited by smantzer at 03-Dec-2004 13:37

Smantzer,

Before you start the CO2, you may want to consider the effect of CO2 on your water parameters. In purely buffered water, CO2 will reduce the pH. Reducing pH can shock or kill your fish while rising pH will generally just stress fish.

KH is the measure of buffering in your water. If your KH is less than 3, you may need to add buffer your water. Another caution is to run CO2 only when your plants can use it, that is, during the "lights on" period. Running the CO2 during the "lights off" period will be detrimental to your fish.

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

Out of the tap, my kH is really really low, so I'll have to buy something for that-- I'm pretty sure I've seen chemicals for it... I'd like to keep my pH in the neutral range, for the fish I'm having.

KH can be raised by baking soda. I'd suggest making a post in water quality . Whatever you do I wouldnt' suggest using PH ajusters, from what I've read about them they really don't work, and harm more than help.

^_^
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