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My 55G Project

5K views 28 replies 7 participants last post by  Byron 
#1 ·
Well I just wanted to post a few quick pictures of how the tank is coming. Still needs a lot of work, but it will get there.

This is what it looked like a few days ago...



Here is what it looks like tonight...



Got some new substrate and driftwood. I have ordered some plants from SA, that should be in next week. Next stop is to get rid of the HOB filter, then look into some new lighting. I was thinking of getting the XP3 filter, what do all you guys think ?

PST...Sorry for the blurry pictures, I really need to get a tri-pod !
 
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#2 ·
Nice. :] Did all the platies die? =[

Can't wait to see it planted! ^^ Idk about the filter, btw, sorry.
 
#4 ·
I like the background; I have something similar (in that it is a grayish rock wall pic) behind my 90g though with all the plants you can't really tell. When you have live plants, that background will be neutral enough to set them off nicely, but not strong enough to distract your view from the plants. Looking forward to the next photos with plants. Nice work; my one suggestion would be to move the wood a bit in from the wall; not centre tank, which looks contrived and artificial, but just in maybe half the length of the wood. It will add the perception of more length to the tank when there is space between wood and the end wall.

Byron.
 
#5 ·
Thank you for the advise, I will get on moving the driftwood over. Yeah I thought the background was nice when I added it, I am thinking of just going pure black. I hope when I am finished with everything and plants grow in you wont be able to see it...:-D! BTW Byron I love your tanks, I hope you believe that old adage about "imitation is the greatest form of flattery" because I will be "borrowing" some ideas from your tanks. :)
 
#7 ·
That look better. It also makes it easier to clean the inside glass when the wood is not right up against it.
I like the color of that substrate. It goes nicely with the background. Should look great once you get the plants in.
 
#8 ·
I agree with jeaninel, that is a nice blend of substrate and background. That wood could maybe be turned a bit, clockwise (looking from above), exactly where it is; experiment a little and see what you think. I often fiddle with wood a lot before deciding.
 
#9 ·


It is getting there, turned the piece around as suggested. Starting to look more natural I think, your suggestions are paying off. Thank you to everyone for the comments and advise. I am still trying to get all this figured out, and when the plants come in, I am going to be lost all over again. I have been reading everything I can to learn about fish and plants, just SO much to learn. One day at a time !! Thanks again to everyone for the kind words, suggestions, and advise !!
 
#10 ·
That's it. It now appears to me as if the wood is quite naturally coming into the tank, so to speak, from the rocks behind, much as chunks of fallen tree or roots would in nature. And when there are plants softening the distinction between rock and wood, it will be even more natural in appearance.:thumbsup:

Byron.
 
#12 ·
OK now I have put some plants in, and things are starting to look promising...


Overview...


Left Side...


Right Side...



I am totally new to plants, so if you see something wrong please point it out !!!:-D I don't know what happened to the left side picture, came out real blurry. I will add more pictures as things settle down some.
 
#13 ·
The plant directly in front of the wood looks like Java Fern. This should not be planted in the substrate, but simply attached to a side of the wood and it will develop roots clinging to the wood. Planted in the substrate it can rot.

I usually try to find a splinter on the wood and stick a bit of the root rhizome under it, or if that isn't possible a piece of black cotton thread will tie it on until it roots (takes a few weeks). The thread can be left, it decomposes naturally, or taken off after the plant has firmly attached itself.

That is going to look nice when those plants fill in as they will, and against that nice background.

Byron.
 
#14 ·
Thank you for the information, I have moved the Java Fern out of the substrate and attached it to the driftwood. I cant wait till it all grows in, going to order a few plants to fill in some bare spots. Any good suggestions on easy and nice looking plants that would look good in there ?
 
#15 ·
Echinodorus tenellus, the pygmy chain sword, would be a nice groundcover. Check out this plant in our Fish Profiles section.
 
#18 ·
Looking really nice there! The driftwood was an excellent find!

I love Amazon Swords for the back and they grow daughter plants that can be replanted in the future. Also, narrowleaf chain sword as Byron mentioned grows like CRAZY and provides a nice ground cover for the front of the tank. If you order from Sweet Aquatics, only order ONE! It will come with 2-3 plants that you can split. They will grow lots of runners in just a few weeks and fill the whole front of your tank nicely. I also think some anubias (I like anubias nana) would look quite stunning on that piece of driftwood. It gets attached just as Byron stated with the Java Fern.
 
#20 ·
I got 3 banana plants from Sweet Aquatics. They are really neat and the leaves that grow out of them get a really nice size. They aactually look like small lily pads. The leaves grow as tall as the tank eventually, so you'll have to put them at the back of the tank or maybe the sides. Mine grew about 7 inches in 6 weeks and will reach the surface within the next couple months for sure. You could put them in an open area in the back so you can still view the "bananas" though, or just put them anywhere. I just love the look of the leaves which was a pleasant surprise because I originally liked the "banana" part and didn't even know the leaves grew so nicely. Roots actually grow out of the "bananas" (which are actually tubes) and bury into the substrate.

Wow, I guess I really do like this plant...lol. Any others you're considering?
 
#21 ·
Here ya go. I took some pictures for you to see what I'm talking about. The first two is what it looked like when I first got them. They were small so I placed them in the front of the tank. They are slightly left in the picture. Little did I know they would grow tall so I moved them towards the back of the tank now. The third one you can see the roots growing out of the tubes and into the substrate. The next 2 pictures are of how tall they got and how big the leaves are.

I also think the Amazon Swords would look really nice in your tank. Maybe 3 along the back wall, but not spaced evenly. Maybe two a cfew inches apart and the third a couple feet from them. Just my opinion.

Enjoy.
 

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#27 ·
Is this the same as narrowleaf mirco chainsword?
Probably not. This plant Lisa has (and I have) is Echinodorus tenellus, commonly called the pygmy chain sword. Many fish stores are now carrying quality plants that have tags attached, so check the scientific name which is the only way to be sure--though I have seen these incorrect a couple times. But if it is Echinodorus tenellus you're OK.

There is another plant that is not in the Echinodorus genus that is cometimes called sword, and micro too. Lilaeopsis brasiliensis is the scientific name, photo attached. I've not tried this plant myself; I understand from several sources it is not easy, requires brighter light and good nutrients. It is more of a "carpet" type than the Echinodorus species. I have a plan to set up a 10g in the southwest window of my fish room (for light) with sand, and I am thinking of plants like this to experiment.

Byron.
 
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