[NBT]

Hello everyone,
Name is Ken, and I reside in sunny Clearwater Beach FLorida.
In my "younger years" I was an avid freshwater aquarium enthusiast.
At one point I had 3- 29's, a 40 high, and a 30 long. Managed about every variety of fish over the years, until later when I found myself unable to keep up with the hobby due to school/ work/ ect. so everything "went"
That was 20 years ago:( .

I can tell you that I alway's missed the hobby, and until the past 3 years, really had the desire to start the hobby up again. During the intermittent searches, I found that the prices have certainly gone up... and wanting to start thingsoff with a 55 gallon tank certainly held me back in regards to coughing up the $$... that was until last week, when an associate at work was selling two 55's... light stand, powerheads, filter, airpumps and UG filter, and some "plant's" for 50 bucks.
Here it is getting cleaned up (used sea salt, and tap water).


I have been reading pages of the forum intently, as I look forward to getting the tank set up, and running... So many questions, and so many decisions....
Anyhow...I look forward to your advice, information, pic's, and experiencies during this "new beginning" of an old hobby that I enjoy so much.

TIA for the Welcome, and Happy Holiday's to everyone.


[/u]

[verbosity]

I too use to be in to aquariums in my younger years.. I have come back.. Not quite 20 years later but maybe 10!!!

In the last month I have gone from no tanks to three.. a 15, 55, and a 75.

They are a lot of fun! Welcome to the site!

[Amphitrite]

Hi Ken and welcome to the forum. That's a nice looking tank, and it'll be fun to watch it progress. Mind and post loads of pics along the way :D

[willow]

hi
welcome aboard,hope you will enjoy your stay here,
i echo Kate,and look forward to many pics,
let us know what fish you are thinking on. :)

[Jasey]

Hello and welcome to the forum! :) It sounds exciting that you're starting up the hobby again after so long. Good luck with everything and keep us posted!

[jeaninel]

Hello and welcome. That's a great bargain you got there! Have fun and looking forward to seeing how your tank progresses.

[NBT]

Originally Posted by willow

hi
welcome aboard,hope you will enjoy your stay here,
i echo Kate,and look forward to many pics,
let us know what fish you are thinking on. :)

Thanks,
I am doing some homework on what and where I am going with the tank...
So currently...
I have the 55 leak tested (it was used) and now she is set up where I want it. It's perfectly level across, but the back low about 1/4",
So, I will be cutting a 3/4" OSB board base for the entire stand to sit on vs the carpet....and shim accordingly.
Here is where I put it.


I was planning on filling it the first part of next week, but need to decide if I am going with live plant's... I am leaning twards it...and have gone so far as to estimate using about 120 Lbs of Eco as a substrate.
Advice would be appreciated.
I estimated about 120# of Eco for a 55 gal @ 3- 4" depth
Still reading on introducing CO2 into the tank.
The filter is a Marineland Emperor 400 Bio- Wheel.

Regarding the kind of fish I was going to introduce were a nice collection of Congo Tetras, couple of Cory's and a Pleo... "maybe" some angelfish... They state compatability... but if I get some breeders in there...they can get aggressive... or just a dominant male for that matter.
The reason for the congo's... From an article that I read from an Aquarium Enthusiast Magazine (the magazine was the size of a readers digest back then (1978)).
The article was called "Bingo, Bango, Bongo... Here Comes The Congo"

So anyhow...that's where I am at today. :)

[Falina]

Hello. :)