Hello all!!
I've been interested in keeping a tropical community tank probably over 5 years now. I've always had loads of different pets and tanks (I just recently took down my 20 Long with African Clawed Frogs I've had for 6 years) and now I finally have the opportunity to setup the big planted tank I've always wanted.
Over the last few months I've done quite a bit of research, planning, forum hunting, bio reading, etc; (hours and hours, kind of obsessive really =P, I suppose I sort of over-plan when it comes to my pets) on lighting, filtration, heating, substrate, plants, ferts, fish, you name it.
After all of that, supplies have all almost arrived, and I'll be setting up in the next couple of weeks. I have a basic idea of what fish I want to eventually add and how many of each (not at once of course), but I'm looking for some input from people more experienced than I. Research can only get you so far.
This is what I've come up with:
55 gallon planted
-48" T5 light fixture, with proper bulbs (did my homework on daylight and plants needing both red & blue spectrum, etc; )
-Eheim Canister filter
-x2 200w Heaters
driftwood, accent rocks & slate terrace wall with drift wood going down almost the length of the tank like a big garden with eco complete substrate, caribsea super naturals sunset gold sand will be along the front half
For Plants I'm thinking of adding:
-amazon swords
-chain swords
-java fern
-java moss
-dwarf hairgras
-anubias nana
-anubias barteri
-watersprite
-anacharis
(plus more, still looking)
As for as fish go:
- x10-12 Neon Tetras (first fish I'd add)
- x10-12 Rummy Nose Tetras or Ember Tetras (both not 100% on, Looking for schooling fish that add some good color along side the Neons)
- x10 Sterbai Corys
- 1 Pair? of Bolivian Rams (Not sure if I should go with a pair, 4-6. I've been reading mixed input on this, some say a pair only, others say they do better in a small group)
- Possibly some other high dwelling fish. It would be the last thing I put (months down the line). Been reading that a few Pearl Gourami would work well (1 male to 4 females) as Pearls are one of the more peaceful Gourami (Just a thought, considered hatchets as well, but I'd be more looking along the lines of something other than a schooling fish).
That's the basic concept of what I've been planning to set up. Nothing has been started yet aside from purchasing supplies. I'll be starting on hardscaping in the next week or so. The Bolivian Rams and the Corys are my favorite of the stock. Everything else could be subject to change depending on advice.
I'm extremely excited for this upcoming tank and if anyone has any advice, comments, or questions, all are welcome and wanted.
Any feedback would be wonderful.
Thanks for for your time!! :-D
I've been interested in keeping a tropical community tank probably over 5 years now. I've always had loads of different pets and tanks (I just recently took down my 20 Long with African Clawed Frogs I've had for 6 years) and now I finally have the opportunity to setup the big planted tank I've always wanted.
Over the last few months I've done quite a bit of research, planning, forum hunting, bio reading, etc; (hours and hours, kind of obsessive really =P, I suppose I sort of over-plan when it comes to my pets) on lighting, filtration, heating, substrate, plants, ferts, fish, you name it.
After all of that, supplies have all almost arrived, and I'll be setting up in the next couple of weeks. I have a basic idea of what fish I want to eventually add and how many of each (not at once of course), but I'm looking for some input from people more experienced than I. Research can only get you so far.
This is what I've come up with:
55 gallon planted
-48" T5 light fixture, with proper bulbs (did my homework on daylight and plants needing both red & blue spectrum, etc; )
-Eheim Canister filter
-x2 200w Heaters
driftwood, accent rocks & slate terrace wall with drift wood going down almost the length of the tank like a big garden with eco complete substrate, caribsea super naturals sunset gold sand will be along the front half
For Plants I'm thinking of adding:
-amazon swords
-chain swords
-java fern
-java moss
-dwarf hairgras
-anubias nana
-anubias barteri
-watersprite
-anacharis
(plus more, still looking)
As for as fish go:
- x10-12 Neon Tetras (first fish I'd add)
- x10-12 Rummy Nose Tetras or Ember Tetras (both not 100% on, Looking for schooling fish that add some good color along side the Neons)
- x10 Sterbai Corys
- 1 Pair? of Bolivian Rams (Not sure if I should go with a pair, 4-6. I've been reading mixed input on this, some say a pair only, others say they do better in a small group)
- Possibly some other high dwelling fish. It would be the last thing I put (months down the line). Been reading that a few Pearl Gourami would work well (1 male to 4 females) as Pearls are one of the more peaceful Gourami (Just a thought, considered hatchets as well, but I'd be more looking along the lines of something other than a schooling fish).
That's the basic concept of what I've been planning to set up. Nothing has been started yet aside from purchasing supplies. I'll be starting on hardscaping in the next week or so. The Bolivian Rams and the Corys are my favorite of the stock. Everything else could be subject to change depending on advice.
I'm extremely excited for this upcoming tank and if anyone has any advice, comments, or questions, all are welcome and wanted.
Any feedback would be wonderful.
Thanks for for your time!! :-D