Amanda's 55g ~~tons & Tons Of Pics!

I tried the stuff that came with it. I thought it was worth a try... I was wrong! I will go the other way next time. It is pulled for now.
I am being forced to start over. I have so much algae... and other problems in this tank! The fish and plants both are having issues! This tank has been a total failure. I will post pics of before and after when I get time to try to fix it.

I have to build the new stand first. That way I can move it while I have it broken down. It is bigger than me... It has to get empty for me to move it.
Hopefully I will get it done soon.
Thanks!

Hey Hey Hey,

I think your tank looks very good. I just read your entire log, I like the progression on how everything is going. Did you decide that you weren't going to break down or are you going to continue to let it grow out. I like how things are going now, it should look nice once it really starts to grow but good luck in whatever you decide. I really like the cave like stucture in the middle area, is this still there or was it moved can't tell in the new photo.

Another question is what was your experience on ordering from aquatraders.com? Were they timely and did the ordering process go smoothly? I not to big on ordering offline due to all the scams and people with a negative agenda with others information.

Looking forward to more updates

TigerLotus

Looks nice

I have never had a problem with aquatraders. I am saving up to get some things from them for my 3 new tanks.

Everything is still there. I cleaned and trimmed for several hours. I am trying to give it a chance. I am planning to build a stand where I can stack my 2 55g tanks. It will be a while before I get it done so I am going to leave it like it is until then. If it is not looking better... I will change it then. I will be pulling the fish and adding co2 though very soon.
Here is a front view


Thanks for taking the time to look and post.

Filling out nicely

This tank still looks the same. I hooked up the co2, but I never did get any bubbles. I must have done something wrong. I am going to try it again in a few days. I don't have time to fool with it right now.
I don't think it was warm enough... I hope that was the only problem. I was trying the diy mix. It should have worked.
When I order again in about a week I will be getting the second kit for this tank so (If I ever figure it out) I can keep it a little more stable.

I am still a few weeks from getting to the stand for this tank done. I will rescape it then. I can't see messing with it before then. I am just letting it grow, and fighting the algae as much as I can. It has gotten rediculous. I just don't get why the algae is growing so fast! Something is very wrong, I just can't figure out what exactly it is.

Thanks

Hey I'm really glad you made this journal. I'm starting to get into planted tanks and I learned a lot from your journal and from all the questions you ask! I wish you could have got the sand/gravel to stay in the plastic trays as it looked very unique, but the tank looks great as it is now.

I am no expert by any means, but I know algae grows with high levels of phosphate but the plants should help filter that out. Sort of like a reed bed around a pond helps with algae. Maybe you can keep the lights on for a shorter amount of time so the algae cant grow. Or add more plants and maybe some more fish. I dunno, but I'm sure nry or Ilj might have some better advice or some one else reading this journal.

Did you say you have SEVEN tanks? Get some pics of those up here!

This is what the tank looks like now. The algae problem is almost gone. I finally got an algae eater.
I haven't had to clean the glass in a week now, and I can still see all in the tank. He is doing a very good job.

Now that I can actually see my tank I think I may have to order some more plants and see if I can get it looking decent again. I lost a lot of plants due to being smothered by the algae.

I have yet to get the co2 going. I couldn't get the bubbles going. I am doing something wrong. I just don't know what it is. I am going to check the amounts again to see, but I am pretty sure that that isn't the problem. I am really thinking that I am not getting the water warm enough. The next problem is keeping it warm. I can't set it on the lights. It won't stay up there. It falls off.

What would happen if I hung the holder inside the tank instead of on the back? would that help keep the temp good? The tank runs about 75 F. Would that be an option? How warm does the mix need to be?

Thanks for looking.

Amanda, this journal has been a great read! I don't think the temperature is necesarily your problem with the CO2. Is there a chance there may be a leak somewhere? Even a very small leak could be stopping the CO2 as the pressure is very small and then builds up. I run 2 2 litre DIY bottles on an 80 gal and don't bother heating them at all. They both sit in the cabinet under the tank.

(Side note: yes I am changing bottles alot to keep the levels right, but it works for now till the CO2 goes pressurized in the new year)

Also, if the temp of the water you're adding to the mix is too hot it will kill the yeast.

Your tank looks good so far!! Your daughters tank is amazing, I wouldn't believe her age if it wasn't for the pics!

I thought that since you cook with yeast... that hot would not be a problem.
So how hot is too hot? What is the best temp for the water that you put in it?
I looked and didn't see any leaks. How do I check to know for sure?


I can't believe that Shay wants to get rid of her plants. Hers has always been the best tank in the house. I left almost all the decisions for her tank up to her from the very start. My children have taught me very well that if you put some trust in them and give them a chance... they can and will surprise you with what they are capable of. I don't limit them because they aren't old enough. (except when it comes to "content") I always expect them to do tons more than what is "normal" for their ages. I have learned that if you expect more... You usually get more.

Thanks for looking.

When you cook with yeast you do kill it. The yeast is alive when, for example, the bread is rising before cooking it. The cooking process then kills it. I don't know the exact temperature that yeast dies at I use water that is just slightly above the room temperature, or around what the tank water is at, about 78 F or 80.

I'm not sure exactly what your CO2 setup looks like... With mine I can check for leaks by holding my thumb over the tubing leading from the bottle and then squeezing the 2 litre bottle. Any leaks I've had are then seen because I can actually squeeze air out of the pop bottle. (When it's airtight I can't do this) With this DIY system I've used the regular pop bottle caps and the material they're made of doesn't let anything stick to it too well. I've drilled holes through the caps and fed silicon tubing in through the holes and then silconed the holes. Most the leaks I've had are in these caps.

Another area I had CO2 leaking from was a valve that was inline that I just got rid of. Another question: Are you using a bubble counter of some kind or do you just feed from the CO2 bottle straight into the tank?

You could try checking for leaks with a bit of soapy solution and a small paint brush. Mix up dish soap and water 1:1 then brush it anywhere that you suspect a leak (not in the tank of course!!! Soap in there is really bad!!! I accidently did that once, what a nightmare) Any leaking gas should bubble in the soup solution.

Good Luck!!

chris

Im sorry if its already been asked but what are the dimensions of your 55?

Looking good

It is 48" x 12 1/2" x 20 1/2" if I measured right.

I finally got the CO2 going. I am getting about 1 bubble every 3 seconds. I am using the nutrifin kit with the ladder and the diy yeast pinned above.
I found the problem. I had a valve on it so I could slow it down at night. That was leaking. I had to remove it. My next problem was that the bubbles were not dissolving. They were just running up the ladder and then shooting to the top. I took a worm feeder and put a fine mesh bag over it above the ladder to catch the bubbles. I don't know if this is going to work or not yet, but it was all I could think of. I guess I will know in just a little bit. It has only been going for about 45 minutes now.

It is working so far. My lily is already getting bubbles on it!
I have to go get Shay from school. I will post more later.

Thanks for looking.