My 55 Gal Tank Journal

I am a very newbie. Since I have tripped across this site, I have learned so much. The current system only has 1.6 WPG, but will soon be upgraded to 2.6 (thanks Walt and Pseud). I have added CO2 (DIY, not sure how to test for ppm, but will do more research) (thanks Pseud). I have fought algea like mad, but it is significantly better since putting the lights on a siesta, then there was the nitrate issue.......

Anyway, most of the plants were spur of the moment purchases. Only one store in my area has plants at all, so not much to choose from. I just put in the Anubias yesterday and they are beautiful! I need some tall plants at the back, but nothing to choose from yet. I copied most of you with the dwarf hairgrass, and in a week or so, will make a Riccia Lawn over slate. I won't do that until the new light fixture is in place.

I would appreciate any and all comments and suggestions!

I hope this comes out OK

Looks good so far! Gonna look neat with some background plants and when the foreground fills out. Are you also going to attach any plant to the driftwood?

The anubias will do better if it's not in direct light, somewhere nice and shaded will help prevent algae taking hold of it. They look healthy though

Great start, looking forward to more!

I really like that driftwood! I'm jealous!

Hi Ithink it looks great allready

Your tank looks awesome

I really like that driftwood

Tank looks great Wendy.......lots of potential.

Before you upgrade the lighting i would get the co2 up and running properly, you want to aim for 30ppm throughout the photoperiod, in order to measure the co2 you will need a Ph and a KH test kit and then you cross reference both readings on a co2 chart or use Chucks calculator that i have linked below.



Co2 Calculator

Its important that you get the co2 right or you will have lots more algae issues once you turn the new upgraded lights on.

But lookin good so far great job.

Hey Wendy,

I'm getting a bunch of new plants early this week. Hopefully they'll arrive on monday and I can replace a bunch of plants in my tank on Tuesday. Anyway, I can send you some Hygrophila Polysperma (green) and Hygrophila Difformis (Wisteria). They're fast easy growers. Anyway, there's a LOT of stems, so if you want them for your background let me know and I'll try and ship them on tuesday ok?

pseud said:

Hey Wendy,

I'm getting a bunch of new plants early this week. Hopefully they'll arrive on monday and I can replace a bunch of plants in my tank on Tuesday. Anyway, I can send you some Hygrophila Polysperma (green) and Hygrophila Difformis (Wisteria). They're fast easy growers. Anyway, there's a LOT of stems, so if you want them for your background let me know and I'll try and ship them on tuesday ok?

Click to expand...

Oh my yes to the plants! Just let me know the shipping cost again! Also thanks for the tip on shading the anubias, I need to tuck one back under the driftwood I think. I was afraid they werent getting much light where they are, with the 1.6 wpg they are probably OK, but after I get the new fixture, it would be too much.

Yesterday I purchased a new Nitrate kit, a GH and a KH kit. I did the calculator and my Co2 is at 24ppm. (KH was 8, PH 7.0) According to the article, the recent H20 changes won't affect the readings. No3 is between 10 and 20.

I still have 2 55's and a 29 to massivly change H20 today. Lost another fish in a 55 that I hadn't changed yet, a Lyretail swordie. Gotta get those chores done!

Thanks for the tips and advice, keep em coming!

Pseud, PM me with the info- I travel this week but will be home late Friday.

Here is an update to my tank, I guess it will be a journal I should probably take more photos than I do. I have added plants, increased my lighting to 3.4WPG, increased the CO2, and started dosing with Flourish, Flourish trace and Flourish Potassium. I have also added root tabs near thr Swords and other heavy root feeders.

My algae has literally disappeared after adding the fast growing stem plants (Hygro Polysperma). I used to have to scrub the driftwood, now it is incredibly clean. There is still a trace of algae in places, but I can live with that.

The Riccia was just attached to the slate yesterday, and my fish have literally picked it apart! (I used double hair nets too!) I am going to watch it and see what it does before starting over.

There is a blank space just to the left of the angled driftwood, I am saving that spot for Hydrocotyle Leuk. (can't remember the full name )

Comments or suggestions always welcome!

Looks fantastic Wendy! I knew the hygro would help you out

(p.s. got a larger photo?)

Wow!
It looks Great!!

Walt said:

Wow!
It looks Great!!

Click to expand...

Yeah Wendy! The tank looks awesome! Nice job. Where did you get that driftwood? I want, bring it to me!

I agree with pseud, a larger photo would be great.

Ok, hopefully this one will be bigger. I fiddled for hours yesterday and finally gave up. It is amazing the difference in the tank from the first photo.

I am getting a custom tank stand for this tank for
Christmas, right now it is the top half of an iron stand with a second 55 below. The 55 below is a nicer tank, it has black edges. This tank will go into my bedroom, and the one in my bedroom will go to my son's room. Of course I will keep all of the cool things in this tank, so that means a complete strip down and re-do, fish and all. Pseud, you will be able to see the Riccia, even with double hair nets the fish have picked it off of the slate, so I will have to re-do it. The Java fern and the Riccia are the only plants I have noticed pearling. The Riccia constantly pearls.

That anubia under the wood is a beauty. I love anubias. Now that's a picture, thank you.

I like the hygrophilia at the back of the intresting looking drift wood and the anubias in front realy set it off nice.
Once the riccia fills out in front it will look the business.