55 gal pic

[BobTheDog]

I've got a 55 gal fresh water tank I recently (Nov 13th) converted to live plants. The conversion was quite an ordeal... in the weeks prior, I upgraded the lights from the standard "aquarium kit lights" (2 X 20 watts, normal output fluorescent) to 185 watts of compact fluorscent near blinding brilliance. B) I also changed the substrate from an inch or so of large size gravel to 3 inch (in front)/5 inch(in back) substrate of flourite/Turface(profile) mix. Knew I was going to need CO2 with that much light so did the DIY thing with 2 3-liter bottles. Didn't want to just bubble the CO2 into the tank and I don't currently have a cannister filter so I researched on the web and rigged up a "reactor" using a submersible pump and a gravel vac.

Anyway, here is the before pic:

 

[BobTheDog]

And here is the after pic:

 

[Ben]

looks awsome!
what fish are you planning to put in?

DD

 

[Arashi]

Ooohh! Looks great! Very nice job!

 

[fufanu360]

very cool, i wanna put some live plants in my tank, but i jsut dont have the enthusiasm towards all the work

 

[enchanted]

Very nice. I see Black Neons and is that a Platy?

 

[elgecko]

Looking very nice.

One question, you're not the only one that I have seen do this, why do you put your heater at an angle?

 

[BobTheDog]

dwarf_dude... fish list is in my signature... these fish are already all present. This was an existing setup so I moved the fish to a temporary container when I swapped substrates. Unfortunately, I lost some Rummynoses in the process.

elgecko.... HAHAHAHA Yes, I too have seen a lot of pics with heaters at an angle. Mine is currently this way because of the cord being too short to reach to my power strip!!! Ideally, I want both of the heaters side-by-side, flat on across the bottom. I just need to get out and pick up a cheap extension cord.

So far, my plants are growing like crazy, but unfortunately, my algae is too! Originally, I set up this tank as fish only, so I got the Penguin filter with the double bio-wheels. This was a GREAT filter for a fish only tank. Unfortunately, it is not so good for planted due to the fat it seems to purge a LOT of the CO2 from the tank. I am currently looking at other options. Originally was thinking of just going canister, but actually have been researching a sump/refugium option. Would love to be able to get the CO2 reactor and heaters out of the main tank, plus have seen a couple of examples where people had lights on the sump and allowed algae to grow there to help take care of excess nutrients, etc. Will post more pics and reports as tank progresses.

 

[enchanted]

Take a look at the reactor here:
http/www.glass-gardens.com/

You can make one of those or you can pick up his, but it would require a canister filter.

Personally I have had no problems with my Bio-Wheel filter, but I also keep my tank water levels high (yes planted).

I personally would prefer a canister, but some people would say different.

 

[Sasha]

Great tank! You did a wonderful job!

 

[tear-scar]

I'm sure the plants will brighten and thive soon with the thorough adjustments you have made. I wish you good luck.

 

[jordan barnhart]

what is the very tall plant on the far right?