55 Gallon Tank

[FCWonderer]

I have brought a 55 gallon tank into my house that I'm sharing with 4 other guys. Now I am the lone aquarium hobbyist but I have decided to let the guys in on the planning. This is a hobby to be shared after all. 

Now I do have some problems to be addressed. The first one is that I got this tank off craigslist and it was perfect except the top of the tank. The support beam that is supposed to be in the middle of the top frame is missing. Is there anything I can do about that or am I just going to have to deal with it. If I have to deal with it, is there any lid I can put on that will be supported without the middle beam? The second is that I am new to large tank owning. I've been doing nano tanks for the 5 years I've been around the hobby so I am a little out of my element. If you guys could give me pointers on things about a larger tank I wouldn't have found out through my smaller tanks, that'd be appreciated.
 
But now here comes the nitty gritty. I want a planted tank. About moderate to heavily planted with a layer of nutritious gravel under a layer of sand so that should be taken into effect when cosidering what I should put into my tank. I have 6 cory cats (3 bronze and 3 peppered) and I want to get about 3 more of each species so that should be taken into consideration. I want a peaceful, community tank with maybe a centerpiece fish. My tap has a ph of about 6.4-6.8, a gh of 8 degree, and kh of about 3 kh. I'd like to have fish that can go into my tank without having to mess with the water chemistry. Unless you know of a product that harmlessly changes that. Sorry this is asking a lot guys but I'd like to give my roommates a list of fish that will fit these stipulations. Use your imagination! Just really looking for suggestions right now. Thanks guys.

 

[HHH]

woah that's a tough one... well im going to tell you you're going to need a support brace of some sort without one on a tank big as a 55 the glass will actually start to bend. Your going to need to order a whole new frame for the tank from a aquarium building shop online. Your lfs might have one laying around or even do a special order for you. When I had this problem I didn't have the money to order one and my lfs couldn't get on ethier. instead my father did something I never tought of. Zip ties. Yep Zip ties. What he did was he cut 3 zip ties into 2 pieces a tie. Then he siliconed one piece under the existing frame with its corresponding piece on the other side. he let then zip tied them together and it miraculously worked. Now I will warn you if this is done wrong or the silicone doesn't hold you will have a problem so its rather risky. the best thing is just to buy a whole new frame if you have the money. Ive also heard of using a glass piece but ive never personally seen it. Ill see if I can get pictures of the ties. Good luck !

oh and for the plants how about organic potting soil? it can get a bit messy if stirred up but a 1 inch layer of soil capped with gravel and sand is known to grow plants really well. and for a show pieace fish how about an angel or two? They can get aggressive during spawning and are known to eat neons though..

 

[chances14]

you can get a replacement frame here http/www.aquariumframeswholesale.com/