55g puffer planted tank

[luke33]

Well here I am, my first build thread for freshwater, I’m excited! Many moons ago I went from tropical to oddballs, to cichlids...then full blown reef for 15yrs. I bred tropical, bichirs, Africans...but never have I had a live plant in freshwater. So now I’m going to go for a fw puffer tank with live plants.
Setup is aqueon 55g, two marineland bio wheel 200’s, two sicce 540 fog power heads, 22lbs of lace rock, sand substrate.
77 degrees, 8.2 ph, going to start placing some easier to keep plants and start a colony of rams horn snails. Then here in a few weeks to a month or so will add the puffers. Taking it slow.
Light is a dimmable programmable led full spectrum from amazon, it’s ok, does it’s job I suppose. As far as equipment goes my guess is I do a lot of experimenting, possible canister filters, diff lights, power heads...etc, I have issues with buying equipment! Credit the wife for the stand, I was going to get a cheap one...much better than my idea ha

here is the tank after two weeks

After another week and a half

 

[Retired Viking]

I like the look, will you be adding more plants?

 

[luke33]

Thanks, oh yea have quite a few on their way. Hoping to moss up the rock and add a lot of disguise to the equipment in back. Will also add a background. Slipped up on not painting the back black, was to excited to fill the glass box.

 

[mrsjoannh13]

That stand is awesome! Your wife has great taste

 

[eatyourpeas]

What kind of puffer are you looking at? I have pea puffers and they like quieter waters, no powerful currents.

Beautiful tank!

 

[Fish4dawin]

What are the branches in the back? They look epic!

Also I noticed 3 fish in there. What's in there already?

 

[luke33]

That stand is awesome! Your wife has great taste

Thanks, yes was for sure the right way to go!

What kind of puffer are you looking at? I have pea puffers and they like quieter waters, no powerful currents.

Beautiful tank!

I'm looking at amazon and avacado puffers, maybe get 3-5 depending on which way i go. I prefer the avacado but still researching currently. I have read mixed about tankmates with both. Also have read the avacado's do prefer some current. Personally i like current as it seems to keep the detritus out.

What are the branches in the back? They look epic!

Also I noticed 3 fish in there. What's in there already?

Thanks, they are just some plastic(i know plastic) ornamental plants i purchased off amazon, they are actually pretty nice imo. My plan is to grow out grass's in them to make them look more natural, but i do like them quite a bit, they are large and will provide great cover once live plants grow around them.

I have three red tetra's and three danios in the tank, they are doing great, fat and happy.

 

[luke33]

Added in some more live plants and colony of rams horn snails, a few more plants to add them a background and wait for it to fill in. Anyone add ceramic or bio balls to their marineland bio wheel filters before? I’m going to give that a go to add more bacteria colonies, I mean what could it hurt, I’ve got the room. Here are a few pics

 

[Fish4dawin]

I love the little caves you've made. What wood did you use?

 

[eatyourpeas]

Looking nice! I give it a day before the snails disappear once your puffer goes in

 

[luke33]

I love the little caves you've made. What wood did you use?

Thanks, its lace rock, great for caves.

Looking nice! I give it a day before the snails disappear once your puffer goes in

Thanks! Ha, thats the plan, i'm hoping they lay some eggs and get a bit established before they are all gone.

 

[eatyourpeas]

This is Miss Ethel, 22mm of fierce cuteness. She turned this poor Mystery snail's foot into a doily!

 

[luke33]

This is Miss Ethel, 22mm of fierce cuteness. She turned this poor Mystery snail's foot into a doily!

View attachment 126255

She's ambitious for sure! ha