New 55 gallon journal

[Connershawzz]

Very excited! Been wanting a bigger tank and I just have a few questions , I’m going to have 2 sponge filters going the filter it comes with (which is the silent stream 75 I believe) which I will be running on my current tank for a week or 2 before set up. My question is , should I use both of the hanging filters the tank is 4 feet long? One on each side ? The silent stream 40 is rated for up to 40 gallons and the other is rated for up to 75. There will be lots of wood , larger gravel , im not to sure on plants yet. The tank will have mainly cichlids.

 

[Colin_T]

Can you get an AquaClear HOB filter instead of a TopFin HOB filter?

If you have 2 filters, run them both. If one stops working the other will keep the fish alive while you get the broken one fixed. I'm not saying they will break, but just as a backup it's good to have 2 filters on big tanks or with lots of cichlids in a tank.

 

[Connershawzz]

Can you get an AquaClear HOB filter instead of a TopFin HOB filter?

If you have 2 filters, run them both. If one stops working the other will keep the fish alive while you get the broken one fixed. I'm not saying they will break, but just as a backup it's good to have 2 filters on big tanks or with lots of cichlids in a tank.

Sadly it comes in a full sealed kit , my ultimate goal is to get a canister

 

[Connershawzz]

Wooow definitely bigger then I remember it

 

[gwand]

Very excited! Been wanting a bigger tank and I just have a few questions , I’m going to have 2 sponge filters going the filter it comes with (which is the silent stream 75 I believe) which I will be running on my current tank for a week or 2 before set up. My question is , should I use both of the hanging filters the tank is 4 feet long? One on each side ? The silent stream 40 is rated for up to 40 gallons and the other is rated for up to 75. There will be lots of wood , larger gravel , im not to sure on plants yet. The tank will have mainly cichlids.

Congratulations. I just bought a 60 gallon Aqueon tank, also 4 foot long. Great minds think a like. My tank will also house cichlids. I am very excited to build the tank. This is a great Hobby. Enjoy.

 

[Connershawzz]

Congratulations. I just bought a 60 gallon Aqueon tank, also 4 foot long. Great minds think a like. My tank will also house cichlids. I am very excited to build the tank. This is a great Hobby. Enjoy.

Heck ya congrats!

 

[MaloK]

A canister with a beefy Sponge, driven by an air pump rated for your tank size. Deluxe setup.

If you put 2 hob's, put them side by side, so they'll work in concert instead of against each other. Normal setup.

Loll, I'm kidding a bit, but it sums it for me. A strong hob with a sponge could do, would do.

But without knowing what cichlids involved, it's difficult to suggest on the preferred water return system.

 

[Fishfunn]

I miss my 55 gallon tank. I wish I had never sold it. The length of 4 feet was perfect, as was the height, and it was slim enough to fit in a hallway too. Great tank.

 

[Connershawzz]

Step 1 , got what I thought was enough substrate , I’ll probably get 10-20 more pounds when I get the rest of my wood (3-4 pieces of spider wood) and some decently sized rocks.
I got this stand

(My wife wanted to have hers on there too so we got a double ) it will be here next Wednesday so I have till then to shop and figure out what I want.

Very happy with the color of substrate not something I’d normally do.

 

[Connershawzz]

A canister with a beefy Sponge, driven by an air pump rated for your tank size. Deluxe setup.

If you put 2 hob's, put them side by side, so they'll work in concert instead of against each other. Normal setup.

Loll, I'm kidding a bit, but it sums it for me. A strong hob with a sponge could do, would do.

But without knowing what cichlids involved, it's difficult to suggest on the preferred water return system.

I’m wanting ob peacock cichlids and a few strawberry

 

[Connershawzz]

Step 2

Got the rest of my wood (spider wood) and some mountain rock
She is all ready for my stand to come and to start cycling !

Any suggestions?

Edit: I have a 3rd piece of spider wood in my tank now which I will be swapping over to the open space on the right

 

[MaloK]

I’m wanting ob peacock cichlids and a few strawberry

A moderate to fast water flow is good with these fish.

Personally with the configuration of the HOB. I would install it on the left side of the tank, so the water swirls from left to right in the front and return to the back from right to left. While avoiding to corner the intake.

It will help the filter catch more particles in the water layer. And give a more natural water flow.

 

[Connershawzz]

also , will the tannins harm my fish or anything? I waterlogged my first piece of wood but the 2 new ones I’m planning on holding down with rocks. Will the tannins and the water turning brown affect them?

 

[MaloK]

If it's aquarium / vivarium cured commercial spider wood, there is no problem, it wont leech much. Might make the water a little yellow.

 

[Connershawzz]

If it's aquarium / vivarium cured commercial spider wood, there is no problem, it wont leech much. Might make the water a little yellow.

It is straight from the pet store , so I think I’ll be ok , awsome thank you!