Fresh water fish tank gurus

[347convert]

Blue gravel, cuz thats the shit thats really on the river bottom :lol:.

lol, thats the fresh water tank, lol. Our salt set up is crushed coral and live sand.

 

[Tin]

lol, thats the fresh water tank, lol. Our salt set up is crushed coral and live sand.

Crushed coral is good for some fresh water aquariums too. I always used it with African cichlids, because it maintains the higher pH they require.

 

[Layinlow]

Lol got the tank all setup and filled, went with blue gravel as well and the wife wanted to put her touch on it and found these diamond cut clear rocks at the pet store so the tank has some bling bling ... I just need to figure out a good filter and heater setup to go with, as well as a better hood setup, because the 2 22" plastic hoods/lights that are on it are junk.

You guys rock, lots of good info in this thread. I haven't even had time to think of fish yet with this project, but will be into that phase in a few days and im sure ill have some questions then. The tank we got was used and sat stagnant for a bit i guess and had some nasty build up. Spent all day yesterday just cleaning it real good, and running to a few pet stores to poke around for ideas and price out some fish decorations, but turned more into just looking at fish with the boy.

 

[Tin]

Lol got the tank all setup and filled, went with blue gravel as well and the wife wanted to put her touch on it and found these diamond cut clear rocks at the pet store so the tank has some bling bling ... I just need to figure out a good filter and heater setup to go with, as well as a better hood setup, because the 2 22" plastic hoods/lights that are on it are junk.

You guys rock, lots of good info in this thread. I haven't even had time to think of fish yet with this project, but will be into that phase in a few days and im sure ill have some questions then. The tank we got was used and sat stagnant for a bit i guess and had some nasty build up. Spent all day yesterday just cleaning it real good, and running to a few pet stores to poke around for ideas and price out some fish decorations, but turned more into just looking at fish with the boy.

Before you put fish in it, put it in your garage and fill it. Let it sit for a day and check for any leaks. You can fix them with non-toxic silicone sealant.

 

[Layinlow]

already leak checked it and its now filled and in the house. now its just the waiting game.

I for sure would like some neon tetras, I like the way they school and are a good excuse to get a cool led lid light... But would also like 4-5 other species of fish, at least one of those to be a cleaner fish... Any recommendations on some cool looking ones and what variety I can go with for the 55 gallon?

 

[Layinlow]

Tank is up and running. Picking up some gold fish tomorrow morning to speed along the bacteria growth. Hope to have real fish in it in 10-14 days

I ended up going with a Fluval 306 canister filter. Originally I picked up a Marineland Hot Magnum, hang on the back canister but didnt care for the bulkiness of it, and the fact it has filters that need to be replaced every few weeks, where as the Fluval only needs to be cleaned monthly.

I like the sleekness of hiding the filter inside the lower cabinet. and how this setup allowed me to push the tank up close to wall. Also nice that its virtually silent, but the wife likes the running water sound so I positioned the output slightly angled up so I can still achieve that running water sound

 

[Tin]

Tank is up and running. Picking up some gold fish tomorrow morning to speed along the bacteria growth. Hope to have real fish in it in 10-14 days

I ended up going with a Fluval 306 canister filter. Originally I picked up a Marineland Hot Magnum, hang on the back canister but didnt care for the bulkiness of it, and the fact it has filters that need to be replaced every few weeks, where as the Fluval only needs to be cleaned monthly.

I like the sleekness of hiding the filter inside the lower cabinet. and how this setup allowed me to push the tank up close to wall. Also nice that its virtually silent, but the wife likes the running water sound so I positioned the output slightly angled up so I can still achieve that running water sound

The Fluval is way better than the Magnum line, as most of the media is reusable. With the Magnum, you have filter sleeves you have to replace every so often. With the Fluval, just rinse out the sponge in used aquarium water and youre good.

 

[RivMan]

Avoid goldfish, they're not going to work well with what your doing.

Pickup a dozen or so Zebra Danios, nice hearty fish to cycle with, and they'll do well with a community tank (Sounds like you're going that direction with the Tetras).

-Rob

 

[BAd Dad]

Avoid goldfish, they're not going to work well with what your doing.

Pickup a dozen or so Zebra Danios, nice hearty fish to cycle with, and they'll do well with a community tank (Sounds like you're going that direction with the Tetras).

-Rob

This is good advice.

 

[Layinlow]

The Fluval is way better than the Magnum line, as most of the media is reusable. With the Magnum, you have filter sleeves you have to replace every so often. With the Fluval, just rinse out the sponge in used aquarium water and youre good.

This was the main reason I went with the Fluval. Wasnt up for dropping $5 at the pet store every couple of weeks. More initial upfront cost, but cheaper in the long run

 

[Layinlow]

Avoid goldfish, they're not going to work well with what your doing.

Pickup a dozen or so Zebra Danios, nice hearty fish to cycle with, and they'll do well with a community tank (Sounds like you're going that direction with the Tetras).

-Rob

Too late lol. Picked up 10 last night, 1 didnt make the ride home and 3 more gone in the first hour, and one went out over night. The store kept them in cold water and my tank is currently slightly warmer at 74 degrees so they mustve been shocked or something. Today I went back and picked up 20 more and all of them are doing great so far.

They can enjoy their week in there because once the bactaria is up they will be all be removed and given to the lil boy next door for his turtle.

Went with goldies because everyone ive talked to in 4 local stores ive been in said to start with them. At .08 each I have less then $3 invested in fish to this point, so all is good there.

I cant wait to get some cool fish in there... Im still 100% undecided on what kind of fish I want... Lot harder to find 4-6 compatible species that will do good in a 55 gallon I thought itd be.

I shoulda went with a bigger tank lol

 

[Layinlow]

Heres the tank as it sits now.

Im building a new hood to match the stand, and have been piecing together the parts to build my own LED lighting system. Not a fan of the florecent lighting or the cheapo plastic lids. Have some lexan that Im making new covers out of