55 Gallon Planted Tank - A Summary of the Addiction

[Atl300zx]

I decided to give a small evolution of how addicting planted tanks can be.

I started with a small 15 gallon tank and a friend of mine gave me some clippings to put in mine. At the time i knew they looked better than plastic. At the time I had no idea what I was doing. I just changed the 25% of the water once a month...WOW! I can't believe how uninformed I was. Anyways I successfully grew Bacopa and Rotala for quite some time.

I eventually got a house and upgraded to a 55 gallon tank. I transferred the same plants but they weren't doing well in the new house (different city, different water). So I got on the internet and found aquariumadvice.com

So literally 2 weeks and $500 later, i have a CO2 injected, pH regulated, 4.71 wpg system...wow was i naive.

I went into it blindly expecting amazing results. Throughout all my struggles I think I finally understand what I need to do. Enough jabbering and on with the pics!!

May 2006



March 2007



April 2007



May 2007



August 2007



October 2007



August 4, 2008

[neilanh]

Very, very nice!

[Atl300zx]

Thanks! Looking at these pictures shows me i need to clean the back glass more (especially now). Also i am gonna try the vegetable oil on the background trick to see if my "black" looks more consistent.

[new2betas]

Wow! I love the "pathway" underneath the driftwood. That looks fantastic!!

[Atl300zx]

Originally Posted by new2betas

Wow! I love the "pathway" underneath the driftwood. That looks fantastic!!

Thanks! that was the major change i had for this new aquascape.

Obviously my tank changed around from October 2007 to August 2008, i just dont have pictures.

Previously i had worked on the making it more assymetical utilizing the 2:1 rule (The Golden Rule). Also i tried to make the shape more or less concave.

[Tifta]

Wow that looks beautiful!

[Atl300zx]

Originally Posted by Tifta

Wow that looks beautiful!

Now if only I had photography skills.

Where in GA are you located?

[brutus]

great looking tank atl300zx

[Alaris]

Originally Posted by Atl300zx

Previously i had worked on the making it more assymetical utilizing the 2:1 rule (The Golden Rule). Also i tried to make the shape more or less concave.

I have seen this "golden rule" mentioned by you a couple of times as well as "shape". What is it? And/or do you have a link to an article about it. (I'm intrigued by all things design and I absolutely must have great design in my aquarium, too.) Thanks

[newfound77951]

Looks great! I always enjoy seeing series of pics showing a tank's progression.