Evolution of a 55 Gallon Tank

[Talvari]

Over the next few posts, I am going to catalog the changes that my 55 gallon freshwater tank went through over the past year and a half. I am really amazed at the differences between now and then. You guys have helped me so much and I've gotta say a big old Thank you, particularly to Severum Mama who helped me start my addiction with live plants. So here we go.

November 2010. I started working at a local pet store. Husband wanted a larger tank, since all we had at the time was a 20L. We picked up the 55 gallon starter kit.

Equipment was your basic 55 gallon tank, 2 24" stock lights, a Top Fin 60 filter, "natural gravel" and plastic plants.

Original Stock:

-1 Rainbow Shark
-6 Tiger Barbs
-2 Clown Loaches
-1 Blue Gourami
-1 Gold Gourami
-Hi-fin Pleco

We added another decoration shortly there after, and a few more fake plants.

 

[Talvari]

We moved into our new apartment and I started surfing these forums. My tank came down with ich and I lost my two clown loaches. After seeing how beautiful the tanks were on this site, I decided my tank needed an overhaul- badly. I pulled out all the old gravel and replaced it with 50/50 sand and eco complete. I removed any plants that were odd colored.

Shortly after this, I bought my 46 gallon bow front. I knew I wanted live plants in that tank, so I bought some wisteria and anubias and planted it in the 55 gallon tank while I stocked up on supplies for the 46.

 

[Talvari]

I added six rainbowfish to the tank.

I bought an African Brown Knife to "replace" the two clown loaches that had died during the ich outbreak. He adjusted very well to the tank, a little too much so. He decided that he did not like his tank mates. After losing a fish here, a fish there, two fish then, another fish now... I decided to watch the tank while the lights were off. Sure enough, he was attacking them.

I rehomed the ABK immediately. I only had a few tiger barbs left, and only a few Australians left. I decided to rehome those guys as well, so I traded them in to a local fish store.

Stock in the picture shown:
-1 Hi-fin Pleco
-1 BN Pleco
-10 Bloodfin Tetra
-5 Cherry Barbs
-6 Peppered Cory
-3 Pineapple Swordtails

 

[Talvari]

I decided that I would like to do a planted aquarium for the 55 gallon because after doing my 46 planted... There is just no comparison. I love the look of live plants. I went to fishneedit.com and bought a T5-HO 2 bulb fixture. I received it on the 13th.

I also purchased a CF400- UV Filter from aquatop.com. I received that on the 13th as well, though I did not set it up until today, the 15th. It was quick, easy, and it cleared up my water really fast. I didnt even realize the water was cloudy until I put that in.

I trimmed plants from my 46, bought some Amazon Swords, and put some plants into the 55 today, too. Here is the final product as of right now. I'll post more pics as the tank evolves more.

 

[Fishie]

Wow those are pretty big/good changes in your tank !!

 

[Jason7894561230]

Looks fantastic!

 

[Talvari]

Thank you! I'm still working on it, but I am a lot happier with the way it looks now.