My 55 Gallon

[ahelmes71]

Here is my 55 gallon Rainbow and Congo Tetra tank.

This is "lightly" planted with low-light plants, including java ferns, a large crypt, and two anubias. I'm using the Marineland double-bright LEDs on this one. I know there is some dispute on whether they are bright enough, but see for yourself- I think the plants look healthy so far.

I tried to do some mild terracing on the left by the anubias by piling up substrate behind a piece of driftwood. I have seen some comments in other posts that this could cause "anaerobic pockets." What is that exactly, and it is really a big threat to the tank if I leave it like that? I like the effect of the different levels.
Andy

 

[Fishie]

Wow nice tank!

 

[Galligak]

Oh wow! That tank looks amazing! What is the plant in the right corner of the tank? I love the look of it! When my 55g is done I hope it looks a fraction as good as yours!

 

[Mumma.of.two]

Very nice!

 

[ahelmes71]

Oh wow! That tank looks amazing! What is the plant in the right corner of the tank? I love the look of it! When my 55g is done I hope it looks a fraction as good as yours!

Thanks! The big plant on the right is a Crypt of some sort. If you can believe it, I bought that as a little scrap of a plant about six years ago when I gave my wife a little 5 gallon mini-tank. She eventually gave up on her tank, but I transferred the plant to my aquarium and it has blossomed into a large, robust specimen that I frequently have to trim back.

The smaller plants to the left I just recently bought at Petsmart in some of those plastic tubes with the clear moisture gel stuff at the bottom. They have only been in there for about a month, so time will tell if they will thrive long-term. So far they seem to be doing well.

 

[Sisserydoo]

I tried to do some mild terracing on the left by the anubias by piling up substrate behind a piece of driftwood. I have seen some comments in other posts that this could cause "anaerobic pockets." What is that exactly, and it is really a big threat to the tank if I leave it like that? I light the effect of the difference levels.
Andy

I have heard of that too, but have never had a problem with it. I have heard that trumpet snails will prevent them by digging around in the gravel. I've never kept snails myself, so I don't know much about them. I wasn't much help, was I!!!

 

[Galligak]

Cool! Thanks for the info. I am now googling crypts. Great tank!