56 column

[Fro280]

Fiancé let me upgrade the 29 gal to the 56 this weekend. What do you guys think?

 

[Bbush]

Nice. I like that you aren't afraid to go tall! Are those labs and barbs?

 

[labn]

Lucky you, it looks really nice, I like the white substrate

 

[Fro280]

Sure are. They've been together for just over 6 mos now. The tank fits perfectly in a space in the living room where nothing else really fits

 

[Ponch]

Sure are. They've been together for just over 6 mos now. The tank fits perfectly in a space in the living room where nothing else really fits

Well done - bet the fact no other furniture could fit in that spot didn't hurt you chances/sales pitch for your other half'!

 

[Bbush]

I like mine, but it took me a while to figure out how to stock it. I really don't have the room for a big tank, but needed something big enough for my angel, syno cat, and Plecostamus.

 

[Fro280]

The space it's in is perfect. It's out of the way and gets 0 direct sunlight.

 

[Bbush]

This is my 56 gallon column. Still fresh. Working on stock and plants etc.

 

[Fdsh5]

I love 56 gallon tanks! When I first got mine, I was like you. I had no idea what to put in there. I bought a cheap odyssea t5ho off eBay and threw in some angels. The cool thing is it's so tall. I have jungle Val, spiral Val, and a Madagascar lace fern in mine. It looks awesome with the tall leaves.

 

[Bbush]

Dude! Looks like an ad or something. Not bad. I need to fill in the top of mine. Plants or possibly marbled hatchets. Also, considering apistos.

 

[Fdsh5]

Thanks! The lace fern can kind of be a pain sometimes. The leaves just grow and grow. I have cut leaves that were three feet long. The only thing I put in the tank is flourish excel and dry ferts. Totally low maintenance.

 

[Bbush]

What are dry ferts? Root tabs?

 

[Fdsh5]

Root tabs are basically fertilizer "chunks" that you bury in the gravel for the plants roots to utilize. The dry ferts are a powder you reconstitute yourself in a glass jar and the dose by whatever method you like. My dose method is drops from a syringe. Here's a link to the ferts I use. http://www.aquariumfertilizer.com/i...rnEdit=2&Returnitemname=&ReturnShowItemStart=

 

[Fro280]

Those tanks are awesome! I would've loved to put live plants in, just don't have the experience or knowledge to do it.

 

[Fro280]

Nice to see some other people who like columns too

 

[Fdsh5]

As long as your tank has been running a while and you buy a t5 light, you'll learn as you go. Start out with cheap and easy plants. Jungle vals are great to start. They grow like a weed.

 

[Bbush]

What about leaf zone? Is it any count?

 

[Fdsh5]

I've used it. It's okay. My plants really took off though when I used the dry fertilizers.

 

[Bbush]

Will jungle Vals be ok w low light? And where can I get it?

 

[Fdsh5]

It can be hit an miss. It may survive but not grow like a weed. You can find it on aquabid.com