My 56g Column Build

[Wolfsblood]

I picked up a new Marineland 56 gallon column tank about a week ago at Petsmart. It came with the stand, glass top, and a 24" flouro strip light. I got it on sale for $225. I tried to find one on craigslist for cheaper but didn't have any luck. The sale was only for 4 days so I had to make a decision pretty quickly.

I went with this tank for three reasons. 1) The area next to my bed will only accommodate a tank that is around 36" wide. 2) I am planning on doing another cichlid tank with this and I needed something with a decent amount of water volume. 3) The tank just plain looks cool. It is an interesting shape and I like the looks of deeper aquariums. Plus I already have a standard dimension 55.

I will be doing a sand bottom with stacked rocks and a black background. Filtration will consist of a Penn Plax Cascade 1000 canister and an Aquaclear 50. I will likely swap out the full spectrum bulb for a 50/50 as I think it provides a much crisper looking tank. Heater is an Aqueon Pro 250W that I got for $15 from petco with some creative price matching and coupon usage.

I moved the tank into my room today and started cleaning it up. By the way Marineland thank you for putting stickers all over it. I thought I had a 6" long crack in the front and the residue only took me about an hour to get off
Here are some pics of where I am at so far.

Pics aren't the best sorry. I will take some better ones when my girlfriend gets home from work with her Iphone.

 

[Wolfsblood]

A little more progress. Rinsed some sand to make the first 1/2" of my sand bed. I will be adding much more once I build the rest of my rock. I have the bottom rocks siliconed to a thin sheet of acrylic. This seems to be the only way Im going to be able to get as many caves as I want. I will be covering over the acrylic piece with about 2 more inches of sand.

 

[Wolfsblood]

Keep thinking about how sweet this could be as a reef tank. I must keep repeating "I do not have another $1000"

 

[Wolfsblood]

So I don't think the acrylic base is going to work for the large structure that will go behind the one you see in the picture. I am going to try to do a large rock base and then maybe silicone some of the rocks here and there because this thing is going to be pretty high.

The stock I am planning as of right now is:
4x Pseudotropheus Socolofi
4x Pseudotropheus Acei
and either
4x Labidochromis Caeruleus
or
4x Metriaclima Estherae
or
4x Assorted Male Peacocks

Socolofi are my must haves. All others are open for suggestion. Many of the species I truly want I have not found at any LFS within 50 miles of me.

 

[Wolfsblood]

A little more progress this morning. Got all my sand rinsed and put it into the tank. Added a bit more rocks. Building the largest rock structure is a bit of a daunting task to me. Well gotta go out and find some more.

 

[Wolfsblood]

Im not sure how realistic it is to have rock almost to the top. Seems like its getting pretty heavy

 

[Lardeelion]

A tank next to the bed is an insomniac's dream come true. I need one. The heck with Ambien.

 

[countryflirt]

I can't wait to see the finished product! I think it will be awesome!!! And with the mirrored doors beside of it...It will keep you awake looking at it being so beautiful!!!! at least for a day or two!!! lol Waiting to see the next step

 

[Wolfsblood]

Well I think I have everything I want in it now. I may add a little bit to the two large pieces on top. It is all pretty sturdy and I tried to find pieces that fit together well. The pics are kind of hard to see now since my camera sucks. Let me know what you think guys.

 

[Wolfsblood]

There is officially water and ammonia in the tank now. The cycle begins! Got my aquaclear 50 about a 5 days ago. Its running on my established 55. As soon as I think it is ready it will be going on this tank to help the cycle along.

Im not really digging the light. I figured I wouldn't. I will be picking up a 10K and see how I like that. If I don't I will return it and get the trusty old 50/50 bulb.

 

[Wolfsblood]

My 55 to show the difference in lighting between the 50/50 and the full spectrum:

 

[countryflirt]

I agree with you, I do believe you would like the 50/50 a lot better on the bedroom tank. That 55 is amazing...And i love the rock in the other

 

[Wolfsblood]

Thank you for the compliments

 

[Wolfsblood]

Cleared up a bit this morning. That little cichlid stone is just to introduce a little BB.

 

[GodFan]

Nice tank! I have one as well but it is not in my room lol