My first big tank, 55 gal planted freshwater tank

[Ozydego]

The aquascaping is going along great, driftwood all in place, got the crypt, amazon sword, and Crinum calamistratus buried, playing with it a lot right now because the filter is new and the fish-less cycle is gonna take a while.... Eventually looking at Gouramis and cardinal tetras, focusing a lot on the plants.... Definitely java moss on the wood on the right, and a few other tropical species to fill it in, maybe even a carpet of some sort.

 

[Ozydego]

Please disregard post

 

[Ozydego]

Please disregard post

 

[Coleallensmom]

Looks great so far, love the driftwood.

 

[Ozydego]

Decided cell pics just didn't do it justice, maybe now someone can help me identify the mystery crypt... wendtii maybe?

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[Ozydego]

Day 1 of major plants, day 5 of cycling. I have DIY Co2 bubbling into to filter intake and liquid fert... Hopefully we see a fairly quick growth spurt

 

[Ozydego]

Day 7 of plants, up to 11 species in my "zoo". Day 12 of cycling and I only waiting on the NO2>NO3 bacteria to establish, won't be long now before I fill the tank..

55 gal freshwater planted tank

Includes:
75 lbs black gravel
2 pieces of malaysian driftwood
Assorted sandstone rock
300 watt heater
Aqua clear 70
DIY Co2 reactor

Plants:
Echinodorus bleheri (Amazon Sword)
Cryptocoryne wendtii (crypt)
Crinum calamistratum (crinum)
Limnophila sessiliflora (Dwarf ambulia)
Anubias barteri var. Nana (Anubias)
Microsorum pteropus (Java fern)
Lilaeopsis Mauritiana (Micro sword "narrow leaf")
Hygrophila difformis (Wisteria)
Cryptocoryne crispatula (Balansae)
Nymphaea zenkeri (Green Tiger Lotus)
Vallisneria Spiralis 'Leopard' (Italian Leopard Val)

Possible Livestock
Micro Angels x2
Dwarf gourami x2
Cardinal tetra x10
Diamond tetra x5
Bristlenose Pleco x2

 

[Ozydego]

Been playing with my wife's camera and settings...

 

[Coleallensmom]

Very, very nice!!

 

[User]

Wow very nice! I like the background as well! I need to rebuild my 55 gal I think...

 

[absolutangel04]

That looks awesome! Your stock sounds good too. That set-up will look amazing with angels and cardinals in there!

 

[Gboy66]

What is your gravel

 

[Ozydego]

Gravel is your run of the mill local lfs black gravel, I did not mix in a fert substrate with it, although after a lot of reading since starting, adding a bag of Eco complete and mixing it all together would have been better. I am using seachem flourish tabs instead, as well as liquid fert. I am very happy with the growth, my Anubias just shot out a new leaf, an the green tiger lotus lily pad has jumped up 4 inches in three days to get back to the surface! I am starting to see nitrates now, so my fish less cycle is nearing completion and it's almost time to add the stock.... I have been doing a lot of research on the types of fish, and the list I put together just seems like an awesome combo.... I appreciate the kind words everyone, thanks!

 

[Gboy66]

What is aicro angel? Just an angel that stays smaller? And you have so many plants!!! Did you order some bec thats alot to find!!

 

[Ozydego]

I believe they are just younger angels, but the lfs listed them as micro... As far as the plants, my lfs has a great selection, lots of different types to choose from, nothing red though, I think I may have to order something for color...

 

[Gboy66]

Ya do micros get to normal
Size??

 

[Ozydego]

I will have to ask later today

 

[zooking12]

Awesome tank! I'll be redoing mine as well come Christmas.

 

[Ozydego]

Cool... I looked again at the lfs and they are "small" assorted angels, so juveniles... $6-$10 each... Not bad

 

[tiguardo]

Beautiful looking tank. Great planting. The colours look amazing against the black gravel.