My first big tank, 55 gal planted freshwater tank

[Ozydego]

Gboy, the lighting is not nearly what I want it to be, right now it's a 2x32 watt shop light at 6500k, and I feel like my plants want more.. I use root tabs and in water ferts as well as DIY Co2.

As far as the nitrates, I tested my tap water and it showed the smallest trace, I need to bite the bullet and do some daily back to back changes to see if i can gets the trates down, that's the only wildcard in my system.

 

[Gboy66]

Yea. I dont think you need a better light if you have co2 and ferts and tabs!

 

[Ozydego]

New guests today, I filled out the blue tetra school from 4 to 10 and they are shoaling a LOT more now, also picked up two centerpiece fish, powder blue gouramis, as I wanted something to catch the eye until I decide the tank is ready for angels... Of course, pics!

FTS

the pair

Flaring

The amazon sword is getting huge!

These guys like to be photographed

One of the plecos was even out today

You can see my DIY Co2 in the background

Finally, the way I have the fish cave set up

 

[Coleallensmom]

Your tank is looking great! Good job!

 

[Gboy66]

Nice!! Those powders look so great!

 

[absolutangel04]

Is that a clown pleco? Whatever species, he is quite cute. That will be an awesome angel tank.

 

[abrahamavelar]

i love ur tank, i just have a question how long did it took for the plants to attach to the driftwood

 

[Gboy66]

U can just tie it

 

[abrahamavelar]

oh ok and when it grows will just attach to the wood or will i have to keep on tying it

 

[Gboy66]

When it grows it will attach on its own. Couple months take it off and itll be good

 

[abrahamavelar]

cool i want to do that!!!!! will it work with dwarf baby tears???

 

[Gboy66]

Ya i think so. You have them in a pot?

 

[abrahamavelar]

no well i havent bought them yet im still working on the driftwood (its a diy) i had some baby tears but didnt know how to tie them to a rock correctly so they just floted and well it was a pain in the butt to get rid of them

 

[Gboy66]

Ya use sewing thread

 

[abrahamavelar]

I was told to use fishing line but it went wrong

 

[Gboy66]

Howf it go wrong?

 

[abrahamavelar]

It looked good at first second day everything was floating

 

[Gboy66]

Odd..... Try again w sewing line. Maybe the knots slipped

 

[abrahamavelar]

Ya thats wat happened

 

[Ozydego]

mine was stuck pretty well after a month, most of the time cotton thread is used, so that it decomposes eventually on its own... this is for the java fern that I speaking about.. my only reference here... I think the java moss is similar, but right now there is brown string all over the place...