evenningstar
Aquarium Advice Newbie
We have a 55 that we did with cichlids. We really liked it till it got to small as our fish grew. We ended up using black sand for the benefits mentioned as well as the black really helps the fish color up. I know this b/c we started new 125 with white and the fish lost all their color when we transfered. We put a thin layer of black sand on it and they colored right back up. As far as your stand, I know you said that your brother is making one for you, but my boyfriend and I built one recently with just cinderblocks and plywood. Turned out pretty good. We are gonna put a black cloth around it and it was WAY CHEAP! Also just an FYI - the more plants you get in it, the faster it will cycle and the easier it will be to keep your levels where they should be. We put anubias and water sprite, both did really well and with the sand we didn't have to worry so much about them being dug up. Good luck! And Fair warning.. you may easily develop MTS I know we did.