Set up of my "new" 55 gallon

[Animal fanatic]

I think that's a blue diamond or an imperial blue discus (sold blue) and I think they call the other kind blue wave or turquoise

Thank you , these two are my first ever discus I have owned I plan on getting some more

 

[Jesselav1233]

Thank you , these two are my first ever discus I have owned I plan on getting some more

No prob be ready to fall in love with your discus and to be very very addicted to them! They are my favorite fish hands down they eat out of my hand it's awesome!!

 

[Mommaof4boys]

Hmm should I use one heater or 2, one on each side?

 

[Andrew McFadden]

I would do 2 150 watt heaters. So then if one stops working something will keep the temp up some. Plus then one doesn't have to work so hard.

 

[bud29]

Hi! If you are still looking into rams, but are afraid to have them because they are touchy, you could look at Bolivian Rams. Still very colorful but not quite as sensitive as German blue rams.

Good luck on your tank!


-bud

 

[Mommaof4boys]

I definitely need another light lol but, here it is all filled up! Whoo hoo!

 

[Mommaof4boys]

Hi! If you are still looking into rams, but are afraid to have them because they are touchy, you could look at Bolivian Rams. Still very colorful but not quite as sensitive as German blue rams.

Good luck on your tank!

-bud

I actually think I am going to put a Bolivian Ram in my 44 pentagon! I find them pretty neat... Definitely not as colorful as a gbr, IMO, but we will see how it goes! thank you for your suggestion!

 

[Mommaof4boys]

I would do 2 150 watt heaters. So then if one stops working something will keep the temp up some. Plus then one doesn't have to work so hard.

I have a 200 watt in there right now... I have the thermometer on the other side of the tank and so far its working... I might put another one on the other side tho..

I also added the rainbow sharks to the tank.... (i didn't want to put them in the 44 with the smaller neons) and they are loving it! I've also put the seeded filter contents from the 10 gal in one of the new filters... So far so good, ill be ready for my first cichlid purchase soon!

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Yaaaaaa

 

[Mommaof4boys]

Tested the tank today... pH 8.2, ammo .25, nitrite just a slight discoloration... Not .25 but not 0 either, nitrate 5.0!

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Tested the tank today... pH 8.2, ammo .25, nitrite just a slight discoloration... Not .25 but not 0 either, nitrate 5.0!

That's ggggrrrrrrrreeaat

 

[Mommaof4boys]

So, I'm setting up the 55 again.... So far, this is what I've got... Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

 

[Mommaof4boys]

I don't know if a front view posted.. Lol sorry if there is a double

 

[Andrew McFadden]

I don't know if a front view posted.. Lol sorry if there is a double

Ya you double posted
It looks good! A background will help out a lot. Plus maybe some white, grey and black rocks with some really colorful fish in it and I'd say it would look 100% better

 

[Mommaof4boys]

Ya you double posted
It looks good! A background will help out a lot. Plus maybe some white, grey and black rocks with some really colorful fish in it and I'd say it would look 100% better

I couldn't agree more! lol

 

[Mommaof4boys]

Okay, I'm starting on my decor for the cichlid tank! I decided to use those plastic planter things for the inside of flower pots and expanding foam! I used the great stuff foam for windows and doors.. I saw a few people used that.. so I did also! Here are a few pictures of what I've done so far... I still have a ways to go! What do you all think so far? Pay no attention to the background.... the spray paint didnt work well... I'm going to repaint the back! Lol

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Looks good can't wait to see it all done

 

[Mcass]

Is expandable foam safe? I've never heard of using that.

 

[DoubleA]

Hint for the spray paint:

Use multiple LIGHT coats until it's completely covered. Then let it set overnight before attaching any filters or what not that may rest on the back of the tank.

I recommend using the Krylon Fusion (Satin) colors. It took about 6-8 light coats to get good, consistent coverage and completely black-out the back of my 46 gallon tank.

(This paint dries very fast! I waited about 10 minutes between each coat)

 

[Evilgrin]

For painting the glass I've always used the cheap craft paint you can get for 1 or 2$ at most craft stores it's water based and if you ever want to remove it it's very easy to remove with a razor blade.

To apply this paint it's best to use a cheap foam roller 1 or 2 coats and your glass is now opaque dries in about 10 - 20 min depending on how thick you lay it down, best part no fumes and you can speed up the dry time with a hair dryer set on medium.