Doing a complete remake on my 58 gallon freshwater planted tank today

[clarkm]

Today I will be tearing down my 3 year old semi planted tank and replacing gravel with eco complete fine grade and adding driftwood and a lot of plants. Just thought I would post before and after pics

 

[KidFish]

Awesome can't wait for pictures. Are you planning on adding anything?

 

[clarkm]

I'm adding eco complete fine grade as substrate. I have been soaking a large piece of mopani driftwood which will go in and have anubias and java fern tied on and I have a large cave that will be put in also. Will be adding a bunch of live plants. Been thinking of one or two fish but have no clue what would be good with the stock I currently have.

 

[KidFish]

Looks to me like you have some angel fish only in that tank, if i was to suggest something id go with rams. Kindof spendy but look great with angelfish, and i havent had any problems with them mixed myself, the only time of concern is if angelfish are spawning and become territorial. Corydoras are also a highly suggested species by anyone. No one i know regrets getting them. If your looking for something more out there maybe a weather loach would be cool. But if you have a cave you'll never see him haha.
Im really into rainbow fish i think their minnimum tank size is around 30 so i would think the would be okay in a 58. The boesemanis are awesome, in my opinion, but there are tank stocking websites that have suggested fish and what not i suggest you check it out on the google

 

[clarkm]

In the pic it's hard to see all the fish but there is
2 med angelfish
6 X-ray tetras
2 bristle nose plecos
4 Cory's
So I don't know what I could add to that if anything ?
And yes I love the Cory catfish so awesome to watch

 

[clarkm]

It's hard work breaking down a fish tank and removing 40 lbs of 3 year old gravel. Not to mention trying to catch the fish

 

[Brookster123]

Do you have a shopvac?

 

[clarkm]

No did it with a gravel vac. Filling it back up now

 

[clarkm]

Getting closer to being done

 

[KidFish]

Thats looking way cooler i think

 

[clarkm]

Before

 

[clarkm]

After

 

[clarkm]

That's a full day project. I added two bags of old gravel to hopefully help prevent any cycle of the tank. Time to relax and enjoy a cold one.

 

[Brookster123]

Nice work! I re did mine last weekend, big project, I didn't wait til I was done to crack a cold one though, looks good! What?! No pineapple??? I have one sitting in a bin under my table too haha

 

[Fresh2o]

Nice work! I re did mine last weekend, big project, I didn't wait til I was done to crack a cold one though, looks good! What?! No pineapple??? I have one sitting in a bin under my table too haha

Wife thought my scape looked incomplete without the pineapple. I don't ask for her opinion anymore.

I'd use a solid dark (black or blue) background. It would draw more focus on the fish, plants, and bubbles and add a sense of depth.

 

[clarkm]

Ya I don't like the background all ready. The wife thought it would be a nice touch but not so much

 

[clarkm]

My son was the most disappointed without the pineapple ornament.

 

[clarkm]

I think I'm done planting and moving things around finally. Now to see what grows and what does not grow in my tank.