My 55G setup

[jeremyh81]

So I'm almost ready to fill the 55 with water! Just waiting for the substrate heater and PCF lights to arrive tomorrow. So far I have:

- 55-gallon aquarium (old style, no spacer in top)
- Store-bought stand and DIY canopy
- 3 (15lb.) bags of Flourite and 1 (50lb) bag of pool filter sand
- Fluval 305 canister filter

Since this is going to be a planted tank, I'll be injecting CO2 (DIY yeast method) and will have 4wpg in power compact lighting. The amount of substrate I have will give me a depth of about 3" and will be sloped upwards in the back.

For the fish, I think I'm going to stick with mostly SA angels and tropicals: 6 small angels, 8-10 cardinal tetras, 2 busynose plecos, and 1 hoplo cat (so far). I may add more or change my mind on the tetra species, but the catfish are keepers. I love me some catfish! ;D

[angel]

Bet you're so excited! We'll be anxious to see the tank up and running.

[jeremyh81]

I am. I've been leaving the substrate in the Jeep to keep me from dumping it in the tank before the heater gets here!

[angel]

I'd have already done it!

[jeremyh81]

Lol. I'm waiting on a substrate heater to arrive tomorrow. It uses a thermal cable to keep the substrate (plant roots) warm and an extra affect of creating a slight upward current in the water to carry nutrients to the roots and help remove some detritus from the substrate. The cable is suspended about half an inch from the bottom glass by suction cup stand-offs, so I have to install that before dumping the Fourite and sand in.

I'm thinking about rinsing the Flourite and setting up the filter hoses tonight, just to have something to do, and help ease my anxiousness.

[angel]

I didn't know flourite got rinsed--i thought it was like dirt and mulch stuff

[jeremyh81]

It is a "naturally-mined clay", but the packaging process creates dust that you can rinse out, if you like. Otherwise, you can drop it in and let the filter do its thing, but rinsing via overflow (no strainers) is recommended.

This type of Flourite is from Seachem and has a grain size much like small gravel stones (3-5mm). I think it's mostly composed of iron ferrite. Here's a link to an interview with a Seachem rep:

www.aquabotanic.com/flourite.htm

However, a lot of aquatic plant hobbyists will just use a basic potting soil (one without any fertilizers). I just chose the safe route, being a beginner. Flourite won't alter your water parameters like peat or mulch.

Then I'm topping it with pool filter sand to create a lighter color to contrast with the black background. Once the water starts circulating, some of the sand will sink into the Flourite and give it a nice mixed look.

[angel]

Cool! I must have been thinking of one of the others.

[jeremyh81]

So now the tank is full of water and the pump is running! However, I'm about to take most of the pool filter sand out because I didn't realize how 45lbs of Flourite and 50lbs of sand would make the substrate so deep. I mostly just wanted the sand to lighten the color of the Flourite.

Once I remove the sand, I'm going to seed the substrate with a good handful of gravel from the 26.

The next step in "silent cycling" is to wait a week and start planting. After they start growing a little, I can add fish!

So of these species, which would be the hardiest to start with? Please keep in mind that I am willing to do monitor ammonia/nitrite levels and perform water changes as needed.

- Cardinal Tetras
- Diamond Tetras
- Angelfish (probably not so hardy)
- Bushynose plecos (already have 3 little ones in 26g)
- Hoplo cat

This will be another week or so after the plants start growing, and the dust has settled from removing sand.

[jeremyh81]

BTW, Flourite must be rinsed a before dropping it in. There was a lot of very dark dust in all of the bags. I just used the bucket/water hose method until the water was a light brown (this is small grains of Flourite). Then just pour off excess water to ease getting the substrate into the tank.

I did put about 1/2" of water in the tank before adding the Flourite to help evenly distribute the first layer that covered the heating cable.

Also, 3 bags is really plenty for a 2-3" layer in a standard 55.

[angel]

Plecos are usually hardy, and albino BN are no exception. I'm not familiar with hoplo cats. You're right--angels are not. Tetras are not always easy either, but as long as the cycle is totally over with, they'll be fine.

[jeremyh81]

The plecos would be great at algae control, and if it turns out that I have more than 1 male, they'll have plenty of space to make their own territories.

Sounds like a plan! If I ever get the camera out, I'll take some pics of the progress. Right now, I'm off to remove sand.