55 Gallon Bow Front Freshwater

[nitroglyc]

Here is my 55 Gallon Bow Front. Notice that there is a lot of work yet to be done to it. I will be putting my 29, and 10 on here too as soon as I can, but for now... here is what I have and the specs. are as follows... I know it is gonna be a little low, but bare with me.

Nitrate: near 20 ppm
Nitrite: near or at 0 ppm
GH: near 25 ppm
Chlorine: 0 ppm
KH: between 0 and 40 ppm
pH: between 6.8 and 7.2

Any suggestions or recommendations, (no budget) would be appreciated.

Attachments:

[angel]

I'd suggest more rocks. Work on getting them all the way across so there are several hidey holes. More hiding spots breaks up the aggression.
Are the nitrates always that high? I'd try getting them down. Nitrates can inhibit spawning.

[angel]

Oh, and am I seeing correctly that there is no filter on the tank? If so, you NEED filtration. That's not an optional thing, so does no budget mean zero dollars, or can't be shopping in the pet stores? You could get a used filter dirt cheap.

[oneyoda]

I agree. Bunnie said she had filters. Maybe if you can make it to Mark's house you can work a deal with her for next month at the swap. I don't even have a sponge filter big enough for you right now but that would be good for your powerhead. Again Rocks! More nooks and crannies! Try your local garden center for broken clay pots. They may give them to you. Also right now is clearence time on most garden stuff. There is a picture I saw somewhere here (I think) of a tank with busted clay pots just piled up in the center of the tank. Looked awesome. Maybe mix your substrate with sand. A 50lb bag of pool filter sand is $5 and change at Lowes. Make them an offer on split open bags. I did my daughter's tank with $12 worth of rock from a garden center, a bag of sand, and broken "6" hole bricks form a cousins new home. Should be able to get more of these by swap time. Most are broke in half, leaving 2 holes and 2 half holes. Her fish love it. Check new construction by you and ASK to grab some broken bricks. FREE. I'll think of more budget things later. The DIY has a bunch of good cheap ideas.

[nitroglyc]

Wow! oneyoda... those were some really great ideas. Never even thought about filter sand... As for the clay pots... ehhh, I am usually a more realistic environment look. I just acquired a $25 home depot gift card so I might go to home dept. I suppose I need to boil the sand before use as well right? I am hoping I can fabricate a hood for under 25 bucks too... I will have to see. AS this is a hobby... I suppose no hobby is complete without some "homebrew" items. I am going to be doing some custom work on it too, since I have no job, I have plenty of time to do what ever. Then in my in-between-time, I can look for a job... lol!

[oneyoda]

No need for boiling. I just dumped it in a empty storage tote, stuck a garden hose in it and let it run for about 30 min to wash it out. Do NOT replace what you already have in the tank. Cover it with the sand or you will take away the bacteria that you already have built up. Get some PVC pipe elbows and T's. use a restaurant grade silicone to cover them. (Like glue) and roll them in the sand for the "more natural look" Let them dry for 24hrs and then drop in your home made caves.

[oneyoda]

Just rember to get the Pool Filter sand. Play sand you can end up washing for hours to get clean.

[signde]

How to clean pool filter sand:
www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cleaning_sand.php

[angel]

Does everyone wash pool filter sand ? We have nearly 30 tanks running and have pool sand in all but one of them. Never once did we wash new sand--just put it in the tank. Everyone was fine.
As for putting sand on top of gravel--having done that I'd never do it again. What happens is, the gravel needs to have the tube shoved into it to get the debris that drops to the bottom. To do that, your sand starts coming up the tube and out. Sand you mostly hover over the top and suck the debris off because it doesn't get below. The fish are going to dig through and get the gravel and sand mixed so even though it might look like the dirt can't get below the sand the day you put it in, it won't last.

[oneyoda]

I just thought it was a good idea to rinse it out to get any "dust" out. Nevre thought about the filter throwing sand. I didn't think it was a good idea to take out the gravel witch should have some bio bacteria the tank needs

[fishme]

Sure can't hurt to wash it, but after the first time I used it and saw how it worked, I just dumped it straight in without washing for the rest of my tanks. Never had a problem.

[angel]

Here's an idea. A mesh bag or cheesecloth to keep a good amount of the gravel in, and let it sit in the tank after changing the substrate. That way the bacteria should still be around.

[signde]

I used the method I linked to for playground sand. It is very dirty. I've heard pool filter sand is much cleaner. Where is a good place to get pfs locally?

[angel]

I buy mine at the pool store in Spring Hill. There's usually a pool store about everywhere. A 50 lb bag is $7, and they may have it at Home Depot or Lowes sometimes a larger Walmart. Those might even be a bit less.

[nitroglyc]

I am checking with a friend that does pool work, The Depot don't carry it... at least not the one in Bellevue