55 Gallon Build

So all, I had to tear down my 55 gallon because we have to get the tank replaced. It’s riddled with pressure cracks on the front and side panels. I’ve attached a picture of what we had before the tear down. We used regular old aquarium gravel but I’d like to use sad for the base because we are doing a planted tank. I’d love ideas on how we could introduce a level or cave of some kind and and what type of sand we should use!

I’ve heard play sand, but it’s messy. Pool filter sand, which seems to be the most readily available stuff for me. There’s also sandblasting sand. I’d like it to be either a very dark brown, a light brown or white. We’ll be spray painting the back panel black.

 

Pool filter sand is pretty close to white. Blasting sand is black. I don't know of a brown sand off the top of my head that is cheap amd readily available.

Caves can be built with pieces of slate or other such rock carefully and securely stacked. Or if you aren't a rock person, driftwood with arches often serve the same purpose for fish.
To create a higher level for a hill or the like, fill a mesh bag (I often use panty hose, cheap and stretchy) with gravel. Lay this on the bare bottom of the tank. Lay several bags as needed to build up the desired height/width of the raised area. The reason it is in bags is to hold the gravel in place and prevent the sand from settling into it as much. Now cover it all with a layer of sand at least an inch deep.

 

If you go with sand I recommend either black flourite or potting mix under it. Your plants will love you for it.

I have one with eco-complete, covered with black flourite, covered with black diamond blasting sand. Phenomenal growth with the stock lighting. But expensive. $60+ just for substrate for a 20 tall.

Another tank has miracle grow ORGANIC potting mix capped with BDBS. 1/3 of the cost and although it’s only a month old, plants are loving it.

 

If you go with sand I recommend either black flourite or potting mix under it. Your plants will love you for it.

I have one with eco-complete, covered with black flourite, covered with black diamond blasting sand. Phenomenal growth with the stock lighting. But expensive. $60+ just for substrate for a 20 tall.

Another tank has miracle grow ORGANIC potting mix capped with BDBS. 1/3 of the cost and although it’s only a month old, plants are loving it.

We couldnt find BDBS anywhere here in northern ontario, but after mor searching we did find a black abrassive that was tank safe. We did 1-1.5" of organic potting mix and the same with the sand top. We spray painted the back panel and set it all up saturday. We had filters and the biowheels left ofer from the old tank so we stuffed those in the new filter to instant cycle the tank.

I also did a dose of prime, and stress coat because all our littme guys have gone through to much. Ive attached photos of our new tank. We love it. I'm thinking a couple more blonde pieces of driftwood, java moss and some type of aquarium grass and then it should be scaped the way I like.

 

Very clean, organized tank, kool.