55 Gallon - design to now.

Fist sorry for all the bad grammar spelling and run on sentences for any who read this! Typing from an iPad for an already bad typer. Also Im learning how to insert photos so hopefully that works …but here goes.

This is the start of a 55 gal build that was my first (and only) mixed substrate build. It’s also the first tank I ”designed” before I just jumped in.







first photo of rock piles I had laid out with my dimensions drawn on the board. The rocks I had gathered from the shore of Lake Ontario. I wanted to make a couple of “planted“ areas and then open sand in the front/middle so I set up two pretty simple semi circles.





Rocks were cleaned with a very quick bleach rinse and then boiled for 2 mins. Always scares me but i still do it once in awhile. If you plan to clean rocks by boiling do some research and have at least some idea of what rocks you have etc.

i used fluval plant soil substrate + eco complete “live” sand for whatever that was worth. I used a final layer of finer sand on top







I had some drift wood from a prior build and some more lake wood that was also boiled and sunk before eventually being added to tank.

plants ! I’ll have to come back and add for details. Last photo is pretty current. It now houses a clown pleco and my 5 angelfish. Snails abound but the angels keep them in check. I have had some challenges with algae but seem to be winning by adjusting the light8ng and decreasing feeding. (Angels are growing and always hungry)

hope this can inspire someone to try mix substrate and plants it’s not to bad !

 

Wow! It turned out great!
Are you thinking of adding any other fish to the tank?

 

Wow! Great tank!

 

Wow! It turned out great!
Are you thinking of adding any other fish to the tank?

Thanks!

yes I have two more clown plecos on the way. I think there is plenty of open space for three to get along if not one can move in someplace else.

I am stuck on what “dither” fish to add for the Angelfish. They are growing fast and I expect them to be mature (if not full grown) around end of February.. the larger maybe sooner. They are hunters in the tank stalking snails and the big one will hide in the hornroot and ambush the buddies - no real aggression just quick/short chase away.

Anyway good tank mates seems challenging so any thoughts would be appreciated. I have multi tank syndrome bad so have some spare space ..which good lol. Thanks again.

Wow! Great tank!

Thanks it’s been fun and still a bit of work in progress, plants are in regrowth mode so that’s . makes me want to tear down an old one and start again Making this post.

 

Thanks!

yes I have two more clown plecos on the way. I think there is plenty of open space for three to get along if not one can move in someplace else.

I am stuck on what “dither” fish to add for the Angelfish. They are growing fast and I expect them to be mature (if not full grown) around end of February.. the larger maybe sooner. They are hunters in the tank stalking snails and the big one will hide in the hornroot and ambush the buddies - no real aggression just quick/short chase away.

Anyway good tank mates seems challenging so any thoughts would be appreciated. I have multi tank syndrome bad so have some spare space ..which good lol. Thanks again.

Thanks it’s been fun and still a bit of work in progress, plants are in regrowth mode so that’s . makes me want to tear down an old one and start again Making this post.

One of my favorite fish in the world are Marbled Hatchetfish. They're top dwellers and can easily hold their own. They do jump so you'd need a lid. You could also try mid-dwellers; congo or blind cave tetras, gold barbs and the sort. Just no bottom-dwellers with 3 clown plecos.

 

One of my favorite fish in the world are Marbled Hatchetfish. They're top dwellers and can easily hold their own. They do jump so you'd need a lid. You could also try mid-dwellers; congo or blind cave tetras, gold barbs and the sort. Just no bottom-dwellers with 3 clown plecos.

Hmm had not considered hatchet fish before ..although I like no lid as I let better light. I had considered black or red phantom tetras (serpe tetras?) but have heard they can be nippy And or eaten by angels. There is only one clown now the other two are on the way no more bottom dwellers and three maybe pushing it ..

thanks for input gives me more to think on

 

Updated photos - Angelfish are growing, clowns plecos are doing well, I added more driftwood not that they needed it was just a nice piece. You can see some die back on some plants (hornroot I have to trim regular) there are some grasses growing up in the back but slowly. I still want some dither fish but might end up being some of my rainbows from another tank. Right now I love the minimalist fish.

also changed heater to one I can digitally set. And no more big silver tube.

 

Continuing to evolve this tank so goin to update again.

Mods should this be moved to journals vs builds ..?

I am still,searching for the right dither fish for the angels but for now I got some pearl danios … honestly they were about the right size I wanted to try, no aggression concerns, and if they got ate ,.hate to say it but they were also cheap. They prefer cooler temps and more flow (they really like it when the evaporation makes the hob make a waterfall). They are going to be moved asap and replaced by black skirt tetras. Now that the angels have had other fish in the tank i am hoping the tetras will be next step see how they do, and if they don’t work out they can join my tetra tank. Will be very stocked but over filtered (?).

Speaking Of filtering I added a marineland 360 canister, the flow was crazy strong and I am leaving the HOB on for the first 3/4 weeks to maintain good cycle.

To control the flow I ordered a spray bar ,but while awaiting its delivery found another solution. I had a very course sponge from a Fluval internal filter that I just stuck over the out flow and secured in place with spare suction cups. I want to add a small extender and turn it sideways so it does not block light directly under light. I may try the spraybar (paid for it) but I really like no Flow aspect and I can leave the HOB (spray bar required it’s removal) if I want.


Top down view. Just seeps out.



Hob doing the waterfall thing needs a top off evaporation is crazy in this tank … dyi lids in the future can not deal with black bar across the glass panels I have.

Last for this update is I’m starting thee process of improving the condition for the angels (why pearls are leaving). I’ve got filter media coming that is supposed to keep tannins but remove other bad chemicals, Seachem product I think ..got to look up order. May not even be necessary but safe then sorry. Im floating Indian almond leaves now and will be testing PH regularly for a bit. Current levels are ok but not ideal as I have hard water. If I had a house I’d get a softener. The leaves along with the drift wood should start to move the ph once the carbon is replaced/removed/expired. I’m going to a dark water look as well as a good environment for the angels.

im shifting some of the plants to some crypts and some others that don’t mind a lower light. floating driftwood and leaves are going to block a fair bit I think. I’m going to try and keep an opening in the middle for some taller plants that are more light hungry.



first two leaves the floating wood that’s been in for awhile. They love hiding under it in the hornroot.


got a bit of reflection but pretty current photo just before leaves.

more to be updated please advice on creating a pseudo blackwater environment.

thanks

Any thoughts on next steps for this build pleas add!

 

It will be difficult to change the pH just with leaves and driftwood, if your kH is high, in fact adding these does not seem to make much difference to my pH even though I have very soft water and very low KH. But you can achieve the blackwater look by adding more leaves, and you could perhaps try adding some rain water at each water change. Floating plants such as water lettuce would be good as well. Something like this tank of mine:


It originally had quite a blackwater look but now the wood has stopped leaching tannins and I haven't been able to get more almond leaves for a while, but I will add some more when I can.

 

It will be difficult to change the pH just with leaves and driftwood, if your kH is high, in fact adding these does not seem to make much difference to my pH even though I have very soft water and very low KH. But you can achieve the blackwater look by adding more leaves, and you could perhaps try adding some rain water at each water change. Floating plants such as water lettuce would be good as well. Something like this tank of mine:
View attachment 827532
It originally had quite a blackwater look but now the wood has stopped leaching tannins and I haven't been able to get more almond leaves for a while, but I will add some more when I can.

Wow! That tank is so beautifully natural..I love it!!

 

Good Job! Beautiful

 

It will be difficult to change the pH just with leaves and driftwood, if your kH is high, in fact adding these does not seem to make much difference to my pH even though I have very soft water and very low KH. But you can achieve the blackwater look by adding more leaves, and you could perhaps try adding some rain water at each water change. Floating plants such as water lettuce would be good as well. Something like this tank of mine:
View attachment 827532
It originally had quite a blackwater look but now the wood has stopped leaching tannins and I haven't been able to get more almond leaves for a while, but I will add some more when I can.

Wow, very inspiring!

I have added some red root floaters they came in today as well as some a few more new plants. I really need a riser for my light I can see already with the floaters. I will try some water lettuce as well. I was really hoping the acids from the leaves would have some effect, but probably not sadly. Im not sure short of a water softener /ph controller system what I can do. I have seen a co2 set up that includes ph monitor/control but no idea how it works or effect of general hardness. Thanks for reply’s all and inspiring photo !

 

What is your hardness and pH? I think having a low pH and soft water is not essential for domestic angelfish, unless it is extremely hard or alkaline I wouldn’t worry too much. The leaves probably won’t alter it much but they do have other beneficial effects, so definitely worth it.

 

Here is a test I just did. 7.8 ish it’s slightly lighter color in person shadow and reflection of color behind.

have not tested hardness as i dont know enough pr have testing solutions etc. it’s on the list. tap Water leaves mineral deposits on sinks and such… amd I have 200 plus gallons going

 

Yes it looks like 7.8 to 8. It would not be good for wild angelfish, but I believe many people keep the domestic strains at these pH values. It would be useful to know your KH and hardness too.
This would be useful for you to read.
https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/resources/blackwater-basics-and-faq.241/

 

Many thanks ! It’s a work in progress so resources are great. These are domestic 4 platinum from breeder in PA similar ground water, the other one came from a wholesaler who also sells direct online They are in FL and have softer water naturally I believe.

 

Well i read most of that article and need to go through some of it again with some references material in hand as some of the concepts are very new.
It does not look like i will be able to do true blackwater. I am in central NY and we have some of the hardest water around. I am going to invest in a test kit… and maybe a co2/ph controlor do you or anyone know how well these work -

Complete Professional CO2 System with ph/CO2 Controller

Its pricy and not sure it would do what i am lookinh for.

red floaters are super cool and i ordered some water hyacinths and lettuce. I may have to pull the cardinal plants ans maybe the hydros if ot gets to dark.
Thanks again any insite ti co2 systems or other ways to soften water in an apartment.

cheers!

cant not, not
have a photo lol temporary risers added

 

Water hyacinths might get too big, the others should be nice. I don't really think the CO2 system will be appropriate, but maybe MacZ can give you some suggestions about altering the pH and hardness.

 

You summoned me from my slumber in the leaf litter? Oh, wait... Hi!

With CO2 you mostly only change the pH, also it has some fatal downsides. With really hard water it takes a lot of CO2 to dissolve in the water to change anything. That can result in suffocating your fish. It definitely will result in a hole in your pockets, as you buy more and more CO2. And when you should have no CO2 at hand when the bottle goes empty the pH rises again. It can rise too quick for the fish to acclimate. Usually relatively high fluctuations occur over longer timespans and are no problem, but a sudden rise in pH knocks many fish out.

Your best bet will be an RO unit. Reduce KH and other mineral buffers by dilution with RO or eliminate them completely by using straight RO and switch to humic substances as low pH buffers. They usually buffer between 4.5 and 6.5. Downside: You can not control where the pH stabilizes ultimately. But most softwater fish can go that far down no problem.

 

Ilwow thanks for being summoned so fast and the detailed reply. The co2 system is aupposed to self regulating but its 500.00 US dollars- you set a ph lvl and can slowly adjust but as you state just running out of a canister could be a major problem. Any idea on where to buy. RO unit? I read the article fast (had seen it before) but it talks about what it does but not where to get. The one comment mentions buying by the gallon but im doing wat to much for that. Thanks again and keep the advice info coming and inspired!

 

You're welcome!

Any idea on where to buy. RO unit?

I live 6.000 km away, we don't even have access to the same online vendors. No help there.

 

Reverse Osmosis System Cost + Whole House RO Prices | How Much?

Here you can get some idea of the cost. I imagine you would need one of the smaller setups, and that this would be the most economical and satisfactory solution long term.

 

Very cool ! Thanks yeah I see the geographic differences oops. I was going to suggest eBay for Indian almond leaves but I see TClare is in Ecuador not sure what access is there. eBay here has 100 6” leaves for around 25$ US.


for the ro system - I am in apartment so would have to figure storage out etc. I use 6 - 5 gallon jugs (refill from water coolers) I fill them and allow to room temp 72+ I like it warm add Prime and then use it as needed for top offs /water changes. Then repeat. I might be able to fill them with the ro water but would need to figure a connection to my sink. Man this gets complicated fast. But I am undeterred! Fish love the leaves and the floating plants, next filter clean coming up fast I’m going to remove carbon, from canister. Replace with peat? ..I will keep running carbon as part of the HOB but then can remove when I’m ready.

More plants, more leaves, keep testing ph, get hardness tests, and Look further into ro system. now for the other tanks haha! Thanks so much

 

for the ro system - I am in apartment so would have to figure storage out

Small simple units comparable to the "RO buddy" don't take much space. I have one of these (obviously from another manufacturer), it takes up very little space. I only use it once every two weeks when I bottle all the RO I need in 2 weeks in my canisters.

 

Normally two shops near me have the almond leaves, I could get a big sack for $10, and they are usually quite big ones, but the last few times I have been they have not had any in, they keep saying they are going to get more...I don't think eBay would work here. I could get some from Amazon UK when my son comes out, hopefully in January, but they seem to be quite expensive.

 

After holiday update. Was hard on all my tanks with some decaying plants and delayed water change spiking nutrient, had some sick fish but most seem to have come through. This tank however was not really effected. I did loose the smallest angelfish but I am confident was bad genetics it never grew when the others doubled its size .. anyway down to 4 which I have heard is not good so should I get another back to 5?


The canister is now running peat pellets, sponges, ceramic rings, and some bio balls. No carbon or other tannin reducing material.

the water lettuce grows so fast it’s now in 3 more tanks..



getting the tint to come in slowly

I added the air stone to see if it would push open a spot for light. With the new spray bar I don’t think I need it.


I did get the API KH and GH test kits and 8-10 drops.

 

Fist sorry for all the bad grammar spelling and run on sentences for any who read this! Typing from an iPad for an already bad typer. Also Im learning how to insert photos so hopefully that works …but here goes.

This is the start of a 55 gal build that was my first (and only) mixed substrate build. It’s also the first tank I ”designed” before I just jumped in.
View attachment 823109View attachment 823110View attachment 823111



first photo of rock piles I had laid out with my dimensions drawn on the board. The rocks I had gathered from the shore of Lake Ontario. I wanted to make a couple of “planted“ areas and then open sand in the front/middle so I set up two pretty simple semi circles.

View attachment 823112View attachment 823113

Rocks were cleaned with a very quick bleach rinse and then boiled for 2 mins. Always scares me but i still do it once in awhile. If you plan to clean rocks by boiling do some research and have at least some idea of what rocks you have etc.

i used fluval plant soil substrate + eco complete “live” sand for whatever that was worth. I used a final layer of finer sand on top

View attachment 823114View attachment 823116View attachment 823117


I had some drift wood from a prior build and some more lake wood that was also boiled and sunk before eventually being added to tank.

plants ! I’ll have to come back and add for details. Last photo is pretty current. It now houses a clown pleco and my 5 angelfish. Snails abound but the angels keep them in check. I have had some challenges with algae but seem to be winning by adjusting the light8ng and decreasing feeding. (Angels are growing and always hungry)

hope this can inspire someone to try mix substrate and plants it’s not to bad !

I have 3- 55 gal tanks not being used cause of space area but I love
the concept of how you made your tank look great for the fish

 

So… plants are growing and fish are as well. So much so that aggression is starting. Im going to post something separate I think but if anyone sees this please feel free to throw in your thoughts.

full tank view - realized that one of the driftwood pieces on the left slipped after photo.



close up of cardinal plants - not sure why floating roots turned brown but it think it was red root floaters getting caught and decaying.



aggression
This seems to be the start of a pair, One I think is male top corner and then solo pic.





smaller Im not sure seems like a male, has started to chase and peck at all the others at least some. The large black one will also chase but mostly during feeding. The biggest platinum does put Itself between the others and the small one in the photo and they swim together. It does not get aggressive though just kind of shields and then swims away ..



Also something new is they are actively charging and trying to grab the pearl danios. I’ve had one jump and seen a couple come close to being grabbed. Hungr growing angels I guess.
im thinking that soon i will need to move some of the to other tanks as always thoughts feedback etc appreciated.

 

So… plants are growing and fish are as well. So much so that aggression is starting. Im going to post something separate I think but if anyone sees this please feel free to throw in your thoughts.

full tank view - realized that one of the driftwood pieces on the left slipped after photo.
View attachment 836227

close up of cardinal plants - not sure why floating roots turned brown but it think it was red root floaters getting caught and decaying.
View attachment 836231

aggression
This seems to be the start of a pair, One I think is male top corner and then solo pic.

View attachment 836229View attachment 836228

smaller Im not sure seems like a male, has started to chase and peck at all the others at least some. The large black one will also chase but mostly during feeding. The biggest platinum does put Itself between the others and the small one in the photo and they swim together. It does not get aggressive though just kind of shields and then swims away ..
View attachment 836230

Also something new is they are actively charging and trying to grab the pearl danios. I’ve had one jump and seen a couple come close to being grabbed. Hungr growing angels I guess.
im thinking that soon i will need to move some of the to other tanks as always thoughts feedback etc appreciated.

They look a bit small to be pairing yet, but if they are a pair you might have to separate them or the others. I have 6 large angelfish, I am starting to think they are all males as there has been no sign of pairing and I have had 4 of them for over a year and the other two for longer. They are always hungry but have never gone after smaller fish, I have neon tetras and pencilfish in that tank. The other day I even found three tiny pencilfish that must somehow have survived as fry hiding amongst all the plants. My angels are argumentative amongst themselves, sometimes more than others, but don't do any real damage yet. Just keep an eye on them and make sure no individual is getting picked on too much.

 

I thought they were a bit young to at 6 months .. maybe just safety in numbers. It used to be the large black one was only aggressor but as you said more just pushing around then damaging. Now they seem to be getting more feisty - they angle their bodies either below or direct above and then strike. Some time 2-3 quick strikes but usually just one at the danios. The infighting seems more pushing or pecking lots of posturing- fins out backing up from each other. Then alls good again. I’ll keep an eye on them for Sure.

 

So this build is kind of falling apart. The floating plants effectively wrecked the balance in the wrest of the tank is my theory. It changed light intensity and created huge shade that most of the plants could not handle … the cardinal plants all had the floating roots turn brown but the plants themselves are still strong. constant build up in the roots of floats so any time they were disturbed clouds of yuck floated out. The whole tank is back to having brown algae or diatoms everywhere. I also think my Fluval stratum is breaking up and making “dirt” particles float in the water, ohh and the roots that rot off the floaters get sucked down and clog my filter intake.

all in all unless I’m doing a specific no plants tank the floaters are going to me severely limited !

Lol it’s been a mess they also went through a small scare and got dosed with general cure,.. thought might had parasite.

Angels continue to grow and exhibit more adult behavior like jousting and holding territory a couple get real feisty at feeding.

water changes every 3/4 days for now will update a pic later. Cheers and any advice on reset after floaters ..

 

Sorry that you have been having issues with the tank. I find it hard to believe that the floaters are causing the problem though, I have them in all of my tanks, sometimes they get completely covered and the plants do fine (I don’t have any really demanding plants or any that need loads of light). Have you used any kind of fertiliser? And how long do you have the lights on each day?

 

The main plants effected were a hydro - i use root tabs in the sand and the soil parts are fluval stratum. I was using thrive as well. Lights 8 hours a day fluval 3.0 timer max % all spectrums peaks at 75% the problem was roots would collect… idk.

the vals died, a crypt is doing ok, a melon sword is barely alive above substrate, but i believe good roots.
the stratum sunstrate is messy does not help.
clown plecos are little but poop big does not help that i have 3 of them.

 

I think you might have too much light, maybe that is why you are getting the algae in the roots and diatoms. Maybe try reducing the intensity and try just 6 hours a day for a while.

 

I’ll post some photos.
All my tanks have some algae so all lights are going to 6 hours i I’ve reduced max intensity down to 75% in other tanks, algae is under “control” in most places and even in this tank it’s just this brown gunky that’s everywhere… multi water changes .. have a plan to move the pearl danios so that will lower the stocking. Maybe I can add sand over the stratum so the “dirt” is held down more. im Hesitant to reduce intensity as the floating plants are already blocking shadowing etc. idk maybe remove the, and then turn lights down ..

this one was going to go another direction but I’m going to have to rework and see. At least it’s just mostly ascetics. Fish are doing ok. As long as I’m on water changes Angels seem just hungry and the plecos are active even at times during the day.

I’ll get some photos maybe can identify it better idk thanks,for replus

 

Well here are some photos of what I’m dealing with. The hard scape is also,kind of falling apart in that the sand has shifted and many of the original rock piles have sunk … hard to explain but part of why my soil is getting places it shouldn’. You can kind of see in backgrounds not much algae on rocks etc none on drift wood cause clowns strip them regular.







cause it was showing off at itself lol! does not always fully extend ..and it’s not quite stretched all out the way but this one is da biggest. And has by far the widest fins

 

Maybe someone else can help here, but I would start by reducing the light and capping the soli with sand.

 

That’s where I’m going to start for sure. I hate to rebuild with the angels in the tank, but at some point here soon I at least need to pull out dead and replant the whole thing. I’ll try to add couple pounds of sand each water change for the next few as well. it was pretty when it started …got focused on other stuff I guess cause this one got out of hand.

 

It might be better to catch the angelfish and keep them in a bucket while you mess around with the tank.