55 Gallon (slow) Build

I bought a new 55 gallon tank and started the build this weekend. It will be a slow one, as I can only dedicate major time on the weekends.

Started with the tank stand frame yesterday and will wrap and stain it next weekend.

Only things that are certain so far are the tank, fluval 406 filter and black background.

Everything else is up in the air including the stocking and plants!

Suggestions are more than welcome. I have harlequin rasboras, Angelfish, lamp eyes and a gbr in another tank so I want to change it up.

Here's the stand frame. I will update pics as I go (slowly)!

 

looks exciting! can't wait for the final outcome.

 

looks exciting! can't wait for the final outcome.

Me too wem. I see that your from Melbourne...I lived there for 6 months, incredible place!

 

(looks like this might be my own personal log)

Started to wrap the sides, top and bottom shelf in plywood.

 

wow, that looks amazing! Is plywood strong enough for the tank? and have you decided on stocking?

 

Plywood probably isn't even needed. All the weight will be dispersed on the 2x4's.

No ideas on stocking! Would love some opinions!

 

Looks great! Takes me back to when I built my stand for my 75. Was a very rewarding process

What kind of fish are you wanting? Any that strike your fancy?

 

Thanks tyguy. I'm thinking cichlids, not sure if 55 gallon is quite enough for them and I do love a community tank. I have a 46 g community tank with tetras rasboras, cories, clown pleco x2, Angelfish, gbr. Looking to change it up a bit. Maybe barbs?

 

Thanks tyguy. I'm thinking cichlids, not sure if 55 gallon is quite enough for them and I do love a community tank. I have a 46 g community tank with tetras rasboras, cories, clown pleco x2, Angelfish, gbr. Looking to change it up a bit. Maybe barbs?

You could try some kuhlI loaches, angels, of if you are brave enough, a sorrority?

 

american or african? Any kind of cichlids strike your fancy? you have a lot of options in a 55. Would you like a large singular fish with dithers and bottom dwellers all around or a few medium sized fish with dithers and such?

Here's a couple ideas...

1 Blood Parrot/EB Jack Dempsey
3-5 Marbled Hoplo Cats/12-15 Aeneus cory Cats/3 multipunctatus synos
8 Lemon Tetras
8 Diamond Tetras

2 Sajica/EB Acara
2 Rainbow Cichlids
10 Cherry Barbs
10 Harlequin Rasboras
3-5 Marbled Hoplo Cats/12-15 Aeneus cory Cats/3 multipunctatus synos

 

Are you going to paint it?

 

american or african? Any kind of cichlids strike your fancy? you have a lot of options in a 55. Would you like a large singular fish with dithers and bottom dwellers all around or a few medium sized fish with dithers and such?

Here's a couple ideas...

1 Blood Parrot/EB Jack Dempsey
3-5 Marbled Hoplo Cats/12-15 Aeneus cory Cats/3 multipunctatus synos
8 Lemon Tetras
8 Diamond Tetras

2 Sajica/EB Acara
2 Rainbow Cichlids
10 Cherry Barbs
10 Harlequin Rasboras
3-5 Marbled Hoplo Cats/12-15 Aeneus cory Cats/3 multipunctatus synos

Great questions.

I'm leaning towards a few medium + dithers. Just starting research on cichlids so have no real preference on region. I do love the look/colors of Africans but also think you had great American suggestions in your post.

I'm in no major rush as I have another 5 gallon and 10 gallon build going on at the same time.

Will browse the forum and Google for some cichlid advice.

Thanks tyguy! Love those lists

 

Are you going to paint it?

Yes, far from finished right now. I'm going to add a front panel with cabinets and will stain the stand. Not sure on color yet. Probably black or a weathered gray stain.

 

tyguy7760 can I swap out hoplos for pictus?

 

You'll have to do a bit of research. Pictus will need to be in groups and I believe they get a bit larger than the marbled hoplos. And if I'm not mistaken they can be predatory so I wouldn't feel safe putting small fish like rasboras and cherry barbs in there with them. But you may want to check on that. seriouslyfish would be a good starting point.

 

Alright so I added some minor trim work to spruce it up a bit. Also made the cabinet doors and trimmed them as well. Rain kept me from staining today, hopefully can get to it tomorrow.

 

Got one coat of stain on today. Think I'm gonna leave it just like this, I'm liking the worn look. Might add a water resistant poly.

Next I will attach the doors and add the hardware.

It's getting there!

 

Nice pick on color!

 

I really like the color of the stand!

 

Thanks Neptune and herkimur. I was nervous that it'd be too light but think it came out great.

 

Looks great!

 

Alrighty, three weeks later...

Finally got the cabinet doors on. Still no poly coat on it...please chime in if you think it's necessary...I'm leaning towards yes, for some water resistance.

 

Stand looks great! Poly is definitely a big plus for water protection, since it's going to get wet! No matter what you do it will get water dripped on it constantly!

 

The stand looks great! I've been back and forth on building my own but looking at your photos I really like what you've done! I can see myself being much happier with the results of my own efforts after seeing the steps you took. Thank you!

Love the stand color and agree definitely poly to help keep it nice through the water drips and spills!

 

Looking great so far! And I love the room.

 

The stand looks great! I've been back and forth on building my own but looking at your photos I really like what you've done! I can see myself being much happier with the results of my own efforts after seeing the steps you took. Thank you!

Love the stand color and agree definitely poly to help keep it nice through the water drips and spills!

Thank you! It's a very rewarding process. I consider myself handy, but have never really built anything like this. I highly recommend giving it a go!

 

Looking great so far! And I love the room.

Thanks Geoff! That's my basement. Just painted it recently...ironically the paint is called "Under Sea"

 

Poly is a must like mentioned above I have carpet in my basement where my tanks are.Anytime you put your arms and hands in the tank you are gonna get drips.I use one of them boot trays that`s for putting wet and snowy boots on .When I am about to do anything in my tanks I just put it in front of that area and the drip land on the tray instead of the carpet also keep a small towel ready to wipe the stand and glass dry.

 

Looks great man!

 

Thanks Geoff! That's my basement. Just painted it recently...ironically the paint is called "Under Sea"

Very appropriate!

I plan to refinish my basement and put some big tanks down there. Someday...

 

What a nice turn out on your stand; motivate me to want to DIY !

 

Alright...tank is all poly'd up (3 coats)...

Got the sand washed and in the tank and filled with water! It's getting real now

Not set on the driftwood, it's just in there soaking. 3 interesting pieces just not sure how they go together yet.







Bonus pics...




10 gallon rescaped




New 29 gallon...cycling




I've got myself a fish room going!

 

You've inspired me to start some serious thinking about refinishing my basement so I can get some big tanks down there. I even started a thread about it the other night haha.

 

Geoff, I'm sitting here looking at a fishless tank (actually 2) and thinking, $#!* if I lose the chair, I could get an 8 footer...

 

Who needs chairs?!

 

Just move it to the middle and turn it to face the right footer! Or put it on a swivel and turn to view all tanks!

 

Alright folks, cycle is complete and planting has begun!

Probably will do some tinkering with the driftwood and will do lots more low/medium light plants. Maybe put some rocks in too.







Now my ongoing, internal debate on what to stock needs to come to an end.

All suggestions on scape and stock are welcome!

 

More plants...

And first fish acclimating as we speak! I decided to just temperature acclimate as I've been reading a lot on the subject.

12 black ruby barbs!

 

Barbs are in and adjusting well.

 

Added Amazon swords and cryptocoryne undulata red. It's coming together!

Debating going high tech to keep these plants flourishing. I've never dabbled in co2 though.

All comments welcome!