Any ideas for my planted 55 gallon

Hi everyone. So I am fairly new to the hobby and just upgraded to a 55 gallon. I have 6 peppered cories, 3 panda cories, and a honey Gourami. I want my final stocking to be all of those, 3 more pandas, 10 harlequin rasboras, 12 rummy nose, and maybe one angel (scared about aggression). I need help with decorating!! I am not very happy with it right now. The ship is not staying, I used it for seeding the tank. Do you have any suggestions? I need cover for my cories and my honey Gourami, what should I get? I want to keep the natural planted look. I have sand, and ideas on what plants I could get, I really want to make this look luscious with plants, so easy to grow plants are welcomed. Thanks everyone.

Forgot to attach a picture of my tank. Also the media bag and sponge filter in the front won’t be staying. (Used for seeding)

 

livebearer fish platys

get a fancy one with bright colors. They are very peaceful and eyecatching

 

livebearer fish platys

I am looking more for decorative ideas, as my stocking list is pretty set. But thanks for that suggestion!

 

jiorio1216

Nice start, I would add a nice piece of driftwood or spider wood along with some slate pieces or rocks. Then "Patience" and watch it grow.

Good Luck!

 

Nice, I like the ship in there! Could do with a few more plants and rocks tho

 

jiorio1216

Nice start, I would add a nice piece of driftwood or spider wood along with some slate pieces or rocks. Then "Patience" and watch it grow.

Good Luck!

Definitely thinking about driftwood...but doesn’t that affect PH. Being that I already have fish, I have heard that affecting the PH could hurt fish and it is better to keep stable. Is it okay to add one in?

 

Definitely thinking about driftwood...but doesn’t that affect PH

I have not experienced any lowering of pH. Possibly due to the fact, I boil for a few hours or keep the driftwood in 5gal buckets for a few days/weeks until the water is mostly clear of tannins.

Good Luck!

 

I have not experienced any lowering of pH. Possibly due to the fact, I boil for a few hours or keep the driftwood in 5gal buckets for a few days/weeks until the water is mostly clear of tannins.

Good Luck!

Can I ask where you got your driftwood...I am struggling finding any. What’s normal pricing for driftwood? I want a fairly big piece for my 55 gallon.

 

I have purchased mine at LFS not the Big "P" stores. And every year when I visit my son in Michigan I always stop at
Home - Moby Dick Pet Store, Inc.
Picked these up last trip: $11 and $13




Best assortment and prices.

Good Luck!