Pentagon Semi-planted Tank Setup (with Pics)

I bought this tank on a popular "get rid of your unwanted junk" app.

It is a pentagon 49 gal tank and stand. I should have steered clear but I like the end result I came up with.

3 months ago is when I acquired the tank. It was apparently leaking towards the top. I had no clue and the seller didn't share this info. I just thought they were lazy and weren't keeping it clean and filled properly.






I had to completely remove all the old caulking. First tank I have ever re-sealed. By the way, there are no videos on how to do this with a pentagon tank. Probably because it is a freakin pain in the rear.


So I took the time to do it properly from the many videos I watched on other regular tanks. It took about a week of off and on work to complete it. Afterwards it sat for 2 weeks with water in it to make sure I didn't have any leaks. Not a drop spilled. Super proud of myself btw.

I took my time gathering supplies as I threw out all the equipment that came along with the setup. Fast forward 3 months. I got a wild hair today and decided today was the day. I have been soaking manzanita for at least a month and a half. It was time.

I have been plotting my strategy in my mind since I got the tank. But today I was going to do it. So I started with seeing how I wanted everything set.




Nope. That's not it.




I like this better.

I had decided on fluval shrimp friendly stratum and pea-pebble river rock. The rock would go in the middle where the cardboard is and the fluval on the outer parts.






Placed some ugly rocks under the stratum so my nice rocks won't sink.

Manzanita bases buried in the back corner. I started filling it up. Using a small plate sitting on the gravel and a bowl on top of that. Slowly at first. Water never got cloudy. YAY! So far the process has been, time consuming, but really smooth. It's been super fun. Please forgive the wires. I will definitely be getting those hidden. I've yet to find a backdrop that I like. (I left plenty of room to work between the wall and the tank)

So here is what I ended up with. I'm very proud of my second tank and first all natural set up.

Let me know what you think.

 

Worlds better - wonderful improvement! You should be proud.

 

Thank you!

 

Wow you really know what you're doing. Definitely scored on the free tank

 

I wish the tank was free. I'm actually a little embarrassed at how much I paid for it considering everything that was wrong with it. But it was a great learning experience!

Thanks for the compliment! I really appreciate it!

 

I love how the light looks blue. So pretty! And the river rock looks like the Yellow Brick Road from "The Wizard of Oz" and I love "The Wizard of Oz".

 

Thank you! A friend commented how it reminded them of the wizard of oz as well.

 

That looks fantastic! What are you planning on stocking in it?

 

Thank you! Not sure yet about fish. Since I have had some people liken it to the wizard of oz I may theme the fish after the main characters from that or Wicked.

I am leaning towards small fish though. I feel like the scale demands smaller fish.

 

Thank you! Not sure yet about fish. Since I have had some people liken it to the wizard of oz I may theme the fish after the main characters from that or Wicked.

I am leaning towards small fish though. I feel like the scale demands smaller fish.

I love "Wicked", too!

 

I love "Wicked", too!

Maybe get fish that are the main colors of the characters or their clothes. Like something blue and white for Dorothy, something silver for the Tin Man, something tan with other colors for the Scarecrow, something brown for the Lion, and something black and green for Elphaba (ever since the first time I saw "Wicked" sometimes I just can't call her "The Wicked Witch of the West" or "The Wicked Witch". I suppose I could call her "The Witch", but I usually forget about that option lol).

 

Wow, this set up is beautiful!

 

THANKYOU

 

I decided against theming the tank. I put in some serpae tetras and a pair of golden ram cichlids. I want a couple more but adding slowly.

 

Post pics when you are ready!