Slowly Upgrading 55 To 75 Gallon

Water change on the 55 done! Dosed Thrive (2 pumps) and also added 2 crypt balansae. I think that’s how it is spelled. Also sprayed the one piece of driftwood down with H2O2 and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Rinsed it off in dirty tank water. So hopefully that kills the BBA. If not I can do it again next week.

The whole tank




A close up of most of one new crypt

 

The crypt looks healthy just like the black neons!

 

Oh winter hasn’t started yet! We’ve had cold weather and a wee bit of snow but no winter. Temperatures about 40* high to 20* low.

Pretty much the same here. Just windy during the day making it feel even colder.

 

I have crypt balansae in my 75 g. Really like it and like other crypts, it will send out runners and spread although slowly in a non CO/ tank.
I’m going plant shopping today as I really need to fill out my one 40 b and my northern LFS has balansae in stock.
They also have more brilliant rasboras so I want to get another 6 (if they look good of course!) to make a school of 12 in that tank.

 

RollaPear. Thanks! I’ve had those guys for over a year. My LFS usually is good at having healthy plants and fish. And if sick catching it quickly.

Dave125g. Windy sucks. Gonna be better this week temperature wise at least. Oh! Am considering CO2 for 75. I’ve started research.

Basil. I’m hoping when I transfer them they stay, or at least come back. So far the only plant that has become multiple crypt wise is my old lutea. I thought it was just bushy, nope! It’s about 9 plants!!! I can’t buy anymore plants. Hehe.

Ok guys. I’m thinking of getting more Angelfish. Azriaphele is chasing Crowley quite a bit. Crowley just runs away and doesn’t defend himself at all. But then they hang out together and pal around and such. So maybe having more will help out.

This is my crypt lutea plantS!

 

Love your angelfish names! I just stayed watching Good Omens. Love David Tennant!

 

Love your angelfish names! I just stayed watching Good Omens. Love David Tennant!

YES!!! Someone gets it! Of course I did go by color with which Angelfish got which name. I love that show!

 

So found a person recommended by Bizaliz3. So trustworthy in my book. She is willing to send me 6 Angelfish in January. And by then the 75 will be set up! These pictures are from google. Right now thinking one of each if available. Then an extra pinoy.

Pinoy paraiba




Blue Smokey




Blue zebra




Blue leopard




Blue ghost

 

Wow! They are all gorgeous!!

 

Wow! They are all gorgeous!!

They are! I can’t choose just a group of one or two. And so far I’m able to get a whole combo. Hehehe.

 

They are! I can’t choose just a group of one or two. And so far I’m able to get a whole combo. Hehehe.

Those are beautiful!!! The polka dot one is definitely drifters the! (I’ve never seen one like that in any of my lfs)

what ph and temp do you keep them at?

 

This is what Beckies blue leopards look like. The polka dot looking leopards tend to lose the polka dotted appearance with age.

A leopard is genetically a smokey zebra.

 

Blondeath. They are! I haven’t seen any like this at my LFS. Usually they have koi, gold marble, and I’ve seen pearlscales and marbles there too. My pH is 7.2 and the tank temperature is 79*

bizaliz3. You mean I could get spots on the fins???? Woot!!

 

This is what Beckies blue leopards look like. The polka dot looking leopards tend to lose the polka dotted appearance with age.

A leopard is genetically a smokey zebra.

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Wow it’s still gorgeous! I wish I could keep angels! My ph is 8.2! Way too high.
Just beautiful!

jenmur you’ll have to post photos once you get them!!

 

Wow it’s still gorgeous! I wish I could keep angels! My ph is 8.2! Way too high.
Just beautiful!

jenmur you’ll have to post photos once you get them!!

Oh yeah! I love the cluster of spots on her tail!! I think you can keep them in high pH. If they are acclimated. You just can’t breed them I think?
Oh I will be posting photos when I get them

 

So my LFS has a CO2 system they carry. It’s a full set up. I’m thinking with the Ludwiga Repens red, Red Rubin sword, and the crypt flamingo that maybe I’ll do it in the 75. I’ll have to save up the extra money for it so if I do it probably won’t be until summer. Gotta save up money and research. This is the system at my LFS.




Was told start at one bubble per second and they showed me where the bubble count place was in their tank. And the tank could be filled at DICKS sporting goods which there is one by them and Petco and one by Petsmart and Walmart on the other side of town.

 

Supports are being put in for the 75 as we speak! We will need to make sure the tank is level of course, but then I can buy the heaters (since I can’t take them out of the 55 and my friend will need those anyways). Then I buy sand and more media for canister filters.

 

Ok. Supports are in!! Now gotta clear out the stuff being stored in the 75 gallon. Most of it will either go in basement (quarantine stuff) or under betta tanks. Then I gotta buy sand, media, and heaters.

 

Ok. Supports are in!! Now gotta clear out the stuff being stored in the 75 gallon. Most of it will either go in basement (quarantine stuff) or under betta tanks. Then I gotta buy sand, media, and heaters.

So close! Can’t wait to see it setup!

 

Yay! Big hurdle. You will LOVE the 75 gallon size much better. That extra 6" in width makes a big difference.

 

Blondeath. Oh my goodness neither can I!! Oh yeah gotta make sure it’s level. I’ve shoved it around some this past year.

tfreema. Yeppers! I can’t wait!. I’m already loving it more since my driftwood and plants will be much easier. And I’ll be more inclined to vacuum all over because the futon won’t be in my way. I’m hoping that a Petco has sand when I go this weekend. Hoping to order my heaters next week.

 

Blondeath. Oh my goodness neither can I!! Oh yeah gotta make sure it’s level. I’ve shoved it around some this past year.

tfreema. Yeppers! I can’t wait!. I’m already loving it more since my driftwood and plants will be much easier. And I’ll be more inclined to vacuum all over because the futon won’t be in my way. I’m hoping that a Petco has sand when I go this weekend. Hoping to order my heaters next week.

Do you already have the 75 gallon I forget and can’t find it in the thread!

 

Do you already have the 75 gallon I forget and can’t find it in the thread!

I do! I’ve had it for a year I think? I can go back in my photos and find out. I’ll take a picture of it when I get home tonight to visit. Hehehe.

Hey this is my tank and stand. As you can tell, things need to find a new home. Most likely in the betta tank tables or in basement. It’s a Seapora tank.

 

I do! I’ve had it for a year I think? I can go back in my photos and find out. I’ll take a picture of it when I get home tonight to visit. Hehehe.

Hey this is my tank and stand. As you can tell, things need to find a new home. Most likely in the betta tank tables or in basement. It’s a Seapora tank.

I can’t view the photo! Seapora... I remember you mentioning that now!

 

Blondeath. Let me try again. Sigh.




Am going to try to see if it’s level this week. And perhaps start buying sand and media this weekend. Heaters perhaps tonight! Off of Chewy!!

 

Yay it worked! It looks good! What sand are you going to go with this time? Are you doing 2 300w heaters?

 

Yay it worked! It looks good! What sand are you going to go with this time? Are you doing 2 300w heaters?

Weird. But glad it worked this time. Yeah I’m gonna do two 300w pictures. Rather get more powerful heaters to make sure temperatures can be held. Though I’m sure they will be fine. Just regular black aquarium sand.

Heaters are on their way. I’m guessing they will be here Saturday. Squee!! My husband is going to our fixer upper to pick up a leveler to make sure tank is good and he said he’ll work on that this week. I’m pet sitting so not really home except for an evening visit to feed the fish.
Gotta check out Petco and Petsmart for black sand, hopefully in big bags. And hit up the LFS for media. And a light.
Gotta plan for the inevitable moving of the plants. Hoping that works. And then the draining of the tank so I can utilize multiple bad words while catching my fish. Especially my cories and Banana.

 

Heaters are on their way. I’m guessing they will be here Saturday. Squee!! My husband is going to our fixer upper to pick up a leveler to make sure tank is good and he said he’ll work on that this week. I’m pet sitting so not really home except for an evening visit to feed the fish.
Gotta check out Petco and Petsmart for black sand, hopefully in big bags. And hit up the LFS for media. And a light.
Gotta plan for the inevitable moving of the plants. Hoping that works. And then the draining of the tank so I can utilize multiple bad words while catching my fish. Especially my cories and Banana.

View attachment 637736

View attachment 637737

Your cories look huge!!
Banana is looking good!

 

Why are you not using black diamond blasting sand on this one?

 

Why are you not using black diamond blasting sand on this one?

I was wondering this too!

 

Blondeath. Thanks! The light was rather bright for Banana pictures. Hehe. Yeah I got a couple big cories!

tfreema. Well, when I washed the sand for the 55 it was warm out. And I didn’t know how much work it would take to wash the BDBS. Now it’s cold and I don’t wanna bend over a bucket for 4 hours to wash sand. I’d rather pay a little more for aquarium sand and be in pain after washing BDBS.

 

HA! Got tank mostly cleaned out. That little container holds the remotes to the light. I’ll figure out what to do with it.




Planning on cleaning tank by end of weekend, hopefully tomorrow actually. Gonna buy a Fennix planted plus light for it next week when they come into the store. And I’m gonna start hunting down sand this weekend as well.

 

Are you going to paint the back of the tank black?

 

Are you going to paint the back of the tank black?

Nope. Just gonna leave plain. It’s more work and I don’t notice the stuff I use in my 55 gallon and it’s not painted.

 

Yay!! I have 90lbs of black sand now! 40lbs from Petco and 50lbs from Petsmart. I can always buy more if I need to. Just gave the 75 it’s first wipe down. Needs another but I need my husbands help cuz I can’t reach the very back bottom of the tank.

 

Are you planning one or two lights for this tank? I thought about upgrading to a 75 when we moved but I was worried I’d need a second light to help with the spread.

 

Are you planning one or two lights for this tank? I thought about upgrading to a 75 when we moved but I was worried I’d need a second light to help with the spread.

I’m going to at least start out with one light. I’m hoping that will be enough. If it’s not I can always get another.
Gonna hopefully make sure tank is level this weekend. Also give it the 2nd wipe down. Mostly because I need my husband to reach the back bottom of the tank. I’m just short enough and my arms just short enough I can’t really reach to get in good. Hehehe.

 

I’m going to at least start out with one light. I’m hoping that will be enough. If it’s not I can always get another.
Gonna hopefully make sure tank is level this weekend. Also give it the 2nd wipe down. Mostly because I need my husband to reach the back bottom of the tank. I’m just short enough and my arms just short enough I can’t really reach to get in good. Hehehe.

Get a utility ladder. You will need it for scaping and pruning plants in the back.

Also, the bag on top says gravel. Is it gravel or sand?

This is the ladder I use for my taller tanks. Actually for my 75g, I just use a small step stool. I am short at 5’ myself.

 

Get a utility ladder. You will need it for scaping and pruning plants in the back.

Also, the bag on top says gravel. Is it gravel or sand?

This is the ladder I use for my taller tanks. Actually for my 75g, I just use a small step stool. I am short at 5’ myself.
View attachment 638264

Ohh! Good idea, thank you! I think we have a small ladder thing already. Bwah ha ha ha! My fingertips bbaaarrreelllyyyy reach the back bottom. So close! Hehehe.
It’s sand. I think all the bags just say gravel. I double checked at the store. And if I need more sand I’ll just grab small 5lb bags.
Hehe. I’m 5’2”.

 

Well I'm 9 inch taller in have long arms but still can't reach the bottom of my 75 without a strain.

I have a sort of johnny mop made for fish tanks that I used to get down in the bottom corners.

Nope. Just gonna leave plain. It’s more work and I don’t notice the stuff I use in my 55 gallon and it’s not painted.

I think most fish are more comfortable in a tank where the back is dark. Or maybe this is just something that I read & now believe for no good reason.

I have had tanks both ways though.

I do prefer to paint them but I have a 5 gallon betta tank unpainted so that little Zed can look out the window.

My outdoor tank is now covered with styrofoam on all six sides. I only open it for a few hours during the day when I feed the fish.

I guess I get a Big Thrill out of these experiments.