New 55 has finally arrived

[elderberry99]

I finally got to set up my new 55 gallon freshwater aquarium yesterday.
After cleaning everything that will come into contact with the inside of the aquarium with warm water, I proceeded to install everything starting with my two air lines. Ornaments and gravel, then the heater and plants. Then goes in the two filters. I have it up and running right now. I have two more plants (artificial) coming to help hide the heater. As soon as I have everything balanced, I will begin to stock. While waiting to gather the order yesterday at the LFS, I spotted some of the prettiest Powder Blue Gouramies in a tank marked "HOLD". They were for one of the employees there. The owner said no problem and put my name on the tank and said the girl can always order more as she worked there. So now I already have 3 Powder Blues awaiting my tank. I had not even planned on them at all but seeing them swim around that tank, I could imagine them in mine and had to have them. The owner and I discussed what I had planned on as far as stocking the community tank, and he said no problem ordering what I wanted. He did suggest I wait for a while before placing the order so we know that the tank will be stable. I think the tank will do fine now. I am on my way at last.
The waiting part does not bother me because I sit here in the study and just look at th tank while it cycles. It is pretty just to look at it wothout fish. I can hardly wait to get some fish into it now.

[roark fishies]

R u planning a fishless cycle with pure ammonia (no fishies damaged or killed this way)? Or do you plan to cycle with fish? I would wait on the gouramies until the tank is fully cycled. You'll need hardier fish to cycle a tank with. Something else u may want to consider with gourmies: they are very aggressive with each other. It's best to keep just one to a tank. I didn't know that when I bought a flame dwarf and a regular looking dwarf. One killed the other quite quickly. Most people on MFT will give you the same advice on the gouramies.
Also, quick question- Got your test kits for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates? You won't know when the cycle is complete unless you can test your water. (And I wouldn't depend on the lfs to test your water for you. Better to bite the bullet and buy your own. You'll be testing ALOT while the tank cycles.)
Congratulations on your tank!!

[elderberry99]

I am doing a fishless cycle. I already have the API Master test kit for testing all the Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates as well as the PH levels.
As far as fish go, I have them on hold for me. I will not put anything in the tank until it has fully cycled.

[Lotus]

Congrats on getting the tank. I bet you're excited

[MadridKid]

Put some pics up if you can....is it a bowfront?

[elderberry99]

I am completely excited. The only thing missing is the Christmas Tree!!!
It is a rectangular tank. I do not care for the bow fronts. Never did. Don't ask why, because i just don't know. I think they distort somewhat with the curve. The wife just told me today that is the tank she may get now. Oh well!

[Kissyboots]

Originally Posted by elderberry99

I think they distort somewhat with the curve.

Very true. I can't tank pictures through the front of the fry tank cuz it's a curve. I have to take pictures through the sides...very annoying.

Gaaaaah, I'm so jealous. I want a 75g. Buah!!

[elderberry99]

My 55 is bringing back some great memories now that I have it set up. It was a lot of work washing the gravel, plants, heater, filters, ornaments and everything else that goes in that tank. But it's "all good"! I am really anxious to get the fish in it now!. We went out today and bought a Plecostomus for the wife's pond. What a monster he is already. We have to take him in during the winter months and the wife thought I would put him in my tank. No way I told her. I told her she would have to get another tank in the house before the winter. (Just another excuse to get another tank now).

[prgwin00]

I love our 55g. I wish we had the room for another one, or maybe even a bigger one. I am thinking of getting a 20 or 30g for my bedroom if I can make space. I want a tank I can put a few simi-aggressive fish in. I like angels and tiger barbs. Can they be together? I do know they can't be in my 55g without eating what is in there.


Anyway, contrats on the 55g. I hope you have a great time with it.

[Cichlid-Man]

Ok i'll say it.....i hate my 55. The dimensions really...they suck compared to a 75 or a 90. But its a decent size starter tank for sure. And for a community tank a winner, its when you get heavily into cichlids that you find the footprint sucks.

Congrats on the tank though, keep us updated!