So I recently bought a fish tank at Petsmart the other day... my boyfriend and I went there to buy crickets for our Chameleon and Bearded Dragon when a beautiful display caught my eye ? When I saw the sale price, it was a done deal, even though I know how much of an investment ? Tanks can be 
I ended up getting the 60 gallon tank (48" x 12" x 24") which is the biggest tank I would have owned thus far. I did some research before making my millionth trip to Petsmart, Petco, Pets Supply Plus, and Pets Valu ??? and found that the most recommended filter was the "AquaClear Cycle Guard Power Filter 110"
So far I am really impressed with it! It cleared up my substrate in less than 48 hours and sounds like a subtle, soothing, quiet waterfall ?
I also like the fact that the water has to filter through 3 different cycles of foam, carbon, and bio max before filtering back into the aquarium... not to mention the filters are re-usable for sometime before having to be replaced, so that's a money saver ??
The only reason I went with the "Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater 200w" is because I had a coupon -- so far I am not having any issues, it sort of sticks out like a sore thumb but it does the job nicely.
In the past I have had as many as 19 tanks at once (I get kind of obsessive) which had included a salt water reef, fresh water, crawfish, goldfish, sharks and eels, and African Cichlids... just to name a few ? My favorite project was the African Cichilds so I knew that is what I wanted to bring into this tank. Now I know they prefer rocks, but I have always wanted to do the "sunken ship" display, so I thought now was the time to do it. I was very particular in the ship I chose to make sure there would still be plenty of hiding spaces.
With this in mind, I wanted to make sure there was aquatic plants not only for hiding and snacking, but also for a nice visual as well. I have a few Java Ferns and thick leaved Anubias which I have throughout the tank and on the sides in very cool glass suction cupped plant holders "Tfwadmx Plant Pot Aquarium Decor Aquatic Plant Cup". I thought it would also be cool to try and grow my own aquatic plants, although I'm sure they won't thrive -- I also bought Aponogeton bulbs for the Cichlids to snack on as well. One of the bulbs are already sprouting! Yay! ? The "Aqueon LED OptiBright Plus Light Fixture" was ideal for the aquatic plants since it gives off both the Blue and Red RGBs. The fact that you can have all 3 light elements on at once is really nice and gives it a nice visual effect, but I am going to buy a timer because I accidentally left it on too long and some of the plants are not looking too great in a few spots.
As of right now I have 3 bubblers in place, (2) Pawfly 2" Crazy Air Stone Bubble Ball Diffusers -- which I am not crazy about since the bubbles still only come out of the one side, I could have easily made the same effect with a regular air stone -- and (1) 48" Penn Plax Bendable Bubble Wall Air Diffuser -- which despite the iffy reviews, actually works pretty well and has a nice alternating effect on the back wall of the tank. I was recommended to get the "Tetra Whisper Air Pump AP150 for Deep Water Applications" as my air pump, which I have to admit, is most quieter than most. It does only come with one outlet, so I did buy a 4-way water valve regardless.
And finally... I also bought a digital touch screen aquarium thermometer that will blink repeatedly if the temperature is above or below my set range, because hey... why not?
So as I was saying earlier, I wanted to go with the "Sunken Ship" feel since it was something I have not done before. I fell in love with the color and size of one in particular after looking at multiple shops and multiple ships, and my boyfriend helped me with the rest of the placements like broken barrels and faux drift wood to look like debris from the ship. What I was most impressed with were these underwater naval sea minds I found on Amazon ? They were a little pricey and the company only had 3 available, but I am so happy I bought them all. We staggered them around the aquarium putting one in each section at different heights to give it some dimension. Overall, I am really happy with how it came out and thankfully I tested the water and everything (i.e. pH, dGH, NH2/NH4, NO2. NO3) is all where it should be! It is ready to go for these little guys to come home to ?
<P.S.> I usually do try to shop locally from mom & pop pet stores, but unfortunately because of the Quarantine there were none open for me to explore. I am new to the area as well so I hope once everything is lifted I will be able to find some great local gems
Please let me know what you think of the tank and any advice you may have ??
I ended up getting the 60 gallon tank (48" x 12" x 24") which is the biggest tank I would have owned thus far. I did some research before making my millionth trip to Petsmart, Petco, Pets Supply Plus, and Pets Valu ??? and found that the most recommended filter was the "AquaClear Cycle Guard Power Filter 110"
So far I am really impressed with it! It cleared up my substrate in less than 48 hours and sounds like a subtle, soothing, quiet waterfall ?
I also like the fact that the water has to filter through 3 different cycles of foam, carbon, and bio max before filtering back into the aquarium... not to mention the filters are re-usable for sometime before having to be replaced, so that's a money saver ??
The only reason I went with the "Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater 200w" is because I had a coupon -- so far I am not having any issues, it sort of sticks out like a sore thumb but it does the job nicely.
In the past I have had as many as 19 tanks at once (I get kind of obsessive) which had included a salt water reef, fresh water, crawfish, goldfish, sharks and eels, and African Cichlids... just to name a few ? My favorite project was the African Cichilds so I knew that is what I wanted to bring into this tank. Now I know they prefer rocks, but I have always wanted to do the "sunken ship" display, so I thought now was the time to do it. I was very particular in the ship I chose to make sure there would still be plenty of hiding spaces.
With this in mind, I wanted to make sure there was aquatic plants not only for hiding and snacking, but also for a nice visual as well. I have a few Java Ferns and thick leaved Anubias which I have throughout the tank and on the sides in very cool glass suction cupped plant holders "Tfwadmx Plant Pot Aquarium Decor Aquatic Plant Cup". I thought it would also be cool to try and grow my own aquatic plants, although I'm sure they won't thrive -- I also bought Aponogeton bulbs for the Cichlids to snack on as well. One of the bulbs are already sprouting! Yay! ? The "Aqueon LED OptiBright Plus Light Fixture" was ideal for the aquatic plants since it gives off both the Blue and Red RGBs. The fact that you can have all 3 light elements on at once is really nice and gives it a nice visual effect, but I am going to buy a timer because I accidentally left it on too long and some of the plants are not looking too great in a few spots.
As of right now I have 3 bubblers in place, (2) Pawfly 2" Crazy Air Stone Bubble Ball Diffusers -- which I am not crazy about since the bubbles still only come out of the one side, I could have easily made the same effect with a regular air stone -- and (1) 48" Penn Plax Bendable Bubble Wall Air Diffuser -- which despite the iffy reviews, actually works pretty well and has a nice alternating effect on the back wall of the tank. I was recommended to get the "Tetra Whisper Air Pump AP150 for Deep Water Applications" as my air pump, which I have to admit, is most quieter than most. It does only come with one outlet, so I did buy a 4-way water valve regardless.
And finally... I also bought a digital touch screen aquarium thermometer that will blink repeatedly if the temperature is above or below my set range, because hey... why not?
So as I was saying earlier, I wanted to go with the "Sunken Ship" feel since it was something I have not done before. I fell in love with the color and size of one in particular after looking at multiple shops and multiple ships, and my boyfriend helped me with the rest of the placements like broken barrels and faux drift wood to look like debris from the ship. What I was most impressed with were these underwater naval sea minds I found on Amazon ? They were a little pricey and the company only had 3 available, but I am so happy I bought them all. We staggered them around the aquarium putting one in each section at different heights to give it some dimension. Overall, I am really happy with how it came out and thankfully I tested the water and everything (i.e. pH, dGH, NH2/NH4, NO2. NO3) is all where it should be! It is ready to go for these little guys to come home to ?
<P.S.> I usually do try to shop locally from mom & pop pet stores, but unfortunately because of the Quarantine there were none open for me to explore. I am new to the area as well so I hope once everything is lifted I will be able to find some great local gems
Please let me know what you think of the tank and any advice you may have ??
