What do you think of my new tank?

[terd ferguson]

This is my newly set up 55 gallon (48" long x 12" wide x 20" tall). It has 3M Colr Quartz in black T grade for substrate. Mechanical and bio filtration is accomplished with an Emperor 400 and a soon to arrive Emperor 280. Two Penguin 1140 powerheads move water and make bubbles while adding a little mechanical filtration. A Neptune 300 watt heater keeps the water at just the right temperature. Lighting is from a Home Depot 48" shop type light with two Sylvania 40 watt 6500k bulbs.

The big rocks are North Carolina slate. Driftwood on the left is african Mopani root (I boiled this for almost a week and it still leached tannins). On the right is regular driftwood with some java moss that was almost dead from being out of water (I hope it comes back). Other decorations include antique amber poison bottle, old 7UP bottle, and old medicine bottle.

I have three tetras and a gourami in there now cycling the tank. This tank will soon house 6 or so Cichlasoma Grammodes. I'll probably order them in about week. The water is a little cloudy now, I just added the sand last night. It should clear up in a day or two.

With flash.

Without flash.

So, what do you guys and gals think? I'm open to all comments, crtitcism, compliments, ramblings, whatever. I'd just like to get some feedback. Thanks for looking and thanks again for this great forum.

 

[terd ferguson]

10 views and nobody has anything to say? Does it suck that bad?

 

[CichlidAddict]

It looks good except for the bottles. They make it look trashy. I'd take them out and add another plant on the left side of the tank.
By the way, male grammodes can be little bastards.

 

[---XR---]

looks good, GL with the grammy's

 

[dragonfish]

I don't care for the bottle decor either, but it's not my tank. If you like it and are happy with the look, then it's all good. The decorating is done well, just not my thing. And top off the tank.

 

[terd ferguson]

And top off the tank.

I did that just after taking the pictures. I had to remove some water last night when adding the sand.

And I know some people don't like bottles. That's ok. I've already taken out the 7UP bottle, but I think the other two will stay for now.

I will have more anubias later today. The local Thailand fish store is sometimes closed unexpectedly during normal business hours (like yesterday when I went to buy plants, lol.).

 

[Newt]

I liked the bottles, made the tank look different.

 

[davo]

LOL and im not a fan of the bottle. Each to their own i guess.

 

[Peanut_Power]

Cool beans man!!! I have a bottle in one of my community tanks. Its a really small, scaled down coke bottle....looks kinda cool. Its covered in algae though, so it gives it a more natural look. Normally though, its all rocks, driftwood, and plants for me!! WOOT!!

Looking great man!! How come you want to go with grammodes? Have you looked at Rapps stock list? There are so many options for you! Crazy kewl!!

 

[terd ferguson]

Cool beans man!!! I have a bottle in one of my community tanks. Its a really small, scaled down coke bottle....looks kinda cool. Its covered in algae though, so it gives it a more natural look. Normally though, its all rocks, driftwood, and plants for me!! WOOT!!

Looking great man!! How come you want to go with grammodes? Have you looked at Rapps stock list? There are so many options for you! Crazy kewl!!

I decided on the grammodes because of their aggressiveness and size (they won't outgrow the 55). And I like the way they look. From what I can tell, they're the next best thing to a dovii (which I also like very much, but don't have the tank space for).