55G Rescue/Journal

[GregBox]

Well my buddy's fifty five had a huge problem when the center support broke and the tank started to bulge and deform. Lucky he had another 55gallon not being used in the basement so we were able to swap out the tanks before he had a flood on his hands. We ended up painting the back of the tank blue with Kyrlon paint that bonds well to glass. While we were in the process of a complete re-haul he decided to change things up and go with two substrates, one being florimax black substrate and 30 pounds of white marine sand. In terms of stock he has a school of 2 neons, 3 emerald cories, platties, and krypts. The tank is planted but needs to grow out. Here are some pics of the process hopefully the water will clear up soon and I'll be able to get some better ones.

Here is the tank and the hardscape.

 

[GregBox]

Next we started to add the gravel and sand. We used a plastic non toxic poster board material we found at walmart.

 

[Newman]

great use of black and white substrates. how ever dont you think the sand will most likely mix with the black patches once the tank is filled up? sand does like to fly around...

Still a cool idea. what scene is he exactly going for? cuz its looking like an island so far. wonder what its gonna be eventually...

 

[GregBox]

We were very careful when we filled it up and actually put the python partially under the gravel to fill it up. I'm sure that there will be some mixing eventually, its to be expected from the loach and corys and pleco's sifting through it. And he actually described it as an island when we were talking about it and buying materials. I don't know if thats all to common an aquascape pattern as I only have my 29g planted and my roomate (unknownlaw) helps me out with most of my purchasing and planning. I do have some not so great pictures of it while he was planting to see how the mixed it got.

 

[Newman]

Lets see how all that clears in a few days, cuz i cant really see **** right now lol.

 

[unwritten law]

In terms of stock he has a school of 2 neons, 3 emerald cories, platties, and krypts.

**Kribs, not krypts

 

[kenny1tothe6]

^^ lol

When he said Krypts, I was thinking Crypts as in the plants...

 

[unwritten law]

Here are some update pictures.

 

[Newman]

awsome fishes! looks like the island idea didnt fly?

 

[ValRasbora]

great tank!! I love heavily planted, natural tanks. Awesome fish, too!

 

[unwritten law]

the island is just covered with hygro... its on the right side.