Tropical Fish Forums

[Nova_C]

Hey! Long time, Aquahobby! How've you guys been?

My aquarium has been in a dormant state for about two years (As has this account here), but I've decided it's time for an old fashioned resurrection! I've been thinking about it for a while, but when I saw a local pet store selling Fluval 205 filters for 50% off I figured it was time. Bought two of them (55 gallons is too much for one, but two is better than a 405, not to mention having some measure of failsafe) and I've begun the cycling process. Here's my blank canvas:



Well, almost blank. I have a thing for building caves out of the lava rock, I guess. Anyway, I'm going to be using live plants (Mostly Anubias since they're tougher'n hell and require almost nothing) and while at the pet store the other day I saw they had tiny little Bristlenose Plecos and Pictus Catfish, so I plan on getting two Bristlenose and four Pictus once the cycle is done.

I may even pick up a little 5 gallon and get a betta for once. Never had one.

PS. If Number6 is still around, hey man! 'Sup?
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Nova's Razor: The stupidest explanation is probably the correct one.

[farmgirl]

Welcome back... I've also been gone for a couple of years but not out of the aquarium scene at home. I am finally setting up my 135 gln. that's literally been sitting in our living room for three years.

I couldn't get my old name to work so I started over - I used to be 'Cinder'.

I'm anxious to see what you do with your tank.

[Marcos Avila]

Welcome back both of you!
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Success with a fish/tank is measured in YEARS, not months or weeks...

[Nova_C]

There is a very fluffy white fuzz growing on my driftwood. Uh...hm. I don't think my aquarium is safe for fish. :/
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Nova's Razor: The stupidest explanation is probably the correct one.

[Caton]

That is fungus, it is fine...I hear plecos really enjoy it.
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[Nova_C]

Oh, okay. I've just never seen it before in my aquarium.
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Nova's Razor: The stupidest explanation is probably the correct one.

[Nova_C]

So, my boss has an aquarium at work and he gave me some (well) used filter media to jumpstart my cycle. And did it ever. My cycle is pretty much complete, at least for a low bioload, and I've added a few cherry barbs as canaries until I'm sure that there's nothing wrong with my restart.

This is where I'm at now with the aquascaping:


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Nova's Razor: The stupidest explanation is probably the correct one.

[Cinder]

It's got the start to a great tank.

I see that you have your filter intakes toward the center of the tank and the outflows at the corners... is that better than having the intakes in the corners and the outflows toward the center of the tank?
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135 gln. freshwater tank
29 gln. freshwater tank

[Nova_C]

I'm not sure it makes a difference. I hadn't really thought about it - that's just the way they ended up.
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Nova's Razor: The stupidest explanation is probably the correct one.

[rales12]

I like it so far... but I would probably change the background. That one is somewhat distracting.