pdmeighen Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 I've posted several times in the last few days in the introduction forum under the subect "I'm new also..." After struggling with the dreaded "Grey Gunk" for at least six months I've decided to start over. I'm taking out the water, gravel and substrate. Please feel free to recommend subtrates and gravel for a 55 gallon - fresh water - planted tank. Currently I have a fluval 307 filter, Coralife Seascape LED Aquarium Light and 2 "generic heaters". May upgrade some of this later. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitecloud09 Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 Glad you started this topic and I will hope to follow your updates! @pdmeighen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony s Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 First thing first. Before substrate. Before plant decisions. What fish do you really really want. Everything comes from that. Hopefully things are easier this time 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitecloud09 Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 On 2/28/2024 at 11:19 AM, Tony s said: First thing first. Before substrate. Before plant decisions. What fish do you really really want. Everything comes from that. Hopefully things are easier this time Yes fish and then you will know what u need Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdmeighen Posted February 28 Author Share Posted February 28 I was thinking Dwarf Gourami and compatible tank mates 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony s Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 Lots of choices there. Could even do 3 in or more in a 55. 2 to one female to male.ratio. Females are as colorful as males which is great. Then tons of choices for schooling and bottom dwellers. Try and play around with aqadvisor.com. They’ll help you with numbers and compatibility. Then research the plant preferences of your fish. I believe they like a lot of floaters to hide in and around. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdmeighen Posted February 29 Author Share Posted February 29 If I use something like Eco Complete and then add chlorinated water will the chlorine kill the helpful micro organisms in the substrate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony s Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 Probably. I’m not sure I’d count on having live bacteria in it though. No telling how long it’s been on the shelf in a sealed plastic bag. But it’s supposed to be a very good substrate. I just wouldn’t count on it to cycle a tank 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gannon Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 My fish vote for an aquarium of this size will always include a keyhole cichlid 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdmeighen Posted February 29 Author Share Posted February 29 I considered cichlids but have read that cichlid's are not good for planted tanks. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony s Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 That all depends on which cichlid. Some eat everything, like severums. Some are quite happy in planted tanks, most dwarf cichlids, rams and apistos. Some won’t necessarily eat plants, but will redecorate and dig up your aquarium. Oscars. Really depends on the type you want Then you have the africans. They eat and dig. It’s really a species specific thing 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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