Anybody Have A Fluval 55G Led Aquarium Kit?

[beverly]

Hi,

I'm new here, but not new to aquariums. Over the past 20 years have had everything from a 5g killifish aquarium to a 180g reef.

Haven't had an aquarium for a couple of years, though, and am on a much stricter budget than ever before. I've done a load of research over the past week to see what might be best for my smaller spaced apartment condo and am leaning heavily toward the Fluval 55g LED Aquarium Kit over the Marineland 56g Column. (I've tried to put links to these two sets, but haven't found a way to do that as the page keeps crashing when I try.)

What I like most about the Fluval 55g is that it comes with LEDs and is 48" wide, where the Marineland 56g is only 36" wide and has an NO fluorescent strip. LED lighting is an amazing step forward in the aquarium hobby and I fully embrace this important change.

To start, I would do a fish-less cycle. This will be so less stressful for me and any fish I want to keep. The ultimate stocking goal would be a school of some species of neons and rasboras, several corys and maybe a pleco. I'd like some kind of larger mid-level fish but don't know what that could be. Suggestions would be appreciated

While reefkeeping, I became a huge fan of doing bare bottom tanks, but for esthetics am considering doing minimal substrate with this new tank. I'd love to keep plants such as Java Fern, Anubias, and some kind of moss that won't get out of control. They won't need substrate, though I understand fertilizers and CO2 would definitely be helpful. Am considering DIY CO2 which looks easy to do. Plant suggestions would also be appreciated.

Mopani wood looks like one of the main aquascaping elements I'd use, both for looks and for something to attach the plants to.

Anyway, glad to be here and am looking forward to your comments and suggestions.

[Jayba]

I saw one on kijiji just last night. It's in Red Deer though. The price may be worth the trip.

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-pet-accessories/red-deer/aquarium/1028723875?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

[beverly]

Hi Jay,

Thank you for the link. I'm not able to go out of town to pick that up. It also only has the NO light fixture. I'm hoping someone has experience with the new Fluval LEDs with the 55g, or even with the Fluval 46g bowfront kit, which I assume will have a shorter version of the same lighting.

I'm also wondering if anyone has experience with a Fluval C-4. I've used Aquaclear 110s with great success in the past. The C-4 is supposed to be very much like the AC 70 with the same impeller. I'd sure appreciate comments about C-4s.

Thanks!

[beverly]

This past Saturday, my son-in-law helped me pick up my brand new 75g. Yay!

It was on sale at Petsmart. We had to go to the west end store to get one that was complete with glass canopies. So, the set included the Marineland 75g, stand, glass canopies and Single Bright 36"-48" LED Light strip.

These Marineland LED strip barely lit up the tank - which is partly my fault for adding the four large pieces of Malaysian Wood, purchased from Petland on Manning. Even though I soaked the wood in three super hot water baths in the bathtub before adding to the tank, the water is now pretty brown. So, I added a Fluval Ultra Bright 48"-60" Light strip, also on sale and the last one they had. This is a much brighter light, and it's much sturdier than the Marineland.

Filtration is a trusty Aquaclear 110, which I DIYed a thing onto the spill-way. There are now no bubbles in the tank created by this workhorse filter. The "thing" is simply a piece of plastic from a heater packaging glued onto the spill-way. This makes the water flow smoothly to the front of the tank. It's a beautiful "thing" whatever it's called : )

I like having two heaters in my tanks, one on each end. The two Fluval 150w were purchased at one of the north side Petsmarts on sale.

I installed knobs on the doors this morning to make getting under the stand easier as well as six coat hooks from the dollar store on the insides of the stand's doors.

I opted for natural coloured Top Fin gravel. I would have bought the black stuff, only it looks so fake. I have about 40% of the bag left over, so if anyone is looking for substate, please PM me.

I bought all the Java Fern Petland had and have tucked it into the crevices of the Malaysian Wood. Also in the tank is some Java Moss, though I'm wondering if this may end up being a weed from h*ll eventually. Still looking for Anubias, though.

J&L Aquatics in Vancouver is currently having free shipping for orders over $100. I'll order Seachem fertilizers from them very soon.

I've been feeding the tank heavily and am doing a fishless cycle. Hopefully around Christmas or the New Year, the cycle will be complete, and I'll be able to bring home fish : )

I have my aquarium. It's full of water. Life is good. Pass it on : D

Edited November 18, 2014 by beverly

[geleen]

Looks like you're well on your way to a nice tank. Always exiting to start a tank. If you feel you want to go a bit faster I could provide you with a seeded sponge for your 110 I have a couple on my tanks, you could put fish in right away.

I also have a couple of Anubias and crypts if you wanted

Prices for the plants would be very reasonable

John

Edited November 19, 2014 by geleen

[ckmullin]

The Malaysian is always nice to look at but typically I tell people to get something else since of the long period of time needed for soaking if you do not want the tea water effect. Soak it for a month at least WITH water changes. For light take a look at t5ho IMO it provides better light for a planted tank. Not sold on the led technology for a planted tank quite yet.

When I've had HOB filters I've always done a similar 'spill-way' feature my reason was to keep the tank quiet without the waterfall sound effects. Yip that is a great tip to prevent bubbles etc.

One thing that might need a relook is the substrate but your early in the game so a change such as this is easy. If having plants is wanted then I strongly suggest to have a plant friendly substrate. By this I mean something that can be used as a nutrient source. You can dose ferts via the water but I always suggest to use nutrient gravel first and then supplement with ferts via water.

If you had questions or wanted tips on a planted tank give me a shout that is my main field.

[beverly]

Hi,

Thank you for your comments.

I guess I'll have to put up with the tannin look in my tank for awhile. I'm in an apartment condo where space is limited and don't have access to a separate wood soaking tub for an extended period of time.

Glad to hear I'm not the only one who knows how to DIY the AC 110. You're so right that it removes the waterfall sound : )

T5s, imo, are old-ish technology. LED is the future and the future is now. Only a few short years ago, LEDs came to the aquarium hobby. I was paying attention to reefkeeping lighting at the time. Those reefkeepers with their high light demanding corals are fanatics with their various T5s and metal halides, and now LEDs. Many pioneers built DIY LED systems that were engineering feats. It was a no-brainer, after seeing what's being accomplished in the reef sphere, to go with LEDs with my 75g. I must say, though, that the two LED systems I have on my tank are not what I'd consider high-tech FW planted tank lights. But high-tech isn't what I'm aiming for. Any positive results I get will be fine with me. I think I may be seeing tiny, new shoots on some of the Java Ferns I planted on Sunday : )

By design, I'm also doing plants that don't require substrate. Java Ferns and Anubias will be as complicated as I want to get. Both of these attach to wood, which I have plenty of, and they feed from the water column if I'm not mistaken. I hope to make my fertilizer order later today.

Maybe I'll start a tank journal with photos and videos : )

[beverly]

Looks like you're well on your way to a nice tank. Always exiting to start a tank. If you feel you want to go a bit faster I could provide you with a seeded sponge for your 110 I have a couple on my tanks, you could put fish in right away.

I also have a couple of Anubias and crypts if you wanted

Prices for the plants would be very reasonable

John

Hi John,

I just saw your post. Sorry for not replying earlier.

Having sponge from your AC 110 would be fantastic! Not that I want to go faster, though. I'm really getting into the plant part of this aquarium. I'm picturing my plants larger before I put fish into it so they have a rich and fulfilling habitat. Okay, that may sound a bit corny, but why not extend peace and kindness to all : )

Anubias would be great, too! It'll be good to see other aquariums, too. I'll pm you with my number with the hope of getting together maybe this Saturday? Thanks so much : )