danenelsen’s 55 Gallon Revitalization Build

[danenelsen]

Hello! This is my build thread for my 55 gallon aquarium! A little backstory, I first jumped into saltwater in October of 2022. I had done fresh for years and thought salt might be fun to try. I ended up with a 55 gallon tank and a sump that I bought used. I didn’t really know what I was doing, but nevertheless I started down my saltwater journey. I experienced the usual highs and lows of keeping an aquarium, but I hadn’t been able to keep most fish alive. I lost fish due to mainly two things: jumping into the overflow/sump and an aggressive fish. By November of 2023, I had grown frustrated and was almost ready to quit. However, after pondering whether to get out of salt for a few months, I realized how much I love it. Yesterday, I decided to do a full tank clean out and make it my own. Right now, the only inhabitants are two clowns, I’m eager to get stocking, but I’m going to take my time with this one. The goal is to eventually get coral, but that probably won’t happen for awhile. So here’s to starting fresh!

Tank Before Remodel

Tank After Remodel

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Wow the tank after the remodel looks great! Love what you did with the aquascape

 

[Rjukan]

Hello! This is my build thread for my 55 gallon aquarium! A little backstory, I first jumped into saltwater in October of 2022. I had done fresh for years and thought salt might be fun to try. I ended up with a 55 gallon tank and a sump that I bought used. I didn’t really know what I was doing, but nevertheless I started down my saltwater journey. I experienced the usual highs and lows of keeping an aquarium, but I hadn’t been able to keep most fish alive. I lost fish due to mainly two things: jumping into the overflow/sump and an aggressive fish. By November of 2023, I had grown frustrated and was almost ready to quit. However, after pondering whether to get out of salt for a few months, I realized how much I love it. Yesterday, I decided to do a full tank clean out and make it my own. Right now, the only inhabitants are two clowns, I’m eager to get stocking, but I’m going to take my time with this one. The goal is to eventually get coral, but that probably won’t happen for awhile. So here’s to starting fresh!

Tank Before Remodel

Tank After Remodel

Nice work!! Looks awesome..

 

[danenelsen]

Wow the tank after the remodel looks great! Love what you did with the aquascape

Nice work!! Looks awesome..

Thanks! It was a challenge aquascaping a 55G but I really like the way it turned out.

 

[Rjukan]

Thanks! It was a challenge aquascaping a 55G but I really like the way it turned out.

I think it fits the space very well! You used glue and putty for that precarious connection on the right I assume?

 

[danenelsen]

I think it fits the space very well! You used glue and putty for that precarious connection on the right I assume?

Actually no…I didn’t have any on hand. I made it as secure as possible though, and I plan to attach them together as soon as I pick some up.

 

[Rjukan]

Actually no…I didn’t have any on hand. I made it as secure as possible though, and I plan to attach them together as soon as I pick some up.

So it's just balanced like that? Idk, that's a big rock if it was to go down... I would keep it on the sand until you have the glue

 

[danenelsen]

So it's just balanced like that? Idk, that's a big rock if it was to go down... I would keep it on the sand until you have the glue

Yeah…That’s a good point, it would stir up a lot if it fell. I’ll pick some glue up as soon as possible.

 

[danenelsen]

I added another wave maker today. It’s nothing fancy, but it does the job. I’m debating on whether it’s too much flow…My clowns seem to be enjoying swimming in the current, but they also usually just hang out in a little to no current spot.

 

[danenelsen]

I added two Bangaii Cardnals today! They seem to be doing good, and everyone is getting along!

 

[danenelsen]

I found one of the Cardinals dead this morning. Water parameters were good, and it didn’t look like it was attacked so I’m thinking it was probably stress that got it. The other one seems to be doing fine.

 

[danenelsen]

I lost the other Cardnal this morning, it was acting very weird yesterday, so I kind of expected it…nothing seemed particularly wrong with it…I guess it was just a bad fish. It still kind of hurts though. I’m going to try Pajama Cardnals next, I haven’t had much success with Bangaiis.

 

[danenelsen]

Today I picked up three Pajama Cardnals from a local reefer. I acclimated them, and they seem to be doing great! They haven’t eaten yet, but I’m sure they will soon. More updates soon to come!

 

[ReeferFive-0]

I don't like the way this guy is looking at me

Good luck with this tank, I hope the pajamas do better for you. Did you confirm all parameters were good after you lost the banggai?

 

[danenelsen]

I don't like the way this guy is looking at me

Good luck with this tank, I hope the pajamas do better for you. Did you confirm all parameters were good after you lost the banggai?

Yes, the parameters were good, so it must have been just unhealthy fish. I think getting them from someone rather than a store will increase the chances of survival. We’ll see!

 

[danenelsen]

Update: All three Cardnals are doing good; swimming around, hanging out, etc. I haven’t gotten them to eat yet, but hopefully they will soon!

 

[JMBL]

Tanks coming along
What coral might you add?
I've had so many salty deaths too myself unfortunately

 

[danenelsen]

Tanks coming along
What coral might you add?
I've had so many salty deaths too myself unfortunately

I haven’t made a strict plan for coral yet…the fish are more important to me, but when I do, I’ll probably start pretty simple, Zoas, Mushrooms, etc.