High Tide Aquatics

Dream Tank 2 72g Freshwater Planted Tank

Susan Edwards

Susan Edwards

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My first fish tank as a child had sword tails that breed. I had a lot of swords and mollies back then. Since, I've had a 50g that got busted and then a 100 gal. Went to saltwater in 2016: 60 gal AIO to a 125 and then a 220 monster tank. I loved my saltwater experience and it will make the return to fresh even better as I learned so much. But my health just won't let me juggle that large of a tank anymomre, esp as I'm 5' and the tank was taller than me!

I do have a hex 20 gal tank I started for the grandkids so we could have bettas. Not many fish in there but a few. Has plants in cups around it.

So here starts my build journey. I am starting with a 72 gal with plans to create a planted tank with lots of color and movement (illusion with branches etc). Tank will be in my office, set across from my desk. At least that is the plan. I'm a writer and I just got my office back (saltwater tank took up one entire long wall which didn't leave much "office" room aside from a desk). So now, I'm trying to be smart and plan. And have room for my cats on other surfaces besides my desk lol's.

Eager to go find driftwood/manzinita/dragon rock? I know sort of what look I want or better, what I don't want haha. Ordering everything I need ahead of time so it is here. Have a bag of media in 20 gal that's been cooking for a couple months, plus what is in it's canister filter. So will be able to seed the new tank. Can't fill it until July as I have to return to Washington to oversea getting my dad's house on the market (he passed in May)

Planned equipment:
Stand Amazon. Can hold a 20 gal beneath which I'm thinking for my ATO
Landen Rimless 72 gal from Amazon
Oase Biomaster Thermo 850 Canister filter
Chihiros WRGB II Pro LED Light

To decide:
Tank Lid or a "few" floating plants that are non invasive--Lilys? Or water level down 2"?
Lily Pipe
Substrate - maybe Ultum Nature Systems Controsoil
Co2
RO or tap or a combo (have the RO/water storage set up)

Fish--all smaller fish. fish that school and shoal
Corys
Siamese Algae Eaters
Cardinal tetras
Pleco
Rasboras
Rainbow Fish?
Killifish or rice fish?
Hillside Loaches
maybe shrimp
Nerite Snails

stand.jpg
tank.jpg

Stand from Amazon all assembled (not above pic) and the tank waiting for me to unpack it this weekend
Current tank below. Some real, some fake plants

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Excited to see this come to life! I used to have freshwater but converted fully to saltwater but I do miss it… One thing I never did was a fully planted tank because I thought it was too complicated but after giving saltwater a try and being somewhat successful I may give planted tank a shot one day!
 
MarcosD said:
Excited to see this come to life! I used to have freshwater but converted fully to saltwater but I do miss it… One thing I never did was a fully planted tank because I thought it was too complicated but after giving saltwater a try and being somewhat successful I may give planted tank a shot one day!
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I did a planted tank for my 100 gal but literally knew nothing and the plants took over. I hated it. but this was a time before the internet and google were so good. Now I know more what I want and can easily research anything. game changer
 
I have a decent variety of FW plants if you want some cuttings. Unfortunately, I am in Salinas so it's quite the distance. If you know anyone close to you that is going to the frag swap, I'd be happy to prepare a care package for you.
 
Susan Edwards said:
I'm in research mode for any good community tank fish. I do like pencil fish. I want 2-3 large groups/schools and then some others for interest and centerpiece fish
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Look into electric blue ram they look nice even the black Ram are really nice I had them when I had a freshwater tank. Good luck with getting this ready and set to go I’m excited to see the results.
 
I'm a fan of Ember tetras, Emerald-Eye Rasboras and of course CPD's for the small shoaling. Rainbows are really cool, some can get a decent size; and do take a while to color up; which i suppose is why lots of people sleep on them.
 
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