Fish Tank Ahoy!

I'm so happy, I got my 55 gallon tank! With a stand and oak canopy, glass lids, air pump, and two power heads all for $175. I just need the filtration unit. It actually came with a couple undergravel filtration plates, but I hate undergravel systems and would much rather get a canister filter. I need a lighting system, I want to have a planted tank (actually I want a Nature Aqaurium if I can manage it), which means a minimum of three watts per gallon. 3X55=165 watts, or a hell of a lot of light. I might DIY, or buy a system for sale on ebay. I also will need a CO2 unit (or two), proper planting medium, and decorations... the last won't be too hard since I have access to many interesting rocks, and will soon have more as Dad went out and bought the contents of a rock shop. Also, lots of sticks from trees out back, so I might not buy any java wood for the tank.

In other words, the tank and stand was about a third of my overall cost. But it'll be spread out over the course of several months. Whatever I can't get on my upcoming 30% off day at work, I'll buy slowly over the course of several months. It will take about six to eight weeks to fully cycle the tank and make it safe for my fish anyways.

Um, and i also got my raise last week. I'm now doing as well as I did when I worked for Bird Gardens years ago. Of course, I didn't have a car then and I do now, so that makes a difference (even though I have no payments and my insurance doesn't need a payment until November). It makes me happy, I need the money and I think I might be able to move out on what I'm making. Of course moving a 55 wouldn't be fun, but whatever.