Need advice! 2 GSP's 55gal Decoration Setup

[marlana]

Hello all, I need some advice.

Yesterday I purchased a second GSP for my 55 gallon tank, 1.023 SG. In addition to my original 2 inch GSP "Puff", I now have a 1.5 inch GSP "Yoshi". Yoshi is doing great so far.

However I'd really like to do something to their tank. Right now the only "decoration" is live rock. There are about 4 caves and countless crevices for them to explore. For just my original GSP, these kept him plenty entertained. Now with the two I'm worried about agression. There has not been any yet, but I want to break up the lines of sight in the tank even more since they are being kept in their minimum tank size. (Eventually, I hope to upgrade them to a huge tank. But for now in my one-bedroom apartment, the 55gal will suffice while they are still so small!)

I've seen Pufferpunk's beautiful GSP tank with all the decorations. However, not really sure how to get my tank that exciting for my puffers. I'm really "stuck" with my tank at this point. I don't know in which direction to take it. You know how writers get "writer's block?" I HAVE TANK DECOR BLOCK! lol.

Last night I added the plastic green plant in the front center. I'm not particularly fond of it so I don't mind if it stays or goes.. Anyway please give me some advice on placement or decorations, whatever you think will keep my puffers occupied and not on each other!

Sorry for the camera phone photo but you get the jist!

[Pufferpunk]

I would put the tall plants in the back & on the sides, add med plants around the sides of the rock & smaller plants in front. Try silk plants, they look more realistic. I don't believe all your rocks are live rock.

I'd dump those tetra filters for a HOB skimmer.

[marlana]

I would put the tall plants in the back & on the sides, add med plants around the sides of the rock & smaller plants in front. Try silk plants, they look more realistic. I don't believe all your rocks are live rock.

I'd dump those tetra filters for a HOB skimmer.

I guess I need to update my signature! We've always had the AquaC Remora Skimmer. I love it, works great. But we did ditch the Tetra filters (too noisy!) We now have a Rena xP3 canister filter in addition to the skimmer. Got rid of all but one powerhead, too. (The filter puts out a very strong flow itself).

You're right about the rocks! We're trying to seed the dead rock with the live rock we have.

I'm looking for some silk plants online now. Now the only question is should I do colorful, or stick to the natural looking greens and reds and browns. I really wish we could do some nasty tasting corals in there, but the new little one we got is definitely a "picker", so I voted no-go on that.

Thanks for the advice!

[Pufferpunk]

That's all about what appeals to your eye. I like colorful, you may prefer more natural. What are you using inside the canister?

[briguy44]

You could look around for some dead coral skeletons to decorate your tank with thus still giving it the natural saltwater look. Most are white but you can find them in all sorts of colors also.

[marlana]

Hey everyone! I've been lurking forever now and been too lazy to upload new pictures but here is a new-ish tank shot after decorating:



Although it has since changed! They frequently get decor changes, about every two weeks to keep them from being too bored! But I love the color look with the plants- keeps them pretty entertained, too. Yoshi loves weaving in and out of the larger ones.

[sevenyearnight]

Very pretty!
Where did you get the colorful plants in coral like things?

[marlana]

I bought them all online, the places I used were petsmart.com and thatpetplace.com. All together spent about $60 dollars. But got about 20 plants. Some are silk and some are plastic but I was really really happy with both retailers and with the plants themselves.

[Pufferpunk]

Wow, that's quite a colorful improvement!