55 Gallon Sub Tropical Aquarium

One of my 55 gal tanks required a stand build and then setup for a power head and HMF (Hamburg Matten Filter).  The HMF with plumbing under the gravel will provide great filtration and quiet operations.  Easy and inexpensive to replace.  This project began October 2023.

Building the stand:

I used 2x3s for all support.  I had 3/4” plywood on each end and some back pieces to add to the support.

The Front was a 1/2” sheet of maple plywood.

Now the Filter system.  I have used HMF filters for many years and wanted to keep the one for this tank.  I researched some river tanks that used power heads but none integrated the HMF filter.  I flipped the filter that had the air tube at the top and put that on the bottom of the tank.  This allowed the plumbing to be on the bottom.  Using the shape for the most stability, I put the PVC pipes together.  

NOTE: I built a wall out of acrylic and some plastic mesh so cleaning the HMF filter would not disturb the gravel.  Usually when you pull the filter out the gravel caves back into the empty cavity, making a big mess.

Since I have a black background, I painted the PVC black. Power heads are usually black as well.

Added Gravel, hard scape, plants, cover and a light:

Plants are all from my summer Tubs.  The dwarf Sag and Valisneria can take the cooler temperatures.   Thinking about the fish now.

In a week or 2, I will update with the fish being added.  The fish have been brought in from the tubs and are all out in the garage now so will choose later.  

Here is the tank as of 1/22/2024:

Barbs are doing well.  Most of the gold barbs were bred in the outdoor tubs.  I put three mature gold barbs in this tank to give me a total of 11.  The Odessa Barbs (6) came from Select Aquatics and are beginning to color up nicely.  There are also 5 albino cory cats in the tank.  No heater, one box filter and the HMF filter are doing a great job keeping the tank stable.