ktanner2553

hey everyone me again, just got a new 55 gallon tank... and want some stocking suggestions and advice. First off to let you know it came with a aqua tech power filter 30-60 gallon rated. It has a 330gph cycling rate. I do plan to get the exact same filter as another just to be safe. so that would put me at 660 gallons filtered in an hour... which is defiantly more than enough. Ok I would like to have a planted tank.. to create an aquascape... so suggestions for plants would be great. My question is how does a CO2 providered thing work? and do you have to have one? how much do they run? are the just like an airpump? Next, I plan to make this a freshwater community tank and I am currently thinking;

2 Angelfish and/or 2 dwarf gouramis (could I have both pairs?)
5 Serpae Tetras
5 Hi-Fin Black Tetras
5 Mixed Fruit Tetras
5 Cory Cats

Would that be good? Or would it be too many schooling fish? Any advice or suggestions!!!!!!

ktanner2553

OH forgot to add.... that I would interested in adding 2 discus but i dont know alot of bout them... any info would be great

clinton1621

I would definitely get another filter as you said for flow rate. CO2 injectors arent always necessary, only if you have a very heavily planted tank and very high intensity lights... plus they can be expensive for the good ones or not very efficient for the cheap ones, I have a relatively moderate planted tank with no CO2 and it does just fine (you can see it on my profile) also keep in mind you will need better lights than just standard flourescent for plants. 2 watts per gallon is recommended so for a 55 gallon you would need a light thats 100 watts or higher for most plants to thrive... also with your filters you should try to keep the water level high enough so that there isnt a lot of disturbance in the water (plants dont like it and they actually produce excess oxygen so you really dont need a lot of surface agitation)

For your stocking question... Angels and tetras may not be a good mix, the tetras usually nip at the angels long fins.... angels and gouramis will be the same issue (gouramis are semi-agressive) .... angels and discus are ok together (some people say no due to a disease spread between the 2 but compatibility is usually fine) . Keep in mind that for both discus and angels that they prefer moderately soft water with a ph around 6.5 so check your water and make sure its not hard (discus especially)

ktanner2553

ok.. what types of plants do you have in your tank? and i will do my best about keeping the water level high... even so will the 2 filters affect the plants? How would 2 discus and 2 gouramis do with some of the tetras and some corys?

clinton1621

I have amazon swords, java ferns, and cryptocoryne(spelling)
try googling live aquarium plants and a lot of websites show pics of different plants and how to care for them (light requirements, etc) as some plants require very high lighting... all of mine are medium to low medium light plants which is probably what you want unless youre willing to buy 500 dollar lights for the high light level plants! Your filters should be fine as long as they are not creating excessive amounts of air bubbles or blowing the plants around a lot and/or uprooting them. You may want to get some driftwood to reduce the current in the water, the plants do better with it too, java ferns and some other plants will actually grow the best when they are attached to driftwood =)

Gouramis will not do well with Discus.... they will most likely fight because the gouramis are very territorial with fish of a similar shape and size
I would recommend picking one of the 3 (angels, discus, or gouramis) and only have them as the main fish, then you could add some schooling fish... neons, rasboras and etc. I wouldnt add the large tetras (serpae and others) as they will be aggressive towards all 3 of those main fish

Blub

Fruit tetras are dyed if I am right, which is extremely cruel and unnecessary so don';t support the evil trade and don't buy them. 90% die - only 10% lead a normal life.

joy613

I have bleeding heart tetras in with an angel and there isn't any problem. Discus need very clean water and do best in groups that is what prompted me into checking into them. I am with HatchetHaven when it comes to fruit tetra it is cruel but I don't think they are worth the money because even if the live long enough to be sold their life expectancy isn't as long as it should be. You might want to consider getting more angelfish and keeping 2 that get along the best. I got 2 and ended up getting a second aquarium just so I could keep them both. They got along fine until they reached adulthood then the rumble was on constantly.

About the plants consider the amount of light you have. If you have what is considered low light go with anubia, java moss, java fern, crypt and some types of swords. My tanks are considered low light. CO2 can get pretty pricey probably about $200 from what I have found. I use excel from seachem it is a liquid that helps with CO2 and it help prevent algae. The more light you have the more likely you will have to have CO2.