dgor0526

I would like to setup a colorful community tank. I am looking to buy a 55 or 75 gal. tank ( this depends on my wife I want the 75 gal). I want to buy a external filter with a inline heater. Any ideas on which manufacture I should go with? What else do I need (gravel , Plants (something that won’t grow too big) airpump)? What type of fish shold get? I would like some bottom dwellers , Middle schoolers . I was looking at guppies, neon tetras, Bristlenose Pleco, Rainbow Shark, And Red Severum. Any suggestions would be great.

HatchetHaven

Severums would be to aggresive IMO.

Well, apart from the Severums, I think you have a nice list of fish there! 20 Neons, 5 Guppys, 1 Rainbow Shark (Sharks don't get along with other sharks), and 2 BNs for the 55gal, with a 75gal I'd go with the 55gal stocking idea but with 10 Zebra danios added onto it.

dgor0526

That sounds great but what is BNs.

tzqng8

Inline Heater
Canister Filter
Substrate (if you want live plants)/Gravel (if you don't)
Decorations
You don't NEED an airpump, but if you'd like some bubbles and such for decor and aeration:
Air Pump
Flexible Bubble Wand
Gang Valves (to have the air go to multiple bubble wands/circles/airstones/decorations)

Not a big plant guy, so I won't speak to that. For the fish, you had some good ideas. Just make sure you research them all and make sure they work together. Once you get a list you like, post it here and you'll get plenty of feedback.

Hope that helps and welcome to Fishlore! If you don't know about some of the basic stuff like what cycling a tank is and such, feel free to ask and we'll help with that, too!

ShaynaB

BN means bristlenose pleco.

I happen to like Cory Cats. I think I'd get a bunch of them too! (If they fit into your inches per gallon plan.)

Welcome to FishLore!

tzqng8

Bristle Nose Pleco, an algae eating Pleco fish that doesn't get overly large, like the Common Pleco.

Barbrella

That would be fine in a 75 gallon. However, the Severum grows too large to keep with neons and guppys. They'll end up as dinner!

If you want tetras in there, get something big like Congo tetras. They go quite nicely with Severums.

dgor0526

Great info but the bubble wand seems to stand out can I hide it under substreate or gravel?

tzqng8

Generally put towards the back of the tank, hidden behind decor and plants (fake or real). Not sure, actually, if you can put them under the gravel...

There are lots of others ways to do air, as well. Airstones, air circles, decorations with a connection for an airline, etc.

eric_m

you can also go with pool filter sand.. Corydora's are pretty cool.. I first thought they were going to be just some bottom feeder but liked the way they swim in a group.. They stay small so you can get a decent school going ...

COBettaCouple

Welcome to Fishlore. Sounds like you've gotten some good advice on getting that tank setup.

HatchetHaven

BN = Bristlenose.

As for plants - do you mean live or Plastic? If you mean live, then you've come to the right place.

You might want to check out Rainbowfish.

dgor0526

I would like some live plants if there are some that won't grow too crazy. If not I will go with fake.

HatchetHaven

Well, for a 'standard' tank, Anubias and Cryptocorynes don't grow fast. Anubias can be tied down to rock or wood, or planted. If planted, the rhizome must be above the substrate!

joy613

Other plants you might like to try is java fern and African fern they grow in low light and pretty slowly, both need to be tied down to driftwood or a rock.

dgor0526

Thanks for all the great advice. I will be going with the 75 gal. and I will follow the stocking advice from hatchethaven plus some corys. I hope to start the setup in a few weeks.

HatchetHaven

If you want corys in it - then minus the danios and get 8 corys.

dgor0526

Do the corys and danios not get along or would I be overstocking the tank?