Drew 43920

I am taking over a 55 gallon tank that has been up for 6 months. It has 3 Tetras and a black cat, no plants.
I want to make it a all Neons tank. With a few Corys, Cherry Shrimps and some Java Moss.
Any suggest ? Please.
Tia
Drew

soldieroffortune1974

Hi Drew Welcome to Fishlore

What did you want suggestions about? Plants? Tetras? stocking? moss? aquascaping?

angelfish220

I think that an all neon would be awesome! What kind of tetra is in it now?

if you are taking the planted tank seriously I would suggest you go over to the plant section, and they can help you from there.

And WELCOME TO FISHLORE!!!

Drew 43920

I am hoping you guys with experience will tell me how and what you would do. I do not have enough experience to ask the right questions.
TIA
Drew

angelfish220

Dont put yourself down like that! we ALL were in your shoes at some point.

So what do you want out of your fishtank, do you want peace and tranquility or comical entertainment, or start your own colony ect.?

A school of neons would be great for peace, some livebearers and cories and danios for comic relief, or maybe a dozen endlers to start your own colony of fish. Its all up to you.

Lucy

Hi Drew welcome to Fish Lore

A 55g with neons, what a sight that'll be, very pretty.

I take from your post you've never had an aquarium. Taking over an already established tank is great, but it's also important for you to know what keeps a tank healthy and the water parameters in check.
While your thinking about what you want your tank to look like (feel free to browse through the members pictures to get ideas)
Here are some thing for you to read:

http://www.fishlore.com/
READ FIRST: Freshwater Beginner Important Topics

If you'd like real plants, you might find this helpful:
Aquarium Plant Important Topic Stickies

Good luck with your new hobby and feel free to ask any questions you might have.

soldieroffortune1974

ok, start by telling us what kind of condition the aquarium is in. Is it clean? does it have any odors? do the fish look healthy? (swimming around, fins spread out,eating ok,full of color,etc.....these are signs of healthy fish, you know doing fishy things)

Let's see....... as long as everything looks good,water is clear,no smells, assuming the aquarium has been properly cared for............hmmmmmmmmmm I would (my personal prference) put in some christmas tree moss,java moss, anubis,and amazon swords,and java fern. (I like heavily planted aquariums,so do neons) The neons would be striking against the greenery. I would use a natural colored gravel.A few larger stones,some up to the size of a tennis ball. A piece of driftwood roughly 14 inches long and roughly 12 inches tall (in the center,with christmas moss on it)

In a 55 gallon,you could put a healthy school of neons in it,with the cats and shrimp.

Lucy

SOF, I like the sounds of that set-up.

Drew, Here's an interactive tool that might help you:

http://www.theaquatools.com/aquasketcher

Matt

That sounds really good

Welcome To FishLore

Here on fishlore pictures are compulsory

soldieroffortune1974

That's a pretty handy tool.Thx

Drew 43920

I want Peace and Tranquility.

MeGustaUnaPez926

If you want a peaceful aquarium, I would lean towards some angelfish. They get a lot bigger than the neons will, but they move really gracefully, and if you got a couple of angels, you could have a large-ish school of neons, some cories, and maybe some danios. It would be super pretty, and angelfish are really relaxing. I'm trying to convince my school to set up an angelfish tank in our library, but so far its a no-go. But before you get any new fish, you need to set up a quarantine tank, since you don't want to get the fish already in there sick. Good luck!!

Lucy

From what I've read when angels get bigger they'll likely eat the neons so you would have to choose something larger than an adult angels mouth. Cardinal are pretty and a bit larger.

I don't have personal experience with angels so do a search on the forum. If you have a male and a female they might pair up, if not there could be aggression issues.

Drew 43920

The tank/water seem to be in good condition. Just ugly ?
The constant temperature is 72 F. There are 3 Tetras (?) and a black cat in the tank now. I had many 20 gallon guppy tanks as a kid. I like fish and reptiles. I am a good Goggeler.
I have a picture of the ? fish but I do not now how to upload it. I will try.
I do not think the heater works. I have not got a water test kit yet. I have order all new equipment except hood and filter (Penguin 170 Bio-Wheel). I have order driftwood, mosses, and Cherry Shrimp. I hope the heater gets here before the Cherry Shrimp. I am going with Neons, Bronze Corys, maybe some Endler's. (Gold ?), Mosses, one tall Amazon Sword to hide filter. Some knocks and crannies for shy fish. I have some charcoal bamboo. Once I get new equipment set up I will think about buying fish.
What do you think ?

soldieroffortune1974

I think you are on your way to having an awesome aquarium,You know what you want,and it sounds like everything is in good hands.

The only thing I suggest.(There's a lot of experienced people that don't,and it leads to trouble,there's those that know better,and still cut corners;and they pay for it) I am talking about a quarantine,nothing fancy. You only need a container for water,filter,heater-that's it.The simpler the better........

The quarantine is also referred to as the Q, QT,Q-tine or hospital aquarium....... It is VERY necessary....patients (or lack of) is the biggest reason people don't do it,and those that know better,skip corners and pay for it later.

ALL fish,in EVERY fish supply or wholesaler,EVERY fish is potentially sick when you but it. It (they) needs to be put in quarantine for 3 weeks,just to make sure everything is ok,no diseases.

Search the forum,and see for yourself. I haven't been a member here long,but check it out

Tip 2,you have a large aquarium;with very little in it.........take it slow,adding no more than 4 fish at a time (after quarantining).......

Tip 3, follow a strict form of acclimating your fish,it's as important as quarantining to ensure healthy fish........

These simple procedures will save you a huge headache, and make for healthier,happier fish,and a better experience for yourself.


Here's a link for acclimating your fish:
Can someone explain

Here's a link that emphesise the need for patience: I am ready to give up!!!!

Good luck

Drew 43920

When I add Tetras to my tank should I add a group (40 ish) or should I add them 5 or 6 at a time.

I have posted a picture of the fish that is currently in my tank. Titled Fish UNK .

I get the idea of a Quaritine tank but 3 weeks in a small tank where I have to maintain Temperature, Oxygen and Water may be difficult.

Drew

angelfish220

five or six at a time, if you add to many at once it will ruin your bacteria

Quarantine tanks are just as easy to keep as regular tanks, which is pretty dang easy!