20 Gallon Tank to 55 Gallon Tank- Lots of advice needed please

Hey all,

I'm going to preface this with the fact that, while I've kept an aquarium for years (I've been helping my parents with their fish for almost my entire life), I know VERY little and have no idea what to really do with my current fish.

I've had a 20 gallon fish tank for as long as I can remember. I was given both the tank and its filter by my parents, and they don't remember where they even originally got it from. Anyway, it now houses one upside down catfish (Mystus leucophasis). He's about 8 or 9 inches long and very aggressive (he ate all his previous tank mates, and a ghost shrimp I got for cleaning), so he's in there all alone. The filter I have for him now (it says Top Fin 60) has a double waterfall and I'm fairly certain he hates the amount of current in the tank. Doing some research, I think the filter is meant for a larger tank, and it's been extremely loud for as long as I can remember- I thought that was just a filter thing but apparently it isn't, so I'm looking into getting him a new filter.

This brings me to question one: What new filter for a 20 gallon tank would you guys recommend? I'm looking for something quiet that doesn't produce a lot of current.

Question two: Should I feed my fish less often?

My issue with him is I literally never see him eat. He never comes out of his log when the light is on, so if I feed him during the day with the tank light or any nearby household lights on, he does nothing. If I feed him in the evening with the majority of the lights off, including his tank light, I can catch vague glimpses of him swimming. However, I've noticed an accumulation of what I assume is uneaten food in a corner of the tank. Does a fish of his size need to be fed every day? I feed him about a nickle size pinch every evening.

And question three: Any general advice on keeping this fish? He used to swim around during the day but I've seen him do that maybe ten times within the past 5 years. He was rather interactive, but now I'm exceptionally lucky if I catch a glimpse of him on dark days before I turn the lights on. He spends the entire day time hiding in a log I bought for him that fits him perfectly.

I'd appreciate any and all help you guys could provide, please!
it's impossible to snap a picture of him because I'm never fast enough when he's out.

 

For the feeding I would feed him the normal amount one day, and the next day do about half the normal amount, also, really nice looking tank, can I see a full picture?

 

You said he’s 8 or 9 inches long? I would definitely look into getting him something bigger. I’ve never owned one of those fish, but from the research I did a single fish needs a minimum of 55 gallons, another resource said even more.

 

For the feeding I would feed him the normal amount one day, and the next day do about half the normal amount, also, really nice looking tank, can I see a full picture?

Unfortunately this is just a random picture of another fish of his species, not him or my tank, sorry!

 

As for a filter. I like the Fluval 30 which I believe used to be Aquaclear. It's fairly quiet, has adjustable flow, and supports a good amount of media.

 

Unfortunately this is just a random picture of another fish of his species, not him or my tank, sorry!

I'd still like to see the tank if thats cool with you.

 

You said he’s 8 or 9 inches long? I would definitely look into getting him something bigger. I’ve never owned one of those fish, but from the research I did a single fish needs a minimum of 55 gallons, another resource said even more.

Oh my, something bigger? I've never had above a 20 gallon before and I struggle to move this one. When he used to swim around before he seemed happy with the space he has, no trouble turning or anything of that nature... I measured his log as best I could and he seems to be closer to the 7-8 inch range, if that makes a difference.

 

Oh my, something bigger? I've never had above a 20 gallon before and I struggle to move this one. When he used to swim around before he seemed happy with the space he has, no trouble turning or anything of that nature... I measured his log as best I could and he seems to be closer to the 7-8 inch range, if that makes a difference.

Sadly, that’s still too small of a space for him. He would greatly benefit from a larger tank, but you could consider rehoming him if you don’t feel comfortable with getting something larger.
There’s a lot of great information here on fishlore about keeping larger aquariums. Once you learn the nitrogen cycle (which is essential to good fishkeeping IMO) it’s the same basic concept for most sizes of freshwater aquariums.

 

A 20 is too small for that size of a fish. It‘s not giving him the amount of room he needs to be active. Im actually shocked its made it to 7-8 inches in a 20 gallon. If youre unable to provide a HUGE tank for it (I dont think 55 is big enough for an 8 inch, active, fish) Id look into rehoming it so it can live a happier life.

 

you have a monster fish in a tiny box. he doesn't swim, around, or come out to eat very much because it is morbidly depressed.
40 gallon breeder, or 55 gallon -90 gallon tanks are 48 inch long tanks and are still a bare minimum of what this potentially 12 inch fish needs. imagine if you lived in a prison cell that you could only take three steps in before turning around. but it is still a lot better then the tank he is in now. please consider upgrading or rehoming.

 

you have a monster fish in a tiny box. he doesn't swim, around, or come out to eat very much because it is morbidly depressed.
40 gallon breeder, or 55 gallon -90 gallon tanks are 48 inch long tanks and are still a bare minimum of what this potentially 12 inch fish needs. imagine if you lived in a prison cell that you could only take three steps in before turning around. but it is still a lot better then the tank he is in now. please consider upgrading or rehoming.

Jeez, that got depressing.
I would try and get a larger tank, but if aren't able to get him a larger tank you might want to rehome him, but just remember lots of catfish are just fine with smaller spaces, so it's OK if you keep him in the tank he is in.

 

Jeez, that got depressing.
I would try and get a larger tank, but if aren't able to get him a larger tank you might want to rehome him, but just remember lots of catfish are just fine with smaller spaces, so it's OK if you keep him in the tank he is in.

Eek I have to disagree. He is already showing symptoms of not being okay, and keeping him in his current tank will only cause him to get worse. A tank upgrade, at this point, is necessary

 

To give a bit of background as to why he's in a 20 gallon-

When we first got him, he was about 2 inches long. He was misidentified (by the pet store) and sold to us as a Synodontis nigtiventris. This was our first time getting upside down catfish, so we had no idea that there were (behaviorally and size wise) vastly different fish that looked somewhat similar while they were juveniles. This was why he was put into a 20 gallon tank with another (actual) Synodontis nigtiventris, and about 5 other, smaller fish (danio, I believe), because they had enough space and were supposed to get along.

We realized after he reached about 6 inches, the smaller fish started going missing, and that he looked significantly different than his smaller "brother" that we had a misidentified fish. The fish store had gone out of business (shocking), and other pet stores knew nothing about him. It wasn't until very recently that we discovered what he actually was, a Mystus leucophasis. I had stumbled across a picture of one on the internet and said "hey, that's actually my fish!"

I should have done further research past his scientific name, I did not (though the page I found mentioned nothing about tank sizes). The fanciest thing we had owned prior to him was a couple of goldfish, so we were fish newbies, and still mostly are. Mentioning fish and tank size to pet stores never prompted any warnings, so we never thought that a fish his size wouldn't do well in a 20 gallon tank- he appeared to swim fine, and the antisocial behavior started after we bought him a new log, so we attributed it to that. He hadn't grown in a while so we figured he stopped at about 8 inches. Until today I didn't know the tank size was much too small for him.

That being said...

I'm in the process of looking where to buy a 55 gallon tank for him. Options are limited because most stores are closed and I'm really not wanting to have a glass aquarium shipped to my door, that's just asking for it to break during shipping. The question now is- do I reuse the current, loud filter (Top Fin 60 it says) and his (smallish) light strip and just buy a new lid and tank? Or just buy a kit? I've found 2 kits that I can pick up soon, one from Walmart and one from Petco. I'm struggling to find a new lid, so I'm unsure if I can go the first route anyway.

I don't know much about the lids or filter sizing regarding them (as in how they fit together). If I buy a kit will I struggle to find a better filter that fits in the gap where the kit one sat? Or are they generally the same size ish for filters that sit on the tank edge?

 

I am really happy with my SeaChem Tidal 55. I have it on a 29 at the moment. The flow adjustment works. SeaChem also makes a Tidal 35. I have Aqueon QuietFlow 30s also which are good to and less expensive. But they do not have a flow adjustment and are not as quiet. I also had a Marineland Penguin bio wheel that I did not like. I have an Aquaclear 70 that is a high quality very functional filter. But it is not as quiet as the Tidal.

The Aquaclear will restart after a power outage. Penguin will not. But the way the Aquaclear works makes me less confident it would always restart after a power outage. Both the Aqueon and the Tidal have submerged pumps so I believe their restart after a power outage would be reliable. That is important her in Central Florida.

I am very happy with the Tidal. Considering getting a 35 for a Betta tank.

 

I think one of the kits I'm looking at has I think an Aqua QuietFlow (I assume 50?), so I might get that one. Restarting after a power outage is nice, where I live the power doesn't go out too often but I've had it go out and come back overnight and woke up to the noise of our current filter making terrible noises.

 

I think one of the kits I'm looking at has I think an Aqua QuietFlow (I assume 50?), so I might get that one. Restarting after a power outage is nice, where I live the power doesn't go out too often but I've had it go out and come back overnight and woke up to the noise of our current filter making terrible noises.

If you are worried about power outages and are looking to get a 55 gallon I would go with at least the Seachem Tidal 55. It is self priming. Your other filter was making terrible noises because when power is cut the water empties from the cartridge and the motor and impeller blade runs dry. This might be OK once or twice but eventually it will damage the filter. The Tidal series doesn't have that particular issue.

Also. At this point we all understand the large fish, small tank issue. Lets try to focus on helping the OP better accommodate his friend with suitable equipment suggestions. The background was addressed so let's stop hammering that point in.

 

Here is my two cents.
If you are gonna invest in this hobby, and stay with it for years to come, dont go the cheap route, and get a kit.
Kits are the very basic equipment, meant only to get you started. Most people usually end up changing out some of the equipment such as the filter and lights. For this reason, just get everything separately, and you can buy quality, instead of cheap, and not have to worry about spending more money later.

Also skip out on the 55, and just get a 75 if you can. It has the same footprint, except it has 5 inches more in depth.
I suggest that you think about rehoming your Upside down Catfish. Even with a 55, or a 75, it is the bare minimal for that fish, even that is small. 125-150, is the smallest I would go for that type of fish.

I forgot to add, that you may want to look for canister filters. In my opinion, they are so much better than hang on back filters. Try to look for a filter that is rated for at least 350 gph.

 

I have a 370 gph canister on my 40. It works well and is very quiet. I think it might be more than I need. But it has done a good job. I was apprehensive about cleaning it, but cleaning is a lot easier than I expected it to be. Cleaning the Tidal was easy also.

 

By the way, check craigslist for deals.

 

Checking craigslist I managed to find a 55 gallon tank and stand for $100. Asking the seller for more info though because the listing is only one picture with no information.

Realistically speaking, I don't think I could handle a 75 gallon tank. I'm a small person. The 55 gallon is pushing it but I'm willing to struggle if it means a better life for the fish. Resources I've found do say that a 55 gallon would be adequate (though admittedly on the lower end), and seeing as he'll be the only fish in the tank he should have the room to swim around.

If this tank and stand works out, I'll need a filter, lid and light. What brand of canister filter would you guys recommend for the 55 gallon?

 

You can't go wrong with either Fluval 407, Marineland Magnaflow, or an Eheim.

 

Not sure where you are, but Petco is still open and if theyre having a sale, you can buy a brand new 55 for like $75. I think a 55 is BARE MINIMUM for your fish.

 

The only one available in Petco near me is around $119. They are having a 10% off your entire order if you do curbside pick up, but that's the only general sale price I can find currently. I'm in the process of tallying everything up to see which is a good balance of good parts and price. I'm a bit stuck on the light and lid though- my current tank has a Marineland LED light strip that's only about a foot long- this seems way too small for the new tank. Should I look into the same style of lighting?

I'm also not sure if the tank I'm looking into has a center brace like I've seen the one on Petco have. I've honestly never even seen a center brace on a tank before. Does it matter if it doesn't have a brace? Will that change what lids and such I can buy? My knowledge on the lids is exceptionally limited. I'm struggling to find them.

 

Larger tanks typically have a center brace like a 55 or 75 gallon. Rimless tanks don't have braces..well usually. That is because the glass or acrylic is a lot thicker. You could look into the Versa top glass panels and get a decent strip light. One for each side of the brace. Or do some research on a full length hood lid or low profile lid. Im not fully knowledgeable on lighting but I use the Nicrew ADE-400C for my 20 Gallon and my 10 Gallons. It's good for low light and some carpeting plants but obviously not large enough for the tanks you're looking at. I like the brand though and they do have larger lights. Do you have live plants? Lighting can get expensive especially if you have high light / maintenance plants.

It all depends on your preference for a lid. Solid, glass, built in LED lights, strip led lights.

Sorry if I'm rambling but it took me a long time and a decent amount of research to choose the proper light & lid combo.

Edit: you could probably get away with 2 Nicrew lights that I mentioned. Both the 55 and 75 gallon tanks are 48" long. Those lights extend to 24". They're $25 on Amazon.