Beginner Setting Up First Tank, Help Please

HI all, long time lurker first time poster. I have been researching for months and I am finally about to set up my first community aquarium as I have been given a second hand tank and some equipment and have a few questions. (Note I have read up on cycling and will be doing a fishless cycle before adding fish)

The tank size is as follows:
122cm width
41cm height
45cm depth

I believe this is approximately 225 litres (which I think is close to 55-60 gallons, I am Australian and only really know litres. If my maths is wrong here please let me know).

For stock I am thinking this:
1-2 angelfish
10-12 black skirt tetras
6 bronze corys

First of all, is this stock level ok for my tank size? Would it be ok to go with 2 angelfish?

Second, will my black skirt tetras nip at my angelfish if they are in a school this size? And do I have to worry about my angelfish trying to eat the tetras?

I am very open to different types of fish the above is just an idea (my partner really likes angels otherwise I might not have even considered them haha). So I'm open to suggestions.

Another couple of questions (these may be stupid sorry)
- I have been given a filter that is 1000 litres/hour. Is this suitable for my tank? I've heard your filter should be able to do your tank 3 x in an hour which would make this ok but would the flow be too strong or something?
- In regards to fish breeding, what do you do with all the little babies that just happen? worst comes to worst I actually have 2 tanks and the second is of equal size to the first so I could put them in there... but then what? Do you just remove the eggs as soon as they are lain so they don't hatch (and is this cruel I don't want them to suffer I just don't know anything about fish babies)?

Thanks in advance for your advice

 

WELCOME to Fishlore!!!

Your stocking is really good in fact its understock! Because of their school size the black skirt tetra will be fine! Nippy fish normal nip others when they are in a small school where they feel insecure.

For filter that is about 264 gallons per hour. Is it an HOB or a canister filter?

So it seems you don't know about cycling an aquarium? Do you have an API master test kit?

Do you not need a heater? Sorry don't know if the weather is warm or not over in Australia

For a beginner no question is stupid! In fact even if your not a beginner questions aren't stupid! We all come from different backgrounds and levels! Information is something not everyone has access too and not everyone knows everything! On Fishlore in fact any forums questions are what we like! We rather have you ask questions than figuring something yourself or getting the wrong information from someone else . We want you and the fish to be happy! You are one of the better beginner and wouldn't call you dumb since it is smart of you to come to the forum before you even start the aquarium. Many beginners by an aquarium and only come on the forum because their tank went horribly wrong

 

WELCOME to Fishlore!!!

Your stocking is really good in fact its understock! Because of their school size the black skirt tetra will be fine! Nippy fish normal nip others when they are in a small school where they feel insecure.

For filter that is about 264 gallons per hour. Is it an HOB or a canister filter?

So it seems you don't know about cycling an aquarium? Do you have an API master test kit?

Do you not need a heater? Sorry don't know if the weather is warm or not over in Australia

For a beginner no question is stupid! In fact even if your not a beginner questions aren't stupid! We all come from different backgrounds and levels! Information is something not everyone has access too and not everyone knows everything! On Fishlore in fact any forums questions are what we like! We rather have you ask questions than figuring something yourself or getting the wrong information from someone else . We want you and the fish to be happy! You are one of the better beginner and wouldn't call you dumb since it is smart of you to come to the forum before you even start the aquarium. Many beginners by an aquarium and only come on the forum because their tank went horribly wrong

Thank you very much for your response! That's great the black skirts could work with the angelfish and not nip them because I think they would look nice in the same tank. The filter is a cannister.

I have read up on the cycling process, and intend to do a fishless cycle. I still have a few things to buy (substrate, decorations) including some test kits. Any tips for doing the fishless cycle would be goo though!

Yeah I have got some heaters given to me with the tank, I haven't checked them out yet though to see if they will be sufficient. In summer I may not need them but I actually live in a somewhat colder part of Australia so the fishes will need heating in other months apart from summer haha.

Yes although I'm very excited to start my tank I am nervous as well and want to create a good environment for my fishes so they can have a good life. Thanks again for the response

 

So when you do a fishless cycle your gonna need a bottle of BB(beneficial bacteria) such as Tetra Safe Start or Seachem Stability. When you add this your gonna need an ammonia source such as pure ammonia, fish food, or fish waste. Because your doing a fishless cycle your gonna have to use pure ammonia or fish food. I believe fish food would probably be a better option for you.

Using your test kit your gonna have to do it everyday to see the progress of the tank. A cycle tank should have the numbers 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and <20ppm of nitrate. It normally will take 2 weeks when using a bottle of BB correctly. Without it it will take 1-2 months! If you don't understand the cycling process watch videos and articles. It took me a couple of videos and articles for me to fully understand! However once you understand you will realize how simple it is. The first 2-3 weeks will be where you will use your test kit a lot! However after that you won't need it unless problems arise(let's hope not!)

Don't be nervous we will help you through out the whole process! In the aquarium hobby patience is important, tanks that are succeful are those that have been planned out thoroughly. Those that are rush normally don't last that long before it falls apart.

Just wondering where are you going to get your fish from?

So for the filter what kind do you have? You want 8-10x the gph of the size tank with HOBs so with the filter you have now your under filter. Thus you want 1665 liters(440) per hours

 

HI all, long time lurker first time poster. I have been researching for months and I am finally about to set up my first community aquarium as I have been given a second hand tank and some equipment and have a few questions. (Note I have read up on cycling and will be doing a fishless cycle before adding fish)

The tank size is as follows:
122cm width
41cm height
45cm depth

I believe this is approximately 225 litres (which I think is close to 55-60 gallons, I am Australian and only really know litres. If my maths is wrong here please let me know).

For stock I am thinking this:
1-2 angelfish
10-12 black skirt tetras
6 bronze corys

First of all, is this stock level ok for my tank size? Would it be ok to go with 2 angelfish?

Second, will my black skirt tetras nip at my angelfish if they are in a school this size? And do I have to worry about my angelfish trying to eat the tetras?

I am very open to different types of fish the above is just an idea (my partner really likes angels otherwise I might not have even considered them haha). So I'm open to suggestions.

Another couple of questions (these may be stupid sorry)
- I have been given a filter that is 1000 litres/hour. Is this suitable for my tank? I've heard your filter should be able to do your tank 3 x in an hour which would make this ok but would the flow be too strong or something?
- In regards to fish breeding, what do you do with all the little babies that just happen? worst comes to worst I actually have 2 tanks and the second is of equal size to the first so I could put them in there... but then what? Do you just remove the eggs as soon as they are lain so they don't hatch (and is this cruel I don't want them to suffer I just don't know anything about fish babies)?

Thanks in advance for your advice

I only see one problem with your stocking! Black skirts aren't temperature compatible with angelfish. Try looking at either rummynose or cardinals instead. If you don't like either of those maybe come up with some you do like from an lfs and check back here to see if they'll work.

 

Al913 Thanks for the tips for cycling, is there such thing as too high nitrate? I was planning to do it with fishfood but I can't find how much I'm supposed to put in for this size of tank to get the required ammonia level to start with?
In regards to where I will get my fish from, unfortunately where I live I'm not in a main city so there aren't that many options but there are some local aquarium stores I will look at. I want to buy from somewhere that treats their fish well, are there any signs that would hint at a fish seller not being such a good shop?
The filter I have is 2 x Eheim 2217s which are cannister?

nedpatrick Oh really? When I looked it up I thought all 3 of the fish I mentioned would be happy at about 25-26 degrees celcius (not sure on fahrenheit sorry). I love cardinal tetras though and would be happy with them instead of the black skirts though

 

You want to have <20ppm of nitrates. <40 ppm is still workable for fish but it means you need to do a water change!!!

As for the canisters you want a minimum of 5x the gph. Your kind of short in filtration(you have 264 but need 275(1041liters/hour)) but it should be okay due to your stocking.

Yeah checked the info for skirt tetra but 78F is the highest however normally you don't want to go to the highest they can handle as this can be stressful to them if its for their whole life! For angels I believe the best temp for them is 78F. As mentinoed rummynose tetras if you can get your hands on them are really good! They are actual schooling fish! Watch videos of them online!

 

Al913 I am willing to buy a bigger filter if needed. Maybe if I added more stock than I have mentioned I would upgrade and get a bigger one?

Okay fair enough, I do not want my fish to be stressed!

The rummynoses look good but the green in the cardinals that nedpatrick mentioned is really striking. Could I do this for stocking:

2 angels
12 cardinal tetras (or rummynose, if this won't work. I like both)
6 bronze corys

with the temp at 25 degrees celsius?

 

That should work!

However with the cories in a 55 gallon there is no excuse to not get 10 or 12!!! But honestly for bigger tanks like 55 the minimum size for schools and shoals should be 8. Also if you want you could do a mix of the bronze and albino, both are of the same species so if you get 10 you can do 5 albino and 5 bronze which would be interesting!

 

Al913 I am willing to buy a bigger filter if needed. Maybe if I added more stock than I have mentioned I would upgrade and get a bigger one?

Okay fair enough, I do not want my fish to be stressed!

The rummynoses look good but the green in the cardinals that nedpatrick mentioned is really striking. Could I do this for stocking:

2 angels
12 cardinal tetras (or rummynose, if this won't work. I like both)
6 bronze corys

with the temp at 25 degrees celsius?

If you can't decide than keep both! Two schools are perfectly fine in your tank! I would keep the temp between 78-80. I think that's like 25-26.5 degrees celcius. A school of 12 of each the rummynose and cardinals would be perfect! I would also add more corys about 4 so you have a total of 10.

 

Okay I'll definitely get more of the corys then, I really like them and think they're so cute so I'd be glad to increase their amount.

Even with 2 schools I could keep the angels?

Also the angels wouldn't eat the tetras would they?

Again, thanks to you both

 

Corys are bottom level so they won't bother any fish really!

As for the cardinals they shouldn't have a problem getting eaten. As long as you are buying the angels when they are small(quarter size). When angels are brought up with smaller fish they tend to not eat them. Its usually when people add adult angels in already establish tank where the angels tend to eat the small fish since they don't know them much. if cardinals are all your gonna do you can do 20! With the angels though it will add more of a schooling affect! Normally when there is no danger or in large tanks fish tend to spread out but when there is a bigger fish they will tend to swim together when a fish get near

 

Al913 Thanks for the tips for cycling, is there such thing as too high nitrate? I was planning to do it with fishfood but I can't find how much I'm supposed to put in for this size of tank to get the required ammonia level to start with?
In regards to where I will get my fish from, unfortunately where I live I'm not in a main city so there aren't that many options but there are some local aquarium stores I will look at. I want to buy from somewhere that treats their fish well, are there any signs that would hint at a fish seller not being such a good shop?
The filter I have is 2 x Eheim 2217s which are cannister?

nedpatrick Oh really? When I looked it up I thought all 3 of the fish I mentioned would be happy at about 25-26 degrees celcius (not sure on fahrenheit sorry). I love cardinal tetras though and would be happy with them instead of the black skirts though

Red flags for pet stores:

-Sells dyed/injected fish: the colors are artificial and temporary and the process is painful/kills lots of fish
-Sells (adopting for a small fee is okay) dogs: I dunno about Aussie but in the US most pet stores that sells dogs get them from puppy mills/baby factories/death traps
-Employees seem not to know a thing and do not seek answers if asked a question they don't know
-Large number of dead animals that are not cleaned up and properly disposed of
-Encourages the use of fishbowls for goldfish (they grow to over a US foot/30 cm)
-Owner does not care about the health of fish and does not know their own stocking
-Store is not clean
-Store knowingly sells protected/illegal species (I think Australia has some of the strictest wildlife laws, even threatening to jail US actor Johnny Depp for bringing in his pet dogs without a permit)
-Store feels not right (trust your gut here)

Another user tip for fish shopping, if you see a fish that has seemingly large (read cute) eyes for its body size, unless it is a bubble-eye or moor goldfish, it is likely a baby and will probably grow much larger (this applies to human babies too).

Tips for finding good stores:
-Clean
-Animals look healthy and are eating
-Owner and employees know their stuff (they should have some experience they can draw from and can ask other staff if they do not know)
-Refuses sales if the would-be buyers' requests sound ridiculous (I was actually glad that the associates at a pet store I go to asked me about the details of my tank setup and the current stocking BEFORE I asked which fish I should buy)
-Properly labels the animals/merchandise (with scientific names if possible)
-(if store has dog or cat related merchandise) Encourages people to visit the local animal shelter
-(a little nit-picky) does not sell unreasonably large animals like sulcatas, green iguanas, or koi without warning about adult size and possibly having an adult on display (btw sulcatas grow heavier than an adult American man, green iguanas grow longer than a person is tall, and koi can reach a meter in length)
-Is fun to go to over and over again

Protip: if an idea sounds too risky to be true, trust your gut and do not follow through with it; this is a very basic piece of advice of mine that works for everything but many don't follow (maybe this could explain the US's choice of next President). Instead, you could ask this forum and someone (preferably a live human) can help.

Also, quick question. In Australia, is it legal to own bearded dragons as pets? In the US, they are very popular to keep.

 

Corys are bottom level so they won't bother any fish really!

As for the cardinals they shouldn't have a problem getting eaten. As long as you are buying the angels when they are small(quarter size). When angels are brought up with smaller fish they tend to not eat them. Its usually when people add adult angels in already establish tank where the angels tend to eat the small fish since they don't know them much. if cardinals are all your gonna do you can do 20! With the angels though it will add more of a schooling affect! Normally when there is no danger or in large tanks fish tend to spread out but when there is a bigger fish they will tend to swim together when a fish get near

Okay great thanks, I'll get juvenile angels then so they group up with the schooling fish being friends not food. If they are schooling when bigger fish come near this doesn't stress them does it?

Thanks for the tips emerald6
Pet stores in Australia are the same unfortunately and sell puppies from puppy mills. One state has laws now so pet stores can only sell dogs that require adoption which is good.

Yes our laws in Australia are very strict and it is near impossible to obtain exotic pets which is good.

You can keep bearded dragons, but you must have a reptile license (like drivers license that allows you to keep reptiles, and if you want more than one reptile it's a different license). You cannot take one from the wild though and must get it from a licensed reptile seller

 

So it won't be entirely stress as the angels aren't going to be constantly chasing them. However normally when a big fish does come near a group of cardinals they normally swim away together.

Yeah I know Australia has wildlife problems from the invasive species and people's pets!

 

Okay great I just don't wanna stress any of my new pets!

Yeah the Johnny Depp thing was big news in Australia, went pretty overboard.

Went to an aquarium store last night which seemed to be really good. It was very clean, had a lot of variety of stock and all their critters look happy. When the time comes I think I will use them.