First ever tank - freshwater beginner

Hello all - I will be honest off the bat, I do not have any experience with fish and had a tank (that my parents cared for) when I was young.

I am going big to start, 55 gallons for my first tank, as I do not want to have to upgrade size in the near future. I want freshwater. I want a community tank as my first, some schools of fish, some standout fish, and an odd desire for a turtle (or two? are they happier in pairs?). I want a nice community that I can watch live and be active. I want some fish that I can group together (schools) and some I can name and pick out from the rest. Any reccomendations on any good combinations of fish is very welcome, and while I would LOVE to have a mostly aquatic turtle (I could make a basking area at top of tank), if it makes having more fish and keeping it maintained more difficult (not just slightly but far more difficult) then I will pass on the turtle for now. Honest opinions, please, I'm researching this a lot before I make any purchases.

I am open to everything except the size of the tank (55 works well with new furniture I am getting and prevents upgrade in tank size for a long while) and freshwater.

Some questions off the top of my head;
one or two filters?
Can you have two filters that DONT have covers? As I want to be able to have a basking area for a nice turtle or two. (Again, mostly aquatic turtles I am looking into).
I am researching good combinations of tank mates, water temps. for the fish, pH levels, and their food. Oh and size. I understand some fish can be passive but will eat smaller fish if they can.

Basically just looking for any suggestions on types of fish, where I should research and look for more information, anything to help really!

I plan on buying supplies and the tank to prep by New Years - once my room is renovated.

 

Would also like to note:

id like to start with: two or three schools of small fish
school or two/three separate of medium sized fish
some algae eaters
turtle
cool strange fish or two (looking for variety here, something standout to name)
I don't know which fish go where in the levels of te tank minus algae eaters beI bottom feeders right?

 

Welcome to Fishlore!

You have lots of options for community fish in a 55 gal, but unfortunately a turtle is not a good fit with fish. They'll eat the fish and dirty up the tank too much for the fish.

 

Turtles are incompatible with small fish like most schooling fish, they'll eat them. It'll make your stocking much more difficult to pick.

Since it's basically your first tank, to be safe you should keep it slightly understocked, it'll leave more space for mistakes. You could have nice schools of ~10 black skirt tetras for the top/middle and ~6 cory catfish for the bottom. You could also try a few dwarf gouramis, they may or may not be compatible with the neons. It would depend on the individuals that you get, females are typically less aggressive than males. If they don't work, perhaps a few angelfish.

Open to suggestions/disagreements.

 

I figured itd be tough to do - that's okay, I won't let it ruin the rest of the beauty the tank will have.

any suggestions on specific fish?!

I have a good idea so far on schools, but the singular fish I'm looking for I cannot decide for the life of me. I want two or three fish that standout

 

HI and welcome to Fishlore!

Good for you for getting the big 55 gallon as your first ever tank!

I have to agree about the turtle but you would have tons of options to play around with in stocking the tank.

If you haven't already done so, read up on the nitrogen cycle (click the blue words, they're a link) as well as Fishlore's free e-book below. Lots of really good information!

Freshwater Aquarium Book

 

Ahh did not know this yet! thanks a lot - is this done before putting any fish in, or am I understanding it wrong? I suppose it preps the water for living fish that need it set that way (hence the combination of fish and tank maintenance being so crucial).

 

Agreed with TexasDomer, you really gotta pick one, community or turtle. Personally I'd go for community, there is so much you can do with that tank if you go for a community!

I would definitely get 2 filters, my recommendation is 2 AquaClear 70's (though I adore over filtration, you could probably do a 50 and a 70). AquaClears are by far the best HOB filters on the market (95% of the Fishlore-ians agree). So much room to customize media, you can shove so much media into those things! Also, after a week or two they are completely silent, if that's a criteria for you. Especially for a beginner, a HOB is much cheaper and easier to handle than a canister (not saying canisters can't be considered).

If you want good information of fish, seriouslyfish has some really good info, but I highly recommend thinking up some fish, and posting on here asking about them. It's the best way to get reliable information and as much help as you want!

Also, something that many "newbies" stress about is the pH. Let me just say, your pH is perfect the way it is unless it's below ~6.5 or above 8.5.
Chemicals that change pH = big no-no in the fish world

EDIT : Dang, looks like I've been ninja'd 10 times over .

 

looking around at a lot of fish now, I will definitely post a list of what Id like to check out and see if they are compatible ( and not to breed, which reminds me, how does that all work? does that cause problems or is it more welcomed surprises? do they create a lot of fish or a few?)

 

you could do some research on freshwater puffers. although I don't know if you could keep them in a community tank.

Even though you can't get the turtle there are still great unique options like a african clawed frog or cherry shrimp

 

I never thought about a frog... are they aquatic enough? my tank is mostly if not all aquatic minus breathing room up top. if it requires me to set up a basking area, if possible, I suppose I could... but wouldnt it jump out? haha

 

May I suggest African Dwarf Frogs instead of Turtle? You could get like 5-8 frogs and still have two schools of fish?

 

I never thought about a frog... are they aquatic enough? my tank is mostly if not all aquatic minus breathing room up top. if it requires me to set up a basking area, if possible, I suppose I could... but wouldnt it jump out? haha

I wouldn't put a frog in your tank - they do better in shorter tanks, where it's easier for them to get to the surface.

Most freshwater puffers aren't community fish either, so I'd stay away from those.

Take a look around your local fish stores, write down the fish you like they have in stock, and report back here. We can help with stocking options

Definitely get a lid for your tank. I like and use the glass Versa tops.

 

prefer only a frog or two, if any at all (id have to check them out) would prefer more variety or abundance with schools or fish - two schools could work for now though, I understand I am grtting ahead of myself a bit - just thinking end picture

 

Ahh did not know this yet! thanks a lot - is this done before putting any fish in, or am I understanding it wrong? I suppose it preps the water for living fish that need it set that way (hence the combination of fish and tank maintenance being so crucial).

Yes, you'll have to cycle your tank to make it safe for your fish. You can choose either fishless or fish-in cycling. There are some stickies in the below thread on how to do both.

 

I recommend a school of rasbora heteromorpha. they're great fish. very active and fun to watch.
You could also get a plecostomus

 

can someone explain how feeding works. I know it sounds silly, but I mean how do I feed each fish? Certain types require certain diets, how can I assure they get them if its a free for all on food? Stuff like that I don't quite understand yet.

Currently am listing fish I want opinions on! Will post back in an houror so

 

It takes experience mostly, but yes certain types require different foods. I really think you should decide on fish before going into details about food, that way we know which food to advise you to get (variety is very important). On general brands, I use Omega One, New Life Spectrum, and HikarI (widely debated, but I use it and my fish are fine ). I use bloodworms as treats.

In schools, or communities, fish really have to learn to get to the food fast enough. If they don't learn, they could very possibly starve. However, most fish can do this because they were raised having to fight for food in farms. Some very slow fish need to be target fed, or if a dominant fish is hogging all the food, you may need to distract it so others can get food. Like I said, experience and trial-and-error are what helps you do this.

 

CatfishPleco for bottom feeders


Tetras
Neons (?)
Zebra (?)
etc for mid-level schools


Angelfish (idk what level fish they are)


top level fish ??
halfbeaks
hatchets

also like Swordtails - perhaps one male one female or just one
and Columbian Shark as it is peaceful but it says minimum 70 gallons? 55 wouldnt suffice for a no bigger than 10" fish?
invertebrates?


live plants?

any other suggesstions than the ones I did quick reads for are accepted!

also have a love for a friends Bichir, semI aggressive though and they get long, unless there is shorter versions I am unaware of. looks adorable for a fish though, the smile is awesome!

 

Well I went to bed to early to get in on this fun thread. If you still haven't made up your mind on fish slash turtles you could go with 2 common stinkpots in a 55 great little guys that won't outgrow it. Bichirs will et to big with a 55 and normally don't do well with tank mates that can fit in there mouth.

 

CatfishPleco for bottom feeders


Tetras
Neons (?)
Zebra (?)
etc for mid-level schools


Angelfish (idk what level fish they are)


top level fish ??
halfbeaks
hatchets

also like Swordtails - perhaps one male one female or just one
and Columbian Shark as it is peaceful but it says minimum 70 gallons? 55 wouldnt suffice for a no bigger than 10" fish?
invertebrates?


live plants?

any other suggesstions than the ones I did quick reads for are accepted!

also have a love for a friends Bichir, semI aggressive though and they get long, unless there is shorter versions I am unaware of. looks adorable for a fish though, the smile is awesome!

Colombian sharks actually will end up needing brackish water, certain half beaks as well. Bichir will most likely become aggressive and would definitely eat the neon tetras. Neons also prefer cooler water than other tetras. I would go with some hatchets and maybe a pair of angels. Hatchets also like to jump so be careful and have a lid. Angelfish also limit other options. If you want a TRUE community tank, I would do danios for top swimmers, tetras/rasboras for middle, and some corydoras for bottom, a small shoal of otocinclus, and a banjo catfish

 

For filtration I highly recommend having a hydro pro sponge filter (or TWO). You can use them on the intake of any HOB/Canister filter, and in case of pump failure you can run it off an air pump/power head and still have a viable Beneficial Bacteria source. They are also easily transferable and are already cycled in case you ever set up a QT/Hospital tank. The cheapest i've found is from.

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For stocking i'd recommend

Starting with a nice school of Danios. 7-9 and let your aquarium stabilize for a bit. (couple days). A very hardy and entertaining fish.

Then a Pearl Gourami or a Bolivian Ram. Then a couple days later the other one.

Then a school of another compatible fish or a couple of other larger fish that will work well single or couple. (other people would know more.)

 

Pretty good advice here^

 

I would suggest that you visit some fish stores with paper and pencil and actually look at various fish to see what you find appealing. I also am now in love with my new angel fish, I just have one in my community .It is a koi angel fish. very curios fish, follows you around the tank, swims right up to the front to see you and beg for food. I also love my bristle nose plecos, I have all light color ones and albino, a blue eyed lemon and a blue eyed yellow ancistrus. Really nice fish and fun to watch, a golden dojo loach for the bottom, very friendly and personable fish. Do not get an African clawed frog as they also will eat your fish. A school of cherry barbs, a school of harlequin rasboras, a school of cardinal tetras, a school of black neons, a school of glowlight tetras, These are just different fish to look into I don't mean put them all in your tank. Welcome to the forum and glad you're here. congrats on the new tank. Alison

 

Hey, I started out with a 55 gallon and let me just say this, let it run for about 2 to 3 weeks before putting fish in and let the nitrogen cycle take its course.. if not you will be back to the fish store buying a lot more fish cuz all the other died and then you could get ich cuz of stress and it's just a hassle. If your really wanting it now the get a bottle of tetra safestart to get the bacteria going, if not your water will foul very quickly, and I like picts catfish a lot they are extremely active just as much as Cory cats

 

Thanks all for the help and ideas!! I will personally post to each response with questions later, but as of now I am in class so I will keep it short with some fish I have looked up and really liked (from folk's suggestions on this site).

I would love to build my tank by the levels the fish favor (and I try to match up temperature, pH, and peacefulness)

And someone correct me if I am wrong but with a 55 gallon tank I can have a lot of fish correct? Not that I am looking to have hundreds of fish, but I shouldnt be worried about overstocking with fish that grow maximum 2-4" correct? I think the largest fish I am inquiring about is around 6-8".

Fish I have really liked so far by levels:

Top - hatchets and danios

Middle - tetras, neons (but someone said they are iffy), angelfish (are they middle? Id like two if possible in a community tank), Zebras

Bottom - Plecos, catfish, dojo loach I really like as they resemble a smaller peaceful Bichir to me (are they bottom dwellers?)

And someone mentioned a common stinkpot? That comes up as a turtle, and most were recommending no turtle as it will over dirty the tank faster and would be aggressive? Or is this type of turtle better for community tanks? Some explanation on that would be lovely.

Thanks again!

Friend has also turned me on to German Blue Rams and Electric Rams, Pictus Catfish, Elephant Nose, and Butterfly fish are GORGEOUS but seem way too high maintenance and require large tanks (idk why, only 6")

Edit: Butterfly Beta is very pretty and is peaceful and requires very little tank - good in community tank?

 

You could probably have a betta, but it would take a lot of options off your list. The neons could nip his fins, and the GBR and angelfish would almost certainly nip his fins.

 

You could probably have a betta, but it would take a lot of options off your list. The neons could nip his fins, and the GBR and angelfish would almost certainly nip his fins.

GBR? German Blue Ram?

And how can I tell which fish nip?

And for an idea of a community tank, how does this sound;

Hatchets/Danios (school)
Tetras/Zebras (school)
Either two Bettas or two Angelfish
Plecos (idk how many if more than one)
Catfish or any algae eater/bottom feeder

And my buddy says I could have a small turtle if I feed it outside the tank, thus keeping the mess to a minimum. Thoughts?

 

The stinkpots were from me ive got one now. But I keep them in my first tank which was a 55 as well. But you seem set on community tank, so they probably arnt for you. They most likely wouldnt do well for your plans with community plans but if youd like to ask about them or want anyninfo just pm me

 

The stinkpots were from me ive got one now. But I keep them in my first tank which was a 55 as well. But you seem set on community tank, so they probably arnt for you. They most likely wouldnt do well for your plans with community plans but if youd like to ask about them or want anyninfo just pm me

Yeah Id love a turtle but I want a nice community tank first. My buddies say they are boring but I just want a nice lively community, is that odd? Haha, I want the fish to have a nice long life in my tank, and have friends and others around. While all the rarer and more aggressive fish are cool, I think for now Id like community - especially since if I ever change my mind (as awful as this is) I could just let the aggressives eat the others. Which I doubt I would do, but its a thought.

 

lol love it but you could use them for in store credit or trade ins.

 

I wouldn't use bettas for a community tank, so I think it's better if you just stick with your original list!

 

I wouldn't use bettas for a community tank, so I think it's better if you just stick with your original list!

Thoughts on replacing the two bettas with two angelfish?

 

Hey guys sorry to chip in but I'm in the process of getting a 75 gallong and want a community tank but want some cool fish in there as well, here is a suggested idea

2 german blue rams
1 rainbow cichlid
2 pearl gouramis
12 cardinal tetras
12 aeneus cories
10 australian rainbowfish

 

I agree with the GBR. Two or three juveniles, 2 gouramis. A couple schools of different tetra breeds. Maybe 1 pleco as well (they get very large).

Even for community tanks I'll always recommend a more docile cichlid. They bring so much to a tank as far as activity and personality. A cichlid free community tank, to me, is a bunch of fish swimming freely with no rhyme or reason. A cichlid will establish territory and the other members of the tank community will abide by their rules. It very cool to watch.

So yes, 2 to 3 German blue Rams would be great. OR, and I'm very biased, 1 or 2 firemouth cichlids. They're more aggressive but in a 55 gallon I don't see aggressiveness being an issue. Both species are beautiful fish.

 

Also, no turtle. You'll thank me later. I had a yellow bellied slider in a 75 gallon and it was just a mess even with 2 large canister filters. They can really only be kept with large cichlids or the fish will be gone quickly.

 

Also, no turtle. You'll thank me later. I had a yellow bellied slider in a 75 gallon and it was just a mess even with 2 large canister filters. They can really only be kept with large cichlids or the fish will be gone quickly.

All sliders get big and create tons of waste commons are small no more than 4 Iinches full grown.

 

Hello all - I will be honest off the bat, I do not have any experience with fish and had a tank (that my parents cared for) when I was young.

I am going big to start, 55 gallons for my first tank, as I do not want to have to upgrade size in the near future. I want freshwater. I want a community tank as my first, some schools of fish, some standout fish, and an odd desire for a turtle (or two? are they happier in pairs?). I want a nice community that I can watch live and be active. I want some fish that I can group together (schools) and some I can name and pick out from the rest. Any reccomendations on any good combinations of fish is very welcome, and while I would LOVE to have a mostly aquatic turtle (I could make a basking area at top of tank), if it makes having more fish and keeping it maintained more difficult (not just slightly but far more difficult) then I will pass on the turtle for now. Honest opinions, please, I'm researching this a lot before I make any purchases.

I am open to everything except the size of the tank (55 works well with new furniture I am getting and prevents upgrade in tank size for a long while) and freshwater.

Some questions off the top of my head;
one or two filters?
Can you have two filters that DONT have covers? As I want to be able to have a basking area for a nice turtle or two. (Again, mostly aquatic turtles I am looking into).
I am researching good combinations of tank mates, water temps. for the fish, pH levels, and their food. Oh and size. I understand some fish can be passive but will eat smaller fish if they can.

Basically just looking for any suggestions on types of fish, where I should research and look for more information, anything to help really!

I plan on buying supplies and the tank to prep by New Years - once my room is renovated.

I think you would be good with one large canister filter.

BEWARE OF NOISE!!!!!!! Since you are new to this just be warned that all aquariums make some noise. Do your research before you buy a filter, or an air pump. I had one open wall in my house (bedroom), so I sat my aquarium there. The starter kit came with a cheap HOB filter that sounded like a coffee grinder. I had to go invest in a $115 canister filter just so I could sleep and keep my sanity. With a 55 gallon I would get a canister. They tend to be more quiet than HOB and air pump sponge filters. Canisters sit on the floor, or are hidden in a insulated cabinet which helps muffle the sound. Make sure you have a place in your house where some noise won't bother you. If you can't tolerate the noise then you will be taking everything back, or selling it at a discount rate on craigslist.

 

I'm near raleigh not thread jacking

 

I agree with the GBR. Two or three juveniles, 2 gouramis. A couple schools of different tetra breeds. Maybe 1 pleco as well (they get very large).

Even for community tanks I'll always recommend a more docile cichlid. They bring so much to a tank as far as activity and personality. A cichlid free community tank, to me, is a bunch of fish swimming freely with no rhyme or reason. A cichlid will establish territory and the other members of the tank community will abide by their rules. It very cool to watch.

So yes, 2 to 3 German blue Rams would be great. OR, and I'm very biased, 1 or 2 firemouth cichlids. They're more aggressive but in a 55 gallon I don't see aggressiveness being an issue. Both species are beautiful fish.

Thoughts on...

2 Goldveil Angelfish
4 Green Tiger Barbs
8 Turquoise Danios (are they top-mid level?)
8 Harlequin Rasboras
1 Dojo Loach (says kH is very low)
1 Rio-Negro Pleco
4 Siamese Algae Eaters (do they school well?/was looking for a school fish that stays on the bottom, any reccomendations please

Edit: All of these fish are compatible, require similar pH, Temp, and kH (minus Loach). Ignored diets and sizes are reasonable (largest 6"). Mostly like sand/light small gravel, decent hiding spots and plants. Anything I am missing? (If my sources are wrong, please let me know)