Ideas For A Temperate Community?

So I found a 55 gallon by the side of the road, and obviously took the deal and grabbed it for myself. I thought it would be a cool idea to set this tank up without a heater, as the water in my unheated tanks stay at around 70 to 72 degrees. I thought it would be cool to set up a community tank with no heater, one that looked as if it were a tropical community. I know that it can be done, as many commonly kept tropicals (livebearers, certain tetras and corydoras, barbs, danios, kilis, etc) can live without a heater. So what would you guys do? How would you stock it?

Thanks in advance!

 

20 WCMM
1x paradise fish?

 

50 endlers.

 

I have a 63 gallon unheated tank with 2 dojo loaches, 4 platies, 1 bristlenose pleco, 4 nerite snails and Amano shrimp. I have kept white cloud mountain minnows, zebra danios, leopard danios, guppies, honey gouramis and Bolivian rams in it though to give you some ideas.

 

Celestial Pearl Danios, Rainbow Shiners, or maybe even a few Golden shiners.

 

CPDs, panda cories, zebra danios?

 

Peppered cories are also another suitable option... many also consider neons to be in the same category as temperate, so depending on your location it may also be a viable option?

 

Goldfish are temperate as well.

 

Thanks for the help! I am thinking of using many of the fish given! If all works out, I will post an update on the tank! A bit of an unrelated question, how do the buenos aires tetras do with moss? I hear they nip at plants, will they eat java moss as well?

 

The others have good ideas- It would likely be a good idea if you haven't set the tank up yet is to water test it first.( outside or in a garage depending on weather you want to see if the water level goes down or not) Look at the silicone, and glass for chips/cracks- lifting of the silicone, missing silicone, scratched up silicone, How thick is the glass? It is a great deal as it was free but if there is a problem you don't want to find out about it in your house. Some people house lizards and other critters in tanks and they can do a number on the silicone. Also some tanks are meant for reptiles and are not meant for water. Good luck-but just be aware of some possible problems.

 

The others have good ideas- It would likely be a good idea if you haven't set the tank up yet is to water test it first.( outside or in a garage depending on weather you want to see if the water level goes down or not) Look at the silicone, and glass for chips/cracks- lifting of the silicone, missing silicone, scratched up silicone, How thick is the glass? It is a great deal as it was free but if there is a problem you don't want to find out about it in your house. Some people house lizards and other critters in tanks and they can do a number on the silicone. Also some tanks are meant for reptiles and are not meant for water. Good luck-but just be aware of some possible problems.

Thanks for the advice. I do have plans to water test and examine it before filling it, so no worries there

 

Thanks for the help! I am thinking of using many of the fish given! If all works out, I will post an update on the tank! A bit of an unrelated question, how do the buenos aires tetras do with moss? I hear they nip at plants, will they eat java moss as well?

When I had them, they left mosses alone.

 

You could make a really nice shrimp tank with about 14 hatchetfish because they stay at the top so won't bother the shrimp.

 

You could make a really nice shrimp tank with about 14 hatchetfish because they stay at the top so won't bother the shrimp.

And the hatchets will be fine without a heater?

 

I believe not. I think 72-80 is the range