My 55g Living Room Build

Okay, so I got a call this morning from the LFS where I'd reserved some Rummy-Nose Tetras saying that they were ready for collection.

I was lucky I had a free morning so went to collect them. However, when I saw them they didn't look too good. They all looked really thin and a lot smaller than I remember them looking last week.

In the end I decided to leave them.

I'm now actually considering a school of Silvertip Tetras, as I'm a bit disheartened about the number of Rummy-Noses I've lost.

I just need to do a bit more research to see if they're compatible with the rest of my stock.

Any thoughts?

 

So, thought I'd do a quick update on my 55 gallon tank.

Unfortunately, it's starting to look quite empty, as I've lost another two Rummy-Nose Tetras this week. My school is now down to six, which means I'm now losing fish that have been in the tank since January!

My parameters are Ammonia: 0, Nitrite: 0, Nitrate: 10-25, pH: 7.2, Temp: 26C, dGH: 7-14, dKH: 6-10, TDS: 225

Does anyone see anything in these values that are at odds with keeping Rummy-Noses?

The tank only contains 6 x Bronze Corydoras, 1 x Clown Plec, 8 x Amano Shrimp, 5 x Assassin Snails and a small assortment of pest snails, so it's definitely not overstocked!

I don't think I'll be getting any more Rummy-Noses as I'm getting increasingly upset at watching them die in my care. Instead, I'm thinking about a school of Silvertip Tetras to replace them as I've heard they are much hardier, and they seem like a good match for the conditions I have.

Has anyone had any experience of them?

 

I don't have experience with either, but I almost went with silvertip tetras in my tank. They're gorgeous!

 

I don't have experience with either, but I almost went with silvertip tetras in my tank. They're gorgeous!

I have to agree about them looking gorgeous! Especially the males with their copper colouring!

 

Okay, so I've made a couple of changes to the tank.

Firstly I've removed a piece of wood that I wasn't really happy with. It was being slowly covered in some sort of dark green algae that the Amano Shrimp seem to like, but I don't!

Next, I've replaced a few more of the artificial plants with real ones. There's now quite a few strands of Elodea, which is growing well in my other tanks.

I've also added an Anubias mnima plant, which I've wedged between two rocks.

Also added is a Hottonia palustris plant in a pot, which if it grows well, will be split and make its way into my Fluval Flex 57!

Here's what the tank looks like this morning...



There are still quite a few artificial plants that need replacing, but I'm very happy that the 'scape is looking a bit more natural.

 

The tank looks amazing!!

Have you given any more thought to fish stocking? I would be dying to get more fish in there!

 

The tank looks amazing!!

Have you given any more thought to fish stocking? I would be dying to get more fish in there!

Thank you very much!

Other than the Silvertip Tetras I've toyed with the idea of a small school of Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish, or maybe a couple of pairs of Dwarf Cichlids, or even an Angelfish or two. Not sure if my Amano Shrimp would be safe with any of them though.

 

I love the silvertip tetra idea. I'm sorry I don't know much about shrimp-safe fish! I'd think most cichlids would eat shrimp, though. Maybe German rams?

 

I love the silvertip tetra idea. I'm sorry I don't know much about shrimp-safe fish! I'd think most cichlids would eat shrimp, though. Maybe German rams?

Me too! I'd love a big school of small fish, which is what I was trying for with the Rummy-Noses. I think I'll try the Silvertip Tetras next.

Actually I had a pair of Electric Blue Rams in this tank originally until one of them turned psycho, killed his "mate" (which turned out to be another male) and then started chasing Rummy-Noses! I guess it depends on the temperament of the individual, but I wouldn't trust them with shrimp!

If the Silvertips don't work, I might try a huge school of nano fish, although I don't see them very often for sale here.

 

Another neat option would be a whole bunch of pseudomugil rainbows. You could start with a few and breed your own school, if that interests you.

 

Another neat option would be a whole bunch of pseudomugil rainbows. You could start with a few and breed your own school, if that interests you.

It's funny you should mention them as I was looking into both Forktail and Spotted Blue Eye varieties for my 30g.

I think I'd have to reduce the temp by a couple of degrees C if I wanted to keep them in this tank, but I'll definitely keep them on my list for future reference.

 

Okay, so it has been a couple of months since my last update and not a lot has changed.

The tank has now been up and running for over a year and I think I've finally worked out what I'm going to stock with.

I currently still have my six remaining Rummy-Noses...



Eight Amano Shrimp...



Half a dozen Bronze Corydoras...



Elvis the Endler...



And my elusive Clown Pleco...



So, I've had a batch of 6 Rummy-Noses in my QT tank for a few weeks now and they're doing good, so they'll be added next. I'll obviously keep my fingers crossed that they don't meet a similar fate to previous new additions.

Then my plan is to add some Cockatoo Cichlids, probably one male and three females if I can get them.

Hopefully the Cockatoos will get on with my Amano Shrimp!

Any thoughts or advice?

 

Okay, so in the last week I've added two of the Rummy-Nose Tetras from my QT tank and they're doing great, so far!

I've also managed to source some Cockatoo Cichlids. I'm pretty sure this is a male...



And this smaller one is a female...



They're both part of a batch left at my LFS by someone leaving the hobby.

They're both also a bit stressed from their moving ordeal but are both eating and are currently housed in a temporary 10 gallon setup.

They'll be moved to the 55 gallon in a couple of weeks...

 

Wow! Your picture are amazing, just wanted to add that lol. Good luck with the new additions!

 

Wow! Your picture are amazing, just wanted to add that lol. Good luck with the new additions!

Thank you very much! My other hobby is photography! Can't wait to see the Cockatoos in the bigger tank!

 

Got a better pic of the male Cockatoo, which has definitely perked up in the last couple of days...



I'm so tempted to put them both in the 55 gallon but must resist for at least another week!

 

Your Cacatuoides will be okay with the shrimp.

I have a pair of cacatuoides, BorellI and a single panduro with around 20 Amano in my 60 Gallon. You should be okay.

 

Your Cacatuoides will be okay with the shrimp.

I have a pair of cacatuoides, BorellI and a single panduro with around 20 Amano in my 60 Gallon. You should be okay.

Thanks very much for the information. Makes me feel a lot less apprehensive about adding them!

 

I really like that coloration on the clown pleco! Mine are both pretty dark still.

 

I really like that coloration on the clown pleco! Mine are both pretty dark still.

Yeah, he is quite a colourful little guy. Still don't see him very often though as he spends all of his time beneath the tree roots when the lights are on!

 

I day feed only. My plecos are super active for me in the light.

 

I day feed only. My plecos are super active for me in the light.

Me too! Have never actually seen my Clown Pleco eat *anything* but I've had him for nearly a year now so he must be living on more than just wood! The Golden Bristlenose in my 40 gallon is out all of the time and doesn't seem phased by the light at all!

 

Thanks very much for the information. Makes me feel a lot less apprehensive about adding them!

Your welcome

It's funny because I even have four Pictus catfish who snack on small fish but they never even attempt to try the Amano.

 

Your welcome

It's funny because I even have four Pictus catfish who snack on small fish but they never even attempt to try the Amano.

Ha! There's no accounting for taste! lol

 

Ha! There's no accounting for taste! lol

Maybe it's a diet thing lol

 

bigemrg Nice looking habitat you made for your fish.
In process of re-scaping my 55 Living room tank.
Great pics by the way.

 

bigemrg Nice looking habitat you made for your fish.
In process of re-scaping my 55 Living room tank.
Great pics by the way.

Thank you very much. I've just added a bunch of new plants to make them feel more at home too.

Tag me on your build thread if you have one so I can check it out!

 

bigemrg
All Live plants for me. I still consider myself a novice. But here is a post I have, it has some pics of the 55 from my start last year to last month.
My 1 Year Journey

 

bigemrg
All Live plants for me. I still consider myself a novice. But here is a post I have, it has some pics of the 55 from my start last year to last month.
My 1 Year Journey

Thanks for the link, I'll check it out thoroughly when I get a little more time over the weekend!

I've got a mixture of live and artificial plants in this tank, but am trying to go all natural.

I started keeping tropical fish back in the early '90s but had a decade break due to work commitments. I've been back in the hobby for about 15 months now and am loving it - already up to five tanks! lol

 

Okay, so both of my Dwarf Cockatoo Cichlids are out of quarantine and have been in the 55 gallon for a couple of weeks now.

The male is looking very handsome...



...although the female is looking a lot more drab by comparison...



Both are eating well and are getting on with the rest of the inhabitants. I needn't have worried about them predating on my Amano Shrimp as they run a mile if one goes near them!

Needless to say that I'm very pleased with how things have worked out.

 

Beautiful!
"I needn't have worried about them predating on my as they run a mile if one goes near them!" Must be some fast shrimp.
End of last year I had 2 Amanos in my 55 I added some Angels and I thought they had become dinner. Here is the post: Important - Missing Amano Shrimps And Angels
So the dreaded MTS virus has a hold on you (5 tanks in 15 months)
I am trying to limit myself to 5, in fact setting up a 33L for my Bolivian Ram Juveniles so I took down a 10.
Good Luck !

 

Beautiful!
"I needn't have worried about them predating on my as they run a mile if one goes near them!" Must be some fast shrimp.
End of last year I had 2 Amanos in my 55 I added some Angels and I thought they had become dinner. Here is the post: Important - Missing Amano Shrimps And Angels
So the dreaded MTS virus has a hold on you (5 tanks in 15 months)
I am trying to limit myself to 5, in fact setting up a 33L for my Bolivian Ram Juveniles so I took down a 10.
Good Luck !

It's actually the Cockatoos that run a mile if the Amano Shrimp go near them!

I definitely wouldn't stock the Shrimp with Angelfish though. I had some during my last stint of fish keeping and couldn't work out where my Cardinal Tetras were going. It tuned out that once the Angelfish got big enough, they were eating them whole!

Ah, MTS! It's a struggle isn't it? There are so many fish I want to keep though! Last time I got up to a total of seven or eight tanks, but between them and work I didn't have any spare time! I may allow myself one more this time around!

 

My male Cockatoo, Colin (yes, I named him ) , was putting on a lovely display before feeding time earlier...

 

Okay, so just a quick update to say that I've added more fish to the tank.

I decided that I'd like a school of Blue Eye Spotted Rainbowfish after seeing some amazing pictures of the males displaying to each other online.

I couldn't find them locally so decided to get them online via an ebay seller.

The good news is that they all arrived safely and in good health. I've now got a school of eight of them swimming about with my Rummy-Noses!

Here's one which I believe to be a female...



Unfortunately, so far my best attempt at capturing a decent shot of a male displaying was photobombed...



In other news, my female Dwarf Cockatoo Cichlid is colouring up nicely...



I'm really pleased with how this tank is progressing and there's still room for a few more fish!

 

Okay, so its been a while since I posted a shot of the whole tank, and I thought it was looking pretty good after today's water change...



Would have been a better photo if I'd remembered to leave the pumps switched off while I took it though!

Everyone is still doing fine and getting along well.

I'm toying with the idea of trying to increase the number of Rummy-Noses again since my last additions are doing well. I currently have 8 but would ideally like 12.

Or I could double the number of Spotted Blue Eye Rainbowfish? They are very entertaining although don't school very tightly once they gain in confidence.

Or maybe I'll go with a couple more Bronze Cory's, or another pair of Cockatoos?

Or maybe I need another tank with some new species?

 

I would increase the RNTs. I originally got 12 but only 7 made it thru QT. I bought another batch of 8 and did a 3hr drip acclimation (original 12 had a 1hr DA) and they all survived QT so I have 15 in a 40g. They're much better to watch in larger groups.

A new tank is always fun

 

I would increase the RNTs. I originally got 12 but only 7 made it thru QT. I bought another batch of 8 and did a 3hr drip acclimation (original 12 had a 1hr DA) and they all survived QT so I have 15 in a 40g. They're much better to watch in larger groups.

A new tank is always fun

I agree, they're much better when kept in large groups.

The original plan for this tank was to have a large school, maybe 20-30 Rummy-Noses, but I went through a period last year when all but my original guys survived.

I eventually gave up trying to increase the school as it was really depressing watching them die after only a couple of days in QT!

I was certain that the fish were no longer as robust as they used to be when I kept them years ago.

However, earlier this year I had a little more success with them, so I may try again soon. Just need to setup a temp QT tank as my previous QT tank is now a Sparkling Gourami tank!

You've gotta love MTS!

 

Your tank looks great!

 

Your tank looks great!

Thank you very much!

 

Okay, so its been a while since I posted a shot of the whole tank, and I thought it was looking pretty good after today's water change...
View attachment 446598

Would have been a better photo if I'd remembered to leave the pumps switched off while I took it though!

Everyone is still doing fine and getting along well.

I'm toying with the idea of trying to increase the number of Rummy-Noses again since my last additions are doing well. I currently have 8 but would ideally like 12.

Or I could double the number of Spotted Blue Eye Rainbowfish? They are very entertaining although don't school very tightly once they gain in confidence.

Or maybe I'll go with a couple more Bronze Cory's, or another pair of Cockatoos?

Or maybe I need another tank with some new species?

Stunning Tank and inhabitants.