Need help with 55 gallon setup

Usually during not the Summer time you can order it online and pick it up in store. This is what I'll do for my PFS with ACE Hardware. Sand usually doesn't get stirred up unless you do it on purpose while you are vacuuming and moving things around while the filter is on. Most of the time even when you stir it the sand will sink right back to the bottom really quickly. With a 55 gallon you shouldn't worry about unless you have 2 intakes. Otherwise just don't stir the sand or stuff closest to the intake.

 

Thanks! I am leaning towards sand. My husband wants sand so he can get a stingray. Really?!?!

Anyways, I will have two filter intakes. Not sure how close they will be to the sand yet. Is there anything I can put on the intake to prevent sand from going up and fish getting stuck?


Also, I am thinking of having my 10 gallon set up as a quarantine tank. How long should I quarantine new fish? How many can comfortably fit in there? I obviously couldn't put a whole school of corys or rasboras.


I have some cotton in my 10 gallon hoping to catch some bacteria. I probably won't get much on it. I plan to use TSS+ to cycle the 55 gallon. What fish should I put in there? I really don't want the guppies from my 10 gallon to go through it again. I was planning on getting 3 platies (1 male and 2 females). Will that be enough fish to cycle the tank or do I need more? This is my stocking list as of right now:

4 male guppies
3 platy (want to keep room for a few babies...maybe)
10-15 harlequin rasbora
10 corys (not sure what kind yet)
1 pearl gourami OR dwarf gourami
Snails

 

FWIW: I got Black Diamond Blasting Sand at Tractor Supply... it was like $10 for 50 pounds. Just another option.

I would skip getting mixed sex platys - unless you are prepared to deal with the inevitable babies and babies and babies and babies...
Sounds like it will be a nice tank. I would cycle with the platys, but I don't think 3 will be enough bioload... so I would wait for TexasDomer to chime in again on that one...

 

Thanks! I am leaning towards sand. My husband wants sand so he can get a stingray. Really?!?!

Anyways, I will have two filter intakes. Not sure how close they will be to the sand yet. Is there anything I can put on the intake to prevent sand from going up and fish getting stuck?


Also, I am thinking of having my 10 gallon set up as a quarantine tank. How long should I quarantine new fish? How many can comfortably fit in there? I obviously couldn't put a whole school of corys or rasboras.


I have some cotton in my 10 gallon hoping to catch some bacteria. I probably won't get much on it. I plan to use TSS+ to cycle the 55 gallon. What fish should I put in there? I really don't want the guppies from my 10 gallon to go through it again. I was planning on getting 3 platies (1 male and 2 females). Will that be enough fish to cycle the tank or do I need more? This is my stocking list as of right now:

4 male guppies
3 platy (want to keep room for a few babies...maybe)
10-15 harlequin rasbora
10 corys (not sure what kind yet)
1 pearl gourami OR dwarf gourami
Snails

No stingrays in a 55 gal unfortunately. They need a very large tank (even the teacup rays).

Sand won't get sucked up unless you stir it around a lot, which is unnecessary anyway. Only sick fish are sucked up by filters. But if you still want to, you can put prefilter sponges over the intake. You need to clean them out periodically though, or they'll become clogged and your filter will dry out.

I QT fish for 3-4 weeks minimum.

You can stock your QT tank a little heavily since it's only temporary. So 5 cories and 5-7 rasboras at a time should be fine (can fit in there better than 10 cories or 10-15 rasbroas at one time).

If you're using TSS, I would stock with the livebearers first and let the tank cycle with them.

Personally I wouldn't get female platies. They can overrun your tank with fry (not all will be eaten). You could get more males instead?

Where did you put the cotton in the 10 gal? If it's just floating in the tank, it won't get much bacteria on it. Put some in the filter to help seed it.

If you stock with the pearl gourami, you'll need to get warm water cories. If you stock with the DG, you'll have more species options.

I think you have room for another school of fish, if you want them.

What about these?

4x Male guppies
3x Male platies
15x Harlequin rasbora
10x Warm water cories
3-5x Pearl gourami
2x Keyhole cichlids or Bolivian rams

Or

4x Male guppies
4x Male platies
12x Harlequin rasbora
12x Cherry barbs
10x Cories
4-5x Honey gourami or 1x DG
2x Keyhole cichlids or Bolivian rams

 

I have a 55 gallon long tank. I run two filters, one at each end, one is a Aquaclear 110, the other is a Aquaclear 50. I only run one heater it is an aqueon pro 200 wt and it does a great job. I also run 2 bubble discs. I actually have 3 angels, 2 marble and one koi and they get along great. I have guppies in my tank two, 3 fancy tails and the angels have never bothered them. I have bleeding heart tetras, glofish tetras, some mollies and platys and a rainbow shark. I just added two siamese algae eaters. I also have a opaline gourami.

This sounds like a lot of fish in a 55 gallon?

What about this?
4x Male guppies
3x Male platies
1x Bristlenose pleco
1x Dwarf gourami
15-20x Harlequin rasboras
10-15x Panda cories

are you referring to siamese algae eaters, I have two and they do nothing but suck the glass of the tank, and suck all the rocks lol. They are quite busy eaters in my tank.

Just for info here are the 3 main algae eaters: nerite snails, otocinculus and amano shrimp. These are the only more common organism that will actually eat algae. Usually fish store employees try to sell you other fish or organisms that they say will eat fish such as the corydoras, catfish, chinese algae eater and other fish but they usually don't eat a lot of algae.

I was told that dwarf gourami's are not the hardiest fish, they said the regular gourami's are much hardier, don't know if it is true.

 

This sounds like a lot of fish in a 55 gallon?

I don't think it's overstocked But we can always wait for more people to give their opinions!

are you referring to siamese algae eaters, I have two and they do nothing but suck the glass of the tank, and suck all the rocks lol. They are quite busy eaters in my tank.

I don't think my SAEs every touched the glass. Are you talking about otos or plecos?

What are regular gouramis?

 

I order my heaters off Amazon or Ebay - much cheaper than at a pet store. I like the Aqueon submersible heaters. Very affordable.

Agreed I saved almost 50% getting my heater and filters at Amazon. So much cheaper then the lfs

I don't think it's overstocked But we can always wait for more people to give their opinions!


I don't think my SAEs every touched the glass. Are you talking about otos or ple

What are regular gouramis?

As far as overstocking you would know better than me it just sounds like a lot lol. Regular Gouramis meaning not dwarf size. Mine is an opaline gourami that is not a dwarf variety.

I must have gotten lucky then with my sae's because they are never not sucking algae lol

 

I put the cotton in my filter to collect the bacteria. I won't be getting my second filter for about 3 weeks so hopefully I will have some bacteria on it. I will have my entire tank set up and ready to go so when I get my second filter I can get started!!! Getting excited.

I plan to buy a 200w online somewhere.

What about red tailed sharks? Are they compatible? I remember having one in my 29 gallon years ago. It didn't last long because I didn't realize the importance of water changes.

I also don't want my tank to be too overcrowded.

 

As far as overstocking you would know better than me it just sounds like a lot lol. Regular Gouramis meaning not dwarf size. Mine is an opaline gourami that is not a dwarf variety.

I must have gotten lucky then with my sae's because they are never not sucking algae lol

There's no such thing as a regular gourami If they're not the dwarf gourami species, they could still be honey, moonlight, three spot, snakeskin, etc. There are multiple gourami species Even the dwarf gourami aren't true dwarves. They're just a smaller species given the common name "dwarf."

I put the cotton in my filter to collect the bacteria. I won't be getting my second filter for about 3 weeks so hopefully I will have some bacteria on it. I will have my entire tank set up and ready to go so when I get my second filter I can get started!!! Getting excited.

I plan to buy a 200w online somewhere.

What about red tailed sharks? Are they compatible? I remember having one in my 29 gallon years ago. It didn't last long because I didn't realize the importance of water changes.

I also don't want my tank to be too overcrowded.

For a 55 gal, I would personally go with a bigger heater. I have a 300 watt on mine. The bigger the heater, the less it has to work to heat your tank.

You can make a stocking around red tailed sharks, but I wouldn't add them to either of the stocking options I suggested. They can get aggressive as they get older, so you'd need to stock with that in mind. If you wanted an RTS, what about this stocking?

1x RTS
20x Tiger barbs

 

For me it's just how I distinguish the dwarf variety from what I perceive as the regular size, in other words anything other than a dwarf. All I know is my lfs has told me several times that the dwarf ( or as you say smaller variety) is not as hardy as the others.

 

Smaller species. They're not different varieties, they're different species.

They are prone to a very prevalent DG specific virus, but if you get one from a quality source you shouldn't have issues. They're very hardy if they're virus free.

 

There's no such thing as a regular gourami If they're not the dwarf gourami species, they could still be honey, moonlight, three spot, snakeskin, etc. There are multiple gourami species Even the dwarf gourami aren't true dwarves. They're just a smaller species given the common name "dwarf."



For a 55 gal, I would personally go with a bigger heater. I have a 300 watt on mine. The bigger the heater, the less it has to work to heat your tank.

You can make a stocking around red tailed sharks, but I wouldn't add them to either of the stocking options I suggested. They can get aggressive as they get older, so you'd need to stock with that in mind. If you wanted an RTS, what about this stocking?

1x RTS
20x Tiger barbs

I LOVE tiger barbs, but know they need a species only tank. I will just have to admire them at the fish store. I want a community tank.

I am going to my LFS sometime this week to see for sure what fish they have. I will also see if they can order any for me. If not, I do have a Petsmart or Petco I can go to. Those are 1 1/2 hrs away though.

I think I will go with the 300w heater since they aren't really much more expensive.

I bought some pool filter sand today! I just got one 50 lb bag. Will this be enough?

I still have a couple of weeks until I get my second filter. I am getting excited and impatient! Haha

 

You don't have to keep tiger barbs in a species only tank if you choose their tank mates carefully. In fact, the RTS is limiting the stocking more than the barbs are.

A single 50 lb bag should be enough!

 

Petsmart/petco fish are not good quality most of the time. I don't think they know how to care for them.

 

Petsmart/petco fish are not good quality most of the time. I don't think they know how to care for them.

Those are my last resort. I live in a rural area so only have one fish store semI close. I love my LFS but it is pretty tiny and focuses more on saltwater fish. If I end up getting any fish from Petsmart or Petco they will definitely be quarantined for a while!

You don't have to keep tiger barbs in a species only tank if you choose their tank mates carefully. In fact, the RTS is limiting the stocking more than the barbs are.

A single 50 lb bag should be enough!

What are my options with tiger barbs?

I am still heavily leaning towards your first stocking idea you gave though.

 

Almost anything that doesn't have long fins and isn't timid. What about a school of cories and a rainbow cichlid? If you keep the barbs in a large enough school, they shouldn't mess with your other fish.

 

Almost anything that doesn't have long fins and isn't timid. What about a school of cories and a rainbow cichlid? If you keep the barbs in a large enough school, they shouldn't mess with your other fish.

I will have to think about that. I am leaning more towards the other stocking list right now. I guess I like more variety! Plus I am attached to my guppies already.

Oh I had another question. The tank also came with a stand, but it is particle board. It seems to be in good condition still with no water damage. However, the top is not solid. It is open with a center brace piece. To me this seems weird. Should I add a top piece of wood of not worry about it?

 

Open top is fine as long as the entire rI'm of the tank is supported. The glass itself does not touch the stand.

Particle board worries me personally.

 

Oh I had another question. The tank also came with a stand, but it is particle board. It seems to be in good condition still with no water damage. However, the top is not solid. It is open with a center brace piece. To me this seems weird. Should I add a top piece of wood of not worry about it?

My stand is also particle board, but the top is a solid piece. I would probably add a solid top if it was mine.

 

I would recommend two heaters for a large tank - each one will have to work less hard to maintain the aquarium water temp and if one happens to fail there is a back up. I also like 2 filters on a larger tank. I recently went from a 55 to a 72 bow. I went from a dual filter (1 HOB) to 2 Marineland 200's. These can be run with one or two filters each. I also am a Pleco fan - never ever have any algae to clean on the inside of my tanks or decorations. I have 2 one is about 5 inches and one about 11.

Common plecos might not be ideal for this persons set up but I happen to love them. Mine is at least 6 years old and about a foot long. I never have any algae to clean off the sides of my tank.

 

on my 55 I have two filters as well, I run two aquaclears, a 110 and a 50. Yes its way overkill but my water is crystal clear so I like it. I do only have one Aqueon Pro heater its a 200 wt I think. It seems to do the job, but I can see where a second would be helpful. I also run two bubble discs I like to keep the top water broken up so no scum forms, but I also like the bubbles, they are small discs.

Plecos, ugh cannot bring myself to buy one lol, I just hate the way they look lol, and they get so big. Is there a species that remains smaller?

 

I would recommend two heaters for a large tank - each one will have to work less hard to maintain the aquarium water temp and if one happens to fail there is a back up. I also like 2 filters on a larger tank. I recently went from a 55 to a 72 bow. I went from a dual filter (1 HOB) to 2 Marineland 200's. These can be run with one or two filters each. I also am a Pleco fan - never ever have any algae to clean on the inside of my tanks or decorations. I have 2 one is about 5 inches and one about 11.

Common plecos might not be ideal for this persons set up but I happen to love them. Mine is at least 6 years old and about a foot long. I never have any algae to clean off the sides of my tank.

2 Marineland 200s is not enough filtration for a 72 gal. You want 8-10x GPH for the volume of the tank (so 576 - 720 GPH). Also, the pleco will outgrow your tank. I hope you're able to find a home for him when he does! Finding homes for big plecos is hard

on my 55 I have two filters as well, I run two aquaclears, a 110 and a 50. Yes its way overkill but my water is crystal clear so I like it. I do only have one Aqueon Pro heater its a 200 wt I think. It seems to do the job, but I can see where a second would be helpful. I also run two bubble discs I like to keep the top water broken up so no scum forms, but I also like the bubbles, they are small discs.

Plecos, ugh cannot bring myself to buy one lol, I just hate the way they look lol, and they get so big. Is there a species that remains smaller?

Don't get an algae eater to control your algae. You're the best at controlling and preventing algae. Get one because you like the way they look. Otos are cute and small and do well in tanks that don't have high temps. Nerites are awesome algae eaters that are also quite cute.

 

So I finally get to go to my LFS either tomorrow or Wednesday!!!! I am so excited to actually see my stocking options.

Well, today I have been highly considering getting one more male guppy tomorrow. I just can't help myself. They are so darn cute and fun to watch. That would be all I would put in my 10 gallon. Plus they will be in my 55 gallon in the next month or two.


Since I am using TSS to cycle my 55g, I thought I would cycle with the platys. I was only getting 3-4 platys though. Would that be enough to cycle the 55?

 

MissCap, I just wanted to say that I understand your concern about overstocking given how hard you have worked to get to this point. I ended up stocking very slowly, to allow my filter to adapt to the new bio-load. The other benefit of slow stocking is that I could make changes to my stocking plan as I went - which I did when the tank seemed busy enough. I also made a point of looking at it during different times of day... sometimes I can't see any fish, and something (ex. they think it is feeding time) the tank seems crowded to keep the balance in mind.

Also, FWIW - I have not had problems with fish from chain pet stores. I choose not to buy from a tank with sick fish (but that is true no matter where I go, and I have multiple options), but I think a lot depends on your local stores. So I would not rule them out entirely as a source of fish...

 

MissCap, I just wanted to say that I understand your concern about overstocking given how hard you have worked to get to this point. I ended up stocking very slowly, to allow my filter to adapt to the new bio-load. The other benefit of slow stocking is that I could make changes to my stocking plan as I went - which I did when the tank seemed busy enough. I also made a point of looking at it during different times of day... sometimes I can't see any fish, and something (ex. they think it is feeding time) the tank seems crowded to keep the balance in mind.

Also, FWIW - I have not had problems with fish from chain pet stores. I choose not to buy from a tank with sick fish (but that is true no matter where I go, and I have multiple options), but I think a lot depends on your local stores. So I would not rule them out entirely as a source of fish...

Thanks! My plan is to stock slowly but it will be hard!! Haha. I will check out Petco and Petsmart next time I am in the city. I have no clue about their fish conditions.


I guess I won't get another guppy today. Today is water change day and I don't change my water until the evening. Way too difficult to do with my 2 yr old awake! I am assuming the new guppy would be way too stressed getting into a new tank and then having the water changed a couple hours later. Super bummed but oh well.

 

Don't get an algae eater to control your algae. You're the best at controlling and preventing algae. Get one because you like the way they look. Otos are cute and small and do well in tanks that don't have high temps. Nerites are awesome algae eaters that are also quite cute.

I have heard that Nerites can lay a lot of eggs messing up the tank, true or false, cause they are really cute?

I know they can't hatch

 

I have heard that Nerites can lay a lot of eggs messing up the tank, true or false, cause they are really cute?

Mine do lay eggs, but in my tank just on the driftwood (at least that I see). Maybe get one, and see how it goes and then go from there. I got them because they are cute, and if they eat algae, all the better.

 

I finally got to go to my LFS yesterday to see what they had!!!!! So my stocking list changed because I found some new fish I like. I fell in love with the white mollys. They are beautiful!!! Here is a list of fish I like. I have not researched them all yet to see compatibility.


KuhlI loach
Longfin gold danio
San juan cory
Albino cory
Platy (must)
Molly (must)
Guppy (4 males are a must as I already have 4)
Cherry barbs


These are the fish I really want but my LFS does not have them:

Harlequin rasbora
Dwarf gourami OR pearl gourami
Nerite snail

My LFS can order fish for me at no extra cost. He said to look on the website sunpet.com as that is where he buys his fish. I thought of also looking at Petmsart and Petco this weekend.


My 55 gallon tank will have pool filter sand as substrate. It will be around 78 degrees. And my pH is around 8.0-8.2. Can anyone make a stocking option for me? I am so bad at figuring that out. I do not want it overstocked. I would also like easier fish. Thanks so much!!!!

 

Just a reminder that molly's can get BIG (4-6 inches), so you won't want too many of those. Isn't it fun to find something you really like? That is how I felt about red wag platys. They are such a "basic" fish, but I found I loved their personality - and that is how James & Simon came to join our stocking plan.

Reminder: male live bearers (mollys, platys, guppies)... unless you want to manage babies. In your size tank you might be able to do Kuhlis & corys, but I know some people have mentioned concern about the khulis being out completed for food. You are now out of my areas of expertise, but I bet TexasDomer will be back to help out! Keep the updates coming!

 

If you have enough room in you stand, get a canister filter. Get it as large as you can afford, SunSun makes a great filter for the price. If your not sure of your stand screw a 3/4 in piece of plywood to the top. If your house gets cold in the winter get a 300 watt heater. DON'T BUY A CHEAP HEATER. The cost of a good heater is worth it if you don't cook your tank of fish with a cheap heater. Hagen E-series or Cobalt are great heaters. If you forget about more guppies you can get lots of different hardy fish. examples are
green tiger barb or reg. tiger barb
Gold, blue or opaline gouramis
Glo fish tetra
BN plecos, brown, albino, reds.
cory cats.
rainbows.
and many other types of hardy fish that can take a high ph.
when you stock your tank,go slow don't add too many fish at a time (putting your cats and plecos in last) Add some of the many brands of bio start up chems. Good luck on you nice big tank, Harry

 

From the list of fish you like, what about these options?

12x Albino cories
3x Male platies
2x Male mollies
4x Male guppies
12x Cherry barbs
12x Harlequin rasbora
1x Dwarf gourami
Nerites

12x Albino cories
1x Male platies
1x Male mollies
4x Male guppies
12x Cherry barbs
12x Harlequin rasbora
2-4x Pearl gourami
Nerites

If you can lower your temp to 75 F, you can do this:

12x KuhlI loaches or one species of cory
3x Male platies
2x Male mollies
4x Male guppies
12x Longfin gold danio
12x Harlequin rasbora or cherry barbs
1x Dwarf gourami
Nerites

 

Those lists look like they could be such pretty tanks!
I look forward to pictures as you get things set up!

 

Here is the tank! This is when I was testing it to see if holds water. I have terrible cell service at my house so pictures won't upload there! Hence why I haven't posted pics yet! I am planning on starting the tank up between the 17th-19th.

Thanks for the stocking options! They all sound great! Now I have to choose! Haha


Since I am using TSS, I was thinking of cycling the tank with one molly and three platies (all male). Would this work?

 

yep looks just like my 55gallon, I had so much fun setting it up.

 

I would add a few more of your planned livebearer stocking. Not sure that's enough of a bioload for your 55 gal.

 

I would add a few more of your planned livebearer stocking. Not sure that's enough of a bioload for your 55 gal.

Ok. Can I get away with 2 male mollies and 3 male platys for my cycle? I really don't want to add my four guppies unless I have to.

After the cycle finishes I plan to add:

4 male guppies
7 albino corys OR 7 kuhlI loaches
7 harlequin rasboras
7 cherry barbs
1 nerite snail
2 pearl gouramis OR 1 blue gourami


Are my numbers ok on the schooling fish? I want to start off smaller and then work my way up to bigger schools eventually. It is going to take forever to stock because my husband will have a fit when he realizes how much one school of fish is going to cost...haha

I also wanted to make sure I have fish for the top, middle and bottom of the tank. I am pretty sure I do.

 

you should create a master list of ALL the fish you want. Then add them slowly as you find healthy looking ones, don't just buy it because it's on your list. You might want to check CL in your area, that way you might get home grown fish, or used fish someone wants to get rid of. Someone on CL just gave me 9 cardinals, 4 rummy nose, 2 nice looking mollies and 2 blue gouramis for free because they were moving.
good luck on your new tank, Harry

 

5 should be better!

 

Thanks everyone! I will make a master list of what I eventually want to stock up to.

Here is another question:

I think I read somewhere where kuhlI loaches can get out of the tank easily. Same with snails. My cover has a big opening where the filters hang. Is this true that they get out? How can I cover these spots?

I have not decided on kuhlis or corys yet. They are both so cute...

 

Looks like my 55 gallon will be put on hold for a couple of months. My Mom has my second filter (she lives 5 hours away) and just found out she cannot come visit me next week. Then she is super busy. Kinda bummed about not being able to set up the tank. Oh well. I guess it will give me more time to think about my stocking options.