Starting Over On My 55g And Would Love Ideas.

What would you put in a 55 gallon aquarium with c.similis? I like the idea of a South American biotope but would love ideas on some more unique angel varieties, etc... however I AM NOT committed to a biotope and would be thrilled to hear any of your fish and plant stocking ideas.

 

Give it a try live plants will make the tank way more natural ...Try to get some exotic strains of sword plants...that's all I got 4 now lol

 

Give it a try live plants will make the tank way more natural ...Try to get some exotic strains of sword plants...that's all I got 4 now lol

Thanks. Looks like that's all I'm going to get too. Hehe. So much for wishful thinking. I've pondered over this redo for so long and just can't see past what I already have. Thought if I asked online I'd get some really unique and creative ideas. Oh well. I do appreciate your reply!

 

Maybe if you posted a pic of what you have, then that might give some ideas about where you want to go?

 

Maybe if you posted a pic of what you have, then that might give some ideas about where you want to go?

Thanks. I was looking for just some completely new ideas. Not at all inspired by what I already have. I think maybe my post was misleading. I'm not committed to keeping it South American. Just really unsure of exactly the direction I want to go and I thought some may have some creative thoughts they'd like to share. I've seen many times where people post asking for similar perspective and get a lot of input. I think I provided enough info to ask for some ideas. I just want some ideas on 55 gallon stocking with live plants. The cories are the only thing my heart is set on.

 

I like multiple types of moss, buce, anubias, java fern etc, all attached to each own individual rocks or wood that way you can move around anytime you like and rescape is done in minutes. I notice a lot of very prof tanks now going that route when I watch youtube etc. You will notice piles of wood with moss glued to it, thin java ferns in middle or higher up and a lot of anubius or buce plants along the base of a "island" in a tank of rocks. They all attached to individual pieces and you could move to change a scape very easily.
This is by no means your high light high end rare substrate plants, trimmed more than their hair look but, a real life type set up. I will add that moss is my favorite and I believe the most natural look and the shear amount of types and the ease of growing cannot be matched.

 

Thanks. I was looking for just some completely new ideas. Not at all inspired by what I already have. I think maybe my post was misleading. I'm not committed to keeping it South American. Just really unsure of exactly the direction I want to go and I thought some may have some creative thoughts they'd like to share. I've seen many times where people post asking for similar perspective and get a lot of input. I think I provided enough info to ask for some ideas. I just want some ideas on 55 gallon stocking with live plants. The cories are the only thing my heart is set on.

Ah I see. I think one of the reasons there may not be many replies is that the request is sooooo big! You want a biotope, but not necessarily South American - so which biotope speaks to you? Do you like Cichlids, goldfish, nano fish, or parrot fish, etc?

Once you go down the road of live plants, its a never-ending wonderland of possibilities. But its these very possibilities that make the request so very overwhelming. Will you have low light, high light, medium light? Will you inject CO2? There is no way to give advice without knowing what kind of investment you are willing to commit. Cories can go pretty much anywhere (given the appropriate water parameters, of course) so this doesn't give much direction.

I would suggest studying the masters or youtube videos and then come back and ask a specific question like "I've got all this dragon stone. Here's a pic. Would it look good with driftwood?" or Something like that. Also, Have you checked out the late Master TakashI Amano's planted tanks? In this way, you might feel more inspired and less overwhelmed.
Good luck and keep us posted!

 

Ah I see. I think one of the reasons there may not be many replies is that the request is sooooo big! You want a biotope, but not necessarily South American - so which biotope speaks to you? Do you like Cichlids, goldfish, nano fish, or parrot fish, etc?

Once you go down the road of live plants, its a never-ending wonderland of possibilities. But its these very possibilities that make the request so very overwhelming. Will you have low light, high light, medium light? Will you inject CO2? There is no way to give advice without knowing what kind of investment you are willing to commit. Cories can go pretty much anywhere (given the appropriate water parameters, of course) so this doesn't give much direction.

I would suggest studying the masters or youtube videos and then come back and ask a specific question like "I've got all this dragon stone. Here's a pic. Would it look good with driftwood?" or Something like that. Also, Have you checked out the late Master TakashI Amano's planted tanks? In this way, you might feel more inspired and less overwhelmed.
Good luck and keep us posted!

I have no idea if it makes sense now but I tried to make it as simple as possible.

 

I have no idea if it makes sense now but I tried to make it as simple as possible.

I’m sorry- I didn’t mean to offend. My suggestions were offered in good faith, as I'd assumed this was a discussion. Maybe others can chime in and give you what you are looking for?

 

Blue background, Peace River natural color fine gravel and dwarf Sag. Let it spread and cover the whole bottom of the tank. Angelfish and cories.

Next!

 

Highly planted, swords in back rocks piled in center of the tank as a eye catch with lots of holes and caves for fish, a beautiful pair or 2 of apistos or rams, or even blue acara pair, a large school of fish maybe rummynose or smaller school of rasboras, you cats and then maybe one or two others.
Or go aggressive is the same set up with your cats, jack dempsies, some convicts or an oscar.
The possibilities are endless

 

Blue background, Peace River natural color fine gravel and dwarf Sag. Let it spread and cover the whole bottom of the tank. Angelfish and cories.

Next!

Do you have peace river in your tank now? It's a gravel I've actually looked at before but would love to see it in a setup.

Highly planted, swords in back rocks piled in center of the tank as a eye catch with lots of holes and caves for fish, a beautiful pair or 2 of apistos or rams, or even blue acara pair, a large school of fish maybe rummynose or smaller school of rasboras, you cats and then maybe one or two others.
Or go aggressive is the same set up with your cats, jack dempsies, some convicts or an oscar.
The possibilities are endless

I do like the look of convicts a lot.

 

I do like the look of convicts a lot.

Do a convict and Dempsy tank then. They are a fun tank to have

 

Do a convict and Dempsy tank then. They are a fun tank to have

My husband would LOVE this! His faves are amer cichlids. You don't think they'd eat my cories or hurt them? I'm also afraid the Dempsey will grow so lg that they won't want anything else in the tank with them. Also can they be in live planted tanks or are they too distructive?

 

They may honestly, especially if they pair, is this your only tank or can the cats go elsewhere....also you can always do floating plants not planted or just scrap the plants do wood and rock.

 

They may honestly, especially if they pair, is this your only tank or can the cats go elsewhere....also you can always do floating plants not planted or just scrap the plants do wood and rock.

Yes. My only one. I don't have the space for multiple tanks.

 

Do you have peace river in your tank now? It's a gravel I've actually looked at before but would love to see it in a setup.

I have it in all of my tanks, lol. Love the stuff. This is my 55.




Here' something similar with Sag. I don't blast my Sag with the lights so it tends to grow a bit taller but you get the idea. The taller varieties are great for Angel fish and the cories love the gravel.

 

Here is a stocking idea....

Assorted Rainbowfish + Rams from coralbandit

 

Here is a stocking idea....

Assorted Rainbowfish + Rams from coralbandit

I've read rams don't like to live with cories. Is that ALWAYS the case?

I have it in all of my tanks, lol. Love the stuff. This is my 55.

View attachment 583687

I follow your thread but haven't checked in in a while. I just have missed or not realized you used the peace river. That does look really beautiful.

I have it in all of my tanks, lol. Love the stuff. This is my 55.

View attachment 583687

I also have considered doing the pearl gourami with the harlequin rasbora.

 

When I referenced Rams, I meant German Blue Rams. I believe they're compatible w/ corydoras.

 

I have it in all of my tanks, lol. Love the stuff. This is my 55.

View attachment 583687

Beautiful beautiful beautiful tank you got there

 

I've read rams don't like to live with cories. Is that ALWAYS the case?

My rams get on well with my coros

My rams get on well with my coros

I have a pair br and ebr in this 40 with 4 panda, 4 salt and pepper and 2 sturbine cats

 

My rams get on well with my coros

German blue?

I have a pair br and ebr in this 40 with 4 panda, 4 salt and pepper and 2 sturbine catsView attachment 583692

Ignore the above. I was reading in order. So Bolivian rams. Your tank is gorgeous and looks so natural.