Taking the plunge ... 55 gallon maybe

Hi,

I'm fairly new here. I've had many aquariums over the years and I thought I was doing things right, but I really wasn't. The fish store I used in the past didn't give me the proper information and I trusted them instead of doing my own research, I guess. I have come to discover that I never cycled those tanks properly which of course kept the revolving door of fish coming ... and sadly going. It's been MANY years since I've had a tank at all. I recently did get a betta and I made sure to do everything right with him. He's in a 5.5 gallon cycled, filtered, and heated tank. Which of course has led me to want to get a community tank now (the betta will stay in his tank and NOT be part of that community).

I found a great deal on a 55 gallon starter kit over the weekend. I know most of the stuff in the kit probably won't even be used, but it was only $70 and I couldn't find an tank by itself that cheap. I still have to go and pick it up though. I'm excited, but a bit nervous and a little overwhelmed about it too. I've never had a tank bigger than a 10.... and I'm a bit worried I'll be in over my head. It doesn't help the betta tank is getting an algae bloom currently (it's only been running for about 3 months). Debating if I should scrap the idea of the 55 and go with something smaller ... but I feel if I am successful and do go with something smaller I'll wish I had gone with the 55. But if I'm not successful .... I may regret the 55. The 55 is definitely cheaper than the smaller tanks I've found currently.

I have an entire open wall in our newly finished basement in a living room area... in fact the 55 will probably look small on that wall. The intent was to make it a bit of a showpiece though.

I also have no clue what I'll be stocking at this point and the fish stores in my area are rather lacking.

If you got this far ... thanks for listening/reading my ramblings.... welcome to my world of second-guessing myself

 

Hi,

I'm fairly new here. I've had many aquariums over the years and I thought I was doing things right, but I really wasn't. The fish store I used in the past didn't give me the proper information and I trusted them instead of doing my own research, I guess. I have come to discover that I never cycled those tanks properly which of course kept the revolving door of fish coming ... and sadly going. It's been MANY years since I've had a tank at all. I recently did get a betta and I made sure to do everything right with him. He's in a 5.5 gallon cycled, filtered, and heated tank. Which of course has led me to want to get a community tank now (the betta will stay in his tank and NOT be part of that community).

I found a great deal on a 55 gallon starter kit over the weekend. I know most of the stuff in the kit probably won't even be used, but it was only $70 and I couldn't find an tank by itself that cheap. I still have to go and pick it up though. I'm excited, but a bit nervous and a little overwhelmed about it too. I've never had a tank bigger than a 10.... and I'm a bit worried I'll be in over my head. It doesn't help the betta tank is getting an algae bloom currently (it's only been running for about 3 months). Debating if I should scrap the idea of the 55 and go with something smaller ... but I feel if I am successful and do go with something smaller I'll wish I had gone with the 55. But if I'm not successful .... I may regret the 55. The 55 is definitely cheaper than the smaller tanks I've found currently.

I have an entire open wall in our newly finished basement in a living room area... in fact the 55 will probably look small on that wall. The intent was to make it a bit of a showpiece though.

I also have no clue what I'll be stocking at this point and the fish stores in my area are rather lacking.

If you got this far ... thanks for listening/reading my ramblings.... welcome to my world of second-guessing myself

Welcome! Take it from someone who went from 10-15-20-50 in 4 months get the 55! There are some helpful (bad influences) on here that will be happy to answer any of your questions.
How long is your light on in your betta tank?

 

I would definitely go with the 55! Once things get cycled and established, the water shoyld stay quite stable and you should be able to get a nice selection of fish in there to keep you entertained and relaxed for a long time.

 

Oooooh…wish I had room for a 55! I have a 29 community tank and I LOVE to zone out staring at it and all the different personalities in it! It’s my zen. There’s just so much more you can do with a big tank, not just in terms of stocking, but aquascaping it too…real plants, wood, rocks. You can be really artistic!

So there’s your peer pressure from me!!

 

How long is your light on in your betta tank?

8 hrs or less usually.... but I've been doing even less now. I need to get a timer for it. It's in a dark corner in my basement "office" so it's not getting sun. And, I watch him eat to make sure he's getting his food since the bubbles from his sponge filter sometimes sweeps it away...

I know some algae is expected especially in a new tank so maybe that's what it is. *shrugs*

I got him a nerite to help, but he hasn't moved in over 3 days... not sure it's even alive anymore. S/he was never all that active so I'm questioning if it was in good health to begin with.... I'll pull it out today and see if I can figure out if it's alive or not.

Take it from someone who went from 10-15-20-50 in 4 months get the 55! There are some helpful (bad influences) on here that will be happy to answer any of your questions.

I would definitely go with the 55!

There’s just so much more you can do with a big tank, not just in terms of stocking, but aquascaping it too…real plants, wood, rocks. You can be really artistic!

So there’s your peer pressure from me!!

I figured posting in here what kind of answers I'd get Thanks everyone!

 

Was going to suggest a nerite. Live one usually works best Mine in my betta tank pops up every few days and then I won’t see it for a few days at a time sometimes. Pretty common. The nerites in my big tank are about as hyperactive as a snail could be. I don’t know any other ways to get rid of algae I’m pretty new to this! I’m sure others could help.

 

A 55 gallons tank is much, much easier than a 5 or 10 gallons ! Go for it, you’ll have so much fun !

Since it's used, make sure to test it for leaks at least a few days. And you might even buy a water sensor to sit next to it, to be warned if it leaks.

But other than that, be free !

 

Like others are saying bigger tanks are actually easier in many ways. A bit more maintenance but more stable and less prone to the problems of small tanks. Enjoy your new tank!

 

I agree that bigger is better. I wish I'd gone a few sizes bigger first as well.

But, also consider the volume of water you need to change. Will you use buckets or try a python water changer? I love my python, even if it's just for filling. So much easier!!

 

I would check your nerite and make sure it’s alive. If dead it could foul up the tank quickly.
As to the 55 is it new or used? If used you will have to water test it and clean it. What type of filter comes with it and heater and lights? Make sure all work. 55 is a great tank and once cycled will be easier to care for.

 

55 is a great size. Like you, I always had smaller tanks before I got my hands on a 55g (for $10 with a stand, lid, lights and big piece of driftwood, but that's another story). I could not tell you how happy it made me to have a tank that size after years of 10s and 20s. After several years you'll start eyeballing a 110g, but the 55 will still offer you a lot of options. 55g kits are probably the best deals you can find as brand new. Go for it. That wall in the basement probably deserves a larger one, but if you are old and not too strong or with back issues like me, it gets really hard to move tanks greater than this size to the basement.

 

A 55 gallons tank is much, much easier than a 5 or 10 gallons ! Go for it, you’ll have so much fun !

Since it's used, make sure to test it for leaks at least a few days. And you might even buy a water sensor to sit next to it, to be warned if it leaks.

But other than that, be free !

Actually it's brand new I got it on a sale at a box store... it's is the store brand though. *fingers crossed* I did not even realize they make sensors to tell if it leaks.... cool.

I would check your nerite and make sure it’s alive. If dead it could foul up the tank quickly.
As to the 55 is it new or used? If used you will have to water test it and clean it. What type of filter comes with it and heater and lights? Make sure all work. 55 is a great tank and once cycled will be easier to care for.

Yeah I don't know how to tell if he's alive or not, but I'll try and figure it out.

55 is new.... it's the petsmart brand though so I'm sure everything it comes with is probably pretty generic and will need upgraded... here is what it says it comes with.

• 55 Gallon Glass tank with hood
• Bright White LED
• Thermometer
• 6 in Nylon Net
• Water test Vial
• 200 Watt Heater
• Top Fin Silentstream 75 Power Filter with cartridge instruction Manual

 

Yes it’s your basic kit. But the tank s new!! Is there a stand? If no stand remember that tank full will weigh around 500lbs. So you need something strong to put it on (no ikea furniture).
Everything is good for start up but not enough to really get going. A marineland 350 filter for about $30 is a good cheap upgrade. For lighting again cheap but good is the vivagrow 24/7 led lights or the hygger 957 programable led. Both are on eBay/Amazon for under $100 shipped.
You’ll need gravel or sand and a backing of some sort.

 

Getting a bigger tank is always better!
the only down side is meds and decorations just cost more.
but the level of enjoyment is way worth it.

 

Yes it’s your basic kit. But the tank s new!! Is there a stand? If no stand remember that tank full will weigh around 500lbs. So you need something strong to put it on (no ikea furniture).
Everything is good for start up but not enough to really get going. A marineland 350 filter for about $30 is a good cheap upgrade. For lighting again cheap but good is the vivagrow 24/7 led lights or the hygger 957 programable led. Both are on eBay/Amazon for under $100 shipped.
You’ll need gravel or sand and a backing of some sort.

I purchased a stand for it. It was rated for 55-75 gallons. I have to pick them both up tomorrow. Thanks for your recommendations. I will definitely look into them.

I'm probably looking at sand substrate as I will probably get some cories eventually.

I'm honestly thinking of going back and getting the 20 gallon and use it for a quarantine tank until I decide to use it for something else. That one was $40.

I agree that bigger is better. I wish I'd gone a few sizes bigger first as well.

But, also consider the volume of water you need to change. Will you use buckets or try a python water changer? I love my python, even if it's just for filling. So much easier!!

How do you dechlorinate your water with the python since it fills it from the tap?

 

How do you dechlorinate your water with the python since it fills it from the tap?

You just pour the dechlorinator directly into the stream while it’s filling. This way it will disperse more.

 

I'm pretty sure the nerite was dead... he smelled horrible when I pulled him out. I feel kind of bad.... my daughter took forever to name him and when she finally did it dies..... granted it may have died before she officially named it ..... I'm sure there is a morbid joke in there somewhere about dying of boredom waiting for a name.

And, my daughter's softball game got rained out tonight so we went and picked up the fish tank and stand tonight (the 55 gal not the 20 I'm still thinking about for qt) . Yay! The kids are super excited after seeing how big the aquarium is. They are all asking if they can get this specific fish or that.... if they get their way the tank will be clean at least, as they both are picking out bottom feeders at this point