Upgrading A 55 To 125

So for our new 125 I'm ordering from fishtanksdirect with a stand and glass lids included, I picked out the Fluval FX4 and adding carbon bags and using some of our existing bio balls, two 250 watt Marineland heaters, Zeiger 60" LED light strip, 2 bubble walls, digital thermometer, new background picture, reusing existing gravel, maybe doing driftwood. What's missing on my shopping list and what should I exchange?

Also any advice to what we could possibly add to our current fish family after the upgrade:
3 tinfoils barbs
1 tiger barb
1 blood parrott
2 dino bichirs
1 pleco

 

I would rehome the tinfoil barbs and possibly the tiger barb as theyre aggressive. What type of pleco is it??

 

The tinfoils and tiger are staying and the pleco is just a common one

 

The carbon in the filter is not necessary. I would add more bio balls , ceramic rings or matrix.

Lots of caves and rocks for hiding places.

Tinfoil barbs and tiger barbs should really be kept in larger groups - at least 6 and preferably 10 or more. The tank is borderline big enough for a school of tinfoils so I would consider rehoming them. I also know little about bichir's other than they can get 18 inches long so I question this tanks suitability for 2.

How about
6 tiger barbs ,
6 albino tiger barbs ,
6 green tiger barbs
Blood parrot ,
Dino bichir ,
Pair of blue acaras
Pair of firemouths
6 tinfoils .

 

IMO tinfoils are too big for that tank.

 

Bump the tiger barbs up to 40.

 

I have to agree with some. Tinfoil barbs, the bichir, and common pleco are gonna be too large for this tank. Eventually the tiger barbs will become a snack. The blood parrot and a lot of tiger barbs can work. Leaving room for plenty of other stock.

 

Just wondering is that the 125 is the photo??

 

Just wondering is that the 125 is the photo??

Me?
Never mind. Lol I seen it in the op. That looks like 75.

 

On filtration you will probably want more. I would get another FX4.

Or go cheaper with the sunsun's. I currently have had 2 of the 304Bs running for a year now on my 125G and have had no problems.

You can never go wrong with more filtration.

 

What about a sump vice all those canister filters?

 

A sump is recommended on tanks 90 gallon and up. I however don't trust sumps or canisters. I have 3 HOBs on my 125 giving it a total 1200 GPH. It's a bit under filtered, but it works well.

 

I have sumps on all my tanks 55-350

 

A sump is recommended on tanks 90 gallon and up. I however don't trust sumps or canisters. I have 3 HOBs on my 125 giving it a total 1200 GPH. It's a bit under filtered, but it works well.

1200 GPH is pretty decent actually. That's on your 125? More than ample especially with HOB.

 

Just to chip in. May not be suitable for everyone. I've kept the following fishes in a 67 gallon at home

6 tinfoil barbs (6-7 inches)
16 tiger/green tiger/albino barbs (average 1.5 inches)
1 common pleco (8 inches)

They seem to be just fine. But I do 2 - 40% water change every week. In my opinion, OP's setup could work. just my 2 cents. I was planning to give away the pleco once it reaches 10-12 inches.

 

1200 GPH is pretty decent actually. That's on your 125? More than ample especially with HOB.

It provides great circulation, and surface agitation, 10× turnover is what's commonly recommend for an hob. According to that its 50gph under. Lol I'm not changing it it works well. It just takes up a lot of room behind the tank.

 

Yeah if it ain't broke don't F with it. I have a HOB on my quarantine tank and my fry tank. They can be pretty good especially if you alter the media from those cartridges and add a coarse sponge on the intake.

 

Yeah if it ain't broke don't F with it. I have a HOB on my quarantine tank and my fry tank. They can be pretty good especially if you alter the media from those cartridges and add a coarse sponge on the intake.

Yea the cartridges can get expensive. Bulk media is the way to go. A pre-filter sponge is necessary in fry tanks or invertebrate tanks. The only thing is it puts a lot of stress on the pump and cuts down the GPH. The 125 doesn't need it but my fry tank had 1.

 

Folks, IMHO, A sump is the most reliable system, and it has the most filtration per dollar X10.

Is not necessarily the most convenient to maintain, but mine requires 1/10 the maintenance of my other filters.

And hides so many things that would otherwise show, or I simply would not allow myself to have in the tank.

So what's not to love?

 

The only things I don't like about sumps is they can leak.

 

If that was a real problem, you likely would not have an aquarium at all, because they all eventually leak.