55g re-set with angels & corys

[tarquin375]

Hi all

I'm re-setting up a 55g (48x12x21) and was wondering if I could get some stocking tips. I know I want angels, but not sure how many and also corys, beyond that, an algae eater of some sort and some lively, colorfful fish. (the angels and algae eater are my 7yr old daughter's idea and I love corys). I have a gravel bottom and art. plants and a few decorations. My filtration is an XP3. Any suggestions?? Thanks.

[Rbishop]

3-5 angels should be fine...just be prepared for possible pairing off, that doesn't happen as much as folks often express. In a 55 you could easily handle a dozen Cory, all one type or maybe two different groups of 6.

The algae eater really isn't necessary, but you could easily handle a bristle nose or small clown pleco. Stay away from the commons, they get huge. Most LFS employees have no clue what kind of plecos they have, and many don't eat that much algae and you will need to supplement their diet.

You even have room for some top level swimmers such as harley rasboras or hatchets.

[Lillyan]

I agree with the angels breeding hype. I have 7 in a 90g and they are very large and healthy. I have males and females and absolutely no breeding..lol

[tarquin375]

Great info Rbishop, thanks.

With the corys, I didn't know I could have so many, I really like albinos, any other corys in particular that would be groovy with albinos?

I checked out the harley rasboras, they seem pretty cool, not sure about the hatchets though....

the bristlenose seems pretty cool, any other algea eater suggestions?

I think I would go with five angels and 12 corys, how many harley rasboras? Any good south american suggestions in place of/in addition to them?

Thanks folks.

Edit: Is there any particular grouping of angel types(?) that seems to work better than others?

[ROYWS3]

I think I would go with five angels and 12 corys, how many harley rasboras? Any good south american suggestions in place of/in addition to them?


Red or Black Phantom tetras -- similar size, body shape and tempermant -- very nice fish!

[NewZealandFish]

With the corys, I didn't know I could have so many, I really like albinos, any other corys in particular that would be groovy with albinos?

Well personally I like panda, albino and peppered corydoras. I think they would make a good mix maybe 4 or 5 of each?


I think I would go with five angels and 12 corys, how many harley rasboras? Any good south american suggestions in place of/in addition to them?

In a 55g you can get quite alot of fish, depending on sizes. You could probably squeeze 10-15 Harleys in there too. There are many, many options, personally I like harleys and rummynose tetras, you could get about 10-15 of them.

Have fun and remember to add photos!

[tarquin375]

More awesome info! Thanks folks. Keep it coming, if anyone is so inclined......and I will share photos when its all set up and full o' fish....

[abcdefghi]

I have 2 angels in my 55G, 13 peppered cories, a BN pleco, 2 GBR and 11 black neons. If you are able to do so, make the switch to real plants, all of my fish love them, especially the smaller fish as they get a lot of cover from the angels. If you get low light plants they are virtually maintenance free.

[CrimsonBlush]

Another suggestion for lively colorful fish are livebearers such as platies. They come in a array of colors and I bet your daughter would love them! And since you have larger fish in there you shouldn't have too many problems with population control.

I also highly recommend live plants! They are a beautiful addition to any tank.

I always hear so much hype about breeding and angels. Maybe I will have 3 in my 45 and rehome one if 2 end up becoming a pair.

Best of luck to you! Keep us updated! :)

[verbal]

Great info Rbishop, thanks.

With the corys, I didn't know I could have so many, I really like albinos, any other corys in particular that would be groovy with albinos?

Albinos are bronze corys(C. aneus). So if you want a mixed school, they would work. If you want separate schools, you can pick another similar sized species(although they might still hang out together).




the bristlenose seems pretty cool, any other algea eater suggestions?

If you like them it is hard to go wrong with bristlenose plecos. They stay a reasonable size and are good algae eaters. The only special requirement is they need a little driftwood.



Edit: Is there any particular grouping of angel types(?) that seems to work better than others?
Basically all the common varieties are the same species(Pterophyllum scalare), so it does not matter to them. Black angels may have a slightly higher protein requirement, but other than that the care is the same.

[tarquin375]

I have a standard twin tube flourescent reflector(AGA)with 32w T5s(? came with them, smaller than T12), the tag on the fixture says 67w. I also have two 40w colormax T12s but was afraid to use them because of the 67w on the tag... is this enough for low light plants? If so, Java fern and/or moss?...any others? I have wanted live plants but I have no budget for CO2 or ferts or a new light fixture....(or to by plants, really).....wil these plants grow well in gravel?

Wow, ya sold me on the Platys...they look great, you're right CrimsonBlush, my daughter will love them!!

I do like Plecos, how much driftwood would I need for a BN?

Waddaya think:

5 Angels
12 Corys(6 Albino, 6 Panda)
1 BN Pleco
10 Platys
10 Harleys

Too many?? Room for more?? Just right??

I have Tetramin tropical crisps, Tetramin tropical pellets and Tetraveggie algae wafers to feed this bunch......is this cool?

Thanks a million folks, I love this stuff!!

[NewZealandFish]

is this enough for low light plants? If so, Java fern and/or moss?...any others? I have wanted live plants but I have no budget for CO2 or ferts or a new light fixture........wil these plants grow well in gravel?

Well Java fern or Moss will grow very well on driftwood, and most low light plants will survive well even without Co2 and ferts, (but it would help to have Co2 and ferts) as long as the gravel is deep enough for them to root themselves then thats fine, plants arent very expensive either, and they look AAALLLOOOTTT better than the plastic/silk ones. I've never owned fake plants, but all of my tanks have real live plants in them and the fish love em!


Waddaya think:

5 Angels
12 Corys(6 Albino, 6 Panda)
1 BN Pleco
10 Platys
10 Harleys

Too many?? Room for more?? Just right??

It sounds alright, but if your not planning on breeding angels i'd cut down to 3 or 4 as its more unlikely for a breeding pair to form. The school of corys will be cool, they should school well with that amount and it will look great! I think you should have 2 BN's because they do enjoy the company of their own kind. You won't need 10 platys, as they will breed very fast and often, so 5 should be sufficient. The school of harleys is fine as it is.


I have Tetramin tropical crisps, Tetramin tropical pellets and Tetraveggie algae wafers to feed this bunch......is this cool?

I reckon you should add frozen bloodworms to the list too keep all of the fish in good health, it has high protein in and and you should feed them about 1/2 to 1 block of bloodworms to the fish every 2-4 days.


I do like Plecos, how much driftwood would I need for a BN?

It depends what you would like in your tank. Tanks with a main piece of driftwood looks great, but you would need one atleast 15cm long because the BN's grow up to 14cm long, the more the better.

Good luck and I hope you get it all together and pictures up soon! :thm:

[CrimsonBlush]

I have a standard twin tube flourescent reflector(AGA)with 32w T5s(? came with them, smaller than T12), the tag on the fixture says 67w. I also have two 40w colormax T12s but was afraid to use them because of the 67w on the tag... is this enough for low light plants? If so, Java fern and/or moss?...any others? I have wanted live plants but I have no budget for CO2 or ferts or a new light fixture....(or to by plants, really).....wil these plants grow well in gravel?

I'm by no means an expert on plants, but most low light plants will at least survive in pretty low light situations. They might not grow a lot though.


Wow, ya sold me on the Platys...they look great, you're right CrimsonBlush, my daughter will love them!!

I'm glad you found what you're looking for! My little sister loves them too (She's 7.)



Waddaya think:

5 Angels
12 Corys(6 Albino, 6 Panda)
1 BN Pleco
10 Platys
10 Harleys

Too many?? Room for more?? Just right??

I have Tetramin tropical crisps, Tetramin tropical pellets and Tetraveggie algae wafers to feed this bunch......is this cool?

Thanks a million folks, I love this stuff!!

It sounds a little heavy, but you might be able to get away with large and frequent water changes. If that's not your cup of tea, I suggest skipping one of the angels and maybe a couple of the platies. (You would still need to do regular water changes, but it would be a bit less work.)

[RhondaAnn]

That will be one busy tank there... I do agree, the platties would be a nice addition. If you do a planted tank l bet you will have more than you bargained for even with angels in the tank. Good luck, and I'm looking forward to photos.

[tarquin375]

Thanks everyone for the advice.

I really am not in a position right now to do live plants, the tank has only had two zebra danios in it for months now and I just recently moved it and want to get fish in it, if I go live plants, it could be quite a while before I can get fish (I'm on a fixed income, disabled). I know that some are inexpensive but when I do live plants, I want to do it with better lighting and a better setup for them(substrate, fertz, CO2, etc.). I do appreciate the advice though. Incidentally, I like my fake plants, I was very selective when I bought them (almost two years ago) and I think they look nice and so does my daughter.

Waddaya think, take 2:

4 angels
12 corys(6 albino, 6 panda)
1 BN pleco
6 platys
6 harleys
6 neon rainbows
and of course.....my fake plants...lol

[tarquin375]

Well, I think I'll go with the revised list..I'll kepp ya'll updated...thanks everyone.