55 setup

[hollyatkinson]

Hello everyone,

I am setting up a new 55 gallon and shutting down my 10 gallon. I also have a 30 gallon already established which I will continue to run.

My question is which fish should I use to cycle my 55, I could use the small fish in my 10 gallon which consist of 4 tiger barbs, 4 rosy barbs and 2 upside down catfish.

OR

I can use the fish in my 30 gallon which are 3 blood parrot cichlids.

My 55 is intended for my parrot cichlids and down the road some oscars and I the fish in my 10 gallon will eventually go into my 30 gallon, however I am not sure which ones to use to cycle the big tank.

Please help,

Thanks Holly

[FishmasteR2002]

If you intend the 55 for the cichlids then put them in there. Also keep you 10 for more fish. More fish are always more fun.

[ArkyLady]

I would recommend trying a fishless cycle. Fishless cycles are much faster (10-14 days) and this way you don't put any of your fish in danger. Here is a link with some info:

http://www.tropicalfishcentre.co.uk/Fishlesscycle.htm

Just go to www.google.com and search for fishless cycle and you'll find lots of sites for more info.

Good Luck!

[Richer]

fishless cycling is the way to go.
check out this article for more info:
http://www.tomgriffin.com/aquamag/cycle2.html

I would revise your stocking considerations. IMHO, a 55 is too small for a single oscar. Not to mention you will have other fish in there.

As per FishmasteR2002's post, the amount you stock with is very very dependant on what kind of cichlids you want. 10 is quite a bit of fish, you are only asking for a huge all out brawl with that many cichlids in there (depending on what type).

HTH
-Richer

[jiggerpolebill]

cant she also use her other tanks to help jumpstart her 55? maybe she can run her filter media for her 55 in her 30 for starters? or use some of the old 30's media in her new 55? if youre using the same gravel, maybe swap some of that as well and take the water from her water changes from the 30 to put in the 55. i did this when starting my kids 10 gallons from my own 55. i know this is a reversal of what i did and itd be different going from smaller to larger, but wouldnt it help speed up the cycling? just a thought. any comments on doing it this way?

[Richer]

Yes, she can jump start the 55 gallon... quite easily actually.

Since you are going to shut down your 10 gallon, I'll suggest doing this:

Take the filter from the 10 gallon and put it onto the 55 gallon. Transfer the fish from the 10 gallon into the 55 gallon. You should see little or no cycling, since (hopefully) the bacterial colonies in the 10 gallon filter are still in tact (which they should be) and the fact that 55 gallons will dilute anything the filter misses. Leave the tank running like that for a few weeks, continuely testing the water for ammonia and nitrites. If nothing shows up, _very_ slowly begin to add your fish.

Of course, this will only work if the 10 gallon had good filtration to begin with and the filtration was not a UGF.

IMHO, fishless cycling the 55 is the only surefire way of making sure the tank will not undergo a cycle.

HTH
-Richer

[hollyatkinson]

Thanks you guys for the advice, I think I will try richers method. I don't feel comfortable using household ammonia to cycle a tank. I would rather play it safe and do it the natural way using a small amount of fish so the levels will rise but not to a toxic level.
But can someone please clarify for me how big oscars get because I have been told twice that a 55 isn't even big enough for one. I was always told that fish will only grow to their enviornment. Is this true??

Also the 10 fish that I have in my 10 gallon will not be residing in the 55, my big tank is for my parrots only, I will be putting my 10 small fish in my 30.

Thanks Holly

[Richer]

Actually, adding fish to a tank is just as unnatural as adding ammonia to your tank. In nature, it usually doesn't happen =)

Personally, I would go the fishless method, then after thats completel, add your fish. It is a nearly no chance of a cycle (and thus loss of fish) through the fishless way. It also leaves a bit of bioload open for other fish you may want.

Oscars can grow to be fairly large (12+ inches I think). A typical 55 gallon is 4 feet long. Last time I remember oscars grow fairly fast, and like their swimming room... it is also important to keep their water clean since they are messy eaters. Large tanks make that task easier. It can be done in a 55 gallon, but only if you keep one oscar, overfilter the tank, and keep up with water changes. Also, oscars are known to kill/eat almost any fish that cannot defend itself. Most any fish you put in with an oscar in a like your 55 will most likely be dead within a day or two.

FYI, fish do not grow to their tank size... they are only stunted. Think of it this way, in the way past, chinese women had their feet bound because small feet were considered beautiful. It did work, their feet "grew to their shoe size" so to speak. But it left their feet awfully deformed and they were in constant pain. Apply this image to fish, and you will understand why many experienced aquarists shake their heads when they hear that saying "the fish will only grow to fit their tank".

HTH
-Richer

[hollyatkinson]

I read somewhere that as long as oscars are with fish of the same size they would reside ok together except for when they were breeding. Also the local pet store that I get my fish from have parrots and oscars together all the time and they do ok. I was just curious if the two really are compatible?

[Serrateeth_2002]

Instead of oscars,maybe a senegalus bichir,parrots are aggressive in my opinion,bites my hand because of territorial issues

[JamisonBWolsh]

ADVISE: Before reading. This is my opinion. Many people disagree with it. Do not flame me for this. Just an opinion. MOst "profesionals" will disagree and she knows this already.
here we go:
Please dont flame.
In My experience, Richter knows what he is talking about.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Its bad to keep large fish in small tanks. a 55 gallon is not an excessivily small tank. Do they need more room? yes. Its not feasible for everyone to get big enough tanks. Is it fair... no. There are a few fish that will outgrow the tank such as the distichidus sex. and the tiger shovelnose. The oscar, I think, will be fine in a 55 gallon. MANY people have 50-60 gallon tanks. and MANY poeple keep oscars in them. As long as you change the water and feed them, they should be fine. I have seen 12 inch oscars raised in a 55 gallon tank. If you really want an oscar..buy it.

Keep in mind this line of thought is on the lines of the "average" fish keeper. People on this forum take things to the nitty gritty.
Am I giving bad advice? I dont think so. Its your choice.

EVERYONE: This is just meant to be read and not argued. Please remember. We all know its too small of a tank. But it can work.

Moderators: This is not an offensive post. Just a point of view.

[Richer]

A point of view is something we respect, but you also have to respect and understand the fact that if someone disagrees with what you say, they will say something to the contrary. Keeping an open mind is key in many hobbies, this one is not an exception. If we all learn from each other, everyone will benefit.

That said, I'm going to have to disagree with you one some points.
First off, my name is "Richer" not "Richter" =P
Second of all, _one_ solitary oscar can be kept in a 55 gallon tank. Would I add any other fish to this tank? No chance. Any fish that grows to be the same size as the oscar will not fit in that tank if the oscar is already in there. Anything smaller will get beaten up, killed or eaten.

Its quite true that the "average" keeper cannot get larger tanks for the larger fish. This I blame on the LFS, but also on the potential fishkeeper. Whether average or hardcore, it does not hurt to do a little bit of research on what you want to keep. Fish have surprisingly long lifespans... which are only cut short because of an inexperience fishkeeper (me included). If taken care of properly, they can literally give many many years of enjoyment to the keeper.

Average or not, I think its in the best interest of most keepers to see that the fish they keep live to their longest potential lifespans.

HTH
-Richer

[slipknottin]

agreed.

some well kept oscars have exceeded 16" long.

a 55 is only 12.5" deep

a 75 gallon tank which has a footprint of 48x18 is a much better choice. height doesnt matter much with most cichlids, but if you want, a 90 gallon has the same footprint as the 75 but is a couple inches taller.

HTH

edit- i have also heard of some parrot cichlids that got quite big. 12"+ if i remember correctly.

[hollyatkinson]

thanks everyone,

I think I will just stick to my parrots because they are my favorite and interesting to watch, they just hide a lot so maybe an aggressive fish wouldn't be the right choice but I really think it is hit and miss with fish, I have had fish that were supposed to be nasty turn out to be docile and also the other way arround.

I guess the only way to know is to buy the fish and observe. I was told parrots were aggressive but they are in my 30 gallon with believe it or not dwarf african frogs and they haven't even attempted to go after the frogs or vice/versa, they all get along great??

Anyhow, I wish I could afford a 75 or 90 because I would get one but I don't have the room for a tank that large nor the time to care for it. A 55 is about as big as I can go right now. But I will do my homework before purchasing any additional fish.