question about schools in a 55 gal.

MoparORnoCAR

MoparORnoCAR

It's our struggles that define us.
Dec 8, 2005
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LaCrosse, WI
I am clueless :huh: as to the whole "bioload" situation, I know what it is, but as far as what or how many fish is alright for a given size of tank, I have no clue.so I ask you all this.....


for a 55 gal. community tank, would it be wise to have two schools of medium sized tetras, a small school (5-6) of corys, and my three dwarf gouramis? if I went this route would I be maxed out? I really wanted to go with some sort of centerpiece fish but with so many options I have been back and forth :argue: in my mind with what I may want to go with.

some of my ideas :idea:
a pair of rams
an angel fish
a small school of rainbows


so many options and I am so worried about making a wrong decision of tankmates down the road. Any thought or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I would love to hear what you all would do with my given situation.
 
Well, you could use the 1" per gallon thought with small fish like tetras, When you start getting into the bigger fish i.e Oscars, Cichlids, Sharkes, angels, the 1" per gallon thought gets a little ticky. Your idea sound pretty good, and as far as the centerpeice fish, I would opt for the Blue Rams
 
I don't know what you mean by a school, but 2 or 3 might be okay. Personally, I would probably go with the rams. I am setting up a very similar tank though, and I am going with the angelfish (because that is what my wife wants).
 
It also depends on how much maintenance you want to do. You can have more fish if you want to do more water changes. Nitrate being the basis on what most use as a water change indicator, a higher bio-load gets you closer to that target number quicker.
Personal preference comes in to play also. Some like a tank crammed with fish, some don't. Personally, I would go with one school (9-12) of tetras, the corys, and gouramis.
Maybe a pair of rams, but the rainbows (having 4 or more) would be too much imo.
 
beviking said:
It also depends on how much maintenance you want to do. You can have more fish if you want to do more water changes. Nitrate being the basis on what most use as a water change indicator, a higher bio-load gets you closer to that target number quicker.
Personal preference comes in to play also. Some like a tank crammed with fish, some don't. Personally, I would go with one school (9-12) of tetras, the corys, and gouramis.
Maybe a pair of rams, but the rainbows (having 4 or more) would be too much imo.
Click to expand...

ah, very good!! I understand. I think I will keep the number of fish fairly low. I don't want a crowded tank.

Is it true that rams have a fairly low life span? would a pair of angels work as well or would I just be creating a bullying situation?
 
Yes the rams have a short life span. They say that they live 2-3 years, but I have heard of some living to 5 years. It really depends on the quality you get and the care that you give them. Also angels will go with your tank, your garamie's might mess with the angels though. It is just hit and miss with the attitued of them
 
I am afraid it will be the other way around! My dwarf gouramis are little wimps and get chased by my bleeding hearts from time to time!

I figure if I introduce a few small angels it will be alright as long as the school of tetras don't pick on them to bad.....they are vicious little guys! I'm just afraid of the angels growing up and taking over the tank.
 
I have angels in my 55..as they get older and hopefully pair off..I will move them to other tanks.
currently I have 8 angels with a few danios.
the angels are small..I hope to move some of them by march to another tank.
generally speaking the ratio of angels to tank is 1 per 10 gallons..of course you can have more if you change your water.
I actually will try to keep it to 4 for the 55.
the angels should do okay with the dwarf gourami's..but they can get agressive at feeding time.

and angels will get relatively large.
good luck
 
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