Looking into a 55gallon

[shaunakadub]

Hey everyone.

Well it’s been just about a year since I purchased my 10gallon tank and I think after the success that I've had with that it might be time to look into bigger and better things. I've had no infections/bacteria ect. in my tank, and only lost 2 fish (RIP glowlites) due to rushing into it and doing a fishy cycle.

Anywhoo, I'd just like some overall general suggestions from you people who have bigger tanks. What filter/type/size, ideas on substrate (I’d like something a little bigger than sand so I don't run into vac problems). I'm not looking to do really any live plants, or possibly very low maintence plants.

And finally, fish. I know a 55gallon is going to open a huge door into the different fish I can select for it, and how many. Loaches and Plecos a must, and possibly some angel fish.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[Rbishop]

Over filtrate, with quality equipment. I prefer Mag 350s and if you do a search on here, you will find most filters fall into a lov'em or hate'em catagory.
Back up that canister with a good HOB or my favorite, a RUGF with power heads. Any rating on filters should be cut in half, then your calculations should take place. Those ratings are usually under ideal conditions and without any media in place, thus causing high ratings for gph or tank size capabilities.

Go with two heaters, each half the size you need if you only had one (reliability). If cichlids, go crushed coral, others I use just pea gravel.

Many plecos and loaches get to big for a 55, reasearch and stay with the small ones. Most loaches are best kept in groups for normal behavior to be exhibited.

How about centering your tank around a couple of angels?

[boofish2]

I love angels!! I would go for those... they're so majestic looking and can be beautifully colored. Some gouramis are really beautiful too! I love the way sand looks for substrate but I think it can be hard to clean well. I'm not as much of an expert as some of the other members and moderators, so just adding my $.02 :)

[coupedefleur]

If cichlids, go crushed coral, others I use just pea gravel.

By cichlids, rbishop means AFRICAN LAKE CICHLIDS !!! That's like saying that mammals like to live submerged in saltwater because dolphins live that way. There are lots of cichlids that will not want hard alkaline water, and crushed coral will be bad for them. For instance, angels and most other South American cichlids won't do well with crushed coral, and neither will African river cichlids like Kribensis.

One nice combo would be anglefish with some larger tetras like diamonds (M pitteri), lemons (H. pulchripinnis), Rosies (H. rosaceus)- or Emperors (N. palmeri)- any that aren't too nippy and don't have bite-sized bodies like neons.
Or maybe some large swordtails, big limias, etc.
Some dwarf cichlids on the bottom are cool (a pair of N anomala with a couple coconut shells to live in would be easy and fun).
A small school of cory cats or their relatives is fun. A banjo cat or two if you like oddballs. Bristlenose are a good choice- they don't get too big, but they won't end up as fish food like ottos might. Whiptails would also work. Kuhli loaches might be the best loach choice-
The top level of the tank is often hard to populate. Rivulus, panchax, or aplocheilus would be interesting. You might have to go to a fish club auction, or buy them from a killie keeper through the mail- few fish stores stock them, but they ship well. Splahing tetras (Copeina arnoldi would be awesome, but you might have a hard time finding them.

Remember- figure the total number of fish based on how big they will get, not how big they are now.

Oh- pearl gouramis might be another addition to consider. They're beautiful and peaceful.

[Rbishop]

Thanks for the catch....your right, I meant African Lakes.

[Yoemen]

I actually have found sand much more enjoyable, but it really depends on what you are keeping.

Do you need a biowheel for a 55? That is one concern I have with going with one of the kits from Wal-Mart, is the filter they provide doesn't have a bio wheel.

[rosswake]

just an fyi, I have a Wal-Mart 55 gallon kit, and had to go out to purchase another filter. Actually, I'm not sure I HAD to, but I prefer to have too much filtration than not enough, and the Aqua-Tech 30-60 that comes in the kit did not seem to have enough power to handle my tank. I initially bought the large Penguin Bio wheel by Marineland and it was so loud that we could not sleep at night (tank is in Bedroom), so I returned the bio wheel to Petsmart and got a Whisper 60. Now I have the Aqua tech and Whisper going at the same time and it has worked beautifully for months without problems. We do have the smaller biowheel in our 30 gallon tank and it IS a better filter, but way too loud for the bedroom in my opinion. hope that helps a little.

Does sand seriously disturb the efficiency of regular HOB (hang on back) filters? I was thinking of adding some sand to my substrate. Is it ok to have gravel and sand with SA/CA Cichlids? thanks for your help.

[Yoemen]

as for a HOB filter and sand, you might need to put a sponge on the intake for a month or two until all the particles settle so that you don't tear up your propeller, but that would be the only concern. If you have one with an extension on it, you might want to not you the extension also.