2 Question Thread....Sand and stocking

J

JohnnyD44

AC Members
Sep 26, 2008
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Hello everyone,

I am very new to knowing alot about freshwater aquariums. I am very good a keeping up with the cleansliness of my tank, it is always clear and water always check out great. I would like to gain some knowledge on the following:

Please excuse me if this is a stupid question:

1) Is it possible to use sand in a 55 gallon fresh water aquarium, instead of gravel? or is only reserved for salt water tanks? and does it helpful or hurt to the tanks chemistry??

2) Anyone have any advice for some new fish I could throw into my newer, bigger tank once I get it all set-up? here's what I have right now:

2 - tin foil tiger barbs (about 2.5" long)
3 - guarmis(1 blue, 2 silver) about 2.5" long
2 - convict cichlids (about 1.5" long)
1 - firethroat cichlid (about 1.5" long)
2 - cichlids (I am unaware of their breed, they were givin to me)

all the fish get along a great. the firethroat likes to throw his weight around but the bigger guarmis and tinfoil barbs keep him in check! :)

Any help anyone could give me would be great! again, please excuse me if the first question is dumb.

Thanks,

Johnny D
 
Also for my new tank:

I have a Bio-Wheel 350 on order and I am going to use my existing Bio-wheel 200. I have a bigger heater coming as well.

does this sound right to get my new cycle running?

Thanks again
 
are these tin foil barbs or tiger barbs. they are different species and tinfoils get very big.

you will need to ID the Cichlids as there could be compatibility issues with Cichlids.

fire throated Cichlid? aka hemichromis Fasciata fire throated jewel or as in firemouth?aka Thorichthys meeki
 
I believe the tinfoil barb is a tinfoil not a tiger barb...it has a very shiney skin and the rear fin has 2 small dots (one black and one red) at either end

The cichlid is question is a firemouth...not firethroat, that is my fault....

When setting up my new tank....if I were to use sand....how much would be needed for a 55 gallon tank? Also, is keeping my water with me when I move beneficial? or should I mainly worry about keeping my old filters to help cylce the new tank?

Any fish you know of that do well with south american cichlids besides other SA cichlids?

Again, thanks for all your help and please pardon my newbieness!!!!
 
I'd be careful with the cichlids when they grow up because many can become extremely aggressive.

It really depends on how much sand you want and if you have plants or not. I have 40 lb in my 55 and it gives me roughly 1.3inches. Be careful with sand as it can become compacted over time.

Don't bother taking the water since only 2% of the beneficial bacteria is in open water. A bacteria booster and daily water changes with the old filters for the first couple of days should be enough.
 
JohnnyD44 said:
When setting up my new tank....if I were to use sand....how much would be needed for a 55 gallon tank? Rule of thumb is about two pounds of substrate per gal for a 2" base, but it does depend on how much of a base you want in your tank. I like to have between 2-3" so I usually go for a bit more. Another good rule of thumb is to buy more than you think you'll need. That way, if you start aquascaping and think ... hrm, I wish this part was deeper ....
Also, is keeping my water with me when I move beneficial? or should I mainly worry about keeping my old filters to help cylce the new tank? No, just keep the old filters.
Any fish you know of that do well with south american cichlids besides other SA cichlids?There are a few bottom dwellers that might go ok and a few other species - but usually if you get SA cichlids, you pretty much have to have an SA cichlid tank. But on that note, I think your SA cichlids are actually central american cichlids. It's close enough. They'll mix ok (well, as well as cichlids can) with a lot of other CA or SA cichlids but - someone correct me if I'm wrong but I thought convicts came from mexico and fire mouths from ... er, further north than South America :D (*sigh* I'm so much more informed when it comes to the africans ... )
Again, thanks for all your help and please pardon my newbieness!!!!
We all started at the same place. And most of us learn over time that the very best thing you can do for your fish is to research their species. Read, read, read.
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Everyone that has replied has given you top notch advice. The only thing I have to throw in is regarding your sand. I had a 55G with white sand. It looks great for sure, but keep a thinner layer than you would with gravel. I would do 3 bags in your case. Sand gets gas pockets that build up underneath. Every cleaning, its good to churn the sand and get those gas pockets out of there. Cleaning sand is easier imo because of the compacted nature, everything settles on top. When you clean it, use a fine mesh net and drag it around on the surface getting all the nasty stuff and sift the sand holding the net just above water. When all the sand is out of the net shake the left-over in a bucket. You can use a syphon, but its a pain. It also sucks a lot of sand out of your tank. Good Luck!
 
Thank you guys for all of your help! I really appreciate it alot! I'm thinking I might take out my non-cichlids and try going with a alll cichlid tank. Do you guys reccomend SA vs. African vs CA??
 
If getting all your fish locally, I'd check into what was availible or see if they (lfs) can order in the species you like. I'd do some research on the availible species and ask questions here about compatibility then plan your stocking. You'll be much happier if you do the research prior than have to return fish due to agression or compatibility issues.
 
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