55 Gallon Setup
- Thread starter Alegre323
- Start date
You'll get better results with purchasing individual pieces rather than a "no tank" kit. The Petco "$1 per gallon" tank only sale is not a great deal if you're starting from scratch. In my neighborhood (Denver, CO) you can get a 55G tank with hoods and lights for $110 at PetSmart. The two 24" hoods are $32 each, so $55 + $64 = $119 if I were to buy them separately at Petco.
Other items that you'll need...
filter - look for a hang-on-back (HOB) filter. Maybe two AquaClear 50's or two Penguin 280's.
heater - two 150 watt or 200 watt heaters should be sufficient. I like the Stealth and the Jager ones.
Substrate - sand or gravel, you'll need 30-50 pounds to cover the bottom of your tank with 2" of material.
Decorations - some fish really need plants to feel safe. Others like hiding spots in rocks or driftwood.
Thermometer - keep an eye on the water temp with a small submersible thermometer.
Test Kit - I highly recommend the Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Freshwater Master Test Kit. You'll need to watch the water carefully while the tank is getting established.
Fish - choose what you like, but keep in mind some species like to school with friends and get lonely if left to themselves.
Food - will depend on what fish you get.
Other items that you'll need...
filter - look for a hang-on-back (HOB) filter. Maybe two AquaClear 50's or two Penguin 280's.
heater - two 150 watt or 200 watt heaters should be sufficient. I like the Stealth and the Jager ones.
Substrate - sand or gravel, you'll need 30-50 pounds to cover the bottom of your tank with 2" of material.
Decorations - some fish really need plants to feel safe. Others like hiding spots in rocks or driftwood.
Thermometer - keep an eye on the water temp with a small submersible thermometer.
Test Kit - I highly recommend the Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Freshwater Master Test Kit. You'll need to watch the water carefully while the tank is getting established.
Fish - choose what you like, but keep in mind some species like to school with friends and get lonely if left to themselves.
Food - will depend on what fish you get.
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Check out bigalsonline.com They have awesome prices on equipment, and if you are stocking up, then the shipping will be nothing compared to the savings and the absence of taxes.
I recommend the Penguin hang on back (HOB) filters. two of these will give you great filtration in that tank. http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp19169/si1379661/cl0/marinelandpenguin350bpowerfilter
I recommend the Penguin hang on back (HOB) filters. two of these will give you great filtration in that tank. http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp19169/si1379661/cl0/marinelandpenguin350bpowerfilter
Lupin
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- Sep 21, 2006
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Food-Always vary food diet. Be sure to get fish that have similar dietary requirements with the others.
Test kit-liquid rather than test strips. API is best recommended.
What fish are you planning to keep?
Test kit-liquid rather than test strips. API is best recommended.
What fish are you planning to keep?
ok, i went with the penguin 350 HOB filter. going to purchase another for the other side of tank. im thinking a canister filter. right now im running a fishless cycle and its 3 days in already. i went with red and black rocks for cichlids. petco guy said they liked it, and they had an example of it and it looked good.
tank has red and black rocks, black backing, along with some plants now
tank has red and black rocks, black backing, along with some plants now
i want to go with colorful cichlids. some yellow electric along with some blue electrics. a green terror and some parrots
yellow and blue electrics are African cichlids so, you can't mix them with s. american cichlids due to the differing degrees of agressiveness. I also think a green terror is too agressive for blood parrots. you could go a severum and parrots or a salvini and parrots. with the africans make sure you don't have too many fish that look alike, or they'll get really agressive with each other. 1:3 male: female ratio should work.