55 Gallon Stocking Ideas

A

Alona

AC Members
Apr 12, 2010
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Hi, I'm new to your message board and was looking for some advice.

Currently my fish experience is having some mollies in a 10 gal aquarium for a couple of years (for my daughter). I know how to cycle, clean and do water changes.

I have the oppertunity to purchase a 55 gal glass aquarium from a friend, complete with wooden cabinet stand and biowheel filters for $50. Wow, how can I pass that up, I've always dreamed of having a large aquarium. I hear that larger ones are easier to maintain than the 10 gals.

I am looking for stocking ideas for my future tank. It will be freshwater with a tropical reef theme (no live plants). I want several fish that can live together, that are colourful. The bad part is I kind of live in the middle of nowhere, so my pet stores are limited to Petsmart (about 45 min away) and a small local pet store, so I probably can't get anything that's not comon.

Any ideas would be hugely appreciated!!!
 
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Alona said:
Hi, I'm new to your message board...
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Welcome!

Alona said:
...55 gal glass aquarium from a friend, complete with wooden cabinet stand and biowheel filters for $50...
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That's a great deal!

Alona said:
...It will be freshwater with a tropical reef theme...
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Does that mean freshwater, but with fake coral decorations?

Alona said:
...Any ideas would be hugely appreciated!!!
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Mbuna tank (African rift lake cichlids)
Planted Rainbowfish community
African predator tank (senegal bichirs, AB Knife, Leopard Ctenopoma)
South American biotope (Amazon swords, Bolivian rams, corydoras, tetras)
Asian biotope (Pearl gouramis, rasboras, kuhli loaches)

... lots of options with a 55g :)
 
A mbuna tank would give you the fake reef idea you are going for. The down side is they are very aggressive so not much else can live with them

Here's an article about them:
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2277088#post2277088

It's long but is a good overview about their care and what species to avoid. I believe there is even some stocking suggestions for a 55 gallon. I have a mbuna tank myself and I adore it. So much color and activity but they aren't for everyone.
 
Wow, so many responses in such little time... thanks to everyone :)

Yes, I haven't the heart to try a saltwater, so I was hoping to do a fake reef with some colourful fish.

The water I have is well water. The well is about 300 ft. below ground, the water is hard, but I've seen harder. It's untreated too.
 
No, I would rather not have to make the water soft.

So, when a petstore lists the fish as "African Cichlids" those are the type I should work with. I'm also reading your article Blue2fyre, it is very good.
 
I have tank-envy. My puny little 10 & 20 gallons are preventing me from owning an Oscar. I fell in love at Petco, who has the most beautiful one I've ever seen, a moss green with gold and black markings. And he's so friendly, more like a real pet.
 
Most fish are pretty tolerant of a range of pH and hardness levels, so IMO I don't think you need to rule out any solely based on that. Mbuna tanks are pretty cool though (don't have them myself, but love seeing all the pics of theme here).

"African cichlids" could be Mbuna or could be fish from other locales, so just be careful to know exactly what you're getting.
 
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