55 gallon stocking number 2

[Yoemen]

Ok, after looking at ya'lls suggestions and running around petsmart, petco, and LFS here is what I am thinking.

Sand substrate-white sand
Lots of fake plants both planted and a few floating
driftwood and maybe one of those sunken ships I like the bismark
The Marineland Emperor 400 filter
heaters of some sort-haven't really looked into them yet as I will have at least a month of cycling I figure.

Fish:
1-3 chiclids-its gonna depend on what I end up settling on. Right now leaning to 2 Sevs.
2 spotted and 1 striped raph
2-3 Synodontis multipunctatus or Synodontis petricola
4-6 Tiger Barbs--Not sure on this as I don't know if barbs and cichlids mix very well.

Any major problems or suggestions?

 

[Yoemen]

hmm

anyone have any issues, concerns, or think its a good idea??

 

[icecubez189]

Marineland's Visi-Therm Stealth is a good choice for heaters, very durable and reliable, it'll last you for a while. Get 2 200watt Visi-Therms for your tank (in case 1 fails)

 

[gagaliya]

Ok, after looking at ya'lls suggestions and running around petsmart, petco, and LFS here is what I am thinking.

Sand substrate-white sand
Lots of fake plants both planted and a few floating
driftwood and maybe one of those sunken ships I like the bismark
The Marineland Emperor 400 filter
heaters of some sort-haven't really looked into them yet as I will have at least a month of cycling I figure.

Fish:
1-3 chiclids-its gonna depend on what I end up settling on. Right now leaning to 2 Sevs.
2 spotted and 1 striped raph
2-3 Synodontis multipunctatus or Synodontis petricola
4-6 Tiger Barbs--Not sure on this as I don't know if barbs and cichlids mix very well.

Any major problems or suggestions?

i know some had success, but personally will not mix cichlid with other fish. It should be either a species only tank with those ugly rock slates that's been done to death, or dont have cichlid at all.

I guess it's all preference, but to me a lush planted tank with a school of 30 tiger barbs or rasboras swimming together is so much more beautiful than a few individual fish here and there.

You are at the beginning of your fishkeeper cycle, where artificial decor and plants looked beautiful. Then you will slowly begin to turn and not want anything artificial in the tank at all. And finally desire a fully planted and aquascaped tank like the ones here:

http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/2005.cgi?&Scale=3&op=ishowcase&category=0&vol=2

Of course the process is not 100% safe, there have been losses to the darkside, where rainbow castles, red gravels and sponge bob decors rule the tank.

:duh:

 

[Rbishop]

I'd go for two, 150s' for a 55.

If one failed off, I do not think your temp drop would be that severe.

If one failed on, it would not drive the temp too high.

 

[Yoemen]

hmm

It isn't that I think artificial plants are beautiful, but I don't believe I have the patience to care for real plants.

Your tanks are beautiful by the way, I love your dragon garden tank.