Beginner Questions

J

JCook5003

Registered Member
Nov 12, 2007
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Hey Guys-

I am thinking about setting up a 55 gallon community tank of some kind.....I dont really know what kind of fish I should look at........I know I dont want goldfish, but was thinking Chichlids or Angelfish or some kind of general community tank which do you guys think would be best for a "semi-beginner"?

Also I would really like to use artificial plants for simplicity and easy maintaince......what do you guys think? Also who makes the best fake plants....I would also like to see some pictures of tanks with artificial plants.....

Also what type of fitration would be best for a "fish only" tank, and what type of heater and lighting should I use since I wont be using real plants....also what kind of substrate?

Also any other pictures or suggestions are greatly appreciated.....

Thanks
Josh
 
Also I would like some background options....should I paint it black or put some kind of styrofoam rock type background in there or what? Opinion welcome also articles or threads on how to's is welcome.

Thanks
Josh
 
Here is a pic of my 55g with fake plants and a black background.... I just bought a kit from Walmart for like $160 that had everything with it (tank,filter,heater,hood and lights) .It has been up and running for 5+ months now with no problems. I did add another Whisper 30 filter to it along with the one that came with it for added filtration until I get the extra money to buy a cannister filter one day...... The only real thing I dont like about the kit is that the heater is not fully submersible and the top of it has to stay out of the water...but this will be fixed too when I get a Visitherm Stealth heater.

55g.JPG
 
a 55 is a good sized tank and you can set up quite a nice community tank .

if you want centerpiece Cichlids you can use Angels, Festivum,keyholes,
these are fairly hardy and will fit in a community tank.
you will need to choose other inhabitants carefully..particularly if you want neons as they may become food for these cichlids.

larger tetras would work tho.
consider a bottom dweller(Ancistrus) or cories
 
southpaw said:
Here is a pic of my 55g with fake plants and a black background.... I just bought a kit from Walmart for like $160 that had everything with it (tank,filter,heater,hood and lights) .It has been up and running for 5+ months now with no problems. I did add another Whisper 30 filter to it along with the one that came with it for added filtration until I get the extra money to buy a cannister filter one day...... The only real thing I dont like about the kit is that the heater is not fully submersible and the top of it has to stay out of the water...but this will be fixed too when I get a Visitherm Stealth heater.

55g.JPG
Click to expand...
Where did you buy those root like structures in the tank? What are they made of? Your tank is beautiful.
 
i saw some of those root like structures at petsmart. I might get one next week
 
I got them from Petsmart....but to save alot of money either get them online or print off the page online and take it to the store to pricematch...havent checked in awhile but they were way cheaper online than in the store when I got mine. I ended up getting all 3 they have...I have the small one pushed up against the largest one.
 
I never saw them at my local Petsmart, so I will check online. Thanks for the info!
 
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