I'm a newbie here and have a question

[jpappy789]

Hang on back. Sorry I didn't know that at first either. Always have a gravel vac of some sort. Think about investing in a python or a similar brand. Hook it right up to your faucet and it does the water change for you, that is if your water is ok. But the fish you have aren't demanding in terms of water hardness and ph, so I don't think that would be a problem. Clown plecos...I see 3-4 in. on most websites. Clown loaches on the other hand can get to a foot and even bigger plus require a group of them. Definitely not for your size tank...don't always trust books, some are outdated and others just stink.

 

[pacersfan09]

Common plecos: 14-20"
Clown Loaches: 12-16"

Book is junk.

well they did say guppies, danios, swordtails, corys, neons, platys, rasboras, and red tailed sharks are good for beginners so it cant be all bad ( had an asterisk next to the shark for semi agressive) if you think its junk what is a good book to buy?

 

[jpappy789]

After coming to AC I don't trust a lot of books anymore.

 

[pacersfan09]

Hang on back. Sorry I didn't know that at first either. Always have a gravel vac of some sort. Think about investing in a python or a similar brand. Hook it right up to your faucet and it does the water change for you, that is if your water is ok. But the fish you have aren't demanding in terms of water hardness and ph, so I don't think that would be a problem. Clown plecos...I see 3-4 in. on most websites. Clown loaches on the other hand can get to a foot and even bigger plus require a group of them. Definitely not for your size tank...don't always trust books, some are outdated and others just stink.

i think i can just go with corys on the bottom dwellers instead of the clown pleco anyway so you think a tank with guppies, danios, leaopard corys, and 2 dwarf gouramis would be alright? any suggestions on books or websites for beginners?

 

[Eupterus]

Clown plecos do not get to be a foot long. These are small plecos that don't get over 4". They are good newbie fish because they are very hardy.

Mine have survived a tank plague, a move which killed some of my other fish, having aggressive breeding cichlids put in with them when my parents were watching them, though their fins were permanently damaged from that.

 

[pacersfan09]

Clown plecos do not get to be a foot long. These are small plecos that don't get over 4". They are good newbie fish because they are very hardy.

Mine have survived a tank plague, a move which killed some of my other fish, having aggressive breeding cichlids put in with them when my parents were watching them, though their fins were permanently damaged from that.

so clown plecos are alright i only need one correct?

 

[Eupterus]

You only need one because they are not social fish. You can get more if you want to as long as each has enough space for their territory. Not sure how many can live in a 55 gal.

 

[Dwarf Puffers]

well they did say guppies, danios, swordtails, corys, neons, platys, rasboras, and red tailed sharks are good for beginners so it cant be all bad ( had an asterisk next to the shark for semi agressive) if you think its junk what is a good book to buy?

RTS are super-agressive to most bottom fish.

i think i can just go with corys on the bottom dwellers instead of the clown pleco anyway so you think a tank with guppies, danios, leaopard corys, and 2 dwarf gouramis would be alright? any suggestions on books or websites for beginners?

6 Guppies (4 female, 2 male)
6 Cories
8 Danios
2 Dwarf Gouramis
1 Clown Pleco

You have a bit more room, maybe even for a school of 8 small tetras, IMO.

so clown plecos are alright i only need one correct?

Yes, but remember cories eat leftover food, algae wafers, and shrimp pellets, and plecos eat algae, algae wafers, and the occasional blanched zuchini/cucumber.

 

[pacersfan09]

alright lol i wish i could just bring everyone to the petstore with me to help me pick out what i need for the tank and my fish lol even though i read the book i keep getting different opinions from everyone lol

 

[silentskream]

im almost done with the book i bought and it had a link to this site so i came here and im going to buy the 55g starter kit so it should come with the stuff you listed and i am going to buy extra stuff like a bottom filter, gravel vacuum and stick with non live plants. i think its a good a idea to only buy like 2 kinds of fish to start of with like guppies ( should i get male and female as begginer fry would be cool?) and some zebra danios

i would skip the bottom filter... if you're getting a kit then it should come with a "whisper" or "top fin" filter anyway, and that will be enough. bottom filters (or undergravel filters) are more trouble than they're worth in most people's opinion... just save the money for a stand... other than that just read up about fishless cycling., and get your water/filter ready to go (could take a while) and then when it's time, start with the fish.

i think we can all agree that getting a bigger tank is great if you have the funds to do so.

congrats! and welcome to the hobby!!