New 50g stocking

[Kengel]

A few weeks ago I got a 50 gallon tank with the intent of Piranhas. After some research, I gave up on Piranhas (for now) and I'm turning the tank into a community tank. My setup now is:

50g tank
Whisper 40 air pump (not using for now)
Emperor 280 filter
Cascade heater at 72-73 degrees.
17w bulb, about to upgrade

Current fish stock:
Tri-Color Shark
2 Marble Veil Angels that are about 1.5" long
2 Plattys, I may have to get more as one constantly bullies the other.

What would you guys recommend I add to the tank? I was thinking I'd definitely have to get a few more Balas as mine is kind of pathetic, he swims next to his reflection all day...

 

[Jspigs]

Is your tank cycled? If not you will have to do daily large water changes.

 

[froglover007]

Sorry, but when you say tri-color shark do you meen flying fox? Anyway, you should probably get six or seven platies in order to make a school. THen you could add a species of larger tetra like black widow, red-eye or bleeding heart tetras. I think then you would be all set.

 

[Kengel]

Is your tank cycled? If not you will have to do daily large water changes.

There's been water in the tank for almost a month, the Ammonia is <25, nitrates are almost nonexistent. Froglover:would I be able to get a little more variety? And in Tri Color shark, I mean Tricolor/Bala, I don't know any other names for it.

 

[Jspigs]

There's been water in the tank for almost a month, the Ammonia is <25, nitrates are almost nonexistent. Froglover:would I be able to get a little more variety? And in Tri Color shark, I mean Tricolor/Bala, I don't know any other names for it.

If you have ammonia then your tank is not cycled. When you say there's been water in the tank for almost a month do you mean that the tank was just running with water for a month with no added food for the beneficial bacteria? If so then you did not cycle your tank.


Sorry to get off topic.

 

[Kengel]

For the past month or so I've had a betta, a few platties, and a crayfish in there, so there has been food in there, but that's a really small amount of fish for the tank.