Please help setup a 55 gallon tank

S

stubborn

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Apr 23, 2009
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I've been shopping around for a 55 gallon tank + stand. Already have the following
1) 20 gallon community tank with a Hagen Aquaclear 30 filter
2) 10 gallon tank with a aqua-tech filter rated for 20 gallons and a single Oscar in it (sorry that was a newbie mistake I ended up with the Oscar in such small tank.). I plan to sell this tank and just keep the decor, Ammonia indicator ,thermometer and maybe the running filter from it.
3) Unopened heater and filter that came with the 10 gallon tank. I never used heater coz it is summer and for filter I already had the 20 gallon rated filter mentioned above

Anyways today I got a nice looking 55 gallon tank, accessories and stand from Craigslist for 150$. It came with a Fluval 200W heater. Also came with it a canister filter which I'm not used to. It is Eheim Professional 2 number 2026 from what I see. Also a Coralife hood in the color of aluminium with 4 tube like lights each labelled 6700 and 65Watt. They produce white light but very bright compared to my existing tanks.

I have few questions.

1) Do I need to cycle the new tank? Can I put the decor and filter of my 10 gallon tank onto the 55 gallon tank and straightaway fill it with treated water and introduce fish coz most bacteria shd be in the filter from what I read?

2) The coralife hood covers the length of the tank but doesn't cover entire width when placed on top. So that leaves about half of the width as opening on top. How do people deal with this issue? Just leave the space empty? But then fish may jump right? Or do I just sell it and get a regular hood I see at Petco etc? I'm still unclear as to why a company Coralife will make a hood that seems to have excellent lighting and length but is not wide enough the completely cover the opening of any normal looking 55 gallon tanks I've so far seem anywhere. What am I missing here?

3. Is Ehelm canister filter a lot of maintenance? Is it better to sell it and get an Hagen Aquaclear rated for 70 gallons? Or maybe I can even use the current filter in my 10 gallon tank and the unused filter that came when I bought that tank.

4. Any Stocking suggestions for 55 gallon? I do not need a community setup since I've got the 20 gallon already. Something different.

thanks,
 
1) You can certainly "seed" the tank using your old decor and filter. You can add fish right away and just monitor the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate (do you have a test kit?) in order to make sure the bacteria colony is catching up to whatever extra bioload you added.

2) I believe the coralife fixtures originally come with mounting legs, so that might be what you are missing. I believe some online stores sell extras otherwise you can get a glass top and set the fixture right on that. No need to buy another hood, however it sounds like you have a lot more lighting than you need. Are you planning on planting this tank?

3) Eheims are good filters from what I have heard and canister filter maintenance is not too hard. However, I have no experience with this particular brand so I cannot help you on the specifics.

4) A 55 gallon is great for African cichlids and is a setup pretty unique from the normal community tanks.
 
1. If you transfer everything from the 10 gallon into the 55, then the 55 should support the Oscar from the get go. It will already be "cycled" but it will still only have the capacity to support your Oscar.

2. So they can sell you another hood. You'd be surprised at how well two of those hoods will fit the top of that one tank. It must be a coincidence or something. J/K, I don't know for certain about Corallife fixtures, but measure the hood and tank, and you might find that a second hood of the same size will cover the gap... stranger things have happened.

3. I too have read a lot of good things about the Eheim Pro 2 series filters, but do not have any personal experience with that brand. Give it a try.

4. I'm a goldfish fanatic myself, so I know what my stocking preference would be, but Oscars and goldies must swim in different tanks... But get some drift wood and tie some plants to it. 55s are big enough to support an interesting diversity of plants and rocks and decor in addition to fish. Ah! Lightbulb - stock the tank with about a dozen Rosy Red Fathead Minnows. They school which adds interest. They're cheap which doesn't dent the wallet. And they're food for Oscars. A small school will also add additional ammonia to the water to help build up the biofilter for the addition of new permanent residents.

Speaking of new permanent residents, don't sell that 10 gallon. Keep it and all that came with it as a quarantine/hospital tank. They're a must. Before anyone new goes into your 20 or 55, they should get treated to their own private 10 gallon room for a month to make sure they're not carrying any stowaways, like Ich. Also, if your Oscar takes a liking to the taste of a new tankmate that you didn't buy to be food, the 10 gallon can be a lifesaving refuge for an injured fish.
 
Most light set ups do not cover the full width of a tank....no big issue.
 
Is this the light fixture, and guessing... minus the legs?
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+9871&pcatid=9871

Thats what I have on my 55g, with legs.

The bulbs look like 4 bulbs. But if you look closer, each side is just 1 bulb folded over, if you will. ;)

You can get a glass top like this to go along with it...
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3790

or the other version, which would work good for you appliacation...
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=13818

The first one has two equal sized pieces of glass. Good for installing two single bulb fixtures.

The later has a a narrow piece in front, and larger piece in the rear for double bulb fixtures.
 
Thanks all. The pic linked by SminNC is exacly what I got. One tube inside is not working, but three are working. The three itself produce amazing light. So no complaints there. I'mm off to Petsmart to get a glass "canopy" like mentioned above.

I want to give planted a try, coz I always stayed away from it thinking that cleaning is very difficult. Apprently I see it is not very tough. Can a Pleco be kept in planted aquarium?
I really wanted to get a nice looking Pleco.
 
Don't get the typical Pleco, found in most stores. They get reallllllly big.

Spend the extra money for something like a bushy nose pleco.

You could start another thread labled "Which Pleco?" and most likely get Alot of responces/advise for them.

I can't give much advise about'em, sense I haven't had but a couple.
Started with the typical black one. Traded it in on a "Choclate Pleco" whatever its scientific name is? Its grown to around 13" in the 19(?) yrs its been around.
 
Sorry I have bunch of questions again.

Now I am running to the next problem. I read that an Oscar needs 55 gallon. So if I move the Oscar from my 10 gallon to 55, does that mean he should be the only fish in there? It is only about 6 inches long. It will look ridiculous if the tank has nothing but the Oscar.

Also which is a cheap source for rock/cave/pot for Cichlids. I mean I know fish stores carry them. But are there cheaper sources? Will any rock/pebble/pot etc do or do I need to buy from pet store itself sicne they are aquarium "safe"?

I like the cory catfish in my 20 gallon. Does there exist a larger version of the same which I can put in 55 gallon as a bottom dweller.
 
No need to be sorry. Just ask'em. :)

Alot of people have A rediculously large oscar in 55g tanks.

Give it a year, it won't be 6 inches anymore. Give it two, and it'll be 16".

I'd like to have a 1 lb cory cat too. But they haven't morphed that one for me yet.
You won't need to worry about a bottom dweller too much longer. There will only be a couple of inches above and below that Oscar in a little while.

You could get something like a 20" Terra Cota pot at Lowes. Don't worry, he'll make it not look so big in a year. ;)
 
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