I honestly never thought I would be so lost on stocking but at this point I have looked into so many fish that I am getting burnt out.
I originally wanted to do lots of different small fish as a large community but to be honest I am having a hard time finding suitable fish for my water parameters.
I have hard water(like 15.5 dGH) at a ph around 7.8.
I am guessing that African cichlids might be a bit of a better choice considering the water parameters. However I never considered cichlids of any kind, so what are some recommendations for a diverse 55g tank?
Will they play nice with my Corydoras, or will they pick on them?
OR any other suggestions would be fine, a new perspective would be nice at this point. The tank is 55gallons, the filter is an Eheim 2226 canister, the tank will be heavily planted.
Also I will have a 10 gallon tank, with either 3 platys or if I am able to move them to the big tank nothing at all. I was thinking maybe a single male betta and some plants. I have heard bettas can get along with platys, is there any ground to that?
As far as I'm concerned, bettas don't get on with anyone (except for apple snails, mine all have snails). I tried putting some dwarf cories in with one of my bettas thinking that they could be taken back out if it didn't work, but I didn't get the chance. Not only did 2 of the cories die, but my betta got sick and died as well, practically overnight. I feel terrible about it and I'd never try it again.
I know nothing about cichlids so somebody else will have to give you suggestions about them.
I originally thought that my water was hard and did a lot of reading. Some fish you might look into are platies (as you already know), pristella tetras or black neon tetras. My 165-litre is platies, pristellas and cories. The pristellas are terrific, I highly recommend them. They are also the only group of my fish that swim around together. I've only got 6 at the moment and I'm going to add some, but they still look pretty cool swimming in their little group. I've got black neons in my 250-litre and I like them as well.
Rift lake cichlids are in my view stand alone fish; a beautfiul 55g display with some approapriate RL cichlids with lots of rock, sand and shells, and some Vallisneria for plants could be nice. You could even increase the hardness and pH a bit by using calcareous rock and substrate. But the corys will not last in there. There are some different catfish that will work, I will leave it to the cichlid experts to comment further on species.
Livebearers work in hard basic water, and there are many less common ones. Also there are some fish here and there that would manage as tanker mentioned. Our fish profiles have "preferred" water parameter info for each species.
Alternatively, if you are set on soft water fish, there are ways to soften and acidify water safely. The expense of a RO (reverse osmosis) unit may be worth it if that sort of aquarium is what you really want.
Yeah I dunno why I gave up on looking at tetras, I am actually finding a few I like that could work in my tank. I think having a few different groups of them would be really pretty, have a couple more platys, more corys(probably my favorite fish!) ect.
Would a gourami be too stressed by the active swimmers or harassed by the tetras? I would love a pearl or some other gourami that can tolerate hard basic water, but not totally set on one or anything.
Anything else that might be cool with the tetras/platys/corys?
Yes, I think they are the same thing. Some places call them mystery snails.
I've never seen any other colours here, just the yellow ones.
A lot of the time they are hiding away somewhere but when they become active and move around and eat and climb up the glass (and then suddenly let go and float to the bottom) they are fascinating to watch.
A bristlenose pleco would be a good match for your tank when you have some algae built up for it to munch on. They only grow to around 6 inches too, not like their common pleco monster cousins.
I am pretty sure I have only seen yellow ones as well but that's cool with me, they seem very interesting.
I considered a bristlenose pleco a while ago but I could not find any in the area. They look pretty cool though.
So far I am thinking(each is pending more research and will probably be stocked pretty slowly):
4 x Julii Cory (from my current tank)
6 x Platy (3 from current tank)
4 x Panda Cory
6 x Pristella Tetra
6 x Black Neon Tetra
3 x Mystery Snail
6 x Flame Tetra
8 x Cherry Barb
The flame tetras are depending on if I can get them in the area. I like the suggestions Tanker, thank you. I can't wait to go to the local shop now...
Then Ill finish it up with some new lighting and plant some dwarf sag grass, a few bunches, a few cryptos, some driftwood with java moss.
Should be a fun project. Thanks for all the help so far.
Those flame tetras are really nice. I saw a yellow variety of the flame tetra at one of my local shops which were really nice as well. I was considering getting them, but ended up getting something else instead. I think it might have been because I was worried that I couldn't easily replace them if one or some died as I'd never seen them in any other shop. It's nice having things that are a bit different but not when you can't replenish your group if you lose one.
I bought substrate today. Filled the tank and bought some new driftwood.
Aside from that had kind of a lot of bad stuff happen. Almost soaked my office when I turned on the water to fill the tank and my canister has been leaking for the last 5 hours, so I had that to clean up. I knew it leaked but I thought only when it was on. Sigh.
Oh I also got a new bulb in the mail, the light looks much better.
Yesterday was a big headache and I am a bit obsessive so I was close to going outside at midnight to work on the filter more.
I got up today and reexamined the canister. I pulled out the o-ring, it didn't seem too bad so I washed it off and added some lubricant to create a better seal. At first it seemed to work out fine but after connecting the intake/output it started to leak again. I looked online for a new ring but decided to go into the local fish store. I was a little disappointed to only see media for the filters on the shelf but after asking we walked to the back and they had a whole bunch of parts for eheim filters. He found the rings for me and we were talking about the filter, with another employee and (I believe the owner). They even offered to let me bring it in to take a look and order any new parts. It was awfully nice of them and they were really helpful, so even though the o-ring was double the price I decided to buy it from them and save myself not having to wait a week for it in the mail.
After installing it and turning it on everything works! I have spent a lot more on this filter than I would have liked so far but that's how it goes sometimes.
Your experience illustrates what I frequently write concerning buying equipment from local stores when one can. Any problems or trouble, they are usually willing to help you out, even to exchanging parts. They want your business after all, and they understand that online is often cheaper. But the inconvenience can outweigh the cost savings, and when you need filter or heater help, delay can be fatal to the fish.
Definitely. I cannot believe how fortunate I am to have a shop like this one literally 5 minutes away from my house. I mean I had 4 people helping me with a part problem on my heater, looking through manuals and checking inventory.
Tank finally cleared after a night with the filter running, although I had horrible nightmares of it suddenly leaking... Tomorrow new glass tops for the tank, new hoses for the filter, filter media, thermometer and a heater come in the mail.
Wednesday another heater comes(I accidentally bought a 100watt with my original order, so I am planning on running 2 smaller heaters on either side of the tank)
Thursday the fish make their transfer so long as the heaters work fine and everything looks alright.
The next best thing to getting a new tank is reading on the forum about somebody else setting up theirs. I can't wait for the fish to go into their new home :lol:
Also I will have a 10 gallon tank, with either 3 platys or if I am able to move them to the big tank nothing at all. I was thinking maybe a single male betta and some plants. I have heard bettas can get along with platys, is there any ground to that?
Well well well... On Tuesday morning I got my heater I didn't expect until Wednesday morning(today) and later that night I got the other supplies. Fedex came really really late so I basically got the new glass tops on, the heaters in, and the thermometer set up. I left everything running over night and the heaters worked well and the temp was stable.
I bought new tubing for the filter, filter media(pads and ceramic rings), and a media bag to put some established gravel in. The tubing was a huge pain in the butt... Lots of problems that lasted all afternoon. I loaded the new media in as well as a small bag of gravel from the 10g. I also had some problems getting the filter to prime again but eventually got everything running. I put in some chlorine neutralizer and let everything run for a few hours. I made sure the temp was right and worked on moving over my stock.
All but one platy are now in their new home. I left a platy to hang in the 10g for now.
I am also considering my 10g as a quarantine tank.
That tank will look fantastic when it is planted, with the wood and the dark substrate and background. You have the room for a couple swords which always do a good job of "anchoring" the aquascape. Now comes the fun part.
New update. Everyone is eat well and have settled into the new tank well. The Angels seem so happy, swimming in their little group lazily around the tank. They were really my reason to upgrade, they did fine as they were small but I knew they would quickly need a new home. Well the angels and just because I totally wanted a bigger tank.
I went to the fish store yesterday but my friend didnt want to stay long so I didnt get anything. This morning I was on a mission for some rock. I was looking at so many pro hardscapes over the past week that I was inspired to give my fish some more caves and give the tank some depth. I had bought a chunk of lace rock for my 10g and I remembered they had some larger pieces. SO there I sat in the back of the fish store, legs crossed, piling rock and trying to imagine it in my tank. I came home and got to work. Here is what I came up with. I am really quite pleased actually. I love the look of this lace rock. I tried to stack in a way that balanced stability, caves, and light and shadow. I love the little cave incased in on rock you can see in the pictures(2nd picture bottom right stone). I wish I had some more height but I don't have egg crate and larger rocks sort of worried me, so hopefully the plants will add to the overall height aspect.
Anyways I hope someone out there is enjoying this, I always love to see others set up their tanks.
Thanks to everyone for all the information, advice, and inspiration. I can't believe this all started a few months ago with 2 goldfish in a 1 gallon bowl I got as a present(yeah they died, rip poor fishies)
Oh yes, that looks good. Nice-looking rock. Yes, I think you can add height to the arrangement with plants. I spent ages placing my wood and rocks, but they got covered by the plants so the whole appearance changed (and it's changed again because I've just fiddled with it). It's also a good excuse to keep an eye out for a tall piece of driftwood or something to add to your tank:lol:
I LOVE checking out other people's tanks. It's the next best thing to setting up another one of your own - and when you're fully-tanked that's no longer an option.
That is nice rock; I have some lacerock in one of my tanks and I agree it looks nice and can be very realistic.
May I suggest, perhaps using the rock on its own in one end, starting out from a rear corner. Then use the wood either separate, or arranged next to the rock, depending how you have the rock placed. Another thing that is happening now, is two nearly symmetrical focal points; keeping the rock on its own and the two wood pieces on their own would break this up and again look more "natural." Always work to keep the tank whole, never divided into two halves, and the hardscape material is the best way to do this. If this doesn't make sense, ask and I'll try to elaborate.
That is nice rock; I have some lacerock in one of my tanks and I agree it looks nice and can be very realistic.
May I suggest, perhaps using the rock on its own in one end, starting out from a rear corner. Then use the wood either separate, or arranged next to the rock, depending how you have the rock placed. Another thing that is happening now, is two nearly symmetrical focal points; keeping the rock on its own and the two wood pieces on their own would break this up and again look more "natural." Always work to keep the tank whole, never divided into two halves, and the hardscape material is the best way to do this. If this doesn't make sense, ask and I'll try to elaborate.
No, you are right. I was sitting here a little while after I stopped and I felt like it was too symmetrical. I am going to play with it more tomorrow. I was concerned that all the rock on one side and all the wood on another would feel kind of separated. Like I said, I do need to play with it. I appreciate the feedback, much better I change it around now than after plants arrive.
I am think move the large rock left, put the 2 pieces of driftwood to the left of the middle. I want the branching piece to be the focal point. Then have the rock formation to the right side.
It will create a little space, more flow, less symmetry, and emphasize the focal point by making it a look a little larger.
I am extremely pleased with the new set-up. I worked for quite a while. I always admired the way that some professional aquascapers balanced light and shadow so I payed particular attention to where shadows were cast. I was also really happy with the driftwood set-up and the small grove under it.
Yes. The plants at my fish store are actually pretty overpriced and of poor quality(despite the rest of the shop being great) so I decided to try ordering them from sweet aquatics. I placed an order Wednesday but I haven't heard anything from them yet, so I am just getting the hardscape set before I start planting.
That's much better, in my opinion. Plants will soften the lines and really make that a very lovely acquascape.
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