Suggestions for stocking 55g tank?

Guppyluver4ever

THATS SO FUNNY, I HAVE GUPPIES AND NEON TETRAS, and a few other livebearers but... ANyway i think stick with what you know best, get some black neons, neon tetras, some guppies and if you want some platies, swordtails, mollies. Just keep in mind to try and stick to all males, or you'll have a school of TINY fry of all species

NC Frank

I have seen you say this before and I certainly defer to your experience as while I have kept fish for my entire life I only recently delved into planted tanks... I have had planted tanks that experienced mild to mid range cases of new tank syndrome. Unless he is seeding or introducing some bacteria wouldn't the initial ammonia spike be too much for a planted tank to handle?

Byron

First, there have to be a lot of plants. I don't mean a thick jungle, but a couple of plants in a 29g tank won't do it. Second, only add a few fish on day one and then add more after a few days. If it is also possible to seed the tank with bacteria, I would do so as an extra, so to speak. I have set up several aquaria this way and there is never anything above zero for ammonia and nitrite, from the first day. Now, I can't say whether this is all due to the plants, or the bacteria [and I have used biological supplements for this, Seachem's Stability most recently, plus bacteria on the plant leaves and wood moved from existing tanks], or both.

In her book, Ecology of the Planted Aquarium, Diana Walstad mentions that she always sets up a new aquarium by planting it and adding fish the first day, and never has a "cycle" or new tank syndrome. This has certainly been my experience. I used to attribute it to the biological supplements, but after more recently reading Ms. Walstad I believe the plants are doing the major job. I can't cite the book, but here's a link to an article that is largely excerpted from her book:
Aqua Botanic - Plants and biological filtration

From my own experience, in 1998 I had reason to thoroughly clean my 115g setup due to an unknown toxic substance that was determined to be leeching from one or two pieces of wood and had over a few weeks been slowly killing the fish. I moved the 90 lethargic stressed-out fish to my spare 33g tank and drained the 115g, thoroughly cleaned the gravel in hot, hot tap water (killing any bacteria to be sure), washing the plant leaves as best I could, and completely replacing the filter media (no bacteria there). I filled the tank, planted it, and moved the fish back in. All in one day. I dosed the tank with Cycle. Not one fish loss, no ammonia, no nitrite...I thought at the time the Cycle was doing it, but now I realize it may have been more the plants.

In early July I set up my (empty) 115g. Fresh gravel, new filter and media. I filled the tank on day one, moved over the plants and some wood from the existing 90g, and moved all 112 fish the next day. I used "Stability" as a back-up. Again, no ammonia, no nitrite, no fish losses. Later that week, I did the same with the 90g/70g.

As Ms. Walstad mentions, in a planted tank the plants are performing much greater biological filtration than the bacteria, because the plants are quicker at grabbing the ammonium (from ammonia and nitrite) than are the bacteria. And in acidic water, such as I have out of my tap, nitrosomonas bacteria are said to be inhibited in their growth, and at a pH of 6 or lower they stop completely. Back in 1998 when I did the emergency re-set of the 115g, I had tap water at pH 5.5, so it is quite possible that there could have been very little if any bacteria handling the ammonia/ammonium in that re-set tank even with a biological supplement. Plants are nature's filters, and they certanly seem to know how to do it.

Byron.

andrewr2488

Hi Guys, a little update. I bought a peice of wood from petco today, It is the "Zoo Med Natural Mopani Wood" medium size. Im planning to use Amazon I For my substrate, being that I have heard quite a few good things about it. I want to start out with some of the easier plants to take care of (any recommendations are appreciated) and a few schooling fish, would 9-11 be overstocking the 29g tank? I've always known the rull of thumb is 1inch for 1g. my mopani wood is currently soaking in water, which I will be changing daily for about a week, or as long as needed to complete the leeching process. Sorry if i am kind of needy right now, i've never had anything of this magnitude before.. just 10g aquariums with guppies and neon tetras.. also, is it ok to put a female betta in the aquarium with the neons? i have one in a 1.7g hex aquarium and i'd like to have her in my 29g if possible.. Also what do I put in the extra media cartridge for the emperor 280? carbon i'd assume? thanks fellas, also directing me to any links for plant care and info for newbs would be much appreciated. thanks ff readers

andrewr2488

I'm not sure what im going to use for lighting, and also im assuming i need an air pump and stone correct? I've seen reviews of mopani wood being very bad about tannin leeching for a long time, some said even up to a year?!? one person said to let it sit in boiling hot water atleast 3-4 times and it would drastically reduce the leeching process throughout.. what air pump would ya'll go with, isaw one at petsmart that was an aquaclear for 30g aquariums.

Arkamaic

You can't really rely on that rule. There are many factors. And it depends on what kinda of fish. Larger schooling fish, such as Australian Rainbows, you couldn't do that many because they average to be 4". Something such as Neon Teras, or hatchet fish, now problem 9 to 11 works. You could also try 6 or so hatchet fish, and 6 or so Neon Tetras. Both come from the same water ways, thus will have similar water requirements.

There are many factors that affect the bioload you can put. If you have a larger than needed filter, and do weekly water changes and have a planted tank (as you do), you can fit a few more fish do to the increase filtration, both mechanical and natural (plants).

And yes, let the wood sit in warm/boiling water for a week or two, and then most should be leeched. The tanins are actually not harmful to the fish, in fact, it occurs naturally in the Amazon.

And don't apologize for being needy. We've all been there, and its better that your asking questions. Shows you actually care about the hobby, and thats what we are about.
Also, looking forward to seeing this tank progress, make sure you take your time and get the information before you act. Which is what you are doing by being here. Saves time, and more importantly, money. =)

1077

Rather than carbon in the extra media cartridge, I would (were it me),, Consider biological media such as ceramic rings,Eheim Ehfisubstrat Pro,or Eheim Ehfilav. All are good at providing extra biological filtration by creating more surface area for bacteria to colonize. They also do a fair job of trapping suspended particulates.
Carbon, in my view should be avoided. It is very good at removing unwanted substances from the water but it will also remove a fair share of nutrients needed by the plants for growth.
I would not add a air stone or pump that would drive off precious Co2 through surface agitation and I would see that the water level in the aquarium was such that the water returning from your filter is below the surface of the water.
Byron perhaps can explain the aspects regarding Co2 much better than I but I believe most planted tank folks would agree with me that without Co2 injection, You want to avoid surface agitation as much as is possible. Opinions vary.
You may wish to consider not using carbon at aoll with the filter but rather using some filter floss cut to fit the opening in the filter or by slitting the blue Rite Size E cartridge open and dumping out the carbon. I believe plants would do much better without the use of carbon or at least they did for me during my brief planted tank expieriments.
I began with plants like Valisneria,Java fern attached to wood with thread,Anubia ,Water sprite, Crypt,and Amazon Sword (not Brazilian). Were it me, (and it ain't) I would have at least three inches of Substrate for rooted plants. Hope some of this helps.

Byron

I second the advice from both Arkamaic and 1077.

Filtration in a planted tank should be limited to mechanical to clear the water. The plants do the cleaning aspect of filtration better than any filter we can use. Not using carbon and such materials in the mechanical filter does this, because as 1077 mentioned these substances are chemical filtration that alter the water chemistry by removing needed nutrients or adding stuff that shouldn't be there because it inhibits the plants. And the less movement, particularly at the surface, the better. CO2 comes from the fish (and certain biological processes in the aquarium) and it is not in abundance so you don't want to drive it out of the aquarum by creating fast water flows and surface disturbance; this creates gas exchange at the surface, where CO2 is expelled and oxygen is pulled n to the water. But the plants take in CO2 and expel oxygen during photosynthesis, and far more oxygen is produced by plants than could otherwise be matched. So we let them get on with their job.

You will need good lighting, the single most important aspect of a planted tank. Full spectrum (rated around 6500K) is the best. We can discuss specific tubes when you're ready. What light fixture do you have? There are some options, and your choice will determine what type of tubes you can have (T5 or the regular, one or two tubes).

Byron.

andrewr2488

I will take pictures of all of the things i have so far, and get ya'lls opinions, and yes arkamaic i do enjoy and care about this hobby, i dont want fish dying for no reason. i believe taking your time and doing things right is the ONLY way to do things, i'm that way about all things in my life. Byron, I'm not sure what fixture i have, its a single bulb fixture but i'll look into it.. this aquarium was originally used to house my 3 baby res but they were released into my cousins new stock pond. i bought the complete package at petsmart, its the 29g Top Fin kit. i scrapped the 30g topfin filter in favor of the emperor 280. I bought the api master test kit, but i forgot it at my gf house which is 30 miles away lol. im gettin it tomorrow from her. thanks for ya'lls help, i appreciate ya'lls time!

Byron

Sounds like its fluorescent with one tube. That is OK. You'll need to know if it's regular (T8 or T12) or T5; the new tube will be whichever and they won't fit alternatively. B.