Confusion About Future Tank

[Betta_Shark5678]

Hi again.

Yeah i have more questions about the 55 gallon that I've been asking about since april. This time I'm actually getting it Monday! And if they forget to bring it again my parents have offered to drive me there to get it, or to buy me a new one instead! My tap water stats last I checked (around two months ago) were pH 7.2-7.6, 0 nitrates, 0 nitrites, and .25 ammonia?! I'm using the Api freshwater master test kit, I haven't been able to get the gH, and kH test kits yet but I will soon.

Cycling question: should I add some ammonia when I get it setup to see if there's any bacteria left in the filter? If not should I try fishless, or should I move the gourami from the 6.6 gallon temporary tank for a fish-in cycle?

Stocking (again): I already have 1 Golden Gourami (full grown, 5 years old), 1 L444 Pleco (also full grown, unknown age), 5 Gold twin-bar platys (two full grown, three look pregnant, 4 female, 1 male, and there is a possible sixth one, but it was a fry I found a few days ago, so it may have been eaten), 2 Guppies (full grown, both male). I'd like to add 4-6 more Guppies (female), 3 more platys (one male two female), and possibly another L444 Pleco. It's slightly different then every other time I've planned it. I love my Pleco, and I found a place where they sell baby L444s, mine is thriving in what apparently are the wrong conditions should I get another one, or find something else? Or even just leave it without another bottom dweller.

Aquascaping questions: I'd like to try aquascaping with this tank. I've found a bunch of rocks, am I making them safe by rinsing in boiling water, leaving for a few days (testing for pH changes), doing the vinegar trick, then putting them back in hot water? I've heard oak is good for aquariums, but I've heard conflicting information on how to make it safe for my tank? I bought 100 lbs of play sand for substrate, hopefully I'll have a little left over for my fry tank lol. For plants I'm thinking Java fern, Green or purple cabomba, an amazon sword, and some anubius and just leave it at that for now. I've had you guys go over my plan a million times already, but I'm really nervous about this, and don't want to kill all my fish and plants, so any input even if it's "we've answered you a million times now, stop" I'll be happy!

Thanks!

 

[thereverendturtle]

Do a fishless cycle. Jump start it with some grunge from your existing filter. The fish selection sounds good, maybe shoot for an L444 of the opposite sex. As for the rocks, sounds like you have that down. 100# of sand should be more than enough, just rinse it well. Plant selection sounds good, just have enough light for the cabomba. Oak is easy enough, just let it dry out completely, remove the bark and soak until it no longer floats. Boiling water can speed up the process.
Good luck! Hope to see pictures soon.

 

[Betta_Shark5678]

Thank you so much. I can probably get the test kits, ammonia, plants, and wood as early as today, and I'll finish rinsing the sand. I think the lighting should be okay, even if I stick with the lights that come with it, but I haven't seen the tank fully setup in a while. I think my L444 is male, it's a little hard to tell when I only have one, but my lfs has a lot of babies, and a few of them are definitely female. I've heard some people have gotten L444 eggs, so I'm hoping I'll get lucky! I will have lots of pictures, I need some for my friend who's giving me the tank anyways

 

[thereverendturtle]

Good luck!

 

[Davo86]

Just clone the new tank, I.e. Add the old filter media and old fish straight into the new tank, you can add some of the old tank water if preferred although with moving over an established filter this wouldn't be necessary.