Fish for 55 gallon

[Squirrelbuddies]

Great link - thanks!!

 

[Squirrelbuddies]

I stopped by one of the lfs' today at lunch to check out the fish....asked about Congo tetras and the girl looked at me like a was a complete moron and said she had never heard of them and they certainly did not have any.

Are Congo tetras that unusual?

 

[gwlee7]

I don't think they are all that rare or unusual. A good LFS should be able to special order them with out problem. I have asked about them at my LFS in Rocky Mount NC (very small town) and they can get them no problem if I wanted some.

Good Luck.

 

[Squirrelbuddies]

Found a nice lfs that sells Congos, so, I think this is what I'd like to do:

8 congos
1 pair of kribs
3 updside down cats

plus my plec will be going in here, too (currently hangin' with the mollies).

Does this sound ok? From what I've read, these are all compatible...but you know how that goes...

Tank is still cycling (taking forever, I think -- day 22) I have small smooth gravel with driftwood and rocks (for a cave). Moderately planted.

 

[gwlee7]

I think you still have room for a couple more USD cats. I believe they like to be in a bit larger group. I want to see pics when you get it set up!!!

 

[Squirrelbuddies]

Ok - that sounds good - bump the USD cats up to 5! And yes, I'll be sure to post pics!!

 

[Squirrelbuddies]

Oh boy, it's getting close! Just tested the water this evening and nitrite is FINALLY down to .25 ppm (was .50 yesterday and stuck on 2.0 for about 12 days...)

Ammonia is at 0 (I add 30 drops daily - which is approx. 1.5ml)
Nitrate is 10-20 ppm

Couple of questions:

1. How many days of nitrite at 0 should I wait before adding fish? one, two?

2. When the happy day finally arrives, should I add the congo tetras first or the kribs and the USD cats?

This is the most exciting thing that happened this week! Not sure what that says about me -- but who cares, I'll be getting fish soon!!

 

[black angel]

i have two congo tetras in my tank they are deheyns congo tetras. i could only afford two as they were £7 each. they have been together a few months now and are very fast and can be skittish. they only chase smaller fish but dont attack them.

 

[gwlee7]

With the tank cycled, I think maybe the some of the congos first, then the rest of the congos, then the USD cats and lastly the kribs. Although kribs are quite peaceful for a cichlid, they will still be a little territorial. They shouldn't be as bad if they go in last.

 

[Squirrelbuddies]

Sounds good to me! I plan on keeping a total of 8 congos. Maybe start off with 5? The tank is a 55 gallon. Will 5 of them be enough to keep the bacteria going? I'm currently adding 30 drops of ammonia daily - which I believe is approx. 1.5ml.

 

[gwlee7]

You may be able to add all eight if you have used that much ammonia. I am not sure though because I have not done a fishless cycle like that before. Some one should come along directly or you could start a new thread to ask that question.

I have enjoyed watching this tank shape up for you and I still expect to see pictures. I don't remember, are you planting the tank? I know that the USD cats will like a little bit of "floating" cover plants and a nicely planted tank would be awesome.

 

[steelhealr]

HI...I have Congos...they aren't nippy at all. Quite beautiful and will go great with the kribs. The books say they prefer slightly acidic water; mine have been doing great at 6.8/7.0. Good luck..sounds like you'll have a beautiful tank. SH

 

[Squirrelbuddies]

I have enjoyed watching this tank shape up for you and I still expect to see pictures. I don't remember, are you planting the tank? I know that the USD cats will like a little bit of "floating" cover plants and a nicely planted tank would be awesome.

Yep, it is planted. I'm heading for the lfs shortly to pick up a few more plants, though. (a couple of the plants did not fair so well during the cycling and need to be replaced.) I don't have any floating type at the moment. Any suggestions for that?

I'm hoping to pickup the congos tomorrow! There was only a trace of nitrite left early this AM. Nitrate is 10-20 ppm so I plan on doing a partial water change this afternoon and cleaning up what's left of the algae.

I'm so excited!!!! Will post pics when the congos come home!