Opinions On This 55 Gal

[wpascarelli]

Hello this is my first post on this forum.
After keeping a few small tanks with a few fish and inverts, I am preparing to soon set up a 55 gallon tank. I am interested in adding the following fish and I just want to double-check that this sounds like its not overstocked and that all the fish should be compatible:
 
- A school of Cardinal tetra. Im thinking around 20, adding them slowly not all at once.
- 2 Bolivian Rams
- 2 Rainbow fish...not sure which kind maybe either the Bosmani, threadfin, or those dwarf silver ones with the red tip fins
- 1 African Butterfly Fish
- 1 Hillstream loach
- 3-4 Corys or 2 Cory and 2 banjo catfish
 
Also I do not know much about filtration/aeration for a tank of this size. For this type of tank with this stock, what type of filter would be recommended? 

 

[Stormm]

One thing i would like to note after reading this, the hillstream loach lives In colder waters (68-75F). Other than that someone else will have to help you with the other fishes.

 

[Ch4rlie]

First few things we need to ask.
 
1 - What is you water pH?
 
2 - Water hardness levels, gH and kH?
(This can be found by looking online at your local water authority website or taking a sample of your tank/tap water to LFS as asking for hardness level tests. Ensure you get the exact figures).
 
3 - What is the dimensions of this 55 Gal tank?
 
4 - and finally, will you be doing a fishless cycle on this tank?
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/421488-cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first/
 
If you are doing a fishless cycle and have processed it successfully, you CAN stock the tank entirely straightaway. So you COULD get all your cardinal tetras if your water is suitable for them.
 
 
And if you get the African Butterfly Fish, your cardinals could be snacks for the ABF
 
Quote -
 
The butterfly fish is generally quite peaceable, but its trailing finnage offers irresistible temptation to fin-nipping species. Furthermore, it will eat any fish it can fit in its mouth and is often aggressive towards other surface dwelling species.
 
From - http/www.seriouslyfish.com/species/pantodon-buchholzi/

 

[Ninjouzata]

Along with the above posts, rainbow fish and cories need to be kept in groups of at least 6, more is always better. What substrate do you have btw?
 
Also welcome to TFF!

 

[wpascarelli]

All types of Rainbow fish need to be in groups of 6? What other types of fish along these lines would be recommended with these tankmakes, that dont require so many in a group?
 
I intend to use small-medium sized gravel.
Based on the city water website, the water should be "8 grains hardness". I do not know/could not find the GH or kH but I can test for it.
I also do not yet know the water pH but I can test for that as well.
The dimensions appear to be standard long 55 gallon, not overly tall or overly wide. I can get the measurements if necessary.
I can do whichever type of cycle seems to be preferred, seems like Fishless would be best. 
 
Regarding the Butterfly fish, if you advise not to get him then I can consider that but I have read a number of accounts of people keeping tetra and other small fish with them peacefully especially since the cardinal tetras are not necessarily top-dwelling. Some of the accounts that I have read claim that the ABF is not aggressive at all and they believe it only has an aggressive reputation because of the way it eats in a violent manner. I will continue to look into this though. 

 

[wpascarelli]

To update, the dimensions for the tank are 48 L x 13 x 20 h and it is glass. 

 

[wpascarelli]

I have run tests on my water as instructed. These numbers are from my pure tap water.
 
Nitrate, Nitrite, Chlorine, Ammonia = all 0
Gh 300
Alkaline 300
pH 8.4
 
I understand this is somewhat hard water. I have a water softener however I am not using it at this time. Do you think that would help or are my numbers fine for the type of fish that I want?