Setting Up New 55Gal Or 75Gal Tank

[dchaves]

Very soon i will be getting either a 55gal or 75gal tank. Im not sure about saltwater or freshwater yet, but i only have on 3-4 fish, smaller fish, and then 1 rather larger, very colorful, exotic looking fish lol. I am new to fish so any suggestions would be great. for my main fish i want it to grow to around a foot - foot and a half, very color or just cool looking, like a lionfish.

 

[Bebobb]

Since you are new to this, I would reccomend that you go into freshwater first. And for a 75 gallon tank, there are many options. If you want a larger fish, then I would go to the New World Cichlid section. You could put a severum in the 75, but I don't think that you would be able to have any other fish, as many people say that the minimum for a severum is a 75 gallon.

 

[minxfishy]

If this tank is to house your ghost knife you just bought and are keeping in a 10g, then it CANNOT be saltwater, as these are freshwater fish, plus they do not tolerate salt.

Also as mentioned in your other thread, a 55g or even a 75g tank will not be large enough for long term full health of a ghost knife.

 

[dchaves]

i actually returned the BGK because i had just started setting up the 10g and in fear that it might not live past 2-3 days while the tank takes time to set up i gave it back to petsmart. Now i am saving up for a bigger tank and will take my time setting it up properly and when its ready then i will put fish in it.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Before we jump right into the middle of things, let me first ask you a question: How are you planning on cycling your tank once you get it?

If you do not know what cycling is, let us know and we will be more than glad to walk you though the process.

to TFF!!!!

-FHM

 

[Bebobb]

Well, with that being said, what are you going to do with you 10 gallon? You could put a male Apistogramma in there with some smaller tetras.

 

[dchaves]

Ive been reading a lot on cycling, not sure i get it 100%. Help would be much appreciated =D.

As for the 10g, i returned a bunch of the stuff i bought for it, filter, heater, extra filter catridges, to try and save some money. I plan on later on after i have my big tank set up put the 10g on my desk and have some really color little fish in it.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Fishless cycle is highly recommended!

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=113861

-FHM

 

[Bebobb]

Fish have to go to the bathroom. When they go to the bathroom, they create ammonia. Ammonia is very toxic to fish. So what you have to do is cycle the tank to build up nitrAte. NitrAte converts the ammonia to a substance that is virtually harmless to fish. It takes about a month to do this, and there are a few ways.

One of the ways is to have mature media. This will jumpstart the cycle, and you will only have to add amonia for about a week.

The second type is a fish-in cycle. This is where you cycle the tank with fish in it. This method consists of very large water changes multiple times a day.

The last type is fishless cycling. This is where you add ammonia to the tank and wait for it to lower in a couple of days. And then you add more and so on. This method takes about 3-4 weeks to complete.

So basically, you will need to cycle your tank to keep your fish nice and healthy. I'm not the best at expaining thigs as you might be able to tell, but I hope that you understand!

 

[fatheadminnow]

Fish have to go to the bathroom. When they go to the bathroom, they create ammonia. Ammonia is very toxic to fish. So what you have to do is cycle the tank to build up nitrAte. NitrAte converts the ammonia to a substance that is virtually harmless to fish. It takes about a month to do this, and there are a few ways.

One of the ways is to have mature media. This will jumpstart the cycle, and you will only have to add amonia for about a week.

The second type is a fish-in cycle. This is where you cycle the tank with fish in it. This method consists of very large water changes multiple times a day.

The last type is fishless cycling. This is where you add ammonia to the tank and wait for it to lower in a couple of days. And then you add more and so on. This method takes about 3-4 weeks to complete.

So basically, you will need to cycle your tank to keep your fish nice and healthy. I'm not the best at expaining thigs as you might be able to tell, but I hope that you understand!

Nitrate does not convert ammonia into a harmless substance.

Ammonia is converted, via beneficial bacteria, into Nitrite, then another type of bacteria convert nitrite into nitrAte.

Nitrate is the end product in the nitrogen cycle.

-FHM

 

[Bebobb]

Fish have to go to the bathroom. When they go to the bathroom, they create ammonia. Ammonia is very toxic to fish. So what you have to do is cycle the tank to build up nitrAte. NitrAte converts the ammonia to a substance that is virtually harmless to fish. It takes about a month to do this, and there are a few ways.

One of the ways is to have mature media. This will jumpstart the cycle, and you will only have to add amonia for about a week.

The second type is a fish-in cycle. This is where you cycle the tank with fish in it. This method consists of very large water changes multiple times a day.

The last type is fishless cycling. This is where you add ammonia to the tank and wait for it to lower in a couple of days. And then you add more and so on. This method takes about 3-4 weeks to complete.

So basically, you will need to cycle your tank to keep your fish nice and healthy. I'm not the best at expaining thigs as you might be able to tell, but I hope that you understand!

Nitrate does not convert ammonia into a harmless substance.

Ammonia is converted, via beneficial bacteria, into Nitrite, then another type of bacteria convert nitrite into nitrAte.

Nitrate is the end product in the nitrogen cycle.

-FHM

Ah. It's been a yar or so before I have actually read up on it. Sorry.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Fish have to go to the bathroom. When they go to the bathroom, they create ammonia. Ammonia is very toxic to fish. So what you have to do is cycle the tank to build up nitrAte. NitrAte converts the ammonia to a substance that is virtually harmless to fish. It takes about a month to do this, and there are a few ways.

One of the ways is to have mature media. This will jumpstart the cycle, and you will only have to add amonia for about a week.

The second type is a fish-in cycle. This is where you cycle the tank with fish in it. This method consists of very large water changes multiple times a day.

The last type is fishless cycling. This is where you add ammonia to the tank and wait for it to lower in a couple of days. And then you add more and so on. This method takes about 3-4 weeks to complete.

So basically, you will need to cycle your tank to keep your fish nice and healthy. I'm not the best at expaining thigs as you might be able to tell, but I hope that you understand!

Nitrate does not convert ammonia into a harmless substance.

Ammonia is converted, via beneficial bacteria, into Nitrite, then another type of bacteria convert nitrite into nitrAte.

Nitrate is the end product in the nitrogen cycle.

-FHM

Ah. It's been a yar or so before I have actually read up on it. Sorry.

It's fine.

-FHM

 

[dchaves]

Yeah i read that whole post, ive been trying to find mature media on here, im in central jersey. i might go to the store and see if theyll help me out.

 

[fatheadminnow]

LFS or:
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/150631-list-of-members-willing-to-donate-mature-filter-media-to-newbies/

-FHM

 

[dchaves]

yeah I looked at that earlier i already contacted the person for central jersey, still no word back tho.

Question.

the stand Im using is 48 X 16. I want to fill up that space as much as possible so would it be better a 55 gal or 75 gal?