Stocking For 55 Gallon

[mancin]

Here's what I'm thinking of stocking my 55 Gallon after I'm able to re-home the current inhabitants. Any suggestions?

5 Cory Catfish
2 Bristlenose Pleco
6 Kuhli Loach
10 Harlequin Rasboras
2 German Blue Rams (male/female)

I'm a bit concerned with the GBR and the pH in this area. It can be quite high (usually around 7.8), but I read adding peat moss to the aquarium should help lower it. I'll have to read a bit more about that.

I also think I may have too many bottom dwellers. If I had to give up any of them, I may not go with the cories (have them in my other tank anyway) and get something else to keep the Harlequins and GBRs company.

 

[rabbut]

Looks OK

GBR and high pH problem can be solved by getting locally bred stock off a local/LFS with local breeder/local fish club e.t.c They can acclimate up that high through on import, the main thing is the water is reasonably soft.

All the best
Rabbut

 

[mancin]

If I drop the cories, do you think I'd be able to have about 5 - 6 Cherry Barbs in there instead? From what I've read, they seem to be a peaceful fish. I have black sand so I think their color would really stand out. Anyone have luck with Cherry Barbs and German Blue Rams?

 

[waterdrop]

Looks OK

GBR and high pH problem can be solved by getting locally bred stock off a local/LFS with local breeder/local fish club e.t.c They can acclimate up that high through on import, the main thing is the water is reasonably soft.

All the best
Rabbut

Hey rabbut, What are all the best things to think about for success with GBRs? I seem to remember people saying they are pretty sensitive to the water quality. In what ways, if you know? Are they among those that like a 6-month old tank or older? If so, is it because of NH3/NO2(?) or other things?

~~waterdrop~~

 

[mancin]

Looks OK

GBR and high pH problem can be solved by getting locally bred stock off a local/LFS with local breeder/local fish club e.t.c They can acclimate up that high through on import, the main thing is the water is reasonably soft.

All the best
Rabbut

Well, that's good to hear then! I also plan on adding some bog wood (bought some yesterday that is now soaking) to help lower the pH naturally. As far as the rest of the water quality goes, I have 2 HOB filters running (both are Aqua Tech 30 - 60 Gallon), an adjustable power head to produce current, and a bubble wand towards the back of the tank. I hope this will produce enough circulation in the tank? I know the Harlequins will appreciate the power head.

 

[rabbut]

Imports are deffinately in the 6+ month old tank band. Local stock may be OK in a relatively new tank though...

They won't tollerate Ammonia, Nitrite or tank's with unusualy high Nitrate through lack of waterchanges, and seem a little finicky at times, but are otherwise OK if the water is relatively soft If they have good water, they are easy enough, but they do just "flake" in some tanks, in a similar fassion to Guppies, for no reasonable explaination...

HTH
Rabbut

 

[mancin]

The tank has been running for about 2 years (with the previous owner). Current inhabitants that are being re-homed: 3 silver tipped sharks and 3 pictus catfish. All of them are around 4". Once those are gone, how many fish would I be safe to add? Would it be an inch by inch basis? The guy I bought it from didn't think any of the fish were high waste producing fish, but I've learned I can't always take someone's word for it. I want to take advantage of the existing bacteria while I can. The current fish are in great shape.

 

[rabbut]

That would above be a good final stocking for now. Give yourself a good 6 months "practicing" with that load, and if all stays good after that, think about a few more. Adding more fish would be "overstocking" and errors compound themselves even more in an overstocked tank. Learn the basics and make all the "newbie" errors with a light stocking and the tank and fish will be more forgiving to you When you are confident that you know what you are doing and have stopped making errors, then start to look to push your limits

All the best
Rabbut

 

[JALouis]

Hi all,

I was hoping to get some advice as well on stocking a 55 gallon freshwater tank. I'm still cycling it but have been thinking about what I want. Is the list below a good combination:

1 blue hammer lobster (crayfish)
6 tiger barbs
6 Boesemani rainbow
2 red tailed sharks

I used the formula of 1" of adult fish per gallon (they will be much smaller when I get them of course). Is this too many? I know the boesemani rainbow and the tiger barbs are schooling fish. Do they both need to be in groups of 6?

I do know there is a possibility the blue hammer lobster will go after the fish.

Any suggestions would be helpful.

 

[rabbut]

Two immediate issues hit me with your intended stocking JALouis, 2 RTBS and the lobster. For the future though, it's best to start your own stocking questoins in a seporate thread, to avoid hijacking someone elses thread

RTBS are hightly teritorial to similar looking fish, so should be the only bottom feeder or black with red coloured fish in the tank. Two to a tank will sooner or later end with one dead and the other not feeling so well, having killed the other in a fight to the death One should be fine, but two is a no-no

Lobsters will actively predate resting fish, so need to be species only. It is important to note that only one species is legal to keep in the UK, so make shure you know what you are buying if you get one. You can get jail time if the LFS sells you one of the ones you cannot keep...

All the best
Rabbut

 

[JALouis]

Thanks. I didn't mean to hijack the thread.

 

[mancin]

That would above be a good final stocking for now. Give yourself a good 6 months "practicing" with that load, and if all stays good after that, think about a few more. Adding more fish would be "overstocking" and errors compound themselves even more in an overstocked tank. Learn the basics and make all the "newbie" errors with a light stocking and the tank and fish will be more forgiving to you When you are confident that you know what you are doing and have stopped making errors, then start to look to push your limits

All the best
Rabbut

Sounds great! I definitely don't want to overstock myself. It will probably take me a few months to get up to my final stocking anyway! I played it safe with my other tank and waited a good 2 weeks between each new addition, making sure the water levels were good during that time. I'd much rather play it safe than get in over my head.