Theoretically, What Would You Do With A 50-55 Gal Tank?

[KrystaK]

I came by one at a clearance price, so of course I bought without thinking. It's currently sitting in my basement, as I have NO idea what I can stock it with. So I'm open to suggestions
 
This is totally up to you guys , I need inspiration so I can get a basic list going while I save up and buy a filter and start cycling  

 

[JenJ]

What I have just done - tiger barbs and polka dot loaches

 

[Scates11]

My next tank will be a 55 gallon fun planted scape, heavy on the wood, stocked with all bosemani rainbows...just love those fish and cant fit them in my 36.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

If it were mine I'd move the GBRs over to that tank, and add some Cardinal Tetras, plus some Sterbai cories - heavily planted.   I'd probably go for 2 pairs of GBRs  - Maybe different color morphs - one pair of blues and one pair of golds.

I like the rainbows idea as well...   Actually, there's about a dozen different ways to go that I would be very excited about. 
 
 
 
BTW, my name is eaglesaquarium and I am a MTS sufferer.

 

[JenJ]

Oh actually yes - if it was an additional 55G to the one I've just got, I'd fill it with just a massive shoal of cardinals. And then if I had another, a couple of fire mouths or similar. And if I had another, I'd try marine, but now we really are in dreamland...!


BTW, my name is JenJ and I am a MTS sufferer - look at my signature, 6 months ago I had no fish

 

[MBOU]

I would make a shortlist of species that *really* interested me (within tank size constraints)...
 
Then I would start donig some real research to find correct substrate, plants, hardscape etc for each species and and tank mates and create an interesting biotope! Anything so long as it isnt a boring South American biotope

 

[mike455555]

why not do a bio tope? plants and animals from an area? they can look really intresting but do take abit of research 

 

[Questions?]

i would do 2 pairs of GBRs. 8 sterbais. 6 rummynose tetras. 1 bn pleco

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I would make a shortlist of species that *really* interested me (within tank size constraints)...
 
Then I would start donig some real research to find correct substrate, plants, hardscape etc for each species and and tank mates and create an interesting biotope! Anything so long as it isnt a boring South American biotope

 
Boring to some, I suppose.

   Cories are my favorite fish, so South American becomes pretty much the only option.....  I want to see them 
 
In a few years, I might start up an Asian biotype, or even an Australian... or Lake Malawi....

 

[KrystaK]

If my tap water didn't have a pH of 8.0 I would consider a GBR tank, as I already have one. But I have to spend the money and buy water from the store for his water changes. 
With my pH it may be worth it to go the African Cichlid route, I have the pH for it  
 
Though I would rather not have a few large fish - I'd prefer a fair sized company of smaller fish, and I like live plants, which I hear Cichlids aren't good with. 
 
if it weren't for my Pygmy corys I'd think about getting an angel, but even a small angel would think my .25 -.5 inch Corys were a snack. I suppose I'm stuck at the smaller end of the fish scale if I want to keep my Pygmys (Which I do, they're absolutely adorable...)

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Groups of Dwarf Neon Rainbows; Fortail Blue Eye Rainbows; two pairs of Empire Gudgeon.
 
OR
 
Lake Inle biotope including Sawbwa Barbs, Emerald rasbora, Lake Inle Danio; Brevis Loaches.

 

[fish+peace]

embed it in a wall visible from both sides - now that's impressive !

 

[PrairieSunflower]

One day I hope to have something like that! If it were mine, I've put in lots of shoaling fish, shrimp, and some peaceful focal fish. I love tanks that have so much to look at that you could spend hours staring at it.

 

[bullit]

You could go with small mbuna as a choice.

 

[Questions?]

bolivian rams are more adaptable, but i think you could also do a tank of small mbuna