55gal what should i do...

[Japola44]

i am still debating about getting the 55 or giving away my bichir, but i think i am gonna go with getting the 55 i just love my bichir so much ( haha my parents wanted to make sushi out of him when i mentioned he needed a bigger tank lol)

Well, i am already thinking up what i want to do for the tank. So i have a few questions and I need a lot of help.
So first, I was thinking if i should use sand or gravel, i have never had sand before so i don't know how you clean it. Also would it bother my bichir if he ate some of it, cuz i know he is a bottom feeder and idk it seems like he would eat it.

Next, i wanted to know how difficult it is to keep a planted tank. When i read some more about my gouramies it said they like a well planted inviorment. I have some ugly fake plants in my tank, but i don't want real ones if its hard to take care of them. Also don't plants help with reduction in algea?

Another question, how could i heat it? I have a little 100 watt one in my 20 and 10 to keep them both at exactly 80 degrees fahrenheit. They both work fine, but the one in the 20 doesnt work as well. would i just need a greater wattage or are there other ways to keep it at 80?

Lastly... I have 2 dwarf gouramies and my baby bichir in the 20 [acronym:9c220e923b="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:9c220e923b]. I wanted to know when my bichir was full grown would he still be able to live with the gouramies? Also, would there be room for other fish? I wouldn't mind keeping up my 20 and my 10 if i got the 55 but i dont wnat to just keep my bichir alone in the tank.

Sorry one more question... what kind of filter should i gett for it?

sorry for all the questions i just want to know what i am getting into before its too late to go back lol.

[Fishyfanatic]

Sand is a great substrate because you don't have to mess with debris falling between the substrate like it does with gravel. The initial cleaning: Fill a bucked about 1/2 full of sand. Put a garden hose in the bucket and let it overflow. Swish around the sand with the hose, digging up the bottom, for about 15 minutes or until the water running out is clear. Sometimes it takes 20 minutes and sometimes it takes 5 minutes. It just depends on how clean the sand is. WHen doing weekly water changes just swish the gravel vac above the sand to kick up debris. Then suck out the debris. I actually pull the sand into the gravel vac but I wouldn't do it unless using a heavy sand like pool filter sand. Sand is fine for any type of fish. He won't actually eat it. He'll put it in his mouth and spit it back out.

Plants do help in reducing algae. I've witnessed that first hand in my 5 [acronym:a54fca2371="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:a54fca2371] Betta tank. I had an anubias in the tank and moved it to the 55 [acronym:a54fca2371="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:a54fca2371]. Not even 2 days later I started to get algae in the 5 [acronym:a54fca2371="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:a54fca2371]. Low light plants are easy to maintain since you don't have to mess with [acronym:a54fca2371="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:a54fca2371] or ferts. I have Anacharis in my 55 [acronym:a54fca2371="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:a54fca2371] tank and it takes care of itself. I do water changes weekly and trim down the plants. In about 6 months time the tank should be heavily planted, and that's only starting with a few bunches of it. They grow so fast that there is no need to keep purchasing plants as long as you like that particular plant. Some are slower growing like the Anubias.

For a 55 [acronym:a54fca2371="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:a54fca2371] tank, you'll need 275 Watts.

I can't assist with the birchir question since I've never kept them before.

Since the tank is 55 [acronym:a54fca2371="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:a54fca2371], I'd go with a canister filter. The brand is entirely up to you. All of the big names are excellent (Fluval, Eheim, Rena, Cascade). It just depends on how much money you want to spend. The canisters are much more efficient and are easier to maintain [acronym:a54fca2371="In my opinion"]IMO[/acronym:a54fca2371]. I would rather maintain my canisters than the hobs.

[Japola44]

thanks for all your help!