55 gal set-up and cycle

[zparticle]

I thought bettas couldn't be put with other fish, wrong?

 

[eco23]

How's this for a community in a very well-filtered 55 gal tank:

5 ghost or red cherry shrimp (maybe 10?)
5 albino corys
6 neon tetra
6 lemon tetra
1 male Betta
2 upside down catfish
A few moss balls

I'm personally not familiar with Betta compatibility in a community tank, so I'll leave that to others...but the rest looks good

Btw...you can virtually have 1000 RCS in there if you wanted, they have tiny bio-loads. I think your Betta may consider them a snack though. I have a ton of them in my 46 gallon, but they stay hidden in the java moss for the most part. I only see them walking on the substrate or hanging out on the driftwood in the morning when I turn on my light. I think they're scared to death of my Bolivian Ram.

*Amano Shrimp are much larger and fantastic algae eaters. They may be something to consider

 

[Flossie]

I have seen bettas in community tanks but if u have any nippy fish at all the betta will
Be the first pick! Lol also some bettas can be mean... I think u Can make it work Welcome to AA

 

[zparticle]

So from what I'm seeing out on the net you can put them in a community tank but need to keep them away from brightly colored fish and fish with long fins.

 

[Heera]

I would say start with that. Than see..
IMO stocking is never complete u will keep changing things over time.

Did u look into Puntius denisonii (Red-line Torpedo Barb)

 

[Flossie]

I would say start with that. Than see..
IMO stocking is never complete u will keep changing things over time.

Did u look into Puntius denisonii (Red-line Torpedo Barb)

Definitely check out redlines! They rock but go for around 30 bucks a piece and liketi school so they can get expensive but they'd e worth it

 

[FishieMomma]

[QUOTE="Heera"
Did u look into Puntius denisonii (Red-line Torpedo Barb) [/QUOTE]

I did and they are spectacular! My son has his heart set on neons but I'll definitely think about those. Thanks for the rec!

 

[FishieMomma]

You guys rock! Thanks so much for welcoming me and giving me so much help. It's been truly delightful.

Hopefully I can start set-up today and tomorrow and will share pics. This is all so much more fun with you all to share it with.

 

[JimmyA]

That's what we're here for!

 

[Heera]

Anytime!
Just learn and help others.

 

[FishieMomma]

My filters arrived! Yay!

PetsMart is having a sale on backgrounds. $.57 a foot. I got the 48" I need but it's not tall enough. Going back for another 48" and will layer them. With careful planning, I should be able to match up the plants.

I also picked up the ammo alert thingys.

 

[zparticle]

Isn't your tank a standard height for 55g? The BG I got fit perfectly, although I got it at Petco.

 

[Flossie]

Hey neons are great!! Have u seen the cardinals ?? They are even better oh and there is also a blue tetra that is pretty cool!!! Congrats on your tank to me it's kinda like when all your gfs start having babies... Now I want one!!! Lol ( I have 6 tanks) lol

 

[FishieMomma]

Isn't your tank a standard height for 55g? The BG I got fit perfectly, although I got it at Petco.

There were two different heights of bg available and it looks like I got the shorter of the two. I went back and picked up 48" of the taller one. Now I have extra bg for another tank already,lol! (my hubby wouldn't like that-buy he'll get converted.)

 

[FishieMomma]

Yes, online. I want to visit my LFS and check them out. The more I read the more everything is making sense. And I'm starting to keep the names and profiles straight now, too.

 

[FishieMomma]

Tank set up except for bubble wand. Pics and details to come tomorrow! Yay! The waters pretty cold so I'll start with the ammonia tomorrow too. Whew. Time for bed.

 

[zparticle]

Ummm, no. You can't say "The tank is set up" and then not post pics!

 

[FishieMomma]

Pics!

So I set up my 55 gal DT with:
(2) AquaClear 70 filters (so I have both backup and eventually an extra seeded filter)
(2) Won submersible heaters 100 W each (Is this enough?) Again so i have back-up
A mercury thermometer
An ammo tab

Black gravel substrate with some dark blue for an accent. Silk and plastic plants and a few "logs".

Haven't added the bubble bar. Will do that next and add the ammonia to start a fishless cycle. (I need to take baseline chemistry numbers first.)

My son has a 5 gal cycled tank. Can I take the grey gunk which I assume is BB) and put it in my tank? Should I squeeze out his filter in my water?

I'm ordering an active filter from AnglesPlus later, too.

So here are the pics: Love feedback, comments, advice etc.

(until I figure out how to get pics posted, here is a link to the Picasa Web Album)

https://picasaweb.google.com/107997133756781871330/Aquarium?authkey=Gv1sRgCMmfoazAxIPlLw

 

[FishieMomma]

started ammo

Oops. 1 spilling capful of the Ace brand janitorial ammonia is waaaay too much. Reads 8.0ppm at least. Doing a 50% PWC.

 

[JimmyA]

LOL, that ammonia!