55 gallon build

[minky123]

Hey I'm Brad and I'm new to AA. I am currently doing a fishless cycle with a new 55g. My stocking plan is
6 tiger barbs
6 albino tiger barbs
2 pictus cats
5 silver dollars
Would this ne over stocked, under stocked?? I have a penguin 350 and a tetratec pf 400 I think with a inline heater. Thanks for the help!

 

[minky123]

And an UGF with two powerheads with reverse flow

 

[jlk]

I can not comment on your stocking plan (i do coldwater) but i am sure someone will help you out here! You may want to do a search on here on UGFs & decide (before you finish cycling) on whether this will be worth using at all. My personal experience is to skip them altogether. The amount of waste & filth that accumulates underneath the plates is impossible to keep clean & your tank basically needs to be ripped apart in order to remove and/or clean them. Just a suggestion-do your research & decide for yourself! If you have any questions, please dont hesitate to ask!

 

[librarygirl]

Hi Brad and welcome to AA! I don't see any immediate issues with your stocking so I'd say it looks good. Good luck with your cycle!

 

[minky123]

Thank you, and jik that is why I have the reverse flow powerheads so food and poop don't settle into the gravel.

 

[minky123]

Could I also possibly add more fish if I keep up with my water changes. What would be a good addition to this group??

 

[Phranque]

Couple of comments:

Do you realize how big silver dollars get? They can reach 5"-6" and are considered good tank mates to Oscars, if that tells you anything. 5 Silver dollars in a 55 is, IMO, a big no-no. You obviously like your Barbs, so substitute in another school of a different kind.

I agree with jlk... UGF's are far more trouble to keep maintained than they're worth. As long as you don't overstock, the other filtration you have listed will be plenty.

 

[minky123]

Oh alright. Well what could be some other stocking options??

 

[Phranque]

Oh alright. Well what could be some other stocking options??

I'd stay away from any slower fish with large fins (guppies, bettas, etc). Go with something that is active & schools well.... maybe rummynose (one of my favorites), danios, or if you'd like to stick with the barb theme, Cherries would probably be OK.

 

[minky123]

Haha yeah I can say tiger barbs are my favorite fish. How about red finned tinfoil barbs, or are those to big also?

 

[Phranque]

How about red finned tinfoil barbs, or are those to big also?

Considering they can get almost 3 times bigger than the Silver Dollar, that would be a real big NO.......


EDIT: http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/barbs/tinfoilbarb.php

 

[minky123]

Haha woops,alright well I'm thinking some rosy barbs then. Could I have corys with the pictus cats?

 

[Phranque]

Haha woops,alright well I'm thinking some rosy barbs then. Could I have corys with the pictus cats?

Not really.... Usually, the Pictus is considered docile, but it can attempt to eat smaller, slower fish (like a cory) when full grown.
Honestly, I'd go with a nice group of Cories rather than a couple of Pictus. You'll get a lot more activity in your tank, and the smaller Cories get into more nooks & crannies.

 

[minky123]

Well I'm going to get the pictus cats, maybe ill get three instead of two

 

[Phranque]

Well I'm going to get the pictus cats, maybe ill get three instead of two

You did label this your "55 gallon build" thread.... don't forget some pictures.

 

[minky123]

These are older pictures when I did not have plants in yet so it looks very bland

 

[minky123]

Here it is finally, going to add fish tomorrow.