New 55 Gallon and not sure what to do

[pwnme]

Hola all.

I'm a new member here. I have a large amount of aquarium experience over the years. Currently have a Tanganyikan tank and a nano-reef for fun. Just found a 55/60 gallon on Craigslist. Pretty sure its 60. Looked too tall for a 55 gallon. It was $100 with lighting, stand, filter.

I'm going to retrofit PC lighting into the stock hoods because it's that woodgrain look and I don't want to see that center brace up top so it'll look stock, but packing some light.

Here's my main problem... lack of creativity.

I want a planted tank, and I want a biotope tank. I'm thinking an Amazon type of tank.

Question time...
1. What are some good fish for this? I want a schooling group of fish... most likely tetras. Probably Corydoras. But I need some centerpiece fish. Something that grows a little larger. But I don't want Angels.

2. What at the species of plants I should look at and how light demanding? If I don't have to retrofit lighting I'd like not to. I know swords are obviously there.

3. C02 going to be required for the plants? I see a few of the biotopes down there are darker due to cloudy water.

4. Are Discus out of the question for me? I don't want daily water changes. Weekly are fine. But I hear about some crazy requirements for them.

Hopefully someone that has experience with this comes along. Thanks!

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Fish wise there are so many but I'd probably go for something that's not as common. The problem is finding something that will fit in a 55-60 gallon tank. All of these questions can be found on Google with a lot of research Haha now I'm thinking about doing it. This could be so cool

I like these festivum because they stay some what small compared to some of the other cool fish.

I found this site for you to get ya started our on some research
http://www.acuteangling.com/Reference/SAFishArt.html


For some of the other questions including plants are listed on this page. http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquarium/amazon.php

Discus I love but to much work for me aswell so I'd stay away.from them if it was me

 

[pwnme]

Awesome answer Andrew. I felt like with the old school wood trim on the tank, a planted tank would be excellent.

The festivum was a good choice. Gonna have to do a ton on compatibility. The tank is going to be one where I compile the equipment over time in order to get the best of the best.

More opinions are welcome. I was hoping for a centerpiece fish something that grows to the neighborhood of 6"

Also I doubt many have done this... but will the PC generate a ton more heat than the stock lights. They are the typical florescent lights. Will Co2 be needed? is 2 watts of PC light going to be enough?

I'm going to be reading those links above... awesome information.