Hi I have an empty standard 55 that I want to use for a northeastern Minnesota native biotope. My family lives near a small, relatively weedy shallow lake, and I know we have perch, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and bullheads. Would these work? If so, how many of each would fit comfortably? Also, would I need a heater? The native habitat gets subzero about water, although I've never tested the temperature of the lake, and in the summer the lake feels like bathwater. What type of filter would be best? I have a filter that's rated for up to 100 gallons; would that work? I can look up the brand and such if anyone is interested. Otherwise, any other feedback?
55 gallon NE MN tank
- Thread starter sharkfan13
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Hey, its awesome thinking of making a new tank. especially native because they are so wicked.
we have perch, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and bullheads. Would these work? I have no clue about bluegill and pumpkinseed, i have owned perch and had 4 in a 55 (thats column) and they were very happy. i wouldnt be too sure about the bullhead in a 55 because they seem to get a bit bigger and may need more surface area in the tank to be happy. some one here has probably kept all four together haha since this is a monsterfish website, i'd look at their aggression levels, i had 0 aggression in the tank once all four fish were introduced to each other. but i can imagine different species would have different agression for each other.
my last two cent MAKE SURE YOU CYCLE THE TANK FULLY. you dont wanna have to deal with problems later in the tanks life cycle because you added fish too quick
Also, would I need a heater? i would say not too needed but i heard that yellow perch grow faster in warm water. maybe they will be more active in warm water, even room temperature water will be good.
type of filter would be best? I have a filter that's rated for up to 100 gallons; would that work? I 've used one and two filters on the tank. it seemed to me that the perch were alot happier with just one filter because there wasnt as much current as when i had a fluval 304 and a hob filter. but with native fish there is alot of waste especially if your trying to pellet train them, im sure if you decided to get the bullhead there wouldnt be as much waste. its all personal opiniun. one filter has the potential to do a great filtering job, i'd say try one and if you need more filtering get another
we have perch, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and bullheads. Would these work? I have no clue about bluegill and pumpkinseed, i have owned perch and had 4 in a 55 (thats column) and they were very happy. i wouldnt be too sure about the bullhead in a 55 because they seem to get a bit bigger and may need more surface area in the tank to be happy. some one here has probably kept all four together haha since this is a monsterfish website, i'd look at their aggression levels, i had 0 aggression in the tank once all four fish were introduced to each other. but i can imagine different species would have different agression for each other.
my last two cent MAKE SURE YOU CYCLE THE TANK FULLY. you dont wanna have to deal with problems later in the tanks life cycle because you added fish too quick
Also, would I need a heater? i would say not too needed but i heard that yellow perch grow faster in warm water. maybe they will be more active in warm water, even room temperature water will be good.
type of filter would be best? I have a filter that's rated for up to 100 gallons; would that work? I 've used one and two filters on the tank. it seemed to me that the perch were alot happier with just one filter because there wasnt as much current as when i had a fluval 304 and a hob filter. but with native fish there is alot of waste especially if your trying to pellet train them, im sure if you decided to get the bullhead there wouldnt be as much waste. its all personal opiniun. one filter has the potential to do a great filtering job, i'd say try one and if you need more filtering get another
You won't need a heater, room temp is fine for native. also, without knowing more about your filter, it is impossible to say if it will work. I would say you should have at least 2 ac110's if you want a HOB, though a canister would probably be better.
Bullhead are too big for a 55, 75 would be minimum, but even that is pushing it. It would be helpful to know how big they normally grow in the wild in your area though, as genetically they may not have the makeup to get real big.
I would also think bluegill would be a little big for that tank.
Your best bet would probably be around 3-4 perch and a pair of p-seeds.
Bullhead are too big for a 55, 75 would be minimum, but even that is pushing it. It would be helpful to know how big they normally grow in the wild in your area though, as genetically they may not have the makeup to get real big.
I would also think bluegill would be a little big for that tank.
Your best bet would probably be around 3-4 perch and a pair of p-seeds.
Thanks guys! I just checked and the filter is a Cascade 300 HOB. I'll check into how big bullheads get in my lake; I don't think it's too big. Then again, no one ever really fishes for them here. Theyre' considered pests 
and I agree on perch looking awesome!
and I agree on perch looking awesome!i've always wanted to pair my yellow perch with something like a rock bass or pumkinseed or bluegill, there are no bluegill or pumkinseed in my province and only a few lakes with rock bass
that kinda sucks 
my lake has perch, bluegill, pumpkinseeds, pretty sure other kinds of panfish, northerns, walleyes, bullheads, and who knows what else. possibly bass, but I've only seen a couple ever. I just have a 20 gallon long tropical community right now, and I'm really getting excited about this native tank thing!
oh p.s. I already know how to cycle
no worries. I've done it a couple times
my lake has perch, bluegill, pumpkinseeds, pretty sure other kinds of panfish, northerns, walleyes, bullheads, and who knows what else. possibly bass, but I've only seen a couple ever. I just have a 20 gallon long tropical community right now, and I'm really getting excited about this native tank thing!oh p.s. I already know how to cycle
no worries. I've done it a couple timeshmm...so I just asked my dad, who's lived on the lake his whole life, how big the bullheads get, and he said the biggest one he's ever seen is 3 inches long. :/ granted, they could be down there a lot bigger because no one ever tries to catch them, but is it possible their gene pool is just tiny?
