Help me plan my 55g

[PostalPenguin]

So I have an empty 55g tank that I need advice on filtration, lighting, and stocking. I plan to have it set up and running by the end of August.

First stocking:

Option A) 1 Green Terror and a pair of convicts. Both same size.
Option B) 1 Green Terror, lone male convict. GT is slightly bigger than the male con.
Option C) 1 Green Terror

I would prefer option A/B but am not sure if the tank is large enough to house a breeding pair of cons and a GT or if the lone con can stand up to the GT. Currently, the pair of cons bully the GT around but I expect that to change as the GT grows. I have the cons and GT already so they're the fish I am working with, just a matter of putting them where.

Now it needs filtration:

Option A) Eheim 2217. Although the Eheim is expensive, I have a 2213 and a 2236 and they are amazing.

Option B) AC 110

Option C) AC 70 x 2

This tank will be planted with probably only vals and maybe a sword for nitrate control so I am leaning towards Option C. Will in any case probably add power-heads for directed flow. It seems the GT prefer slower moving waters so that must be considered as well.

Finally I need to light the tank.

Option A) 4ft shop light with daylight(~6500K) bulbs.

Option B) Coralife 4ft with 10K and actinic

Option C) Coralife 4ft with 10K x 2.

The only plants(if any, not decided yet) will be low light demanding vals and swords so I do not need high amounts of light. However, I want to bring out the colors of the GT and have read that actinics do this. However, if 10K do this as well, then I'd prefer option C since actinics are useless for plant growth.

You may add your own options to any of the above, I am always willing to try new things. Thanks for any help!

 

[Zfishies]

For lighting I say go for a UV keeps my 30gallom with no algea what so ever, still have to do daily wc

 

[PostalPenguin]

For lighting I say go for a UV keeps my 30gallom with no algea what so ever, still have to do daily wc

If I go with the Eheim 2217 I will plumb a UV sterilizer into it. I love the piece of mind they give you. I've had one on my 29g since it started and have never had a disease outbreak in the tank. Knock on wood.

 

[packer43064]

Stocking: Option B. 1 male GT and 1 male Con though. Otherwise females convicts are notorious for breeding with about anything....don't need hybrids unless you plan on not ever ever giving them away or killing them in due time. They will fight since their both males but with the right setup it'll be active and fun. Throw a few giant danios in to cool aggression if it gets too bad. I would say a GT and the convict pair but the pair will defend their young to no end. If that means killing the GT then it will happen.

Filtration: Get the AC110, no need to spend lots of money on filtration with the stocking I suggested. Plus the AC70's and lower are known to be "crappy" compared to the AC110. Two or not, still their crappy.

Lighting: I could care less about lighting on my tanks. I get whatever is cheapest. I turn the lights on when I feed and back off unless I'm in the room alot it will stay on. No need for an expensive setup. That's just me though.

Hope I've helped.

 

[PostalPenguin]

Sweet. Thanks packer43064, that helped a lot.

Although, interestingly enough my "male" convict today has started showing female coloration in response to the GT being in the tank. She/he has never showed coloration so I figured it was male. So it looks like I have a pair and a lone female. Considering this I will probably stick the con pair in the 55g and monitor for aggression.

 

[Morphineh]

I totally agree with packer - I wouldn't suggest putting anything in the tank with a M/F Pair of convicts I would say you have a 99.9% chance they will breed! They will definetly killing your GT especially if it's smaller or near the same size. I had 2 convicts and a GT in a 30G. Convicts were supposed to be 2 Females but one day I spotted some wrigglers a day later bye bye GT.

I would suggest the Eheim though more expensive if you do go with the M/F convicts the extra filtration will be great when those wrigglers make a mess of your tank! Though you will have to add some sponge to your spout to be sure you don't suck up anything you don't want to.

As for lighting it doesn't much matter, I would suggest that you don't put any plants in the tank because the convicts will be digging and destroy them to none other. IF your really set for keeping plants make sure your WPG is sitting around 2 if you want to grow high light plants aim for 3.

 

[PostalPenguin]

The cons have already bred once in my 29g community and all the fish survived. I attribute this mostly to the small size of the cons and most of the other fish are fast enough to quickly leave the area. This I am sure will change as the fish grow and claim bigger and bigger territory.

The plants(vals and swords) I have picked I hope will survive because swords and vals develop impressive root systems. I had an amazon sword in my 20g tank for 4 months and when I removed it, it had extended roots to every square inch of the bottom. In any case, the plants are secondary consideration. I just like the idea of plants since it cuts down on nitrates. My 29g requires me to ADD nitrates just so the plants grow because the plants grow that fast.

If/when the cons become too aggressive for them to coexist with the GT I will move the two females into the 29g and leave the male with the GT in the 55. It will cut down on the fry anyways.

 

[PostalPenguin]

Another question I must ask: do I need a lid for my tank? My 29g is open topped and have lost only 1 fish in the year its been running but thats because the fish in it aren't jumpers. Are cons and GTs jumpers? Can I get away with just keeping the water down an inch or so?

 

[Morphineh]

I wouldn't think you need a lid, my cons don't jump though sometimes they snatch foodquite fat it almost looks like thy are going to. I can't speak about the GT because as I said my cons didn't like him but I would bet that you will be fine with an open top!

 

[packer43064]

Another question I must ask: do I need a lid for my tank? My 29g is open topped and have lost only 1 fish in the year its been running but thats because the fish in it aren't jumpers. Are cons and GTs jumpers? Can I get away with just keeping the water down an inch or so?

I'd worry about it last on the list. Do you need one...yes. Do you need it now....doubtful. I like tops or at bare minimum egg crate on top just incase they do attempt to jump out. Convicts and GT's aren't known as jumpers but it has happen with almost any fish out there.

I must not be understanding or have misread somewhere. So the GT and the pair are going in the 55? I'm just wondering, not trying to start anything. lol I have my contacts out so it's a bit blurry.