My filtration is two aquaclear 110s, enough for a 220g. I would only grow them out to a decent size, than upgrade to like a 125g or bigger if i have the funds.
Thanks for all the suggestions.
I might get jags and all sorts of terrors and stuff once i move out though
That was a phase, an who ever said start out with a single fish, i will listen to what s/he said, sorta, i will get the oscar and chocolate now with a few plecs and synos than in like 1-3 years upgrade to 125g
This is what I did;
I used to have a 29g, therefore was limited to keep one solo fish.
After a year later, when i get bored with it, i sell it/give out free and get the next one. Get all fish in once will lose excitement faster and they will pop massively.
All the fish would be fine in a 300 gallon..BUT! the buttikoferi cichlid would kill all your fish..they are plain aggressive...all they think about is food,fighting,and killing..I've seen a male butti reach almost 17 inches in a 300 gallon..Imagine that? I would go and buy a jack dempsey..they are colorful and aggressive, they would get big in a 300(12 inches maybe more) lol GOOD LUCK!
Start small. If you already know you won't be able to upgrade for 1-3 years and are stuck with a 55 get fish that can live in a 55. Firemouths and cons other mid sized cichlids would be great. When you get the bigger tank, get the bigger fish. In less than a year a choc and o plus plecs will completely overwhelm a 55 gallon tank. If overstocking was a phase you just got out of than stay out of it.