My New Used 55 Gallon--Fish Stocking Cool?

[Kyle Hyde]

I just bought a 55G off of the Marketplace, set it up and it didn't even go into a mini cycle. Anyway, I've always wanted a cichlid tank and I want to ask if my CURRENT stocking will work out or if there can be any improvements.

1 Firemouth 3-4"
1 Blue Acara 3-4"
1 Jack Dempsey <1"
1 Electric Yellow <1" (yeah, I know I'm not supposed too)
1 Green Severum >4"

3 Clown Loaches 3-4"
1 Red-tail shark 1-2"
1 Bristlenose Pleco
6 Rummynose tetras

It's filtered by two AC110's and has lots of rocks and one piece of driftwood. So far there are no real aggression problems except for the FM chasing the Acara and the Severum, while the Acara also chases the Severum. They leave the small fish completely alone. Do you think this stocking will be ok? What could I change to improve it? I can post pictures later.

 

[HiImSean]

IMO a little over stocked. youll need to ditch either the JD or sev in the long run

 

[frazzlerock5]

Also I would recommend getting rid of the clown loaches. They get big... and 3 full grown clown loaches won't work in a 55 gallon. Don't want to burst your bubble, but overstocked tanks cause all sorts of problems.

 

[klmt]

i would say drop the red tailed shark, clown loaches, and the reg. JD or the Severum.

 

[Kyle Hyde]

Ok. I'll probably get rid of the severum then. I just love JD's too much. Thanks.

 

[cichlidfish]

I woulf only keep the JD, blue acrara, and firemouth at the most.

 

[Lizardking]

The JD will probably eat those rummynoses and the loaches.

 

[Cichlaholics Anonymous]

I'd remove the non cichlids, and at some point one of the larger two, in this case the severum, would have to go

 

[Japtastic]

Nice looking tank but I'd get rid of the cheap plants and get some silk ones.

 

[Kyle Hyde]

Nice looking tank but I'd get rid of the cheap plants and get some silk ones.

Would you keep the placement of the plants the same and just replace with the silk ones or would you move them around too?

I figured the loaches would be fine for a long time because they grow soooo slowly. Am I wrong? I also think the rummynose will be fine for a while because the JD is very very tiny still.

Also, any tips on keeping sand out of the AC110? Putting a cut up sponge on the intake, maybe?