New 55 Gallon Tank Thread

[OvercaffeinatedFishGuy]

Hello everyone,

I'm dedicating this thread to my thought process as I plan for the new 55 gallon tank I mentioned in my introduction thread.

Here is a list of supplies I had the first time around that I intend to get again, however, I am very open to improvements on any of these:

1. The obvious...the tank itself.
2. Lids, preferably with lights.
3. Two Fluval filters for 55 gallons.
4. Two Fluval heaters for 55 gallons (I am debating whether I will need these in the new setup as I may end up doing coldwater fish).
5. UV light filter (Again a maybe, depends on what fish I have and what set up I intend to do)
6. Decor (I'm probably going to end up doing a combo of rocks and wood again. Not 100% about plants)
7. Substrate (Sand)
8. Water testing kit (Any recommendations?)
9. Net
10. Sponges or brush to remove algae and clean equipment as needed.
11. Water Vacuum
12. At least 4 buckets with lids to carry fish/do water changes.
13. Medicine (will vary depending on what fish I intend to keep).
14. Black background.

I think this is the comprehensive list of everything that I had last time around or need this time. One of my biggest issues last time was algae and quite frankly plecos and other algae eaters were admittedly useless so I'm hoping to combat it more effectively this time around. Now on to the fun part....the fish.

 

[HUKIT]

11. Water Vacuum
12. At least 4 buckets with lids to carry fish/do water changes.

I would take these two and combine them into one with a Python. Infinitely better than lugging buckets around.

Python No Spill Clean & Fill System

Buy Python No Spill Clean & Fill System at PetSmart

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14. Black background.

I would recommend using black paint as it’s much better than those vinyl backgrounds at pet stores. I use black semi-gloss oil, you can use gloss or flat too. It’s easy to apply with a low nap roller and comes off super easy with razor blade should you change your mind.

Rust-Oleum Stops Rust Semi-Gloss Black Oil-Based Industrial Enamel Paint Quart: Amazon.com: Tools & Home Improvement

Rust-Oleum Stops Rust Semi-Gloss Black Oil-Based Industrial Enamel Paint Quart: Amazon.com: Tools & Home Improvement

www.amazon.com

 

[OvercaffeinatedFishGuy]

I would take these two and combine them into one with a Python. Infinitely better than lugging buckets around.

Python No Spill Clean & Fill System

Buy Python No Spill Clean & Fill System at PetSmart

www.petsmart.com

I would recommend using black paint as it’s much better than those vinyl backgrounds at pet stores. I use black semi-gloss oil, you can use gloss or flat too. It’s easy to apply with a low nap roller and comes off super easy with razor blade should you change your mind.

Rust-Oleum Stops Rust Semi-Gloss Black Oil-Based Industrial Enamel Paint Quart: Amazon.com: Tools & Home Improvement

Rust-Oleum Stops Rust Semi-Gloss Black Oil-Based Industrial Enamel Paint Quart: Amazon.com: Tools & Home Improvement

www.amazon.com

Thank you! I never thought about painting the back of the tank but it makes sense. I'll do that.

Also, for some reason its not letting me post another post on this thread that isn't a response? Is there a new setting or something?

 

[OvercaffeinatedFishGuy]

As for fish.... I've been thinking of a few options....

1. Fancy Goldfish tank - This has been one I've really been thinking about lately. I love Ranchu and Ryukin goldfish so this one on my bucketlist, however, the only downside is I can only have 2-3 fish for the tank and I think I want more than that.

2. Yellow Lab only tank - The bright colors of this setup are really speaking to me, and admittedly it would be fun to watch a colony grow over time.

3. Discus Pair community - Going back to my original setup, a discus pair as the centerpiece with a striped raph pair, along with some other fish (don't know yet what to pair).

 

[phreeflow]

You might consider saulosi over yellow labs for more color variety. The males are blue and females are yellow and they’re also pretty mellow, like the labs, compared to other mbuna.

Apistos or rams do nice with with discus.

 

[OvercaffeinatedFishGuy]

Admittedly right now I'm most committed mentally to a goldfish tank...however a caveat I have is what can I pair with them? I'd rather not just have 2-3 fish. I want more than that, do y'all have any recommendations to pair with them?

 

[HarleyK]

Howdy, and welcome

If you're going goldfish, you won't need a heater. I was going to suggest plants, but you won't need those either. Instead of painting the tank, I put a black trash back behind mine. You can tighten it and attach it with some scotch tape. Easy, fast, all you need. I scratch the meds and get aquarium salt instead. There's a thread by a member named guppy, a sticky in this subforum. I think that too, is all you need.

What else?
HarleyK

 

[OvercaffeinatedFishGuy]

Howdy, and welcome

If you're going goldfish, you won't need a heater. I was going to suggest plants, but you won't need those either. Instead of painting the tank, I put a black trash back behind mine. You can tighten it and attach it with some scotch tape. Easy, fast, all you need. I scratch the meds and get aquarium salt instead. There's a thread by a member named guppy, a sticky in this subforum. I think that too, is all you need.

What else?
HarleyK

Thank you! Yeah, I'll get some salt, I used to have a big ol' thing of that lol. I'll check out that sticky.