New tank set up for angel fish - setup questions

[Fai]

Hi All,

I am in the process of re-establishing my tank from scratch. Its a 55G tank. Here is what our vision is -
1. Substrate - White sand
2. Lightning - What light by day, blue light by night + Preferably LED lights
3. Filtration - Have a 55G + 90G pump currently running on an empty tank
4. Fish - Angel fish X 8 + Neon Tetras x 12 + Clown Loaches x 4 + Pleco x 2
5. Décor - 2 Drift woods + a few white stones + 4 or 5 live plants

Below are my questions to get this set up complete and I appreciate your suggestions -
1. Substrate - How many lbs should I use in a 55G tank? What I have looked online, the reference is mainly for salt water sand; is this safe for fresh water if its new and unused? What brand have you used in the past or familiar with?
2. Lightning - Any suggestions on the lightning? Name of lights - retailers
3. Filtration - Is this sufficient of the size and number of fish? I think so.
4. Fish - Is this too many a count?
5. Décor - Any suggestions on live plants?

Thanks for your response.

Fai

 

[decoy50]

Answers
1. Substrate -Buy pool filter sand. You can get it at Home Depot/Lowes or any pool supply store. You'll probably use close to 50lbs. It comes in 25lb bags for $8-$10.

2. Lighting - search on here for cheap LEDs. Ive heard Beamsworks are good. I use Marienland Double Brights, but only because I found them on sale. I like them, but I think you can get the same or better light for less money by going with another brand.

3. I didn't understand your filter description. I would use a hang on back type filter - cheap and easy. Angels don't like alot of current.

4. Too many & some might not be the best fit. If you get the angels small, 8 is fine but when they get to adults reduce your # to 5. I've never had problems with angels and neons/cardinals but alot of people say adult angels will eat neons. Something to keep an eye on. I'm not a pleco fan - they hide most of the time and produce tons of waste. Stick with bushynose plecs if you must, but I would scratch them off my list. Clown loaches will be fine. They get really large, but it takes years to do so.

5. Plants - youre going to want something hardy and low light if you buy LEDs. Anubias & java fern may be your best bet.

 

[David R]

IMO a light coloured substrate would be better tha pure white.

Lighting; Current Satellite+ would be my recommendation. Not the cheapest, but completely adjustable high quality units.

Fish; neons won't do well at the high temperatures the angels and loaches prefer. I'd suggest picking a different species of tetra, and if you're not planning an upgrade some time consider replacing teh clowns with something like corydoras or smaller loaches that won't outgrow your tank.

 

[bbortko]

Satellite+ fixtures will make your fish look much better than the double bright or beamworks.

Under a sat+ I've had good success with Amazon swords, green tiger lotus, and onion plants. I'd bets jungle vallasneria and crypt would do good as well.

I second David R's advice on the clown loaches.