Stock for a 55

[Nova 8]

Im starting to get back into fish again after a long time out of it. Right now Im only setting up a 55 (48Lx14Wx20H) which is ready to go. Im have no idea of what to start with and since im starting a new im happy to try anything. Right now im leaning towards an Oscar and a Butterfly pleco but if something grabs my interest i'll go with that. Also in 6mths I move into my new place and will be setting up my old 6x2x2.5 and my newly purchused 8x2.5x2 so it CAN out grow the 55 but i'd rather it not.

Also while im asking questions, I recently purchused a SUNSUN canister filter cause all the equipment I have is too powerful for a 55. Anyone have any experience, so far im impressed with it, its really quiet and has good flow but i question its longivity being so cheap
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/400246019393?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Thankyou for any responses ~ Nova 8

 

[probassfisher010]

a 55 will be fine for a single oscar, up to about, 10 inches, but luckily you are setting up two large tanks so you can always move the oscar up. If I were you I would get Firemouth or convict cichlids or another smaller sa/ca cichlid, maybe even some dwarfs such as rams. Maybe do that and add a senegal bichir to the mix, or a delhezi. Those would all be good for life, You have lots of options especially if you set up those two large tanks.

 

[HokieFish]

a 55 could be a good planted setup with a Firemouth as the focus. I did a tank like this with one male Firemouth and several swordtails. The swordtails would breed and provide an in-tank snack for the Firemouth.

 

[white15]

You have tons of possibilities if you use it as a grow out tank. If not, I don't suggest an Oscar if you want to put anything else in the tank.

 

[CichlidFan779]

i have these fish in my 55 gallon tank

55 gallon-
1 blood parrot hybrid cichlid
1 male black convict cichlid
1 male firemouth cichlid
1 senegal bichir
1 striped raphael catfish

btw the fish i mentioned are SEMI-AGGRESSIVE, but they are juveniles so i am not sure what they will be like as adults, but they are all compatible, the black and red blood parrot is territorial and chases the other fish sometimes

 

[virgil2090]

the tank dimensions sound slightly more than 55 gal.but i would think about using it for grow-outs of a few kinds of cichlids,that's only if your 6 month plan is sure.what kind of fish do you have access to? you can order from online source? good LFS? do you like breeding pairs? community?

 

[Nova 8]

the tank dimensions sound slightly more than 55 gal.but i would think about using it for grow-outs of a few kinds of cichlids,that's only if your 6 month plan is sure.what kind of fish do you have access to? you can order from online source? good LFS? do you like breeding pairs? community?

It works out to 60gal going by the outer dimensions - inner dimensions (6mm glass) brings it to 55gal. The larger tanks are a sure thing. 6x2x2.5 is in the garage with 2 fluval FX5's and a Eheim 2260 ready for it. And the 8x2.5x2.5 is all arranged, just waiting a couple months so it gets delivered when I move in. As for sources for fish, my LFS will order anything I ask for if its on thier lists as I have spent alot of money there over the past decade since starting and also use to work there aswell. As for online, IDK I have never looked into it. Im still thinking I'd rather it as a permanant home for something - what IDK... but it did buy a Sailfin Pleco today which will grow out in it for now and almost bought a 2.5" umbee

Im really just fishing for ideas that i'd over look - like firemouths, totally forgot about them.

 

[virgil2090]

if you like breeding pairs,i would try salvinis.all of the crypto's would work well in that size tank,swordtails make good dithers.yup that pleco will get big,will eat eggs if you plan on any breeding in the tank.

 

[badassmc]

I think salvinis, firemouths or convicts if you want a pair, or a single GT? there are so many options you have since you will be setting up the other large tanks in only a short time. How about a pair of festae? They grow relatively slow and would not outgrow your 55 in 6 months. Once they did outgrow it, they would make a great addition to one of your larger tanks

 

[SH300]

Strange size for a 4 footer most i have seen are 48 x18 x18 which would of been just OK for an Oscar. Festae, Salvinis and other bruisers would be great if you can find any in S.A , but since Oscars are still imported to Australia and some real nice ones around i would stick to your plan if it were me. Good luck and happy fish keeping.