Where to go from here?

[lemans81]

In my tank currently:
55 gallon tank
2x dwarf Gourami
1x cherry barb
1xSerpae Tetra
1xraphael catfish
3xleopard danios
1xred tailed shark

I am using HOB filters(one is for 30 gallon tank from my old tank, one is rated for 60 gallon tank), 2x100W heater(looking for upgrades as we speak), 2x f15T8 lights(again when money comes around upgrading these too).

Now the questions:
1. Do I need more hiding places and plants?
2. Should I add live plants or wait until I have better lights?
3. At what point should I worry about fish chasing other fish?
(some of the fish chase each other its never for more than 10 seconds, and they lose interest before they even make it the length of the tank, I have yet to see any fin damage. The red tail chases the serpae, the red gourami chases the blue gourami, the serpae chases the red gourami no other squables. We had a CAE which went psycho when moved to the 55 gallon and he had to go he attacked everyone.)
4. After the tank is cycled (early January I would guess but I would rather be safe than sorry) What suggestions would you have as to the fish I could add. I have heard things like bolivian rams, or more serpae tetras...what do you think?

I also know now that I need a master test kit....thanks lfs for saying pH is the only important one. I did add all the rocks, 15% of the water, and filter from an established 20 gallon tank before I put fish in this tank. I have not lost any fish yet.

Here is the tank in question(don't ask about the rocks they are my wifes choice...)

 

[moxxommox]

Welcome!!!!

No, Yes.
Yes. No.
Barbs and sharks should not be seen, unless there's a tetra in between.

Remove the Barbs, stick with tetras. Boliv Butterflys look alot better with heavy planted tanks, they can get bitey, They are part of the cichlid family.

You should have a stern talking to your better half about those rocks.

​

 

[moxxommox]

here's one I prepard earlier at work... its got black silica gravel and about 15 driftwood peices with plants on it, it is home to Tetras, neons and gold tip/gold and 4 boliv Butterflys, there are a small group of common bristle nose cats and some simulatus or similis Corys.

I <3 Opticarb

 

[moxxommox]

forgot pic...

 

[lemans81]

Ok well there is only one cherry barb in the tank and I have had him going on 3 years he was from my old tank(as was the serpae tetra and raphael cat). He has never ever caused and problems for anyone and is a very bright deep red and is perfectly happy. The red tail has focused all his aggression on the serpae, but the serpae can easily escape as he is faster or the red tail doesn't care enough.

Currently the redtail and the raphael are living in the cave on the far right of the tank. The raphael never comes out...that I have seen. He is plump and getting bigger but I never see him(except for his stripes I can see way up in the cave).

I am currently thinking 3 more danios and 5 serpae tetras......I think I will be pretty close to my limit then. The rams interest me but I have read a lot of mixed reviews and the last thing I want is aggressive fish.

 

[Lupin]

Your current stocking level will hardly appreciate an aggressive fish in their vicinity. Why not just add serpaes? One thing to take note is they are quite vicious fin nippers and your gouramis will be the last thing you'll see with perfect fin shape.

Here are the tetras I suggest you may try if not the serpaes:
Diamonds, lemon, rosy, bleeding heart, glowlight, cardinals and neons.
Not all of course. The choice is yours.

pH is hardly the most important unless you add CO2 with a low KH(carbonate hardness). Try to look into your ammonia, nitrites and nitrates closely. None of your fish strictly require the specific pH but it's best to avoid the pH beyond 5 at its lowest or 8 in highest level.

Bolivian rams are not really aggressive at all. They are peaceful and will bother only themselves and the apistogrammas. They are hardier than the blue rams but less pretty compared to the blue rams.

Good luck with your plans.