If you had a free 55gal, what would YOU put in it?

[workitout]

Title says it all I have done community tanks before, but I am in the mood for something a little more spicy. I have a 55 gallon planted tank that is low-light and low-tech (ie no UV sterilizers, special substrates, CO2, ferts, etc).
I want to house some cichlids in this, and hopefully establish some breeding pairs.

So at this point, I'm beginning to brainstorm of potential stocks, and being new to cichlids, I thought I'd ask for your help.

My ideas were to try and breed convicts since I've heard it's so easy. But I've also heard they are tough on plants. Rams are a possibility, too. I'd also like to get some "schooling" effect, with more smaller fish rather than few large fish.

Some other's I've seen online and like: Yellow Labs, Convicts, Firemouths, Rams, Blue Acaras... thoughts?


So. If you had a 55gal lying around, what would YOU put in it?

 

[dogdoc]

I'm actually re-doing the livestock in my 75 gal planted right now with South American "theme". Angels, bolivian rams, rummynose tetras.

 

[bitteraspects]

gbrs, apistos, 3red, and a school of dithers. maybe a cory too

 

[Lotus]

My 55g has a colony of N. brichardis. They don't bother the plants, breed easily, and are really attractive fish.

 

[mistercoffee]

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=830+837+1168&pcatid=1168

Due to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image provided.

Angelicus Pleco

 

[tom91970]

water and fish

 

[emmanuelchavez]

water and fish

dangit! You beat me to it!

 

[bunker_1]

water and fish

That's more help than I got when I asked that question, lol. I really like schooling fish, although I never get them. I think it looks so cool to see 20 fish all swiming together.

 

[tom91970]

I really like schooling fish, although I never get them. I think it looks so cool to see 20 fish all swiming together.

I agree. I have a planted 55g with a school of black neon tetras and one of glow light tetras and it looks pretty cool.

 

[bitteraspects]

actually, in a 55, you couls probably do 25-30 exodons

 

[workitout]

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=830+837+1168&pcatid=1168

Due to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image provided.

Angelicus Pleco

I really like that pleco! Looks like reindeer antlers to me, but I don't exactly have the budget for a $60 pleco

 

[workitout]

gbrs, apistos, 3red, and a school of dithers. maybe a cory too

I like this idea... apistos would be compatible with a cardinal tetra or harlequin rasboras for dithers? Or maybe need something bigger like barbs or danios.

also, what do you mean by 3red?

 

[bitteraspects]

tripple red (might be double red. lol. i dont remeber), i believe its a type of apisto.
you should be ok with just about any kind of tetra. if you do barbs, you may want to do a little research cause some tend to nip fins, and you dont want that with your kribs, cause kribs have nice long colorful fins

 

[mistercoffee]

I had a dream I was a pleco last night... I think it was because of this site...

Plecostomus Fish: Plecos and other Catfish for Sale

 

[bitteraspects]

actually, i guess i didnt respond accordind to the title, because i wouldnt personally stock any of those fish.
if i got a free 55g tank i would put:

acrylic dividers, eggcrate, bioballs, and a return pump.

lol. a 55g is too small for me to use for anything besides a sump/filter personally.

 

[big54bob]

id have some of these

 

[AlyKat]

I got a free 55 and put my oscar and dempsey in it.