Sorority Tank Set-up Questions

Hi Everyone well I finally set up my 50 gallon tank which I'm going to use as a sorority...Tomorrow am going to fill it up with water and start the fishless cycle. Going to buy Biospira. Currently have 5 females to go into the tank once it's cycled-hopefully in 2-3 weeks Included some pics...any input is greatly appreciated. I'm thinking of buying another decoration to add to the hidey spots. And in terms of the cycling I guess I should just follow the directions with the biospira...oh wait.. I just realized I need the filter first right? Hm...thinking of ordering this one http/www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...43&N=2004+22769 (the one for 60 gallons)...or should I maybe go with this one? http/www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod...04+22769+113565 And in terms of heaters thinking of going with this one http/www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod...4+113767+113565
(the 200 watt one). I figure I might be better off ordering these things online as opposed to Petland since I find their prices to be so overwhelming most time I'll keep u guys updated on the cycling process and of course when I add the girls In the meantime here are some pics of the tank as is now..still a work in progress and some pics of the girls whose home this will be Thanks for reading and for any input Take Care B)
Oh by the way, thinking of getting taller plants so it doesn't seem so empty on the top half and also keeping my eye open for any decor that matches

heres one of the ladies-Cerwyn-one of Synirr's babies

i would get more plants so the girls can hide

I use Bio-Spira all the time. Once it's added you don't need to wait to add the girls. I started a tank in March with it and added the fish the next day. I didn't have any problems at all. In August the readings were great 0-0-15 until I removed a bunch of fish (21) and trimmed all the plants. I then had a terrible spike and had to add another package of Bio Spiro to the water. Back to normal within hours and as of Friday it was 0-0-15 again with 1 male, 3 ottos, and 8 females.

nashnut said:

Friday it was 0-0-15 again with 1 male, 3 ottos, and 8 females.

Click to expand...

did i really read this? not to hijack the thread or anything....


i would get lots of plants and maybe driftwood. i got mine from big al's online. here is a pic of my 20 gal (long) female tank.

Lots of tall plants for the back, plus not a lover of coloured gravel, but i suppose once it gets planted won't notice it so much.

nashnut said:

Friday it was 0-0-15 again with 1 male, 3 ottos, and 8 females.

did i really read this? not to hijack the thread or anything....

Click to expand...

Perhaps I should explain more... in August I took out 21 fish and tons of greens. The readings spiked. I added Bio Spira and the readings dropped back to normal within a couple hours. This past Friday I checked the tank before adding the otts and the readings were 0-0-15.

And yes, the male and females are together and have always been together. I previously had 4 males in total in that tank. I removed three in August for shipment. None of the three had a mark on them from any fighting. They are spawn siblings and have never been separated - therefore no problems.

I have tons of plants in my tank - plenty of algae too - plus rock caves. I use silk artificial plants - tall ones in the back - and several medium sized ones in the middle and front area. I also use real plants - mainly low light ones mixed in with the silk medium sized ones.

cool..thanks everyone for your input I def wanna get some taller plants to mae up of the top half of the tank and a few more decorations..maybe some driftwood To be honest, it was really hard for me to pick out gravel..initially was thinking of pink and purple and then changed my mind..if you would have seen me in that store picking up a bag pondering putting it back down for like 15-20 minutes Finally I decided on the light blue but still am not too crazy about it I figured the tank is in my l/r and thus far the pieces I have-the sunken yacht/boat and colorful cave ..i think it has a underwater colorful theme..Overall, hopefully once I put all the pieces together it'll look nice Or at least I hope..lol Goinf to order the filter and heater tommoro online...this is the filter i think imma get http/www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?R=7...av=222&N=24+112 and this is the heater www.petco.com/Shop/Product.asp...24&N=24+125. And Im going to order biorspira online too..once i get all these things I'll start the biospira and if I'm not mistaken add the girls soon afterward as long as I keep an eye on the amonia?

I've found the Bio Spira to be excellent. I've used it in 4 tanks so far and the only problem I had was went I moved too many fish out and trimmed the plants at the same time. Otherwise, the tank was perfectly in balance.

I actually order extras and keep it on hand in the fridge.

Hi Guys..Ok well its' almost time..I filled up the 50 gallon yesterday with the hose and added the Biowheel 350 and 300 watt submersible heater. I also treated the water in the tank with Aquaplus Tap Water Conditioner. According to the label, 1 capful treats 5 gallons, so I did 10 capfuls. The temperature is now at a steady 80. I just received the biospira in the mail. Can I add it in now? Also, was thinking I could wait to add the girls until tonight or maybe tomorrow. I was initially thinking of adding 5 girls, but oif the 5 girls 1 has a slight case of fin rot and the other has been acting weird so am treating her with maracyn II. I'll prob def hold off on adding the one I'm treating with meds right now but can I add the one with the slight case of fin rot or should I wait until she is 100%. Thanks again for any info..Take Care all

anyone? I;m thinking i'ts safe to put the biospira in..I just don't want it to get warm

heres a pic of my tank at the moment

another one

I usually wait a day or so before I add the Bio-Spira to the tank.
Then wait another 12 hours or so before adding the fish.

I have added the Bio-Spira to a tank full of fish also.

If you don't want to use the Bio-Spira immediately, just put the bag back into the fridge and
the bacteria will stop until it's warmed up again.

In your opinion which is better? to add the biospira first or the fish first? I'm thinking I might just add 3 fish first and the other 2 when they are back to 100% By the way have a 3 oz bag of biospira enough for 90 gallons. How much of that should I add to a 50 gallon? Thanks By the way, thinking of waiting until tommorow to do anything

Add fish first, that way you dont risk the chance of the bacteria dieing, if u add the B-spira first, there is no amonia................


ADd the fish wiat like 10 minz...the longer the better ( like 12-24 hours is dabomb ) then dump in the B-spira........


although u have 50 gallons u dont have the stock limit for 50 gallons......u have 5 girls, also u are only gonna put 3 in the tank.............thats waaaaaaaaaaay understock LOL


add about 1/4 of the bio spira when u add the 3 girls..........then add another 1/4 when u add the other 2.........then u save the other half for the future.............

remember to add the b-s into the filter.............

Benefical bacteria loves to hold on to stuff like plants......mostly gravel and filter......so if u just dump itinto the filter it makes it easier and faster for the bacteria to grab on then they get to work