55 gal tank noobie

[Ethos]

A bunch of tetras sounds like fun actully...

 

[lljdma06]

A bunch of tetras sounds like fun actully...

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You could actually try a biotope aquarium. If you like tetras, try a South American biotope. If you go plastic with the plants, try to find plants that are native to that region. If you go real plants, you can research plants from that region as well.

This involves a little research, which I know isn't everybody's cup of tea, but it can be really cool knowing the habits of your fish in their natural habitat and then try to capture the essence of that environment with your set-up. It also makes for great conversation when you talk about the genesis of your tank.

Just a thought, if you're up for the research. Let me know what you plan. I know when I move back to Miami, I'd like to try my hand at two biotopes, an Endler's habitat, and then a low current Asian biotope, with gouramis, some female bettas or more unusual species and such. I'm torn though, I also love cyprinids, and a kick-butt tiger barb species tank would be sweet, for something that's a bit more active. I don't know. I can never make up my mind.

Lucky you, I'm jealous.

 

[Clairepriest]

I don't know how others feel, but I started keeping fish 8 months ago. I bought some cardinal tetras as recommended by the lfs as easy fish to keep and they all died. I bought several batches and was really upset to lose them all. I later read an article on the net describing how hard they are to keep due to stress, breeding and water conditions, etc. so it pays to research every individual breed before you buy and don't believe eveything your told at the lfs.

I also wouldn't recommend dwarf gouramis as first fish. They are know to harbour problems for a while before becoming ill.

I have a corydorus and he's lovely to watch. Also shrimps, especially when they moult and leave bits of shell around. Their also good for your tank.

I've got some white cloud mountain minnows which I kept in a cold water tank at first and although they look a bit boring, when you get them under the light they've got gorgeous red tails and white tips on their fins. Very pretty shoalers too.

Hope this helps although it's all down to personal experience and preferences.

 

[Native American]

I've got some white cloud mountain minnows which I kept in a cold water tank at first and although they look a bit boring, when you get them under the light they've got gorgeous red tails and white tips on their fins. Very pretty shoalers too.

Hope this helps although it's all down to personal experience and preferences.

Do you have any good ideas for shoaling fish? I'm getting a new tank up and running (actually, cycled it with about 150 delta guppy fry, and now selling them all off). The initial planting plan is vallisneria in the background with amazon sword in the middle (I'm pulling swords from my 38g tanks, which is getting overgrown). Guppies don't shoal unless it's feeding time.

I agree w/ Clairepriest...shoaling fish in a long-enough tank w/ good lighting are simply marvelous to watch.

 

[RoyalGrammaPrincessHannah]

Neon tetras and black phanton tetras are pretty cool. Also, freshwater angels{marbled} are nice looking and you could have few in there. The only freahwater fish I could say I actually liked were glass cats. They are schoaling fish, and actually if there is only one he will be depressed and maybe die. Get at least 3, preferably 4-6. They pretty much always hang out within a close vicinity of each other. For the first few weeks I had mine, they all hovered in the same place one on top of another{not touching though} behind the tallest plant and only came out to eat.

 

[rleigh]

Once Tank is Cycled and you have good filtration, Tetras are the way to go for a beginner. I suggest the following Stock:
8 to 10 Red Serapae Tetras
8 to 10 Lemmon Tetras
8 to 10 Harlequin Rasboras (My Favs)
and 5 Cory Cats
Angels are nice but i would wait until you have more experience.

Randall