Choice Of Fish For Bottom 55 Gal Tank Stand?

[hogen10]

Hi Folks:

I have a 55 gal planted show tank with some discus, cordy cats and
various neon and a pair of German Blue Rams. The bottom of the stand looks
inviting for another 55 gal and since I have an extra hood and heater I'd
though I'd put another 55 gal one below the top one.

My main concern is the low placement of the tank. It would be of
course at knee high, and while that's fine for sitting and watching the fish
I worry about 'spooking' them when I get up to arrange things in the top
tank. I'm not particularly 'set' on any one type of fish in the bottom
tank, but I think discus would be a problem as I understand they 'spook'
easy and like to see you at eye level.

Any suggestions for some fish? My water is blessed at 6.2 pH and 3 KH
straight from the tap. I'm kind of new to the hobby but love South African
Dwarf cichlids and cardinals and such. Of course I can treat the bottom
tank as a quarantine tank but I'd like to make it a thing of beauty too!

My other big concern would be weight. 2 full 55 gallon tanks are quite a
load! Is it a common practice to use two 55 gallon tanks on one stand? Or perhaps it would be better to kave a smaller tank on the bottom? Any suggestions/comments or advise appreciated. Thanks for
holding my hand!

Jim C.

 

[WendyinWichita]

Don't make the mistake I did by putting a second 55 below a top 55. It seems like there is plenty of room, but unless you have a very very skinny arm, you won't be able to get your arm inside to do maintenance on the bottom tank. You will also have trouble siphoning water out of the tank, and running a canister filter is also a problem. I ended up pulling the bottom 55 out.

 

[hogen10]

Don't make the mistake I did by putting a second 55 below a top 55. It seems like there is plenty of room, but unless you have a very very skinny arm, you won't be able to get your arm inside to do maintenance on the bottom tank. You will also have trouble siphoning water out of the tank, and running a canister filter is also a problem. I ended up pulling the bottom 55 out.

Thanks VERY much for the advise. I never thought of that. I'll put a little 10/20 gal on the bottom and go buy a 100/125 gal with stand! Yea!!!! Thanks again!