New 55 Gallon Tank - What To Do?

[ethos_ws]

I was looking for a small to medium tank to start off with but ended up with a 55 gallon tank with everything included for $25. Now my dilemma is what fish to put in it. I was thinking and like the idea of doing a community tank with small fish and live plants. Is there a chance I could add shrimp in the mix? I would love any suggestions.

 

[ethos_ws]

I was told that the tank was ether a 40 or 55 gallon tank when I bought it off craigslist. I knew it was not a 40 gallon tank so I just assumed it was a 55 but after measuring it I have found out it is a 75 gallon tank not a 55. I am been cycling it now for two weeks tomorrow and I am ready to put fish in it. I was thinking of starting with 5 Pristella Terra and 7 Neon Tetra and a couple plants.

 

[ShinyCard255]

Before you add fish, take a water reading and make sure that you have 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite as they are harmful to fish.

Also, quick question, how have you been cycling?

 

[the_lock_man]

I was told that the tank was ether a 40 or 55 gallon tank when I bought it off craigslist. I knew it was not a 40 gallon tank so I just assumed it was a 55 but after measuring it I have found out it is a 75 gallon tank not a 55. I am been cycling it now for two weeks tomorrow and I am ready to put fish in it. I was thinking of starting with 5 Pristella Terra and 7 Neon Tetra and a couple plants.

I don't think you'll be cycled in 2 weeks, unless you used some mater filter media from another tank.

Have you been using an ammonia source of some description while cycling? If not, then I can pretty much be sure that you won't have ammonia or nitrite readings, but you soon will have if you put fish in - the filter will not be cycled.

 

[ShinyCard255]

I was told that the tank was ether a 40 or 55 gallon tank when I bought it off craigslist. I knew it was not a 40 gallon tank so I just assumed it was a 55 but after measuring it I have found out it is a 75 gallon tank not a 55. I am been cycling it now for two weeks tomorrow and I am ready to put fish in it. I was thinking of starting with 5 Pristella Terra and 7 Neon Tetra and a couple plants.

I don't think you'll be cycled in 2 weeks, unless you used some mater filter media from another tank.

Have you been using an ammonia source of some description while cycling? If not, then I can pretty much be sure that you won't have ammonia or nitrite readings, but you soon will have if you put fish in - the filter will not be cycled.

+1 You can't cycle within 2 weeks unless you seeded your filter (which is still rather fast for a tank to begin with). If you only let your tank run for 2 weeks without anything in it (no fish or ammonia added), then you are not cycled. I would read up on fishless cycling if I were you BEFORE you add fish in there. Cycling can take upwards to a month (which you should do before you put fish in).

I've said it a few times and I'll say it again, cycle before you put fish in. All the info is in the Beginners Research Center. Do your homework first before jumping into it

 

[ethos_ws]

The tank is used and I was given the old filter sponges and put them in the filter box when I setup.

 

[ShinyCard255]

The tank is used and I was given the old filter sponges and put them in the filter box when I setup.

Ok, but one of my earlier questions wasn't answered... How are you going to cycle your tank?

Seeding a sponge in your filter doesn't do it any justice if there is no ammonia in the water for the bacteria to grow. Also, has the sponge been sitting in old tank water? Because if not, all the beneficial bacteria that was on the sponge probably has died if the sponge is dry.

 

[ethos_ws]

I used the old filters from the established tank to start the cycle. What I understand this is the best way. Correct? The sponge was in a bucket with the fish ( I did not get the fish ) and an air bubbler.

 

[ethos_ws]

I added 12 small Tetra's to the tank yesterday morning and they seem to be doing great today. I am going to test the water tonight and do a water change if needed. I was told this is very lite load on this tank.

 

[CezzaXV]

That is a relatively light load. You're effectively doing a fish in cycle, which basically means testing the tank for ammonia and nitrite at least once a day and doing enough water changes to ensure that neither go above 0.25ppm.

 

[ShinyCard255]

That is a relatively light load. You're effectively doing a fish in cycle, which basically means testing the tank for ammonia and nitrite at least once a day and doing enough water changes to ensure that neither go above 0.25ppm.

+1 water changes will be the biggest thing you will have to do in order for your fish to survive. Keep checking water parameters everyday and don't let ammonia and nitrite don't go above 0.25ppm. If they are above that, do a water change. Ammonia and nitrite are harmful to fish so you want them as low as possible. You know the cycling is complete when BOTH ammonia and nitrite read 0ppm. Once this happens, you will only have to check water parameters once a week (at least that is what I do) to ensure everything is stable