New Tank Setup!

[bccromer]

Here is what I am up against. I have the cash to spend on a full setup including tank, stand, canopy, and filter. My question is what exactly should I do. I am thinking of going with a 55g as I can use it in the future and hate to get something and decide later it is too small. Next question is brand. I really like the All-Glass tanks and stands. Looking to do everything in cherry. Anybody not suggest that company? Next is what fish. I was going to breed guppies and sale the babies back to the store in order to get credit and someday get a bigger tank to make it a cichlid tank. Only thing is 55g will be too big for just a few guppies, and I don't want to fill it up with guppies as I think they will have too many fry. So should I just go ahead and have a pile of guppies or what other suggestions do you guys have for me to put in with them? Thanks in advance for the help.

Brad

 

[canarsie11]

All glass in my opinion are great tanks!

Why not get 75 gallon, almost te same footprint!

 

[bccromer]

I have thought about it. Have to check what the price difference is. Either way if I went with 55 or 75 what would be some suggestions on good fish to keep. I don't want anything less than 65 for my cichlids, so if I went 75 I would be tempted to make it that tank already. Don't really want to deal with having fry, and even if I did probably would have a much smaller tank. With that said I am pretty much looking for something with some size. It would either be a cichlid tank or tropical community with some silver dollars, clown loaches, gouramis, and things of that sort in it.

Brad

 

[David]

I would go with a 55 and also get a slightly smaller growout tank for your fry if you plan on breeding. Why bother breeding guppies? It would be much more rewarding to breed egglayers like angels. I'd get the 55 and 6 juvie angels, let them pair off, and sell the remaining ones back to the LFS. You should end up with 2 pairs that will breed as long as your water quality is high and your params remain stable. the fry are also a joy to raise and bring in way more money than guppy fry. It's more of a challenge, but definitely more rewarding. Anyway, it's JMHO, but that's what I'd do. BTW I'm so jealous.

 

[bccromer]

That is my problem with breeding is having to get another growout tank which I don't want to have to do and don't really have room for. That is why I am thinking about holding off on breeding anything on purpose for now. Not saying they won't do it anyway but I'm not going to try to. I have never really been into angels that much anyway. Still thinking either a massive guppy breeding tank, cichlid tank, or tropical community? Which would you suggest, and what are a list of fish for whatever tank you suggest?

Brad

 

[noelberg]

The guppies could help you cycle the tank, so that would be a plus. Doesn't sound like they would be long-term anyway. Depending on your local laws and how you feel about it, the fry could also be used for cichlid food later on.

 

[bccromer]

I have thought about using the fry as food but didn't want to post up cause didn't know how people feel about that here. Would 55 not be too big just for guppy breeding? Would you suggest me putting something like dwarf gouramis in with them to give it variety and fill the tank up more? Or what else could I add. I have room on my dresser for like a 10g growout tank, but couldn't really go much bigger than that. Would that be suitable?

Brad

 

[noelberg]

55 G would be too big for only guppy breeding IMO. I'm just suggesting that if you really want cichlids in this tank, then you could still use guppies to do all your dirty work until you get cichlids. Now making it into a huge community tank would be nice, too. You can put a poop load of different small fish in there. Figure out which fish you like and if you're not sure if they'll go together, post a question

 

[kevin007]

community tank fo sho..click on my link in my sig to see pics of me setting up my 55 gallon tank

 

[David]

i wouldn't do the guppies... IMO too boring. If you want some guppies that's okay, and you can make it into a tropical community. OR you could save a bunch on plants and make a rift lake african cichlid tank with just rocks. They are often hardier than other tropical fish and not sticklers for specific water hardness or pH. They are also very pretty and interesting.

 

[bigfish]

How about breeding mollies, platies and swordtails as you can get a variety of colours these days. You could add some tetras to fill up the space in the mean time. Keep to the ratio of 2-3 females to 1 male to avoid haressment.

DON'T FORGET ADD FISH SLOWLY TO AVOID NEW TANK SYNDROME.

 

[bccromer]

I have somewhat decided what I will do. I know the 55g won't be a guppie tank (or whatever I decide to breed). Have decided that I will either get 2 10g or 2 20g, whichever you guys suggest for the guppies. They will fit on my dresser. One for the breeding tank the other for the growout tank. Then I have to decide between tropical community or cichlid tank still for the 55g. Still not sure which one though.

Brad

 

[bccromer]

Ok have somewhat of another change or heart. Think I will still get the 55g and do whatever with it, and then get a 30g or so and put on my dresser. Question is should I make the 55g a cichlid tank and the 30g some type of community tank, or just make them both tropical community with the bigger fishes in the 55g. I wouldn't mind having some SD's, say 5 or so. What else would be good to go with them in that 55g? Also if I did that what would be a good fish to put in the 30g? How much room would I need for a school or cory's or clown loaches? Looking for something maybe a little different such as those 2. Maybe even mix to different kind. Thanks for the help so far.

Brad