stocking a new 50 gallon tank

5186 Views 14 Replies 9 Participants Last post by skeletor121, Oct 24, 2007

skeletor121

Discussion Starter · Oct 12, 2007 (Edited)

I recently purchased a 50 gallon tank that has not been setup yet. I just finished cleaning it out since the last owner didn't really take care of it (I used diluted vinegar and made sure I rinsed it out thoroughly). I am now building a canopy since my wife liked the one I did a few years ago (when we had a 125 gallon tank) better than an open top. I plan on using 1 AH Supply 1x96W light (6700 or 10000, still haven't decided) and have not figured out the plants yet, but am looking at easy to grow plants, so I will post some questions over in the plant forum.

Since this is the fish forum, here is what I am thinking of stocking it with:
4 Angels (maybe 6?)
2 Rams (probably German Blue)
1 pleco (BN?)

Is there anything else that should/would go well in this size tank? Corys? Loaches? Rummy Noses? Rainbows?

I have a while to decide what fish to get, since I probably won't even setup the tank for cycling until next week at the earliest.

I know these questions have been brought up before, but I haven't seen much with a 50 gallon yet and wanted some clarification on that size. Thanks for any help.

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

forddna

· #2 · Oct 14, 2007

I would skip the Pleco and use Oto Cats for algae eating. A large Angel might try to eat one, though. Search on here about that..

I really like my pair of Corys. My pair of Yoyo loaches eat off the bottom and off of plants that catch food. They won't uproot plants like Clowns probably will when they get bigger.

Aren't Rummy Noses on the smaller side? Stick with a bit bigger fish with the Angels. Longfin Rosy Barbs are very nice fish. Peaceful..they kind of are in their own little world and don't bother anybody.

if_fishes_were_wishes

· #3 · Oct 14, 2007

Howdy fellow Virginian...I have rams and australian rainbows in my tank. The rainbows are very active fish, I dunno how slow-moving angels would react to those. The rams are very cool, lots of personality. Definitely go with those. I agree about the plecos and would get an army of ottos instead, perhaps 5-6 of 'em.

Congo tetras and cardinals have traditionally gone with angels since they are from the amazon. The congos are big and flashy and the cardinals are nice little schoolers, although some may argue the angels will go after the little cardinals.

trfjason

· #4 · Oct 14, 2007

Get lots of Cardinal tetra, they are the best with angels.

Lupin

· #5 · Oct 15, 2007

You might want to try Botia striata. Always keep 3 as the minimum. The more, the better. I might settle for 5 if I were you.

Rummies are no smaller compared to cardinals, neons, glowlights and embers and should be fine with the angelfish.

gotcheaprice

· #6 · Oct 15, 2007

I thought I posted something similar earlier today... Anyways, I'm gonna stock my 55 gallon after it finishes cycling and I plan to keep 2X(4?) angels, 2X blue german rams, whole bunch of endlers and neon tetras, 3X Oto(they're expensive here!), and RCS. And oh, a school of white clouds maybe. I want all 3 of these smaller fishes, but not sure how well they'd look together(and in a dutch style tank).
I'm also looking for suggestions.
Also, what are the chances that my Endler fry will make it without getting eaten? Less than 25%? I do have a smaller nano for them, but I also wouldn't mind them breeding in there. Thanks!

Rod Hay

· #7 · Oct 15, 2007

I have a 46g bowfront (just four gallons shy of your 50). It was too small for a group of angelfish! When two of them wanted to spawn the other three were attacked. One was injured, one permanently hid in the corner. The other was very fast at running. If you want to have angels stick w/ only one, or a confirmed mated pair.

if_fishes_were_wishes said:
Congo tetras and cardinals have traditionally gone with angels since they are from the amazon. The congos are big and flashy and the cardinals are nice little schoolers, although some may argue the angels will go after the little cardinals.

Congo tetras are one of the few Characins from Africa. HINT: Congo river - Africa; Amazon river - South America.:icon_wink

I did try moving my unhappy angefish into my larger 75 gallon tank where I do have seven Congo Tetras. It is not a good mix. The Congos are super greedy, turbo-charged, speedy feeders and the Angelfish are graceful and slow moving. Believe it or not, the angels had a hard time getting any of the food. I had to train them to eat from my fingers to get enough food to them.

My current favorite star in my medium size tank is the Emperor Tetra: http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_palmeri.php

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gotcheaprice

· #8 · Oct 15, 2007

I don't know about you guys, but my previous angles were pretty damn quick. Maybe they were trained, but my uncle had them with arowanas and they would always outswim that thing before it could get to him, and got them and they were really quick. I also had some other ones that were decently quick. Maybe I'm just used to goldfish?

forddna

· #9 · Oct 15, 2007

Endlers could easily be eaten by Angels..

skeletor121

Discussion Starter · #10 · Oct 15, 2007

Thank you for the info....I will try to figure out which way to go and let you all know what fish we end up with.

Riley

· #11 · Oct 15, 2007

White clouds generally are kept in cooler water.....As far as the main post you could definately do that mix with a small group of tetras and maybe a few cories.

Riley

· #12 · Oct 15, 2007

Oh, and as far as the pleco...if you want a BN....put him in there with the ottos....he will be fine....and a cool looking fish too.

Mangala

· #13 · Oct 15, 2007

Rod Hay said:
I have a 46g bowfront (just four gallons shy of your 50). It was too small for a group of angelfish! When two of them wanted to spawn the other three were attacked. One was injured, one permanently hid in the corner. The other was very fast at running. If you want to have angels stick w/ only one, or a confirmed mated pair.

One thing that a lot of folks do (because it's a LOT cheaper) is get a group of 6 baby angelfish and when you get a pair out of them (about 85% likely) just sell off the rest.

gotcheaprice

· #14 · Oct 16, 2007

Baby endlers only or full grown ones too? I could breed them in my smaller tank and throw the males into the larger tank.

skeletor121

Discussion Starter · #15 · Oct 24, 2007

Thank you all for the information. I have been able to talk my wife into letting me have a larger tank! This 50 gallon tank is now going to be either a non-planted fw tank or a sw tank. I have given the decision making over to my wife on this, I will just be doing the information gathering and leg work for the tank. I figure this will be a good introduction to fish keeping for my wife. Stay tuned for questions on stocking a larger tank.

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