I'm setting up a 55 gal tank to house my angel who's outgrown her 10g tank. So far I have the light, lid, stand, and a supplemental 20 gal filter and an air pump.
What kind of filter/brand/heater :hmm: size.c. is best/best value?
Can I use riverstone from the hardware store for gravel if I boil it?
What kind of conditioner do I use?
My home water is well, can I use this?
I kind of need to move fast because I've had some die-off of fish due to nitrates/the angel's size.
I saw a list of fish, 2 golden angels, four giant danios two chinese algae eaters and two shrimp. Is this a good rec? I already have the one angel who needs to move.
I kind of need a shopping list if someone can help, but hate being at the mercy of the Petsmart without any upfront info.
Should I put plants in, rocks? Or just Stress Zyme and Salt?
How long before I can move Angel?
Thanks much!

I am not sure what brands of heaters to aim for, but depending on how warm the room is you need at least a 150 watt, no higher than 250 watt.

Your well water should be fine though I would test it for nitrates and ammonia, heavy metals could be present as well. Your first concern is a water conditioner that neutralizes the heavy metals.

I would aim to add a filter rated to 50 gallons, aquaclears are nice. I would still use your old filter. The river stone will be fine, wash it well.

I highly doubt your nitrates are killing your fish unless you never do water changes, nitrates affect health over extended periods of time when they are around 200ppm, for them to be lethal they would need to be much higher. Most people aim for under 50ppm.

Nitrites and ammonia do kill in small amounts.

I would skip the chinese algae eaters as they get mean when they put on size, if I had to guess your angel is getting very territorial and killing your other fish.

When you set up the tank fill it and get the heater in to bring up the temp. Next put the new filter on it. When you are ready to switch tanks rub the media of the old filter on the media of the new filter and put the old filter on the new tank too. Then transfer your fish.

Others should chime in too.

Thanks-
I've never seen Angel touch another fish, she started out the size of a dime with the other fish, but everyone keeps telling me the same thing!
Hopefully I can keep everyone alive- Angel, mom guppy and one rosy barb left-until we get her a new home. How long do I wait and should I get a platty or something like that to help get the tank going for a couple of days?
thanks-
Cyndi!

As long as you follow my instructions and do not add extra fish for a week or so you should have an instantly established tank. The old filter is already seeded and by rubbing the medias you will be seeding the new one. With a weeks time filtering for your current fish the bacteria should balance across both filters. At that point you should be able to slowly add more fish, not too many at one time and give the filters a few days to a week to catch up.

Yeah, what Glaive said!

On the Chineese Algae Eater, they get really, really mean. Mine ran my 55gal tank, he bullyed both the Balla Shark and the Pictus catfish I had, and they stop eating algae at about 2-3 inches in size.

My 55gal has a Tetra Whisper 30-60 dual output HOB power filter and 2 homemade sponge filters.

Should I just get a Pleico instead, or what else might you guys reccommend?

And do I understand correctly that I can put my angel in within a couple of days?

Should I use live palnts at first?

Thanks-
Cyndi

if you do as glaive said, you should be able to transfer your angel immediately after setting up your tank. i wouldn't add any new fish for at least a week. that being said you could add a common pleco but keep in mind they are poop factories and as they get bigger eat less and less algae off your glass. a bristlenose pleco would be a good fish to have around as i have heard that they are more willing to hold up their end of the cleaning duties.

Cich's got it right, do not wait to transfer the angel do it as soon as the tank is set up. You want the fish to add waste so that the bacteria have food.

Thanks again guys-
I'll let you know how it goes!
I'm setting it up today.
Cyndi

Good luck, you may see one little spike, but it should be done with rather quickly.