55 Gal Aq.

Question
I have recently moved and I have a 55 gal aquarium.  However, on the move, the box that had all my plants, rocks... pretty much everything got misplaced, basically the box got lost in the move.  I know I need 6+ 10-lb bags of gravel but I need to know how many plants and what size.  I don't want to buy to many and make it over crowded but I want to make sure I have ample plants for cover and such for the fish.  I already know what filter to get and air pump and such.  Also, I was wondering what type of fish I can put in there, I don't want a whole bunch of small fish but I would like some fish that will grow to be good sized but not aggressive.  Before I moved I just had a few fish in there and I thought I bought some that would grow big but after about 2 years they wasn't one except for my placosamis (sp?) that grew over 6 inches.  Thank you in advance, Wes.

Answer
Hi Wesley,
With the plants, just use your best judgement on having just enough plants to make the tank look nice, but still leaving ample room in the middle for swimming. You can have plants across the entire bottom of the tank if you like, but the plants in the front should be naturally short growers. Carpet plants as they call them. And keep the taller plants way at back and pruned regularly.

The kind of filter I would get is a HOB (hang on back) Power filter. These filters in my opinion have been the best at doing their job and the easiest to maintain. Cascade and Regent are two brands that are especially powerful and good. But most brands today are so well improved that they all are suitable. You don't necessarily need an airpump...You can get by fine with the outflow of your filter doing all the aeration.
As for what fish to put in this tank. You could look through the stocking schemes from the the best fishkeeping book- "The simple guide to freshwater aquariums" By David E. Boruchowtiz
I'll list the stocking schemes below...

(The numbers of fish listed are for an actual 55-gallon tank. The first fish (and number) are the fish used to cycle the tank and then the other fish are gradually added later once you get ZERO readings for ammonia and nitrite. You can read more about cycling here-
http://www.firsttankguide.net/cycle.php

Here's the stocking schemes-

Stocking scheme 1# a "typical" community tank
This stocking focuses on the beauty and form of the fish and how well they look together. And it makes a colorful if eclectic display.

*5 Platies are used to cycle the tank
*8 Zebra danios are later added
*8 Leopard Danios are also added
(Or 8 Giant danios can be substituted for either the zebras or the leopards)
*6 Lemon tetras make up another school
*6 Corydoras catfish call the lower levels of the tank their home and they complete this stocking scheme of a typical community.

Stocking scheme 2# An Asian Accent
This fish stocking theme is made up of fish from Southeast Asia. This setup will provide a lively, colorful tank of small fish.
*10 White cloud mountain minnows cycle the tank
*15 Harlequin Rasboras are later added
*8 Gold Barbs are added also
*1-2 Pairs of Dwarf gouramis completes this grouping

Stocking scheme 3# Barbs, Barbs, Barbs
Sometimes barbs can be nippy, but this is usually minimized if they are kept in a school. Barbs are a very interesting group of fish whom are bold and colorful and very lively!
*10 Cherry barbs cycle the tank
*8 Black ruby barbs
*10 Tiger barbs completes this grouping

Stocking Scheme 4# A Tetrad of Tetras
Tetras are very popular fish and many have very colorful iridescent markings on them. There are many different species and fortunately most all of them are peaceful schooling fish.
*10 Black neons cycle the tank
*10 Bloodfin tetras
*10 Glowlight Tetras
*10 Serpae Tetras completes this grouping

You may also be interested in the colors of the livebearers. And there is a stocking scheme for them also:

Stocking scheme 5# Livebearers only
*4 pairs of Fancy guppies cycle the tank
*2 trios of Swordtails
*10 platies
*1 Bristle or bushynose pleco (Although not a livebearer these algae-eating catfish stay small at around 4 inches and do a great job as an algae-cleanup worker)

Stocking scheme 6# Teeming with Tinies
This tank is unique because it contains fish that are very small, only one species may grow to 2 inches but that is not common. The one drawback to this is some of the fish may a little harder to find unless your really lucky. Here they are:
*10 Leopard danios are used for cycling
*10 Dwarf Chain loaches are added later (these are a very tiny under 2 inch loach who what is lacking in size makes up for in energy, they are an attractive and playful fish who often play games of "Tag" with each-other also, these fish are constantly rooting around for food and taking up any tidbits that the other fish leave behind)
*12 Dwarf Pencil fish these fish barely top 1 inch!
*7 Pygmy Corydoras are a great bottom dweller fish, but they also like to swim in the upper regions of the tank also
*10 Pristella Tetras are later added
*2 Pairs of Pygmy Gouramis (these are delicately marked fish with florescent blue highlights and a shy nature, they are only about an inch and a half and they should do well with these other fish. Its strange why these lovely fish are not offered for sale very much, if you can't find any, you can substitute a pair of Honey dwarf gouramis)

Stocking scheme 7# Fish that are a bit larger;
*2 pairs of blue gouramis cycle this tank. You should have either pairs (male and female) or just females...
*4 Swordtails join the gouramis after cycling
*8 Rosy barbs completes this grouping

Stocking scheme 8# Another Tetrad of Tetras;
Most tetras are on the small side--But these tetras listed here are a bit larger than most-
*6 Buenos Aires Tetras
*6 Bleeding Heart tetras
*6 Diamond Tetras
A few cories or other catfish could provide activity on the bottom regions of the tank. 4-6 cories should be fine.

If you just want larger fish. Gouramis might fit the bill. Barbs are usually larger than average also, you must be sure to keep them in groups. Angelfish are larger fish as well and something you might want to consider. Here is the stocking scheme for angels-
*5 Swordtails cycle the tank
*8 Cories
*4 Angelfish are added as the last occupants
The only other way you could really get into larger fish is if you get into cichlids. There are some commonly available and easy to keep cichlids you might want to consider.. Actually Boruchowitz's book has stocking schemes for cichlids. But it's done in a careful way and a 55-gallon is devoted to a pair of cichlids whom spawn and you can watch and enjoy the behaviors the pair employ as they watch over their brood. Texas Cichlids or Jack dempseys are two awesome cichlids. In order to get a pair you'll need to raise 6 young ones together.
Alternatively there are also Firemouth cichlids, Convicts, or Blue-eyed cichlids...Sometimes you have to use dither fish to keep cichlids calm and relaxed. Dither fish for this tank would be 6 Tiger barbs. The bold nature of the barbs swimming out in the open helds shy cichlids realize there is nothing to fear "Out there" so they therefore are bolder themselves. If little fish are swimming happily about, it must be safe!

Well, I really hope this helps!
Best of luck with everything!
Karen~