29 gallon tank citizens

Question
Love your advice. I have a 29 gallon with 2 Bala's, one is about 5-6 inches the other is about 4 inches. I have a catfish, type unknown but he is about 4 inches, a gold gourami bout 3 inches and a pleco about 6 inches. Am I overstocked? I am planning on aquiring a 55 gallon tank very soon so if so it isnt a problem. Also, when i start up my new tank, would it help any at all to put water from a change-out in my 29 to help get the new one ready? One more for you then i shall stop bothering you, what is your opinion about the box type filters ive seen at the pet shops? the kind that basically sit on a lower shelf or the floor? im not happy with my filtration even though im running two filters. thanks for keeping us amateurs from becoming accidental fish abusers.

Answer
Hi Darin, (Thank you!!)
Well, starting with your first question. Your 29 gallon is a tad bit overcrowded once all those fish reach their maximum sizes. Bala Sharks will grow to at least 10--sometimes 12 inches and do need a roomy aquarium with a wider width for turn around room than a 29 gallon has. I am unsure about your catfish as you said you didn't know the species but lets hope it's not a redtail, shovelnose, channel, or pangasius...All of which grow very large. But anyway, your gourami is fine but your Pleco will need a larger aquarium soon. As he has the potential to grow over a foot in length. But as long as you get the 55 gallon aquarium soon, this won't be too much of a problem right away. Even though full grown plecos do best in an even larger aquarium. When you start your 55 gallon, it is very beneficial to to siphon out nearly all of the water from your current established tank as it is to scoop most to all of the gravel out and add it to your 55 (but not if you are going to still keep fish in the 29 gal! don't scoop all of it out!). You will want to get the biological critters (beneficial bacteria) a jump start to establishing a healthy colony since I am sure you will want to add your current fish soon. It is also very good to take your dirty filter cartridge or filter media from your 29 gallon and add it to your 55 gallon's filter compartment. This will "seed" the filter to get your essential waste removing bacteria up and going to avoid the usual ammonia spike that occurs in new aquariums.
With these steps taken, your 55 gallon can almost be "cycled" immediately. You'll want to test the water for a few days after you add your fish just to be sure, however.

~The box filters that sit below the aquarium are usually Canister filters. These types work very well for large aquariums and their big size allows for the addition of good filter media for the best water quality. They also move a lot of water and are great for excellent circulation and for fish that are very messy. They are quite easy in their upkeep and the various compartments most canisters have allow you to take your current filter media from your other established tank(s) and add it easily to your canister. All in all I have found canisters to be very beneficial and work efficiently and quietly for larger aquariums.

*I really hope this helps! If you have anymore questions, as always feel free to email me Darin...

Best wishes and Happy fishkeeping!
Karen~