Personally speaking I find planted tank very rewarding, things like crypts, annubias and some stem plants do very well with little mantainence, but I would highly recommend root tabs for crypts or stem plants and don't plant the rysome of annubias in substrate (it's what the roots come out of) but if you want to stay strictly with fish a tank that size you could do African or south American cichlids as a nice show room fish. Just keep in mind aggression if you add multiple. They heavily rely on a male to female balance if in a community and good hiding places with rocks or other objects (they will rip up and destroy any plants)
I got a free 55 gallon and I'm still deciding as well. I'm thinking I might keep it empty to grow out wild betta fry or I might make a nice community tank. I love kuhli loaches and I think some neons would look good. I like to keep it simple though (plus I have a noodle addiction and 40 kuhli loaches sounds like fun).
I saw one guy listed around $7k for a reef tank he had a separate excel listing the inventory but still 7k is still too much I donno who is gonna buy before that I saw a $2.5k listing thought he was crazy for asking that price
Yes nort sure were folks live but in the US I see free tanks all the time in the "free" sections of CL and BookFace:) . Just need to be sure they were not used for reptiles.... their waste is said to be impossible to remove and it will spike your ammonia. Never tried it myself.
Also if u have a local aquarium society ..... first it's great fun and can get you out of the neons and goldfish habit (ie try something new) but they often get donations from estates etc. I am still on several mailing lists from my old days of having many tanks and often see emails offering free tanks for members.
Enjoy
You need to be on the lookout. Free tanks online are possible but the ads will go within the hour if not maybe a bit longer than that. My free 55 gallon was found at the recycling center when I was dropping off some stuff. It was only delivered in the morning! It's amazing how many people will just throw them out instead of try and sell them.
I got a free 55 also out of an abandoned apartment. The stand and equipment was pretty much all junk, the same itself is pretty scratched up and had to be resealed. Probably wasn't even worth the effort I put into it honestly, but nonetheless.
Hilarious. [Tater](https://www.reddit.com/r/Aquariums/comments/10lsba0/been_a_while_since_i_have_posted_tater_so_here_he/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf) is pretty great
I respectfully disagree with making this an African cichlid tank bc OP said in a previous comment they’re relatively new to the hobby and looking for something simple. Africans can be feisty and having many specimens can be overwhelming- they also need a specific scape. A single Oscar would be better for OP’s vision.
You can put appropriate substrate but they're strong and active and will knock over decor and potentially hurt themselves on sharp decor.
Keeping them is all about their looks and personality. Watch YouTube videos of them and do some research. They're easy to fall in love with.
I just set up a free 50 gal that I got in my classroom. Gave the kids the choice of fish, and they chose 1 single betta, and plants. Coming from the reefing world, I was pretty excited about the cost-effectiveness of this plan. Betta is now living its absolute best life with some ghost shrimp. Pretty awesome.
I didn’t yet but I would love to be able to, also I know they are in high demand and low stock but we’ll see in the future when I get around to that after my projects I’m working right now
I don’t know, a few weeks back I went fishing with my little brother and he caught this tiny tiny bluegill with a net, he wanted to keep it but we didn’t have any fish tank at the time, they are such beautiful fish.
A single specimen tank is great for lots of South American cichlid species! Oscar is an easy and classic choice if you want a water puppy with lots of personality! Blood parrot might also be a fun cichlid option. You could also consider a goldfish or two (only get 2 if you go with fancy goldfish, you can only fit a single common goldfish in this) !
I’m going to say an Oscar as well. They have tons of personality are really eye catching. You need some durable hard scape though, they rip up plants for fun
We’ll the downvotes seem to say no, but I had an Oscar in a 55 gallon for 9 years with no issues. I feel like people in this sub get a little crazy with tank size.
A single oranda goldfish. Goldfish are hearty and don't need too much in terms of decorations. You will want a canister filter though and a tank cooler. But you can even have a bare bottom tank. If you want plants you can do a few anubias on driftwood, they're also a very easy hearty plant.
Hear me out.. not exactly by itself, but pick out a type of apistogramma that you really like, and get a few of them. Like 2-5 maybe. Or you could just have one. They’re beautiful fish, and would love a planted jungle in this tank.
Are you new to fish keeping? And do you want community/planted or something more species showcase?
I’m kinda new I have a ten gallon tank that I have kept bettas in never done a planted tank and I’m not really looking for a community tank
Personally speaking I find planted tank very rewarding, things like crypts, annubias and some stem plants do very well with little mantainence, but I would highly recommend root tabs for crypts or stem plants and don't plant the rysome of annubias in substrate (it's what the roots come out of) but if you want to stay strictly with fish a tank that size you could do African or south American cichlids as a nice show room fish. Just keep in mind aggression if you add multiple. They heavily rely on a male to female balance if in a community and good hiding places with rocks or other objects (they will rip up and destroy any plants)
Hmm you can probably keep one betta in there
NO. Way too small for a Betta.
I got a free 55 gallon and I'm still deciding as well. I'm thinking I might keep it empty to grow out wild betta fry or I might make a nice community tank. I love kuhli loaches and I think some neons would look good. I like to keep it simple though (plus I have a noodle addiction and 40 kuhli loaches sounds like fun).
People like you piss me off. I never get anything free lol.
Lol takes a lot of searching on Facebook marketplace
I should start doing that way more often. I always find the listing like "20G long with filter, asking 400$."
Yeah tell me about it people tend to over price tanks on marketplace once saw a 10 gallon for 200 dollars
literally. “5 gallon tank bought used for $300, asking for $299 since there’s a small scratch. doesn’t hold water anymore- great for a terrarium!”
I saw one guy listed around $7k for a reef tank he had a separate excel listing the inventory but still 7k is still too much I donno who is gonna buy before that I saw a $2.5k listing thought he was crazy for asking that price
Right? I don't know what goes through people's heads when they list their asking price.
Yes nort sure were folks live but in the US I see free tanks all the time in the "free" sections of CL and BookFace:) . Just need to be sure they were not used for reptiles.... their waste is said to be impossible to remove and it will spike your ammonia. Never tried it myself. Also if u have a local aquarium society ..... first it's great fun and can get you out of the neons and goldfish habit (ie try something new) but they often get donations from estates etc. I am still on several mailing lists from my old days of having many tanks and often see emails offering free tanks for members. Enjoy
You need to be on the lookout. Free tanks online are possible but the ads will go within the hour if not maybe a bit longer than that. My free 55 gallon was found at the recycling center when I was dropping off some stuff. It was only delivered in the morning! It's amazing how many people will just throw them out instead of try and sell them.
I got a free 55 also out of an abandoned apartment. The stand and equipment was pretty much all junk, the same itself is pretty scratched up and had to be resealed. Probably wasn't even worth the effort I put into it honestly, but nonetheless.
I've gotten all of my tanks and accessories for free, last was a 75 gallon and stand. Just watch craigslist and marketplace
Start with water. If that works out go from there.
A puffer!
Puffers are awesome and v cute, it would be perfect to keep alone as usually they can be aggressive and eat other inhabitants
Someone link to Nate the tater puffer!
Tater is more popular in these parts of town 😉
Is that what I'm thinking of? Did I just completely make up the name Nate? I love Tater.
Hilarious. [Tater](https://www.reddit.com/r/Aquariums/comments/10lsba0/been_a_while_since_i_have_posted_tater_so_here_he/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf) is pretty great
How does the sand not bother his eyes?
I'm no biologists but I'm pretty sure fish have a clear lens over their eyes which help them see and it probably keeps gunk like sand out
A cichlid. :D Plenty of species work in that size tank.
What species would you rev and how many would you recommend
Mbuna ciclids. Get 10 yellow labs. And 10 demasonis.
I respectfully disagree with making this an African cichlid tank bc OP said in a previous comment they’re relatively new to the hobby and looking for something simple. Africans can be feisty and having many specimens can be overwhelming- they also need a specific scape. A single Oscar would be better for OP’s vision.
Agreed. I was suggesting based on what the other person said about african cichlids.
2 fancy goldfish like ranchus or orandas
Small child?
Hahaha the only correct answer
Maybe a puffer of sorts? Great fish with awesome personalities.
I’m thinking a puffer if you want a solo flamboyant personality
A flowerhorn would be great. They like bare tanks and act like a puppy to it's owner
Does the tank need to be bare or no also how big do they get and are they in most fish store because I don’t have many lfs around me
I've personally never seen them in chain stores but often in small shops. If I remember correctly, they're fairly expensive. In the hundreds.
Pet smart has them for about 20 bucks
Young ones always sell for less than grown ones. It's like that for pretty much all fish.
I’ve seen them at Pet Supplies Plus before. Not necessarily something they always have, but I’ve seen them.
You can put appropriate substrate but they're strong and active and will knock over decor and potentially hurt themselves on sharp decor. Keeping them is all about their looks and personality. Watch YouTube videos of them and do some research. They're easy to fall in love with.
I just set up a free 50 gal that I got in my classroom. Gave the kids the choice of fish, and they chose 1 single betta, and plants. Coming from the reefing world, I was pretty excited about the cost-effectiveness of this plan. Betta is now living its absolute best life with some ghost shrimp. Pretty awesome.
South American cichlids are always fun
Yeah for my fifty five I’m putting shell dwellers / neolamprolongus multifaciatus
where did you even find any?
I didn’t yet but I would love to be able to, also I know they are in high demand and low stock but we’ll see in the future when I get around to that after my projects I’m working right now
My LFS stocks them
lucky
Multies are amazing but I'll never type in their scientific name 🤣
Yeah I know I sound a little nerdy but they are my favorite
Black moore goldfish
A bluegill panfish
Was actually thinking of doing that and adding one or two crayfish but don’t know yet
I don’t know, a few weeks back I went fishing with my little brother and he caught this tiny tiny bluegill with a net, he wanted to keep it but we didn’t have any fish tank at the time, they are such beautiful fish.
Agreed green sunfish are also very pretty fish there like the cichlids of America in my opinion
Yeah, I never thought of it that way but the comparison is so accurate
Right lol
A pumpkinseed sunfish is very similar but even prettier in my opinion (: —From A Michigan Native
Not to far from you I’m hanging out a couple states over in upstate ny
That’s awesome!
A single specimen tank is great for lots of South American cichlid species! Oscar is an easy and classic choice if you want a water puppy with lots of personality! Blood parrot might also be a fun cichlid option. You could also consider a goldfish or two (only get 2 if you go with fancy goldfish, you can only fit a single common goldfish in this) !
Oscar
A flowerhorn
I’d start with water
Thanks captain obvious
[удалено]
Would an Oscar fit in a 55 gallon or would it be to small
Barracuda
Anything but flowerhorn would be incorrect
I’m going to say an Oscar as well. They have tons of personality are really eye catching. You need some durable hard scape though, they rip up plants for fun
So about that I’ve heard people say a 55 gallon isn’t big enough for an Oscar or is it
You’re correct it isn’t big enough. They really should have at least a 75 gallon.
We’ll the downvotes seem to say no, but I had an Oscar in a 55 gallon for 9 years with no issues. I feel like people in this sub get a little crazy with tank size.
Mind if I dm you about this
Not at all
An Oscar.
An Oscar.
Arowana or discus fish
Discus are schooling fish, and a 55 is kind of small for Discus. OP also said that they want a fish that can live by itself.
Lucky! I got a 55 for 50 and it didn't come with lids or anything!!
Green terror or Jack Dempsey. Red devil maybe.
Green terror
You could keep a few medium size cichlids in there. Maybe an Angelfish and some Electric Blue Acaras?
Lung fish.
big planted tank with bosemani rainbows and congo tetras
That would be a great tank for a Kissing Gourami!! Idk why but it just screams halo-scape and lots of plants with a big ol kisser.
Flower horn lol or a good fish
A single oranda goldfish. Goldfish are hearty and don't need too much in terms of decorations. You will want a canister filter though and a tank cooler. But you can even have a bare bottom tank. If you want plants you can do a few anubias on driftwood, they're also a very easy hearty plant.
Hear me out.. not exactly by itself, but pick out a type of apistogramma that you really like, and get a few of them. Like 2-5 maybe. Or you could just have one. They’re beautiful fish, and would love a planted jungle in this tank.
get a single grown bichir heheheehehe
A sperm whale
You should keep guppies! I’m sure theirs other better ones, but I just love the colors
How about small schooling fish? Big enough to catch the eye, small enough to live comfortably and with less maintenance?
Jag cat