Need ideas for christmas tank!

[Cameron]

OK for Christmas i want to get a new fish tank and i dont have any good ideas but i have a base. its either going to be a 36gal bowfront, or maybe a 55gal tank, and i know i want sand for a substrate, i want to have some very basic plants, and maybe driftwood if i can find a nice piece. i think i want to try cichlids but im not sure on what is fairly easy but still looks nice, and is compatable with a medium group of corys. i'm going to get a ehiem canister filter for 65gallons ad probably use the stock filter also, and heater and probably lights. umm i think thats about it, my water change schedule is like 5 maybe 10 gal change once a week pretty strictly. Thanks for any suggestions!!

[Northernguy]

Go for the 55 its abetter bigger tank and your fish won't look distorted.German blue rams .A school of corys ,1 BN pleco,2 schools of different tetras.
Water change schedule should be no less than 50% each and every week!
Don't forget your liquid test kit!

Merry Christmas!

[Cameron]

is there an easier way then taking out 5 buckets and replacing 5 buckets every week, isnt 25% a week good enough, or will i still have nitrate problems?

[Northernguy]

Its the best and fastest way to get rid of nitrites.They need the water less toxic!Get a python,no more buckets.:19:

[Cameron]

instead of rams how about yellow labs, and how many can i get in a 55, also are they good with tetras and corys

[Cameron]

sry for double post, but scratch the labs, im just thinking some kind of dwarf cichlid like kribs, or a cockatoo, what could i get like a male and 3 or 4 females? and corys and some tetras or something

[travie]

Get some live plants like java fern, and you won't have to do that big of water changes every week.

[Northernguy]

The plants will help with the nitites but weekly water changes are still neccesary! IMO

[Cameron]

i knew that i wasnt planning on not doing them just like 15 - 20% changes once a week should be good i think right? and any more advise on stocking, what kinda of food should i get (links are nice) thanks for all the replies

[shockshockshad]

I would do 1-2 schools of tetras, a centerpiece fish/fishes (dwarf cichlids), some cories, some otocinclus, any smallish amazoninan fish really.

[C-Dub]

i've always done 25% water changes weekly, or 50% if i miss a week

[bushwhacker]

10-20% changes do nothing i do 50% weekly get a python you will never regret it

[Lady Hobbs]

Me, too, bushwacker.