Beginner Biotope...Help Please!

[DoubleD]

Hi everyone! I am totally new to the aquarium hobby, but am reading a lot about it online and on these forums which has helped. I want to do a biotope and am leaning towards an Aussie biotope with rainbows. However I am not sure if this would be a good setup for a beginner, or even what to put in it other then rainbows and live plants lol. I haven't bought anything for it yet either so any sort of buy list would be great. I figured I would get a 55gal tank and stand to start out. Will this be big enough for other biotopes if I decide that I don't want an Aussie tank? The other biotopes I was considering was a SE Asia tanks with Gourami's. Would this set up be better? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[Bristley]

Since you say new to the hobby I would recommend reading the Free Aquarium Ebook on the forum to get some good starting information for yourself.

Also, once you get a good idea from that you may be better prepared to determine what type of biotype you want to do and how much money/work will be needed.

Sounds like you've got the bug, good luck and welcome to the forum.:19:

I'm sure someone else will pipe in here with some more specific suggestions, but I'm fairly new myself so I hope my 2 cents will at least get you started out a little bit.

[Northernguy]

It depends on what gouramis you are after but for most its not a problem.they are beautiful fish.Here is some info on them.
How are you cycling the tank?
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/gourami/

Rainbows.
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/rainbowfish/

[DoubleD]

It depends on what gouramis you are after but for most its not a problem.they are beautiful fish.Here is some info on them.
How are you cycling the tank?
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/gourami/

Rainbows.
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/rainbowfish/

Thanks Northernguy! Those links were very helpful!

[Taurus]

A 55g tank is a great size for most any biotrope.

Here's a good reference page for rainbows

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=830+886

[Taurus]

And another one:

http://aqualandpetsplus.com/Minnows,%20Rainbowfish.htm

[DoubleD]

It depends on what gouramis you are after but for most its not a problem.they are beautiful fish.Here is some info on them.
How are you cycling the tank?
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/gourami/

Rainbows.
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/rainbowfish/
Sorry Northernguy, totally missed your question...I really have no idea, I was thinking of trying to do it fishless since I will have plants in it, but I am not sure what the best method is.

Also thanks Taurus for the links!

[Taurus]

Try this:

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=5640

or

The best method of cycling a tank is to put used media from a healthy tank inside of your filter. Used gravel from a healthy tank place in a small mesh bag and left in the tank under your filter intake also works.

I recommend the use of Seachem Stability also. Stability is spore state nitrifying bacteria that will cycle you tank when added to your aquarium water along with hardy fish or another ammonia source. I have used this product with success.

http://www.seachem.com/Products/product_pages/Stability.html