Questions starting 55g Hillstream Loach tank
Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 12:09 pm
Hello all! I would like to set up a great 55g tank for some Hillstream Loaches. Just a couple questions below to make sure I got the best for these little guys. 
I have a 55 gallon. Currently good size gravel in it, but I would like to replace with some type of sand and smooth stones and driftwood.
In the tank there is a 6" tinfoil barb, 3" silver dollar fish, 1" red fin shark , 2- 1/2" Red Minor Serpae tetras , 2- 1/2" Zebra Danios.
I would like to move the 2 big fish that came with my tank out but the other tank has cichlids and didn't think that would work, so hopefully they get along with loaches? . Moved the 3" Synodontis Catfish to the cichlid tank.
Do you think these tank mates will work for the loaches?
I have a new Multistage Marineland C-220 Canister filter. 220 gph for 55gal that I bought originally to make it a saltwater tank that used chemical, mechanical and biological filtration, so I think the filtration will be good.
I was concerned about the water flow in the tank as I know it should similate a river. The artificial plants are wavering a bit and the small tetras and danios get taken a bit by the current. Is the addition of a power head / circulation pump absolutely necessary?
I have a air pump that I was going to plug in for extra aeration via a bubble curtain or similar to help air content.
I have a lot of live plants that I wanted to incorporate opposed to the artificial as well.
How many loaches would you suggest for my 55 gal? I was thinkin 3 to 4 if I had enough driftwood and hiding places.
Suggestions and examples appreciated !
BTW this is the only loach Ican locate via Petco to purchase in my area.... i think it is a Gastromyzon scitulus
I have a 55 gallon. Currently good size gravel in it, but I would like to replace with some type of sand and smooth stones and driftwood.
In the tank there is a 6" tinfoil barb, 3" silver dollar fish, 1" red fin shark , 2- 1/2" Red Minor Serpae tetras , 2- 1/2" Zebra Danios.
I would like to move the 2 big fish that came with my tank out but the other tank has cichlids and didn't think that would work, so hopefully they get along with loaches? . Moved the 3" Synodontis Catfish to the cichlid tank.
Do you think these tank mates will work for the loaches?
I have a new Multistage Marineland C-220 Canister filter. 220 gph for 55gal that I bought originally to make it a saltwater tank that used chemical, mechanical and biological filtration, so I think the filtration will be good.
I was concerned about the water flow in the tank as I know it should similate a river. The artificial plants are wavering a bit and the small tetras and danios get taken a bit by the current. Is the addition of a power head / circulation pump absolutely necessary?
I have a air pump that I was going to plug in for extra aeration via a bubble curtain or similar to help air content.
I have a lot of live plants that I wanted to incorporate opposed to the artificial as well.
How many loaches would you suggest for my 55 gal? I was thinkin 3 to 4 if I had enough driftwood and hiding places.
Suggestions and examples appreciated !
BTW this is the only loach Ican locate via Petco to purchase in my area.... i think it is a Gastromyzon scitulus