I am finding this thread informative and neat! I wish I would've put more research into things when I had my cichlid tank!!
I keep a pleco with mine, but she is a rare type that only grows to 2".Most plecos grow to 12"-24", not a good fish for a 55 gal. I also do not keep her for cleanup. I just like her. For cleaning the glass and bottom, I use a type of sponge with a terry outer, that is sold to clean cars. The 405 will be fine with the input and output on opposite ends. The force through the spraybar, should keep detritus swept back into your rocks. Get a brush set to keep your tubing clean, and get an extra impellar shaft and keep it handy, for your filter in case you snap it. I do not use pythons or things like that. I do not believe in them at all. I make my water up in buckets for replacement during water changes. That way you can add the salt, add the dechlor{I use Seachem Prime}, and make sure your temp is correct before adding.I was reading about getting a pleco to help keep barebottom tanks clean till I read they sometimes eat the fish! Is it better to get two filters as I read or will positioning the inlet/outlet hoses at opposite ends of the tank be just as good? Or are there other tricks that work instead to buying two filters? I wouldn't mind getting a syphon/Vacuum to use every day also.
Yes! People do this, then they just add some dechlor! At some point the chlorine or chloramines of the water could be near or harming the fish! Not to mention, how do you dissolve the salt, just toss it in? Yikes...I Googled 'python' and it looks like it's taking the water directly from faucet into the tank. I don't want to do that. I am planning to mix it in buckets first as you said to have it set up right and at proper temp before adding it to the tank. I'll get a tank net to grab any debris between water changes.
You are welcome. I do take the plants out each time, I scrub them with a sink type brush, and push the stones around to get everything under them, then replace them where they go. I have taken the larger stones out a couple times and scrubbed them with the brush in the change water, then replace. Remember the stones and rocks do have beneficial bacteria on them, so you don't want to kill it with tapwater, if you can help it.Your videos are very helpful, Carole. Thanks. Do you take the fake plants/rocks out and clean them every time you do water changes?
The spraybar attaches to the back of the tank with suction cups.So the spray bar just floats independently on top or does it attach to the top of the tank ( I keep wanting to say cage )?
I will look around for that car sponge as well. Thanks so much. I am finding I like Koko's Forum the best and very helpful over the others so far. But I'm reading the three of them you suggested.
Yes, I am prepared to cycle for around a month or till it is ready.Bushy nose plecos are the best for slower goldfish. Just make sure you give them lots of hiding places from the goldies, I believe they are nocturnal. Mine really liked the wood half log for hiding. I had an aquaclear on a 40 gallon tank, it was really nice, and easy to clean.
Also, be prepared to cycle for close to a month or so. It takes quite some time to build up the beneficial bacteria.