37 gallon fish tank, set up questions: stocking, heater, filter?
I’ve had a 15 gallon tank set up for about 6 months, and came across a 37 gallon for a really good deal, so I grabbed it, knowing my tank was already overstocked. I currently have 4 tiger barbs, 3 albino cory cats, 1 oto, 1 african dwarf frog, and 2 algae shrimp. Too many, I know, but they’ve all been living together happily. So, first question. What kind of filter? I was thinking a penguin bio wheel, but should I go with the 200 or 350 model?
Next question. What heater should I get? Would a 100 watt be enough, or should I go with the 150?
Then there’s stocking. After I get everything in order and my first set of fish ok with the new tank, I want to get a few more. Probably 2 more otos, to keep the first one happy, maybe another frog, and just increase the school sizes of the fish I already have. But I’d like to get one more kind, and I was hoping for suggestions. Do you think an electric yellow cichlid would be ok with the fish I already have? I’ve heard they’re more passive as far as cichlids go. Any other suggestions for cool fish that might work well with my tank?
I prefer the 350 model, and a 100w heater should be fine.
I would not go with an electric yellow. Some of them can be passive, but some are not, and there’s no guarantee. I would go with a krib or bolivian ram.
Well first off your 15 isn’t overstocked but its good your giving them more room now. What fish wouldn’t like that right ?
The 350 is a good to choose on the filter and the heater you will need at least a 200W. 150w heaters are for 20 -30 gallon tanks and you have a 37. More is better with heaters, less is bad. If you buy a 150 w its going to have to be on all the time trying to heat the tank because its not made for that big a tank.
All the stocking except for the Electric yellow sounds ok. They are African Cichlids and need a high PH in the 8.0 and up range. All your other fish except for the dwarf frogs are low PH dwellers, the african will not be happy and show his best colors in a low PH setting.
Plus the Yellow will make a meal out of your dwarf frogs legs sorry to say, I’m betting your tiger barbs will too when they grow up but hopefully they leave them be.
Why not get a peaceful New world Cichlid instead, Tiger barbs and Otto’s make the Perfect tank mates for most Cichlids. Now you have to cycle out the new tank first before you start adding any of your fish so this is months down the road now but maybe look into getting some German Blue Rams. A schooling fish that would go well with that group is Danios, Zebra, Leopard, Pearl will all look good in groups.
Good Luck
Filter: A penguin 200 would be fine.
Heater: It depends on the temperature of your room and how cold it gets during winter. From my experience with heaters though…a 150 watt only costs a bit more than a 100 watt. A 150 watt would need to be turned on less often(it turns off by itself when the temperature is warm enough, as long as it’s plugged in) and would most likely last longer.
As for the cichlid…I don’t know much about African cichlids, but all cichlids are aggressive. Even if they’re more passive compared to other cichlids, all cichlids want to eat small tasty fish like your oto
Good luck
I have a 40 gallon tank, I have a Penguin 350 biowheel and it keeps the water crystal clear.
As to more fish, remember, the more fish the more nitrates, amonia in the water. The fish you list are fairly good sized fish, therefore, lots of pee and poop poluting the tank. I would not add anymore, over crowding can lead to aggression and illness. If you are like me, I really take it to heart when I lose a fish.
Oh yeah, I have never had a heater.
If your smaller tank is in good working order why not have two? That way you can get a few more fish and keep them in a good environment.
don’t add the yellow cichlid. it fill eat most of ur fish and they get aggressive if u don’t sex them right. u will also need caves for them to breed. for stocking joice i would add 4 more tiger barbs so they would school and less aggression