So here’s the deal, I have a small one gallon cube tank that I have a few albino coryadoras as well as a betta fish. However my two young children have been asking for more fish which this tank can’t handle so I found a used 55 gallon tank with everything needed for a wicked steal. However I don’t know a ton about an aquarium this size. I understand I need to cycle this tank for a while before it’s ready (I never did that with the small tank I just used aqua safe and it seemed fine for the few inexpensive fish we have. However I’d like to keep any new fish we get alive in the new tank. So essentially what I’m asking is if anyone can help me out giving me a run down on things i need to know before I even stock this thing? 

My son and I think we want a centre piece style stock with either angel fish or electric blue acara. We already have four albino Cory’s going in once it’s ready. And I’ve been eying up a fire red bristle nose pleco as well. My son is also In a couple bala shark which I know probably aren’t ideal tank mates for large finned fish. Does anyone have balas and if so what kind of mates do you have with them? Or any suggestions for a decent tank mate for either centre piece fish mentioned above?

 

Some background on the tank; It came with old filter media from when it was last used a few years back I’m told. I’ve read using older media is okay? But would a few years make it to old to use? Filter itself is an aqua clear 500 from what the lid says. No idea what kind of media it’s using. It needed a deep clean but all the seems are holding up just fine. It has a heater and lights, are they necessary for the cycling process? It’s currently been set up for about 24 hours and now getting that cloudy new tank look to the water. 

One other specific question,Currently I have an HOB filter pumping in the left corner. Should I move it so that the intake is in the middle and the water flows back into the right corner as opposed to sucking from corner an pumping into middle? Any advice is helpful and appreciated 🙏🙏

I need advice