20 Gallon Tank

[unknowntbeast]

I have a 20 gallon tank set up and I am planing to get a few of the following Bumble Bee Cichlid, Ahli Cichlid, and Electric Yellow Labidochromis. Question is, since they all require salt, do I need to fishless cycle the tank. I thought it was only for freshwater, and since the will be salt in it, do I need to cycle it still? And if so, is there a specific guide to doing it?

 

[indigoj]

I'm sure none of them are brakish and don't need salt?

Also any aquarium needs cycling regardless of whether tropical, brackish, marine or coldwater.

Oh and I'm no cichlid expert but I'm not sure they are either compatible or suitable for a 20g.

 

[nmonks]

None of those Malawian cichlids needs brackish water. Indeed, there's a belief that careless use of salt induces Malawi Bloat. While it's safe to use marine salt mix within a home-made Rift Valley salt mix, by itself you shouldn't use marine salt mix or "tonic" salt.

In any event, Sciaenochromis ahli, Labidochromis caeruleus and Pseudotropheus crabro will need a bigger tank than 20 gallons. While the first two species are a good choice for living together, Pseudotropheus crabro is incredibly nasty and tends to become dominant when kept with milder species.

Cheers, Neale