55G Tank....

[Ethos]

Ok, so since I started in this forum, I was going to get a 75G SW tank.
But as I have stated before, my pockets were not as deep as I had thought. I was going to spend somewhere from 500-600$ on it, but when I saw what was out there, I deicded to go with a 55G FW. Now All my tank I currently run, are FW. So I figure it wont be such a hard change.

Anyways, I want a cichlied tank.
I was lloking at oscers, but I saw there size and well, that Idea was short lived.
I want somthing medioker, kinkof a community tank almost. But, with cichileds.
so whatcha got?

I want about an 8-9 inch fish.
I like the severum cichilid and was woundering if you could keep these in small groups, say 4 or 5? What would go well with these fish and what substraite and planting am I looking at here?

Edit: Cichlied tank! Not chilled tank!
2nd Edit: I dont want the severum anymore..

 

[canarsie11]

A chilled tank?

 

[Synirr]

I wouldn't think there'd be any reason to chill the tank unless it gets grotesquely hot where you live

Anyway, I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think you can fit 4 or 5 sevs in a tank that size... maaaybe like 3 or so.
I know absolutely nada about geos, so I'm no help at all there

 

[Ben]

i think he ment he wants a relaxed tank with the term "chilled"(slang/hippy talk )

you could fit 1 severum in there, maybe two(they dont have to be in groups)
and maybe 2 Geos (but dont quote me on that)
then get a large school of large tetras or barbs or large danios(nothing small) around 8
put lots of wood and rocks(no plants as Severums love to eat them)

and you're set

DD

 

[juanveldez]

could do maybe 2 of one of the species but not both. the reason being that god forbid that you get a pair from the 2 you would have some dead fish on your hands.

 

[sevs]

Anyways, I want a chilled tank

Did you mean a "cichlid tank" or did you really mean a "chilled tank" because I can understand if spelled cichlid wrong considering it is spelled nothing like it sounds.

 

[Ethos]

I ment Cichlied, as I have edited in my first post. Lol, its funny to see people decipher what you ment

Anyways, I want a verity cichlied tank. So maybe not the severum cichlied

 

[Griz]

Oh, I see. You meant a chillied cichlied tank, thought you meand a chilled cichlid tank.

Just messin' with ya

 

[freddyk]

Judging by the way you want multiple different cichlids, I'd recommend checking out Africans from lake Malawi instead, they generally maintain their natural behavior in multi-cichlid tanks, and they're much more suited to this style of setup. It usually sounds to me when someone wants 'lots of different cichlids' they are really looking for a show tank. Malawi cichlids are unbeatable in colour and perfect for this. Check out some species you can use to set up a nice little Haplichromine tank:

For a show tank they're impossible to beat in the freshwater world!

 

[Ethos]

So, I'm in the wrong forum? Lol.........whats this, the 2nd time?

 

[BooRadley]

I just converted my 55 US Gallon tank from fresh to salt. I had a community tank with lots of little swordtails, tetras, angles and such that was 20 gallons. I put a Pacu in there because I didn't know how big they get. I ended up moving the Paccu and Placo to the 55 I just converted. The Placo ended up getting over a foot long, but the Paccu got so big he had a hard time turning around in the tank. He died and it was really sad.

I replaced him with an Oscar and a Jack Dempsy, and the Jack ate the Oscar, and he lived for a while, then died. Last one I had was one little African Cichlid, which grew nearly as large as the Paccu did. I started with three, and the most timid one, once I put a few feeder fish in there, got a taste for fish and ate the other two (which I was happy with, because the other two had been constantly harassing him before he noticed he liked the taste of fish, and I felt like justice was done).

If you go with aggressive fish that grow large and are omnivours or carnivours, remember that you may end up with just one and a few stray feeder fish from time to time. Some Cichlids are very aggressive. I personally LIKE the look of a 55 gallon tank with just one, large, pretty fish showcased in it, rather than a community tank. (Plus, I take trips anywhere from a weekend to two weeks several times a year, and knowing that I can drop a plant and a few 10 cent feeders in there and let him feed himself while I'm gone is nice.)

 

[Ethos]

The think Is I cant decided wether I like just one big one.....or a bunch of smaller ones.

 

[freddyk]

You should really think about this before diving in. Lots of smaller ones will be more active and display better as a show tank. A pair of medium sized new worlds show interesting behavior and will be pretty active. A single big fish can get boring pretty quick - it's more a tank then an aquarium. Nothing wrong with this of course, if you like it, but consider carefully why you are getting the fish and I think it will help lead you to a decision of what to stock.

people have different reason
- they just want a wet pet
- they want to breed them
- they want to create a balanced community (my bias)
- they want lots of color and/or action for a tank that displays well
- they want something soothing they can relax to
What do you want?

 

[Ethos]

I want lots of color and/or action for a tank that displays well. My friend think its cool to be able to keep fish......most of them just dont have time, or they're parents dont like fish. So I'm 'lucky' to be able to do aquastics like this.......

 

[freddyk]

I want lots of color and/or action for a tank that displays well

Then I think lake Malawi is calling your name