Advise on setting up new Cichlid tank.

[Rudy]

Hi new here.

I have a 38 gallon tank, 36" x 12" wish I could go bigger but restricted by space, with a dual biwheel power filter that I am cycling now. I am looking for advise on types and numbers of cichilds for a community tank. Some background on the setup, PH at 8.0, Temp at 72 Degrees F., Hardness is very high almost double the charts due to location, the powerfilter pumps 330 gal. per hr. I think I should go with the African Lakes Cichlids,ie. Brichardi, due to Hardness of water. I would appreciate any advise on species and numbers I could put in this tank, also what dither fish could I use if Cichlid quanties must be kept low. I am not really looking to breed just am tired of the normal trop. fish and the cichlids really appeal to me. One last thing, if water is to hard is there a way to reduce hardness with out reverse osmosis or buying special water, to costly.

Thanks in advance to all who reply....Rudy

 

[Gibbo]

You're doing the right thing, tailoring your fish to suit your water perameters as opposed to the other way round. I'm no African lake specialist but Malawis would do great in that water. Another option would be medium sized Central Americans (Firemouths etc) that also prefer hard, alkaline water.

 

[semper fi]

cichlids, imo, are a good choice since you can overstock the tank and benefit from it. overstocking with the africans keeps down the aggression. one thing to remember though is that the majority of the africans are harem breeders. even though you do not want to breed them, you will have to keep the ratio of atleast one male per three females. this will keep the aggression level down also. imo you do not require dither fish with this ratio.

maggie

 

[Rudy]

Thanks Gibbo and Semper Fi,

I just want to do the right thing by my soon to be extended family. Still not sure which Cichlids are most compatible with each other, mostly from the Rift Lakes due to water conditions, but I will keep researching.

Rudy.....

 

[Hooben]

Brichardi are beautiful fish! My first tank ( I still have it) consist of 2 brichardi and one big severum in a 38 gallon tank with a pleco. I like the tanganyika cichlids better than the malawi cichlids. I think the malawi are way to agressive. The water should be fine as I find that brichardi are very comfortable in the hard water here. I wouldn't hesitate putting 3 or 4 brichardi in a 38 gallon with lots of rocky hiding spots.
Good luck!

 

[cichlid_freak]

Two things, just two, I swear.

#1. Not ALL Africans benefit from overcrowding. I know that some Tangs don't tollerate it at all. Mbunas are the best for a crowded tank. Luckily, IMO, they are beautiful. They have so many color variations without dye. I have a 29 gal. tank and have 7 cichlids, all Mbunas save one, he's a "Sunshine" alunocara ( do these guys do well with overcrowding and Mbunas, or is he even Malawi, or is he really an Mbuna?) I like Malawi's because I don't have much space after housing my Polleni's, not much $$$ either. They are easy to take care of, and definatly easy to feed. I would definatly over-filter the water. I have a Penguin 330 and it cycles the water 11 times an hour. Cichilids from Lake Victoria don't "mind" crowding, but don't "benefit" from it as much as Mbunas and other Malawis, JMHO.

Hope I helped more than harmed.