Got My New Tank Home! (Edited To Add Photos)

[mp0033price]

Just a run through of my situation for anyone that hasn't read my prior posts. I bought my son a 29 gallon tank for Christmas (our first ever). It's wrapped under the tree. While looking for things for his tank, I ran across a super deal on a 60 gallon setup with everything including mature media and fish!!! I decided that's what I wanted from hubby for myself.. Problem: It was 4 hours away. We made the long trip today.. I'm exausted. Took us ALL day to get there, get the tank apart (by the way, we have no clue what we are doing..), got the fish home. EVERYONE SURVIVED SO FAR!!! Yay.. We got the tank back up and running now. Fish are back in safe and sound. They are beautiful. About 15 or more African Cichlids. I think there are too many males though. They keep chasing each other very aggressively. I tested the water from the old tank. I'll test my new water in a moment (if I don't pass out.. Fish business is hard business! It came with a Penguin bio filter that is being super noisy at the moment. I may have it too far against the wall. Tomorrow I'm going to do a water change and while some of the water is out, move it away from the wall more to see if that helps with the noise. The AC is a dream to listen to though! It's pretty yucky now from all the stirring up and I was too tired to mess with any more than I HAD to tonight. Just wanted to rest and let my fish rest. I hooked up my son's Aqua Clear 70 on it also to help mature it and clear up the tank. Hope that's ok. It does make a space open on the top glass to keep the extra filter on. Are these fish jumpers? I'm sure I'll have many questions in the next few days, so please bear with me. I'll post pics tomorrow. Right now I would be ashamed of the messy pile of rocks, etc. I'll tidy it up a bit tomorrow.. I'm so happy with it all though!!!!

 

[OldMan47]

I would not be too surprised at the chasing and nipping in an African cichlid tank, that is the nature of the Africans. Adding females to a cichlid tank is not a way to make it more peaceful though. When a cichlid starts breeding, the first thing that often happens is the breeding pair chase off all other fish that are anywhere near their chosen nesting site. They will continue to do that the whole time the eggs are present and for a while after their fry are free swimming. That means that you face at least 2 weeks of extreme aggression from your breeding pair every time they breed. A pair of cichlids that has not bred for 2 weeks and no longer see their fry in the tank, I remove some fry when mine breed, will breed again. Cichlid lovers admire their breeders for this "parental care" of the fry but most other people consider it just plain aggression.

 

[Princesscoral]

i would take some of the males out and see how it gose from then


princesscoral
age 10

 

[waterdrop]

wow! talk about "trial by fire" beginner learning!

 

[mp0033price]

Waterdrop, Do you think I've jumped way in over my head? I've done another water change and cleaning while moving the unit away from the wall. The Penguin is quieter but still not quiet. The AC is awesome IMO though. Thanks to all who referred it as a newbie filter! Great choice.

 

[OldMan47]

African cichlids are notorious for not being a forgiving new person fish. Since you have acquired some as a new fish keeper, you have definitely jumped in with both feet. You have a nicely cycled tank with appropriate stocking so really you are in better shape that way than most new fish keepers. You have another advantage over many other new fish keepers. We have a well moderated African cichlid section on this very forum. I was reading a complaint by the MOD there just a few days ago that she was not getting enough traffic, so please drop in as needed and ask the questions you have about you new Africans. WD and I are probably not your best bet for advice on those fish, I know that I am not.

 

[mp0033price]

Tonight after my cleaning and waterchange! I'm wore out, but we are sooo enjoying these guys. My kids haven't had the tv on once!

My favorite lil' guy so far..

My kids favorite (the dark one).. AKA "the BOSS"..

Last night after the LONG TRIP HOME!! Just thrown back together to keep the fishies alive and not clean at all.. It was love at first sight!

Any tips are appreciated guys! It won't offend me! please tip away... my fish will love you for it..

 

[mp0033price]

African cichlids are notorious for not being a forgiving new person fish. Since you have acquired some as a new fish keeper, you have definitely jumped in with both feet. You have a nicely cycled tank with appropriate stocking so really you are in better shape that way than most new fish keepers. You have another advantage over many other new fish keepers. We have a well moderated African cichlid section on this very forum. I was reading a complaint by the MOD there just a few days ago that she was not getting enough traffic, so please drop in as needed and ask the questions you have about you new Africans. WD and I are probably not your best bet for advice on those fish, I know that I am not.

OldMan47~ I don't know if I am the "traffic" she wants...LOL I still feel way tooo inexperienced to leave "new to the hobby"... LOL I do go over there quite often and read and check out others pics, etc. though.. Just quietly! Someday, I may be ready.. Right now I'm just trying to figure out what is what. Oldman, you and Waterdrop aren't gettin' rid of me that easy! Nice try though! I'm only kidding... I really do appreciate your guys time...

 

[mp0033price]

Day 3 guys!

Everyone seems happy & healthy!

 

[K-Holed]

As far as the agression goes, having plenty of hiding spots and breaking up lines of sight can go some way towards eleviating the problem.

 

[Ryefish]

thats a really nice looking tank

 

[mp0033price]

Thanks RYEFISH! I'm really enjoying it.

 

[waterdrop]

As far as the agression goes, having plenty of hiding spots and breaking up lines of sight can go some way towards eleviating the problem.

..lines of sight.. now that's an excellent comment, I'd not thought about it that way but it makes complete sense. I often go back in my mind to my experience reef snorkling (not with african but in the islands between north and south america, which is closer to me) and its quite obvious that many of the larger fish like to have their cave-like places and be out of sight of the next cave site over. I was shocked this past summer at how much the behavior subjects that I've learned of here on TFF could be easily seen playing out as I slowly flippered along and observed.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[erk628]

I love that piece of wood is it real? Were did you get it?

 

[mp0033price]

I love that piece of wood is it real? Were did you get it?

erk628, thank you for the compliment on the wood. And yeah, it's real. Came from a fish store in Ohio. It's super heavy, but well worth the lifting.. I have another small forked piece in the other end as well, but it's harder to see in the pic.