How Hard Is It To Keep Africans

[williamc]

I will probabally be getting a 75g and I was spotting some african cichlids for it
I was wondering how hard they are to keep>
do they really need sand? I can make a good rock structure for them and I have heard that they need hard water how do I get the water hard??
Thanks william

 

[dthoffsett]

I will probabally be getting a 75g and I was spotting some african cichlids for it
I was wondering how hard they are to keep>
do they really need sand? I can make a good rock structure for them and I have heard that they need hard water how do I get the water hard??
Thanks william

They are pretty simple to keep. The biggest different when them and most "standard" community fish is that you have to be a bit more careful with stocking due to differing aggression levels and dietary requirements.

Sand isn't absolutely necessary, but you won't get to see much of their natural digging behavior without it.

As for getting you water hard, what are your current levels? Aragonite sand, crushed coral in the filter, or an African Cichlid buffer are all popular methods.

Here are some great articles to give you some more info.
[URL="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=27706"]http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=27706[/URL]
[URL="http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/quick_reference_list.php"]http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/quic...erence_list.php[/URL]
[URL="http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/introduction_list.php"]http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/introduction_list.php[/URL]

 

[williamc]

thanks

 

[electric yellow]

We have had our 4ft african tank running now for nearlly two years. NEVER an issue with it at all. Occassionally a bit of aggression but nothing to bad.
You will find they are better kept in a high volume of fish as this disperses a lot of the agression.
I have sand in the bottom of ours and they are always renovating it.
They dig and dig.
Our sand has in it marble too and naturally has a high pH so we dont need to adjust it, ever.
The only thing you have to remember is to put the rocks firmly into the sand coz they dig under the rocks and they can move the rocks!
Lots of hiding holes are needed aswell
We have a big ship wreck in ours they swim in and out of and lots of caves.
The only issue with sand is when they throw it around it can make the water mucky for a bit till it settles down. But its awesome to watch

Definantly talk to your fish supplier about temprement and what other cichlids go with what you want, as some dont like others.
We actually have a couple of south american cichlids in with our africans

 

[williamc]

thanks