Ideal New World Cichlid Tank Set Up.

[Jnoosh]

Okay so my tank is just over 3ft long, 40 x 18 x 24 (approx) around 60g.

I currently have three pieces of slate, a small barrel and a small ship wreck and a bunch of plants, with sand substrate.

What is the ideal layout for this size tank in your experiences?

I want it to have clearly divided territories, preferably three but two will do if not. currently I just have a row of plants down the middle, does a great job of diffusing aggression but looks rubbish...

Suggestions or pictures of current american cichlid tanks would be great!

The largest of my fish is currently about 5". A few dither fish but they all spend their time at the top of the tank.

The less I need to buy to do it the better!

Get your creative caps on and give me your ideas!

Cheers

 

[ChilliPepper]

Have you got a photo of the current layout? And what is your stocking?

 

[Jnoosh]

Hi Chillipepper,

I will get some pictures sorted this weekend.

It has 2 x juvi firemouthes, one about 3" one about 4", one blue acara, about 5 inches, and two tiny convicts, around an inch, maybe slightly over.
A bn plec and a few corydoras.

Before anyone says, I know this tank will be overstocked when these cichlids reach full size, however I have no intention of keeping the convicts in the long run, once they grow a little more and will be able to stand up for themselves, they will be going to my uncles 100g with a bunch of other SA/CA's.

Oh.. my tank.
At the moment one ornament is at one end, the other on the opposite side, lots of plants in the corners, long airstone along the back then a row of larger leafed plants down the middle so they have their territories. and the FM stays on his side and the acara stays on his.

 

[fishprotector]

Hi. We too are currently setting up a new world cichlid tank. The tank itself is 130l and 3ft long. We have got sand as the substrate, five red pebbles about 3-5 inches across and three big peices of bogwood to break things up and provide ample spaces for the fish to create their own territories. Upto now, we have a male blue Acara which is around 3 inches long and four Julli Corydoras to keep the bottom clean. We are planning on getting a female Convict and a male or female Ellioti (unsure on which sex yet). Depending on how that goes, we may even put our gold nugget pleco in there.