Need Advice On Tank Set Up

[gcdj]

OK everyone once again thanks for all the advice on my last couple of threads ... I have decided to go with american cicleds ... and i am having a little problem figuring out how to set up my tank. it seems like i can find loads of info on african cichlids such as only rocks and very litle plant etc... but i need to know are they similar ... should i use mostle rocks with little plants ... i read Discus like roots and plants ... not that i am, going to get discus the are from suth america ... so some general advice would be great

as of now i plan t o get a 55 gallon tank and stand i am going to use a filtration for a 90 gallon tank with 2 bio wheels i thinking i need to get an air pump so i will have more water movement

i am not sure if i can have live plants or platic plants ... and i am not sure what substrate i should use .... i have a 30 gallon tropical tank has been running a few months now ... so i am going to use the filter from this tank to help the cycle any other help would be fantastic

thank you in advance

Rev

 

[Joller]

what fish are you planning on getting?

 

[gcdj]

I haven't yet decided... any suggestions this will be my first cichlid tank
any advice

what fish are you planning on getting?

 

[pirate monkey]

There's a pinned thread here, of member's new world tanks, perhaps you can get some ideas from there both of stocking and environment

 

[Forestpisces]

Depending on what cichlids you plan on getting then you can tailor it to their needs. e.g. Severums are notoriose for eating and shredding live plants as they are prodominantly herbivourouse so silk plant would be the way to go for them or some less appetising live plants ( i think other sev keepers have had success check out minxfishys tanks for some amazing inspiration for tailoring to severums.) Although i beleive 75g is the reccomended minimum for a full grown specimen.
Other more aggressive cichlids will leave plants alone or just uproot them to create territorys, territories are a big part of keeping cichlids as all are to some point agressive so remember to leave not only plenty of swimming space (especially in the case of fuller bodied fish) but areas of cover for fish that may become lower in the pecking order.
A 55g is a very good start for medium sized and tempered cichlids. Try researching what you want to specifically keep and work around that to create optimal conditions

 

[gcdj]

OK i think i am going to go with flowerhorn as my first 2 possibly a breeding pair and i think i am going to bump up to a 75 gallon tank... if i start with these will i need more rock or driftwood and plants or rocks and plants ... or is there a better type to start out with ... and could i eventually add electric blue jd with these

Depending on what cichlids you plan on getting then you can tailor it to their needs. e.g. Severums are notoriose for eating and shredding live plants as they are prodominantly herbivourouse so silk plant would be the way to go for them or some less appetising live plants ( i think other sev keepers have had success check out minxfishys tanks for some amazing inspiration for tailoring to severums.) Although i beleive 75g is the reccomended minimum for a full grown specimen.
Other more aggressive cichlids will leave plants alone or just uproot them to create territorys, territories are a big part of keeping cichlids as all are to some point agressive so remember to leave not only plenty of swimming space (especially in the case of fuller bodied fish) but areas of cover for fish that may become lower in the pecking order.
A 55g is a very good start for medium sized and tempered cichlids. Try researching what you want to specifically keep and work around that to create optimal conditions

 

[Forestpisces]

Flowerhorns are a hybred fish witch are very large and extreamly aggressive they are usually kept alone if i'm correct, i also doubt that they will breed as hybred fish are for the most part infertile.

 

[fishnovice]

I keep convicts and jewels. Small gravel is a good substrate as most cichlids like to "re-landscape" their tank!Plastic plants are cichlid proof and you can get very realistic silk ones too.The fake plants provide shelter and a hiding place if any fish is being bullied. I also have large rocks, terracotta flowerpot "caves" and a huge piece of wood that acts as a tank divider with a natural archway in the middle.This gives them a chance to stake out territories. .

 

[snowflake311]

Well first pick the fish you want and how many. Do you want other fish too. The thing with Africans they all come from the same basic area where American cichlids come from all other and are all shapes and sizes with a different temperments. So that is why you will not find one page about tank set up.

Jack dempsy would be good they are cheap, pretty, fun, and hardy.
Convicts are cheap hardy but a bit aggressive.
Keyhole peacful good with live plants and other fish.
Firemouth not too agressive fun to watch easy to find.
Rams small good with other community fish also fun.
Blue acara perfect size for a 55 gal easy to breed and pretty.

That's just a few the list goes on. Once you find the type you like read up on it's natural habitat and try and make it as clostridium to that as you can.