need ideas for new tank

[jimbooo]

Hi everyone, i dont want to double post but would you be so kind as to take a look at this thread. i'm considering cichlids but know NOTHING about them. expert advise would be appreciated. thanks

link to thread

 

[MasterP]

If you want low maintanance chiclids try Jewel chiclids, covicts or you could get one oscar or Jack D. Try to get a good filter and make sure your gravel vacuum is ready. Bristle nose do well with many chiclids.

 

[freddyk]

If you know nothing about cichlids I strongly recommend fixing that before diving in. Don't rush into it - do something unique: do it right the first time!

The world of cichlids is so vast that there is a good cichlid for every personality. You want good color? Uniques shapes? Unique behavior? A crowded tank? Sparse tank? Active? Calm? little fish? big fish? something in between? Easy to keep? Challenging? Did you want to keep plants? rocks? a bare tank? Do you want common, cheap fish? More unique fish? Is your water super soft or hard? alkaline or acid?

There's a cichlid for every need and preference, and the care of the fish differs as much as the fish themselves. At this point all people can do is yell out names of fish that they like, yet when you look into it you'll find there are hundreds of species to choose from. It can get confusing.

Read up!
www.cichlid-forum.com is an excellent place to start - check out their library for lots of good articals.

I'll start you off with one good piece of advice: Always assume that various cichlids are not compatible until you find out otherwise, it's the safest way to go.

 

[jimbooo]

If you know nothing about cichlids I strongly recommend fixing that before diving in. Don't rush into it - do something unique: do it right the first time!

The world of cichlids is so vast that there is a good cichlid for every personality. You want good color? Uniques shapes? Unique behavior? A crowded tank? Sparse tank? Active? Calm? little fish? big fish? something in between? Easy to keep? Challenging? Did you want to keep plants? rocks? a bare tank? Do you want common, cheap fish? More unique fish? Is your water super soft or hard? alkaline or acid?

There's a cichlid for every need and preference, and the care of the fish differs as much as the fish themselves. At this point all people can do is yell out names of fish that they like, yet when you look into it you'll find there are hundreds of species to choose from. It can get confusing.

Read up!
www.cichlid-forum.com is an excellent place to start - check out their library for lots of good articals.

I'll start you off with one good piece of advice: Always assume that various cichlids are not compatible until you find out otherwise, it's the safest way to go.

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ahh i see, thanks for that freddyk, i'll get reading then.

to answer a few q's

i want a low maintenance tank, low light during day, moonlights on for a good few hours at night. big pile of rocks with gaps for fish to dart in and out of, massive airstone throwing bubbles through the rock.

tap water is KH - 14, ph about 8.

i dont want it bursting with fish, 4 or 5 would be fine something that gets about 6 inches long fully grown would be fine, nothing much bigger than that. personality would be good as well. i'm rather bored of my planted comunity tanks now and fancy something different.

 

[freddyk]

Pay attention to African cichlids from the rift lakes (Malawi and Tanganyika) when you research, they fit nicely into what you are looking for.

Malawi is more about very colorful fish that use the whole tank in endless chasing, darting, foraging, and breeding. Excellent show tanks and usually kept crowded.

Tanganyika is more about monogomous pairs or harems staking out a piece of real estate to call their own and protecting it - these guys are much more about behavior then color, and generally lead to a less crowded environment. Some incredibly unique and rare cichlids come from this lake.

Good luck in your search.

 

[jimbooo]

thats great, thanks..

just one last question as you seem to know your stuff.

on the cube tank front (see the first few replies on the link page at the top of this topic) what do you think.. i dont want to make the old bala shark in a 10 gallon mistake...

 

[fish_r_great]

Even though its a cube you'll be able to make some kind of a cichlid work.

 

[freddyk]

Yup, the lack of tank length means you need to be careful when stocking it, but it's certainly workable.