New Cichlid Tank

[Jmurphy]

Hello everyone,
Beginner here, I have a 75 gallon hoping to stock with cichlids. If someone could let me know if I am going about doing this correctly I would appreciate all the constructive feedback I can get. My plan is to add 5 Orange sides, followed by 5 white belly, followed by 5 Cobalt Zebra. It is my understanding that these are compatible within the mbuna family. If not could someone help lead me in the right direction. Thank you!

 

[Colin_T]

Hi and welcome to the forum

Are they African Rift Lake cichlids (I know cobalt zebras are but what are the scientific names of the other fishes)?

If you plan on doing a Mbuna tank, you cycle it first to get the filters ready, then add all the fish together in 1 hit. Make sure the fish are the same size (small fish settle in better) and there are plenty of hiding places.

--------------------
What are the tank dimensions (length x width x height)?

What is the GH (general hardness), KH (carbonate hardness) and pH of your water supply?
This information can usually be obtained from your water supply company's website or by telephoning them. If they can't help you, take a glass full of tap water to the local pet shop and get them to test it for you. Write the results down (in numbers) when they do the tests. And ask them what the results are in (eg: ppm, dGH, or something else).

Depending on what the GH of your water is, will determine what fish you should keep.

Angelfish, discus, most tetras, most barbs, Bettas, gouramis, rasbora, Corydoras and small species of suckermouth catfish all occur in soft water (GH below 150ppm) and a pH below 7.0.

Livebearers (guppies, platies, swordtails, mollies), rainbowfish and goldfish occur in medium hard water with a GH around 200-250ppm and a pH above 7.0.

If you have very hard water (GH above 300ppm) then look at African Rift Lake cichlids, or use distilled or reverse osmosis water to reduce the GH and keep fishes from softer water.

 

[itiwhetu]

If you have never kept fish before, please don't start with Cichlids, they can be a nightmare.