Setting Up A Cichild Tank?

[aaronnorth]

1) I have a 180l/ 40g tank, at the moment it is planted but i want to change it into a cichlid tank or biotope (not sure!) stick to cichlids for now - is this big enough? (92cm (L) x 40cm (D) x 55cm (H))

2) substrate, shall i use coral sand or would a normal gravel be ok, does coral sand raise the ph up to a certain level or does it make the ph rise by a certain amount e.g. up 1 on the scale.

3) I have heard of overstocking, what rough rule would you give as an 'inch per gallon'?

4) Do they like fast flowing water, would i need a powerhead and/ or an air pump?

5) decor, i was thinking of rocks and slate with a couple of hardy plants like anubias dotted around, is this ok? Do they like similar set ups to 'old world cichlids' like malawis and tangyakins as i like the rocks that you can use to create a good look.

6) diet, waht would you reccomend to feed them and not feed them.

7) Any additional supplements needed like salt or minerals etc.

8) anything else i have missed? I have read the pinned topic.

9) I have asked about malawi & tangyakins but these i think would be more suitable for my set up, is there a lot of difference in terms of their requirements

Thanks in advance.

 

[ox5477]

1) I have a 180l/ 40g tank, at the moment it is planted but i want to change it into a cichlid tank or biotope (not sure!) stick to cichlids for now - is this big enough? (92cm (L) x 40cm (D) x 55cm (H))
Plenty big for all dwarf species and even some small to medium species that are less aggressive

2) substrate, shall i use coral sand or would a normal gravel be ok, does coral sand raise the ph up to a certain level or does it make the ph rise by a certain amount e.g. up 1 on the scale.
do not use coral sand unless you plan on setting up an old world/rift lake style tank. It will buffer the pH up to around 8 or more and this is just not suitable for amazonian and african river species cichlids

3) I have heard of overstocking, what rough rule would you give as an 'inch per gallon'?
Overstocking a cichlid tank is usually put down to agression. They can be very territorial and when you put a couple of very territorial fish together in a not too big space, problems can arise. But with careful planning and a little knowledge, this can be avoided.

4) Do they like fast flowing water, would i need a powerhead and/ or an air pump?
Usually fast flowing water is unneeded. Many of the amazonian type fish are used to slow moving and merky waters. The african lake species are used to almost still water in the lakes with a little current.

5) decor, i was thinking of rocks and slate with a couple of hardy plants like anubias dotted around, is this ok? Do they like similar set ups to 'old world cichlids' like malawis and tangyakins as i like the rocks that you can use to create a good look.
The typical amazonian biotype usually used swords, anubias, bogwood, slate and lots of little caves and nooks. The african lake species typically are set-up with the ocean rock and stacked high. Usually no plants are put in this style of tank.

6) diet, waht would you reccomend to feed them and not feed them.
cichlids are omnivores more than anything. Feeding them cichlid pellets, mysis shrimp, krill, bloodworms, peas... almost anything that is available they will eat

7) Any additional supplements needed like salt or minerals etc.
In both cases, the New and Old world do not need salt or buffering of any kind with any minerals. All they need is clean, dechlorinated water

8) anything else i have missed? I have read the pinned topic.

9) I have asked about malawi & tangyakins but these i think would be more suitable for my set up, is there a lot of difference in terms of their requirements
the biggest difference is the stocking probably. Africans are usually overstocked to stem aggression as they can be much more aggressive than new worlds. The new worlds are usually chosen on size and relative aggressiveness and can be kept understocked with no problems

Thanks in advance.
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[shroob]

1) I have a 180l/ 40g tank, at the moment it is planted but i want to change it into a cichlid tank or biotope (not sure!) stick to cichlids for now - is this big enough? (92cm (L) x 40cm (D) x 55cm (H))
Yep, cichlids come in all shapes and sizes, your tank will be fine for some of them.

2) substrate, shall i use coral sand or would a normal gravel be ok, does coral sand raise the ph up to a certain level or does it make the ph rise by a certain amount e.g. up 1 on the scale.
If you're going with NW cichlids I wouldn't bother with coral sand (assuming its the one I'm thinking of),

3) I have heard of overstocking, what rough rule would you give as an 'inch per gallon'?
Overstocking is more to do with old world cichlids, with NW cichlids its not recommended. The inch/gallon rule is also iffy, due to NW cichlid aggression in some species, though I'm sure people here will be able to help you with stocking options.

4) Do they like fast flowing water, would i need a powerhead and/ or an air pump?
You don't NEED a powerhead or an air pump really, as long as their is surface agitation from a filter or something then that should be OK. Though I don't think they would hurt (providing current isn't excessive)

5) decor, i was thinking of rocks and slate with a couple of hardy plants like anubias dotted around, is this ok? Do they like similar set ups to 'old world cichlids' like malawis and tangyakins as i like the rocks that you can use to create a good look.
I would say more of a bogwood feel for NW cichlids, though you could have some rocks if you wanted.

6) diet, waht would you reccomend to feed them and not feed them.
Depends on the cichlids you get. Generally a good pellet for the staple with treats such as worms, bloodworms, daphnia and veg etc for treats.

7) Any additional supplements needed like salt or minerals etc.
Not really, as long as your tap pH isn't anything extreme it should be ok. Though if you do want to alter your chemistry I would use stuff like bogwood/peat.

8) anything else i have missed? I have read the pinned topic.
Hmmm..you havn't really said which cichlids interest you, there are quite alot for you to choose from

9) I have asked about malawi & tangyakins but these i think would be more suitable for my set up, is there a lot of difference in terms of their requirements
Your tank would be equally suitable for NW cichlids. The main difference in NW to OW is that OW prefer different water conditions. But to say some other points would be too much of a generalisation I think.

Thanks in advance.

NOOO beaten to it again, now I look like a copycat Damn you!

 

[ox5477]

haha, its good that more than one person responds, gives a wide variety of answers, especially if it is a question that doesn't have one right answer.

 

[sfeeney2]

i am thinking about setting up a cichlid tank,
could you do it in a 60L ??

Scott

 

[shroob]

i am thinking about setting up a cichlid tank,
could you do it in a 60L ??

Scott

You could with the right choice of fish. Firstly I think the biggie is to decide if you want NW or OW cichlids (new world or old world). New world is basically the Americas while old world is Africa.

Would be helpful to know the dimensions of your tank, as this will influence stocking alot. Might be better to make a new thread, as some people could see this as hi-jacking one (though I personally don't mind, others might ie. its not my post ).

In short, yes, its possible with the right choice of fish.

http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cookie_cutter_10g.php

http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cookie_cutter_20g.php

Some suggestions for cichlids for the smaller tank (the first one is for 38 litres, the second for 76 litres, if you see anything you like then I would make a new thread - worth noting though the dimensions of your tank would be useful.