Starting Up My 260L Again!

[locust267]

Hi all, long time no speak!

Life and money has been an issue, and in January after my last fish died in the 260l tank I decided to shut down for a while... Then decided the lounge needed painting at some point before starting the cycle and putting fish back in. Well lounge is now finished and I'm hoping to fully empty tank, refill and start cycling before the end of the week (filter has been turned off).

Having a little look around, people seem to be favouring sand? I can certainly do this, what are the real advantages?

Putting that aside, I'm hoping to use the next 8 or so weeks researching what new fish I can get. I would love to try cichlids as our lounge now has an Egyptian feel to it and I've always loved them. Which Cichlids are easier to start with?

Bearing in mind I've never had much luck with keeping my fish alive - I used to do everything by the book (kept a record of perfect levels, started off with weekly changed of 15%, using dechlor, nothing contaminating, tried a few different suppliers etc etc).

I actually have one little harlequin left in my 54l tank, I didn't shut it down as he was still in there, and I know it may sound awful but I haven't cleaned the tank since January, the levels are still perfect and he looks bright and healthy, no algea in the tank etc etc - Could I have been killing the fish by cleaning too frequently??

Anyway, that aside, I'd be grateful for any tips on what to do with the 260l, both during and after cycling. Definately some info on what fish to go in. I would like to keep to the cheaper cichlids to start with, until I know the new methods are working and my bank balance picks up from its current dreary state!

Thanks in advance.

Vicki

 

[Malawi MaD]

Welcome back mate glad to see your getting back into the hobby. Yeah, you could of been cleaning a little to much not giving the tank enough time to properly settle or it was just bad luck sometimes these things can happen and there is no way of figuring out why. As for the cichlids i have kept some south american cichlids but mainly keep african cichlids and absolutely love them, they are quite hardy fish and can be relatively easy to keep if the right species are chosen, water is in good condition, decent groups of species etc.. but if you start to go for the Wild caught's then things become a little harder as you have to watch out for water parameter fluctuations, aggression, tank size, what species etc.. Keeping everything is perfect condition as the wilds are quite temperamental.You seemed to be up to scratch with looking after your tank with regular maintenance and keeping the water in perfection,natural conditions. You will have to have a search about and see what cichlids catch your eye as there is a lot of beautiful species to choose from

 

[locust267]

Thanks for the quick reply

Will definately give it another go. I had a little look at some cichlids and there are so many lovely looking ones. I'll use this topic as a diary for how things are going and also keep a short list of cichlids for everyone to scrutinise (or maybe post that in cichlid section)?

How do cichlids do with other fish such as plecos? And are there any smaller fish they get on with? I'm happy with just cichlids but just want to check.

Will look at some more sand as a substrate topics now

 

[locust267]

Here are a few that I like the look of, yes or nos are welcome

Jewel
Fuelleborn
Electric yellow
Brevis
Fairy
Egyptian


Would also like to add that we have hard water here in Bournemouth...

 

[Malawi MaD]

Thanks for the quick reply

Will definately give it another go. I had a little look at some cichlids and there are so many lovely looking ones. I'll use this topic as a diary for how things are going and also keep a short list of cichlids for everyone to scrutinise (or maybe post that in cichlid section)?

How do cichlids do with other fish such as plecos? And are there any smaller fish they get on with? I'm happy with just cichlids but just want to check.

Will look at some more sand as a substrate topics now

Will obviously depend on what species of cichllids you want to keep. Most cichlids are compatible with plecs and certain species of catfish. Some cichlids can have many other tank occupants just depends what cichlids you want, getting a list of some you like will be a good idea (as you said) could post a topic in the cichlid section or just keep the journal going on, on this thread.

 

[Malawi MaD]

Here are a few that I like the look of, yes or nos are welcome

Jewel
Fuelleborn
Electric yellow
Brevis
Fairy
Egyptian


Would also like to add that we have hard water here in Bournemouth...

The fuelleborni/electric yellow will be ok together their both from lake malawi. The brevis is a small shell dweller from lake tanganykia and wont mix with the other 2.
The jewel im not to sure about ive seen a few people keep them with malawi's but don't think its adequate. The fair and egyptian i have no idea, never kept them but someone should be able to help you out with these

 

[locust267]

The fuelleborni/electric yellow will be ok together their both from lake malawi.

That's excellent

I've had the nasty task of clearing the tank up yesterday and today, turned out it was just my light (lfs tested for me thank god).

I have popped some Argos play sand in, and think I need to add a bit more, but at the LFS she said it may be worth adding some coral sand, if I'm keeping Cichlids, should I get a bag of this to put on top of the playsand?

Also I'm hoping to build a rock wall at the back, but I also have some bogwood, is bogwood OK to use with Cichlids?

Most likely starting the cycle again on Monday, so watch this space!

Vicki

 

[locust267]

Right then, stressful couple of days putting sand in, then realising I need to sit rocks on the bottom, removing sand, buying rocks, making up and refilling with sand!

I've now filled the tank up with water and am just about to test my tap water, fairly busy tomorrow but am hoping to research the cycling methods again but I think I'm going to go for add daily method due to having cichlids and eventually overtocking, am I right in thinking this will provide me with more bacteria?

Will edit again once I have, test results and start my cycle on Tues. If anyone has any cycling advice please share, last time I done add and wait method which took about 8 weeks. I dont mind waiting as I haven't got much cash for the fish anyway lol, but hopefully in time for a few xmas pressies

Tap water results:

pH: 7.6
KH: 9

There is the conversion chart to work out (or it just states the amount of 161.1) the general hardness but I dont understand How do the results look? If I want to up the tank pH for cichlids, the coral sand in bags in the filter would be a good idea?