Stocking 20g long tank

[raynist]

Have a spare 20g long (30 in x 12in x 12 in) that I would like to turn into an african tank.

My wife agreed on setting up another tank only if it has bright fish in it!!

Can anyone suggest some fish for this tank, or is it too small?

Thanks
Ray

 

[Exiled]

You know what would be perfect? Lamprologus occelatus -- also known as shelldwellers. The ground-area would be sufficiant for two pairs of these highly entertaining fish. Make sure to provide them many shells and a sand substrate is must. Other than these small fish, a 20 gallon is entirely too small for other African cichlids.
I have occelatus and would be happy to guide you on setting up their habitat.

P.S. : Lamp. occelatus "goldens" have a very stunning golden color with shiny VIOLET accents and a dark green irredescent spot on their operculum -- hence their name occelatus meaning "one spot"

 

[raynist]

Ok, change of plans. This will be a 30 gallon tank.

Dimensions in inches:

36x12x16 (LxWxH)

So how does that change the equation?

I am really PO'd, I found a place that had a 33g long tank (48x13x12) but I measured the underneath of my 55g stand and it only had 47.5 inches for the width!!!

A 30g will fit though. So can I go with some Yellow Labs and maybe something else??

This will be my first african tank. What should I get for gravel and salt? How will I keep the PH levels up?

Thanks
Ray

 

[Exiled]

You're not going to like this, but even 30 gallons is too small for African cichlids. You need at minimum a 55 gallon long. The problem is that the fish are territorial and in close quarters they will be stressed out and shred each other to bits as they grow up. They might be ok as itty-bitty pet-store sized juvies but you will have dead fish in the future.

Any chance you can upgrade to a larger tank? If not -- stick with the shell dwellers I mentioned. They're just about the only Africans I know of that will do ok in a small tank. (Also, You might look into something like Altolamprologus calvus but as I have never kept them I cannot say with any confidence that a 30 gallon will be sufficiant.)

Regular sand is best for African cichlids. They like to dig. 2nd choice would be aragonite sand.

As far as pH, sodium bicarbonate (AKA baking soda) does the trick. Experiment with it before you have fish to see how much it takes to maintain the optimum pH of your tap water.

I use kosher salt and epsom salt to mineralize my tap water. Again, experiment with it until you find the right quantities to get the optimal results. Everyone's tap water is different.

I hope this helps you out in your decisions

 

[freddyk]

If it's color and action you're looking for, there are a few Mbuna that you can fit into a 30 gallon, 3 foot aquarium. I had a very nice one set up a while back consisting of 6 Lab. Caeruleus (yellow lab),an Aulonocra Maulana male (bi-color peacock), 2 Iodotropheus Sprengerae (rusty), and a small group of Synodontis Petricola.
Pseudotropheus Saulosi are also excellent mbuna for this size of tank.

You really don't need to worry about PH, these fish are not picky. As long as yours is neutral or higher, you don't need to start playing chemist, unless it's something you want to play around with anyway.

 

[Exiled]

Freddy --- that's a heck of alot of fish for a 30 gallon And a peacock in a 30? I mean after rockwork how much water is really left? You know I love and respect you but I'm going to disagree with you regarding mbuna in a 30 gallon. It seems unfair to give them anything less than a 55. Even my 55's are looking like a studio apartment in Manhatten. I want to get them a 180 so they have room to stretch out and be comfy. Every small tank I've seen stocked with cichlids was a disaster.

 

[raynist]

Ok, things are looking brighter. "Told" the wife that I am getting a 75g tank tomorrow. She said OK, of course, we just got back from a club and she had been drinking, but too bad she said yes and I am getting it tomorrow!!!

I imagine this opens up a hole new world of possiblilties for me!!

Tank will be filtered by 1 Whisper 30-60; one Penguin 350 biowheel and an Eheim 2017. I have had the Whisper and Penguin setup in established tanks for the well over a month.

I currently have 30g, 55g, 75g and 10g tanks setup. All of the tanks have some sand I bought at the LFS that is for African Cichlids. I just tested the PH of these tanks and they are all right at 8.0. I just tested my water out of the tap and it is at 7.6 or so.

If I set this tank up tomorrow and use the same substrate and fill the new 75 with say 30g from the 75, 20 from the 55 and maybe 10 or so from the 30 and then add the filters that have been up and running in cycled tanks for over a month, how long would I need to wait (if at all) to add a couple fish??

Also, how many fish can I have in this tank total? Do I still stick to the 1 inch of fish for 1 gallon of water which would put me at 75 inches or fish (10-15) or can I add more or this type of fish? I want a very active, colorful tank.

Thanks
Ray Nist

 

[wrs]

well, if you cycle it like that you shouldnt really have to wait at all. Mine always take an hour or so like that. I do prefer using the new filter in the old tank though. That seems to go even faster.

http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cookie_cutter_75g.php

that has alot of good ideas for a 75 gallon tank.

 

[freddyk]

Every small tank I've seen stocked with cichlids was a disaster.

Too bad you couldn't have seen this one then, I think you'd change your mind! Those species I specifically mentioned have proven (to me) that they do just fine in those quarters, and I, of course, would not recommend it otherwise. Now, don't get me wrong, obviously I advocate a larger tank any day of the week.


Raynist, how many you put in the tank depends on you. Mbuna do well in very overcrowded conditions, and I've seen some tanks stuffed to the point of bursting and do well. The more fish you add, the higher maintenance the tank becomes. Species of mbuna has an impact as well. Some of the nastier ones, like Demasoni, need those overcrowded conditons to control aggression, while the more docile ones, like Rusty's, don't. Additionally, a Demasoni reaches about 3", while a Crabro will push 8", so the stocking levels of these different mbuna would differ quite a bit.

15-20 fish can be a reasonable number in a 75 for the 'typical' mbuna. Before contemplating stocking levels though, consider what species you want, and how often, being honest with yourself, you are prepared to do water changes on this tank.