Switch Over To A Planted Cichlid Tank?

Jackiee · Feb 14, 2011

I currently have a 29 gallon fish tank.

After a big recent loss to all the fish in my non-aggressive community tank, besides one fish my blood parrot, Bella, I want to start thinking about a transition to purchase a 55 gallon fish tank, and start creating it into a planted cichlid habitat.

Even though my parrot fish is a hybrid cichlid, and I was always told she wouldn't do in a non-aggressive community tank, she was extremely peaceful and never bothered any of my other smaller, more fragile community fish. But she could hold her own just fine in a cichlid community. She came from my uncle's 150 gallon cichlid tank.

I'd like to go more towards the American New world Cichlids/Dwarf Cichlids which include the blood parrot, angelfish, discus, and ram cichlids since they are some of my favorites.
Any advice of other cichlids that go well with these?

And also, I've never had much luck with live aquarium plants, I've only tried a few before but they've never really took root and grew, they always died.. -_-

What type of substrate is good for planted aquariums? And how do you vaccuum the substrate when you have plants in the tank?

I'd really like some advice to go about this and make it into a beautifully planted, well-rounded cichlid tank.

Also, I've always heard the bigger the tank, the better, on terms of it being easier to care for and maintain. My uncle has a 150 gallon tank and hardly ever has to do maintenance to it and it basically sustains itself.. lucky.
Seems like I constantly have problems with my 29 gallon everytime I turn around.

Any advice/tips would be greatly appreciated!
Especially if you have pictures of your own planted aquarium set ups!
It'd be nice to see some references and pictures of your tanks :nod:

Please and thanks,
Jackie

ajs2294 · Feb 14, 2011

To be honest I wouldn't jump into planted tanks and discuss in one go. Seems like a lot to concentrate on along with the fact a 55 gallon is still quite small for discus. I'd recommend maybe focusing on planting your tank getting use to plant upkeep and maybe add some angels and smaller fish. You could even just redo your 29 gallon as a planted tank with a rams as an easier alternative.

Jackiee · Feb 15, 2011

Yes true, but I think i have my mind set on upgrading to a larger tank no matter what. I'm tired of this size tank and want more space for my parrot. I'd much rather have a 75 gallon as opposed to 55, but i'd have to see if I could make arrangements in my house to suit the size of a 75 gallon. Would a 75 be a more acceptable for discus? and others like convicts, rams, and terrors?

snowflake311 · Feb 15, 2011

A 75gal would be good for discus. But I think you should pick plants or discus not both. Plants need lots of stuff to grow well. Discus need extra clean water plants don't.

If you go with discus rams, tetras, festivum, and some angels can be good tank mates for discus. Your parrot must be still small if it's in a 30gal. I would not put a parrot with discus. The parrot would be ok with convicts or a green terror even blue acara.

Ask around in the new world section.

Jackiee · Feb 15, 2011

snowflake311 said:
A 75gal would be good for discus. But I think you should pick plants or discus not both. Plants need lots of stuff to grow well. Discus need extra clean water plants don't.

If you go with discus rams, tetras, festivum, and some angels can be good tank mates for discus. Your parrot must be still small if it's in a 30gal. I would not put a parrot with discus. The parrot would be ok with convicts or a green terror even blue acara.

Ask around in the new world section.