Thinking Of A Change To Cichlids...

[jojouk]

Thought i'd post this here instead...seems more appropriate!

Ok, so I'm thinking about a change. I have a Rio 180 planted tank, stocked with community fishes.

I'm thinking of converting it to a cichlid tank, doing away with all the plants, and having a nice rock display, I'm loving the colours of cichlids, and the size some get to - they are amazing

The questions I have are:
1) I have read up a bit, and have learnt that 3 footers aren't really ideal for most cichlids, due to the numbers needed to limit aggression, what would people suggest stocking my 180 with?
2) I would ideally like it to look a little bit like a marine tank? ie with lighter rocks, looking more reef like - maybe using cured ocean rock? I have read that this can alter the ph, which some cichlids like?
3) Or should I just bite the bullet and go marine - however, the whole process looks quite scary to be honest!!!

Really a newb when it comes to cichlids, so seeking wisdoms of others!

This looks really nice...

http/www.cichlid-forum.com/tanks/displaytank.php?tank=2205

 

[jamesmacc]

i believe ocean rock will raise it which cichlids love, you need a PH around 8 for them
you cant go wrong with yellow labs, they are bright yellow with black fins, they look stunning. could also maybe get some auloncara malauna for some nice blue and yellow and maybe a sunset for some orange? im no expert but a few people have these together with no problems
james

 

[james41683]

In a 3 foot tank look at a few of the dwarf mbuna. demasoni, afra, saulosi, and a few others. saulosi will give the best color choice with the blue barred male and yellow females or you could do 1m/3f labs and one of the smaller less aggressive peacocks like Aulonocara hueseri.

 

[Malawi MaD]

There is a fair few cichlids out there to choose from so it all depends on what type you want. There is the african rift cichlids- lake malawi, tanganyika and victoria then south american cichlids etc... A lot to choose from. In a Rio 180 you could definitely have some nice tanganyikan cichlids or dwarf malawi mbuna. Have you seen or heard of any that you like the look/sound of??

 

[jojouk]

i believe ocean rock will raise it which cichlids love, you need a PH around 8 for them
you cant go wrong with yellow labs, they are bright yellow with black fins, they look stunning. could also maybe get some auloncara malauna for some nice blue and yellow and maybe a sunset for some orange? im no expert but a few people have these together with no problems
james

a sunset peacock? is that right?

all of them look stunning in the pics i have found what numbers would you reccomend?

In a 3 foot tank look at a few of the dwarf mbuna. demasoni, afra, saulosi, and a few others. saulosi will give the best color choice with the blue barred male and yellow females or you could do 1m/3f labs and one of the smaller less aggressive peacocks like Aulonocara hueseri.

Wow - the Aulonocara hueseri are awesome. as are the saulosi. Again, with the dwarfs, what numbers?

 

[a.wagg]

1m/2-3f is usually good. Also, try to stick with one species Aulonocara (Peacocks) because they will interbreed and hybrids aren't good. It's tough though cause they are all so cool, but there are some nice species of haps to pick from that will go well with peacocks.