want to get a new chiclid tank.

[SworDTail KeePer]

I want to get a chiclid tank but i don't know what tank size the ylive in. And can you give me any information and tips to keep my new chiclids form die when i get a tank please help.

 

[BigFishSmallPond]

large try to go no lower than a 40 - 55 gallon

 

[freddyk]

Cichlids need an absolute minimum tank size of 10 gallons. or 150 gallons. Cichlids covers one heck of a range of fish, and one heck of a range of requirements.

On this one it might be better to work backward. What is the largest tank you can afford or have room for? This is the minimum tank size. Then it's a matter of choosing the appropriate cichlids for the tank.

 

[SworDTail KeePer]

I have a dresser that is 61L x 17w don't know how big that is mabye enough for a 75 gallon?

 

[freddyk]

Your looking at a 55 gallon, a 75 is deeper then the dresser. Make sure the dresser can hold the weight though.

 

[SworDTail KeePer]

So your saying it can fit on the dresser but I need to know if it can hald the weight?
incase of something happening?

 

[Jezah]

A 75g tank filled with freshwater weighs about 750pounds. Unless your dresser is metal(like mine)or built WICKED sturdy....I wouldnt chance it. But the bigger the tank, the more variety of cichlids it can hold.

 

[SworDTail KeePer]

Well i know it can hold the 40 gallon case i tested it. I whiegh about 195 and I have a 27 inch tv on there a 5 gallon tank on there and a beta bowl. It might be strong enough to hold anouther 55 or 60 gallon tank. I already have one i mean not on the dresser though. I don't know .

 

[G_Sharky]

I would trust a dresser if your tank is 50 gallons and up...you have to consider the weight..if your doing a 75 gallon african tank...you'll need tons of rocks and it will even make the tank alot heavier...probably around 800 pounds...now if you use a not so sturdy stand or dresser and it could hold the weight you have a lot of mopping to do and a lot of fish flopping into the floor....

 

[SworDTail KeePer]

your right i should get a 60 gallon and pyt sand in it and big rocks do chiclids like fake plant or live plants i know they will dig them out so i guess not get but mineas well ask some exsperts. also some shells know they love loves as houses can't think of much more to get for the tank?

 

[SworDTail KeePer]

hey guys I am eather going to get a 50 or 55 thats it unless.... there is a 60 gallon out there. Well I really want to is a good chiclid for this tank. I am thinking of zebra cichlid i know there not community fish but are really small arn't they. If there are those blue and yellow ones small i reall y whant to get some of those. I really want the blue and yellow ones because my lfs has them really small. I like to watch them grow up it makes me fell like I can accoplice something with fish well thanks.

 

[Angry_Platy]

DON'T take the risk of putting the tank on your dresser.


Plants generally aren't suitable with african cichlids as they like to dig. When mine get into breeding mode they will dig a hole so deep I can see the bottom of the tank. Then when they are done they flick rocks all over the place the fill the hole back in.

Good site for looking at malawi cichlids Malawi Mayhem

Most africans grow to at least 4 inches....a 55 gal should be fine for this.....

 

[SworDTail KeePer]

why can't I put the tank on my dresser it can hold one I have had one on there before. I think it will be fine but its up to me and I will just take my chances with it, it will be fine for me but in your case you would not do it I am guessing.

 

[vantgE]

Blue and yellow ones eh?
Well youve got a tonne of choices, Be carefull about picking your fish especially if they are mbuna, NEVER buy from a mixed african tank, and try to check out around here before purchaseing anything, read pinned topic about mbuna these tend to be the commonly found blue and yellows in the store for a start

For a setup, Africans like rocks lot's of rocks and caves so put as much in there as you can, Sand is preferable, IMO harder to keep clean but they cichlids really like it better they are much funner with it. Plants are very limited if you are setting up a mbuna tank these are hebivores and will eat them, other cichlids are not great with plants either real or fake you will have a hard time keeping them in place. Cichlids are fun to watch grow but do so quite quickly fish like the zebra, caeruleus in your avatar, and most mbuna will fit in the 55 gallon at full size, so look around the internet check out the fish index here see what fish you like and come back with some stocking questions

 

[Angry_Platy]

Its up to you if you want to risk the tank on your dresser. Bear in mind there will be rocks in there and you will be surprised how much weight that adds. In the end it is your choice however we don't want to see a post from you in a new months time saying "my dresser broke and all my fish died".

I do agree with vantgE...they do grow very quick. And you won't notice it till one day you are feeding your fish and your like "OMG, how the hell did my moorii go from babies to big brutes overnight".....