cichlid question...

[2slo4me]

So i got this submarine for christmas from germany however it doesnt work in saltwater because of the density. i was thinking of making a cichlid tank and was wondering if i can use the sand from my old salt water tank?

TIA

 

[fishman1069]

If you rinse the sand REAL well I dont see you having any probs. The sand should give you a nice buffering capacity, which will be nice considering the cichlids need a high pH

 

[REEF ADDICT]

if you rinse the sand real well i dont see you having any probs. The sand should give you a nice buffering capacity, which will be nice considering the cichlids need a high ph

1+

 

[2slo4me]

Thanks Guys.. I will do this and add some crushed coral as well.

 

[MIKE NY]

it all depends on what type of cichlids...Africans will like the higher alk/PH water created by the crushed coral, I actually added some salt to breed them, but some South American species prefer softer acidity water.....the good thing is most cichilds are very hardy and can survive in almost anything.

 

[fishman1069]

it all depends on what type of cichlids...Africans will like the higher alk/PH water created by the crushed coral, I actually added some salt to breed them, but some South American species prefer softer acidity water.....the good thing is most cichilds are very hardy and can survive in almost anything.

+1 good point on the SA species

 

[2slo4me]

it all depends on what type of cichlids...Africans will like the higher alk/PH water created by the crushed coral, I actually added some salt to breed them, but some South American species prefer softer acidity water.....the good thing is most cichilds are very hardy and can survive in almost anything.

Hey Mike what would be ideal to keep a few species of chichlids? I have no knowledge whatsoever and have been searching the forums. lol. I would like to keep the brighter species giving my tank lots of color. all help is appreciated thanks eddie

 

[fishman1069]

Africans are pretty colorful and need a high pH ( around 8.0-8.2) and they sell specialized salts for them. The South American cichlids consist of Green Terrors, Oscars, Jack Dempseys and fish like that. They need more of an acidic pH (6.6-6.8) I have never mixed the 2 species but Im sure someone out there has. Cichlids in general are very hardy and adaptable fish. HTH

 

[jahreefer]

rinse it out one time or you can just leave it as is if your going brakish.

 

[MIKE NY]

Hey Mike what would be ideal to keep a few species of chichlids? I have no knowledge whatsoever and have been searching the forums. lol. I would like to keep the brighter species giving my tank lots of color. all help is appreciated thanks eddie

Eddie..fishman1069 is right on the point...good info....I liked Africans, cichlids from Lakes Malawi and Tanganyika, because I had salt water anyway and it was just easier to maintain. Lots a vibriant colors like saltwater, but most are aggressive and terrritorial. There is plenty of info on them out there. I even kept some SA species in a community tank with them like Firemouths...they didn't breed, but did well.

 

[2slo4me]

thanks guys ... i got the basics and will start emptying out one of my saltwater tanks and getting this one set up hopefully this weekend... thanks for everyones advice.

mike thats exactly the cichlids i will be going with... i like the idea of having alot of rock in the tank maybe that will help with the aggression.

 

[Tim]

A lot of rockwork is key to the Malawi species it helps w/ the aggression. I have them in the Firehouse they breed like crazy.Good luck with them if you need any other info just ask....

 

[TRIGGERMAN]

A lot of rockwork is key to the Malawi species it helps w/ the aggression. I have them in the Firehouse they breed like crazy.Good luck with them if you need any other info just ask....

not exactly true..personally I love aquascaping but usually when there is all little hiding places and crevices they want to make a home and will dig hence claiming territory. It is best to have different types like some that will stay on the bottom layers like calvus and julichromis and some that stay close to the top like peacocks (aulonocaras) zebras (mbunas) etc. Stay away from Auratus because they look nice when small but after they get a few inches they look like total crap and they get extremely nasty and will end up killing alot of your fish. Cichlids are best kept overcrowded to keep them from becoming too territorial or in a small amount so they can have their individual territory. It really depends how you set up your rocks. For example if you were to put them in let's say a 55 I would either put like 10 or 30-40 buy them as small as you can. I think once you start getting into them you will end up getting a bunch quick so you won't have to worry ..they are addicting! Plus it's a nice change from a reef tank where everything is so delicate, you won't have to do so many water changes and you can have a good amount of them. As far as lighting standard flourescents or T5's are fine.

 

[KathyC]

Best not to mix your Lakes if going with Africans as they have different requirements.
Lots of good basic info here on requirements and the fish:
http://badmanstropicalfish.com/afcichlids.html

I personally would not use sand as it will make cleaning the tank more difficult. What size tank are you going with?

 

[MIKE NY]

post up some pics when you get it set up....