I am looking for 20 gallon tank ideas...

[ScottyDaug]

Hello, this is my 1st post to the board. I just purchased a new tank setup. Which includes a 20 gallon tank, flourescent hood, Penquin 125 bio-wheel filter, and a submersible heater. All products are made by "Marineland", I purchased it as a kit. The tank has been setup and running for 48+ hours. I am going to the Local Fish store today and buy some plants and a test kit. I am going to start a "fishless" cycle tonight. I have been looking at different species for stocking the tank. I think the Cichlids are the most interesting. They are very colorful, and seem to have lots of "character". I would like some suggestions on what type of cichlids would do well in this enviroment. Having the tank setup with cichlids from one region would be nice, but I am open to the idea of having fish from multiple regions. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated. I Am also looking for live plant type suggestions.

Thank You, ScottyDaug

P.S very nice site *thumbsups

 

[NTidd]

Good question there are a lot of different types of cichlids, you should find a few that you like and work from there.

 

[SoulFish]

African Cichlids- would need to have high pH and hardness

julidochromis - a pair of lots of rockwork get a group of 5-6 small ones and wait till they pair up and remove unpaired

shelldwelling cichlids - http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/shelldweller_corner.php
would need to get a bunch of shells, like 20 would be ok, you could get like 6-8 shellies (need sand though)

South American-

German Blue Rams- could get a pair, breed easily and are beautiful

Various Apistogramma dwarf cichlids - some very beautiful ones, also could get a pair

 

[NTidd]

Are blue rams or any rams aggressive towards other fish?

 

[SoulFish]

they are mildly agressive, more when guarding eggs, i have a pair that breeds in my community tank and they get agressive but nothing serious

 

[NTidd]

How hard are they too keep, is a 38g suitable for them?

 

[NTidd]

I was told once by a pet shop that they always had them die off if they weren't by themselves in the tank ( only with eachother ) because they can't get food for themselves.

 

[NTidd]

It also appears, now that I've done a little research that the fish they were calling blue rams weren't blue rams...

 

[SoulFish]

38 is more than enough (only get like 1.5"), as long as you have decent water conditions they sohuld be ok, ive kept mine with large angels, rainbowfish and congo tetra and they had no trouble getting food

 

[Paul]

You might also want to think about Keyhole cichlids. 3 in a 20 gal would be fine. Also they are one of the few cichlids that actually like each others company.

 

[NTidd]

Hmm, seems I always thought cichlids stay with ciclids.