Maybe Starting a Cichlid Tank

Apr 2, 2005
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#1
Hey everyone i have 38 gal. community but i am planning on changing it to a Cichlid tank, because i think the fish are just much more viberant and fun. My current fish are:

2 swordtails, 1 blue gourmie, 1 red-tailed shark, 3 zebra danio's, and 5 Tiger Barbs.

I really, really want to keep the Red-tailed Shark when i change to a cichlid tank would this be possible?

if there's some tips people could give me on keeping a successfull cichlid tank im all ears.

Also, I would like to know some good fish to start with, One fish i know i want to get is a red empress, They are just so cool looking, but if someone could tell me some other good fish that are good to start with please, please tell me!!

thanks so much for everyones help! :) :)
 

Jul 9, 2003
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#2
Sorry, i read you PM and got tied up. I'll just reply here.

38gal, good size, not to big not to small. As for your current stock, i would think your gourami's longer fins would entice the cichlids to nip them. So i'm not sure it would be a good mix. You might check this thread, i have just read the title but you might dig deeper and find a bit more in it. http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/showthread.php?p=263763#post263763

I've seen the sharks kept with cichlids before, kinda like clown loaches. So yes i think it would be possible, of course kinda depending on your final stock.

Keeping a sucessful cichlid tank requires, for the most part, 2 things. Enough room for territory and the right mix of fish. I acctually find cichlids easier to care for than regular community fish, just keep the enviornment happy and clean.

Since you said vibrant up in your post i guess the best suggestion for this tank would be Lake Malawi. Yellow Labs are a great starter and very fun fish to keep. Bright yellow and lots of activity.

Red Empress are nice also and would highly reccommend keeping the species. I don't find anything really hard about keeping the species but 1 male might take over the tank.

Oh another tip, do your research and ask questions! Its the best way to learn. :)
 

Apr 2, 2005
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#3
Hey, I was wondering about the substrate, when i first set up the tank, i didn't know i was going to turn it into a cichlid tank, so i just got normal pebble gravel. Should i change this to Sand, because in my backyard, i do have big 60 pound bags of like playsand which i read i could acually use., although i did just cycle my tank.

Thanks so much for all the help,

Also remember if there's any other fish suggestions or tips, i'am wide open to them!
 

snoce

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Nov 14, 2003
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#7
The Cichlid salt will add electrolytes to the water column which will in turn benefit gill function. The salt will only need to be added when water changes are performed and only to the fresh water coming into the tank. It should not be added when topping off water to the tank due to evaporation as the salt does not evaporate. The salt is not necessary, however, it is beneficial.so if you do want to keep the r.t shark you can but i wouldnt use the cichlid salt
 

snoce

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Nov 14, 2003
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#8
i tried sand substarte and its very hard to get totally clean plus with play sand it does compact so u may get pockets of air...kinda like when you go to the beach and put sand in a buckets the sand gets very heavy and compacted when water is added...argonite to me seems to be a nicer choice its very light and its not compacted down....my electric blue has a fun time scooping it up in its mouth and spitting it out somewhere else....sand is ok to use but look into the crushed coral....
 

snoce

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Nov 14, 2003
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#10
i have heard from a few people it is better to use the cichlid salt...one of them is from dr. foster and smith.....all who have said this say the same its more of the natural enviroment and it helps them thrive much better then if not added....plus its cheap to buy and u only needed 1 tablespoon per 5 gls....so why not use it...just like the ph should be around 8....it just makes the fish live healthier
 

Exevious

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Nov 20, 2003
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#11
Just be certain that is the cichlid salt.. and follow the directions.
I always recommend never putting anything in a tank, but conditioned water during water changes.
Untill your experienced and have really done your research.

Additive can be more trouble than they are worth.. untill you really understand them.

I have never put anything into my tanks but conditioned water. but I do live in north texas.. and the water is naturally high ph. Great cichlid water.
 

Last edited:

LongTime

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May 16, 2004
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#14
snoce said:
i have heard from a few people it is better to use the cichlid salt...one of them is from dr. foster and smith.....all who have said this say the same its more of the natural enviroment and it helps them thrive much better then if not added....plus its cheap to buy and u only needed 1 tablespoon per 5 gls....so why not use it...just like the ph should be around 8....it just makes the fish live healthier
dr. foster and smith sell it right? ;)