New to the cichlid world.

[grlgksrule]

I'm going to be buying a 55 gallon tank. I would like to put African Cichlids in it. I don't really know that much about cichlids. I've been looking things up here and there.

I need to know what kind of subtraite to use to the best filter and lighting. Whitch live plants works best to how many cichlids can I put in the tank. And of course any other helpful information.

thank you,
Kelly

 

[SinisterKisses]

Well, a lot of that information really depends on the species of fish. Typically, I find that most Africans prefer sand substrate (its natural for them, after all) - and it is definitely not as big of a pain to keep clean as some people might tell you In my opinion, the best filters out there are AquaClears, and on a 55gal I'd either do two AC 70's or one AC 110 (what can I say, I like to overfilter). Lighting, from experience, usually shows off the colours of your fish better if it is a blue-tinted fluorescent bulb (I use AquaGlo bulbs by Hagen, dunno if you can get them down there?)

Live plants won't really work if you're going to be stocking a mbuna tank, but you could put some hardier types in with haps/peacocks, and maybe Tangs. How to decorate the tank, again, will depend on which type of fish you're putting in there.

Also, how many fish you can put into your tank GREATLY depends on exactly the species involved. If you have a look through the profiles at cichlidforum.com, you can get an idea of what fish you like, and build up a stock list from there (with help, of course! )

Anyway, just remember to ask as many questions as you need to, and do your research before actually stocking the tank. Cichlids are awesome fish, you'll be hooked in no time!

 

[grlgksrule]

Do they sell special sand? How do you clean that? Do you use the vacuum like you would for gravel? Does the sand help out the ph level at all? Questions questions so many questions.

 

[punkrockfish]

yes, they do sell special sand...but don't buy it. Go to home depot and buy playground sand instead. Way cheaper, and does the same thing. Just make sure you rinse it, rinse it, and rinse it some more (which is done by putting the sand in a bucket, taking it outside, running a hose on it, and waiting till the water flowing out of the bucket is clear). Yes, you use the vacuum, but keep it above the sand, not dug into it. The debris stays on the top of the sand and will be sucked up if you hold the vacuum an inch above it. The sand might add some pH buffering, but I wouldn't worry about your pH at all. Messing with the natural pH of your water is more trouble than it is worth.

 

[grlgksrule]

when you have a cichlid tank don't you have to have a ph of 7.4 - 8.2? how do I get my ph that high if I don't do anything to the water? That is a good idea about the play ground sand. Pretty cheap,too. When I put the sand in a bucket to clean it is it going to flow out the top?

You guys are being very helpful.*BOUNCINGS

 

[SinisterKisses]

Well...the pH thing is an ongoing debate. Not all cichlids need a pH of the levels you mentioned, but that is the proper range for most African cichlids, yes. However, it depends on where you get the fish from. Store-bought fish are likely all farm-raised anyway and have never seen "natural/normal" water conditions in their life. They're typically quite used to living in unnatural water conditions - like a lower pH and water hardness level. If you plan to buy wild caught fish, or fish that are a couple generations down from that...or buying from a very respected breeder, for example, then yes, it would (in my opinion) be necessary to adjust the water conditions to those that the fish are used to. I adjust the levels in all my african tanks, because my tap water is extremely soft and they're used to higher levels. And you can tell the difference if I slack off and let the pH/hardness drop, they don't like it. Anyway, again, it depends on where the fish come from and what water they're used to.

 

[punkrockfish]

the sand won't flow out the top, but the dirt particles that would cloud up your water will. you don't have to blast it with the hose, just let it run over it. There are natural ways to raise your pH as well, and I would avoid chemicals completely. You can add some crushed coral to the tank in the substrate, and that will keep the pH higher. What is the pH of your tap water now? I still don't think you should worry about adjusting the pH.

 

[SinisterKisses]

Saying to avoid chemicals completely is easy when you don't have water like mine Lol adding crushed coral to my tank brought my pH up to...oh, about 5.5. I have no choice but to use chemicals unfortunately.

But, as I said, it's all relative anyway. I'm guessing you'll be stocking with pet store cichlids, in which case, you probably don't have to worry much about water chemistry at all.

 

[grlgksrule]

my tap water ph is 7.0-7.4. I think that is so cool that you can use regular play sand for the fish tank...that stuff is much cheaper.

So basically the only major thing I have to worry about is the temp. What about adding some aquarium salt to the water? I've herd people do that.

 

[SinisterKisses]

Not necessary. I only add it for medicinal reasons.

 

[punkrockfish]

a pH of 5.5? wow.

 

[SinisterKisses]

Yep...I'm doing good if I add enough coral (and it has to be a LOT) to bring it up to 6. It's so low from my tap that it doesn't even register on a GH or KH test, and I'm not even sure the pH test goes low enough to accurately measure it. So I gave up on fighting with it, and just add the damn chemicals now