Starting another tank

Discussion in 'Cichlids' started by H3os, Sep 21, 2014.

  1. H3os

    H3os

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    Hi everyone,

    I'm thinking of starting a new tank with cichlids. Any tips for me like decor wise etc?
    I live in the Nelspruit area so I don't have a wide choice of cichlids might have to take a trip to Jhb to get some.
     
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  3. f-fish

    f-fish #unspecified

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    Go as big as possible .. first decide on the tank - then the fish. Will also need some serious filtration so make sure you allow for that in the budget / planning.
     
  4. OP
    H3os

    H3os

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    The tank that I'm getting is close to 200l will that be good enough?
     
  5. dash

    dash

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    Hi mate. Depending on the fish. You can do a lot with 200l.
     
  6. oupoot

    oupoot

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    And if you add a sump with some matrix for bio filtration you can stock a bit more fish as well
     
  7. OP
    H3os

    H3os

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    Thanks guys once I have the tank I can see what I'm going to do with it
     
  8. Mike Roos

    Mike Roos

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    Hi @H3os..
    Filtration is number one! As said above.
    200 L sounds a lot but when your Malawi's grow up space will be an issue depending on your stocking.
    I only have my small one's in a 4 ft tank to grow out.
    A good size tank for a nice stocking of Malawi's I personally recommend is from 5 ft and on wards.
    A sandy substrate and nice rocks forming caves.. they simply love it. Plants not recommended as they will easily destroy it as mine did once before.
    Ph should be above 7.0 + and also good water changes for their development to adults. @dash has a quite neat setup and many other ppl on the form!

    Most of all enjoy the fish!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 2, 2016
  9. Reedfish

    Reedfish Moderator

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    200L is a bit limiting if you go for Malawis.
    They need a lot of rocks in the tank, and that takes up a fair bit of the volume.
    Generally speaking 250L or 4 ft is often suggested as a minimum.

    Cichlids from Lake Tanganyika are another option.
    There are a fair number of smaller species. @Jack Stone would be able to advise what a good combination to keep would be.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 2, 2016
  10. OP
    H3os

    H3os

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    I prefer the smaller species and are looking at getting them, will also look into the filtration.
     
  11. Jack Stone

    Jack Stone Stone Aquaics

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    Howzit @H3os - Sorry about the delayed response. Not sure how I missed this.

    Filtration for most Lake Tanganyika cichlids is nothing serious, most of them are pretty tidy fish and a good healthy community will polish every spec of food giving to them.
    The smaller Lake Tanganyika cichlids don't eat that much and aren't nearly as busy as any Lake Malawi species, this means less waste and overfiltration is just a waste of cash that could be spent on fish!

    What are the total dimensions of your tank?

    A 200 litre is usually 120cm x 45cm x45cm - in this size tank you can do a fair amount.

    For instance, a small group of Cyprichromis, a pair of Julidochromis dickfeldi and a group of Multifasciatus will make for a busy and interesting aquarium. Or if you're into a tank with a little bit of aggression, you could try out Julidochromis regani, Neolamprologus leleupi, Altolamprologus calvus / compressiceps, Neolamprologus caudopunctatus and Cyprichromis leptosoma (Jumbo variants only).

    Let us know what you're interseted in and if you have any questions.

    Ciao for now, enjoy!
    Jack
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 2, 2016

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