Thinking of starting a new tank - Cichlids

Thank you so much.

Just need to try work out Sump placement and the sizing of the piping I will need for the sump.

Busy looking now to see if I can get an alternative to the dragonfly pump, just a little on the pricey side, but will see what is what.

Love the fact this hobby allows you to take your time. (at least until fish and water are in)

 

Can you guys recommend any online stores for getting filter media and other scaping stuff (rocks/plants) at good pricing ?

Planning starts today

 

Thanks for the feedback.

Sorry for the delays, work has me super busy and I had to repair my tank after my cat weight tested the glass lid I had made. (luckily just an internal brace that cracked, easy patch and go, already leak tested for a week)


Managed to get my pump (Sunsun 6000L max) and order some filter media (filter floss, maxspect nano bio-spheres and some Aquaclean hollow ball media to mix it up and be a little different), just need some decent sponge now for the sump and we good on that front.

Settled into going with 2 Discus and 2 small schools for dither and bottom feeding. Tried using that aquarium designer to get a better idea of what I want but that app is so limited.




The "trees" I want to breach the top of the water but couldnt model them that way, and the hill would have better "grass" cover

Might even have some floating plants as well and see how it looks.



Also still stuck on the idea of using the center part of the sump to house some sort of shrimp or crayfish, but didnt realize the CF was on the BL list ... hahaha

 

On a side note, a friend of mine started his first tank ever and was given some rock, anyone able to maybe tell me what kind of rock this is ?

 

That is exactly the one I was looking at, Dwarf Mexican Orange

Will see the LSF on the weekend and see what is the deal with the one they have on display.

I have no idea where he got them, but I really want more, I was given a few pieces that was left over, but they are small as my friends tank is only like 14L, so the pieces are really small.

Was hoping you guys knew where to get more cause they look amazing

 

Will definitely do.

Loving the project and I am surprised I am not minding the slowness of the progress.

Researching and looking for the best deals is also fun.

Got my delivery from McMerwe, so filter media mostly sorted in the mean time.



Any suggestions for Aquasoil ? ... ... As much as I would love to just buy 18kgs of Amazonia v2, my cash in transit heist skills are lacking ... hahaha

I was looking at going crushed lava rock for the base and to build some height. Then topping it with a nice thick later of AS and then topping it with the sand.


ISTA Premium Soil
Langa
(or similar)


Anyone with some experience with well priced aquasoils ?




::: EDIT :::


Any suggestions of lighter top layer soils. I was going to go black before I decided that I want to go Discus, but I know they need lighter sands to prevent peppering.

 

I have just done a small dirted tank with pool filter sand used for a cap over generic organic potting soil. Amazing growth, even compared to my other tank with JBL ProScape aquasoil. Mayby worth a try if you like DIY.

 

Apologies for my ignorance on this topic, but can you do soil with discus? Every time I see a discus tank its bare bottom, apparently for ease of cleaning, so I just assumed they don't do well then with planted setups?

 

Are you the guy that I am supposed to know, cause if you are, SAY SOMETHING !! ... hahahaha

300 root tabs ? ... Seriously ?

Did you get a good deal or did you spend the equiv of an entry level salary on root tabs ... hahahahaha

 

I also stand under correction as this is my first Discus tank.

But I believe for breeding/grow out purposes it is easier on a bare bottom tank for cleaning.

But it is completely possible to have a planted tank with Discus, you just need to ensure you keep the water quality top notch and it will be a lot more work with maintenance

 

I have really considered PFS, just wasnt sure on the look, I was hoping to get like a light brown top soil but not a consistent colour, was hoping for a mix for a more natural look.