Arborist131
Aquarium Advice Regular
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2011
- Messages
- 57
Hello im new to this forum and relatively new to keeping cichlids. Im interested in hearing others opinions on my current tank set ups and things I could do to benefit my aquariums.
Ive got a 90 gallon (48''x18''x30'') aquarium with two HOB filters. One 70 gallon Aquaclear and one 60 gallon Aqua-tech, each hanging on the 18" wall opposite each other. For a substrate I used Cichlid Sand which helps keep the ph around 7.8-8.0. I do weekly gravel cleanings and water changes, doing about a 30% change. Soo far my aquarium looks really good and I dont seem to be having any problems, I would just like to have a better understanding of the water (ph, nitrites,nitrates etc). I have a basic understanding but if someone could point me in the direction of a good article explaining water basics.
In my 90 gallon I have:
3 - Red Top Zebras (3-4")
1 - Red Top Hongi (3")
1 - Green Terror (5")
1 - Bumblebee (4")
1 - Fancy Zebra Mix (4")
2 - Neon Jewels (3-4")
1 - Maingano (3")
1 - Psuedotropheus Elongatus Jewel? (4") (will post a picture at a later date for help identifying)
2 - male Venustus (4-5") (I think their 2 males, but could turn out to be 1 male 1 female)
5 - female Venustus' (4-6")
1 - Large sailfin Pleco. (8-10")
I didnt really know what I was doing at first, all I understood was that cichlids were kind of aggressive but could live among one another as long as they were from the same lakes or something. I now have come to realize that its not true but would like someone to explain it a little more based around my current fish. I realize the Green Terrors from South America but I really like him and he shows the others who's boss now and then. (will post photo of tank at a later date, its got a couple lava rocks with holes drilled through them and some slate and river rock to make lots of hiding places)
In my 40 gallon setup:
1 - 2'' yellow lab
1 - 4'' Red Top Zebra (was in the 90 gallon but was always the picked on one, so i removed him, also he has some black pigment "growth", not a parasite just a pigment problem i believe.)
2 - Yellowfin Acei (1 looks amazing and the other is slower growing/duller colouring, possibly female?)
2 - 2" Red Top Zebras (was trying for females but dont think I got any, think Im just going to be stuck getting rid of a few male Red Tops)
1 - Male Flavescent peacock (4") I had a female but i dont think she's going to make it. I was sick for a few days, woke up one morning all the fish are fine, then wake up a few hours later and the female was getting her bottom fins nipped by the little yellow lab and everys attitude towards her changed. So i quickly netted her, and got her into a 5 gallon hospital tank, added some aquarium salt, bumped the heat up to 82 and added a dose of Melafix. She made it through the day somehow so hopefully the worst is over.
Both tanks were on flakes but are now on cichlid crisps and cichlid sticks.
Any advice or future problems you see please tell me. Thanks.
Ive got a 90 gallon (48''x18''x30'') aquarium with two HOB filters. One 70 gallon Aquaclear and one 60 gallon Aqua-tech, each hanging on the 18" wall opposite each other. For a substrate I used Cichlid Sand which helps keep the ph around 7.8-8.0. I do weekly gravel cleanings and water changes, doing about a 30% change. Soo far my aquarium looks really good and I dont seem to be having any problems, I would just like to have a better understanding of the water (ph, nitrites,nitrates etc). I have a basic understanding but if someone could point me in the direction of a good article explaining water basics.
In my 90 gallon I have:
3 - Red Top Zebras (3-4")
1 - Red Top Hongi (3")
1 - Green Terror (5")
1 - Bumblebee (4")
1 - Fancy Zebra Mix (4")
2 - Neon Jewels (3-4")
1 - Maingano (3")
1 - Psuedotropheus Elongatus Jewel? (4") (will post a picture at a later date for help identifying)
2 - male Venustus (4-5") (I think their 2 males, but could turn out to be 1 male 1 female)
5 - female Venustus' (4-6")
1 - Large sailfin Pleco. (8-10")
I didnt really know what I was doing at first, all I understood was that cichlids were kind of aggressive but could live among one another as long as they were from the same lakes or something. I now have come to realize that its not true but would like someone to explain it a little more based around my current fish. I realize the Green Terrors from South America but I really like him and he shows the others who's boss now and then. (will post photo of tank at a later date, its got a couple lava rocks with holes drilled through them and some slate and river rock to make lots of hiding places)
In my 40 gallon setup:
1 - 2'' yellow lab
1 - 4'' Red Top Zebra (was in the 90 gallon but was always the picked on one, so i removed him, also he has some black pigment "growth", not a parasite just a pigment problem i believe.)
2 - Yellowfin Acei (1 looks amazing and the other is slower growing/duller colouring, possibly female?)
2 - 2" Red Top Zebras (was trying for females but dont think I got any, think Im just going to be stuck getting rid of a few male Red Tops)
1 - Male Flavescent peacock (4") I had a female but i dont think she's going to make it. I was sick for a few days, woke up one morning all the fish are fine, then wake up a few hours later and the female was getting her bottom fins nipped by the little yellow lab and everys attitude towards her changed. So i quickly netted her, and got her into a 5 gallon hospital tank, added some aquarium salt, bumped the heat up to 82 and added a dose of Melafix. She made it through the day somehow so hopefully the worst is over.
Both tanks were on flakes but are now on cichlid crisps and cichlid sticks.
Any advice or future problems you see please tell me. Thanks.
