New cichlid tank

[pdaddy2]

Will a fluval 306 be good for this tank or should I return it for a 406?

 

[molliwopp]

Will a fluval 306 be good for this tank or should I return it for a 406?

I would 110% try and swap it for a 406 if you can as the 306 definitely wont be adequate on its own.

 

[pdaddy2]

Done! Gonna save the 306 for when I upgrade the goldfish to a 40 gallon

 

[pdaddy2]

All set.. 406 it is

 

[Rivers2k]

Or maybe:

6-8- Mbuna's
2- blood parrots
2- redtail sharks
1- Bristlenose Pleco

You cant have 2 red tail sharks in a tank together. They are very aggressive toward there own kind.

 

[pdaddy2]

Here's the breakdown:

55 gallon
Fluval 406
70 lbs small black and blue gravel
Rock formations with caves
Couple tall plastic plants
12-Mbuna's
1- bottom feeder (Bn Pleco or fantail catfish)
Whichever is available at the LFS

 

[josh7]

That sounds like a great stock! Update some pics when you get it all done.

 

[pdaddy2]

Now I think I'm going with black sand, when I do a deep substrate cleaning ill just siphon it into buckets and just use my drain on water changes. Hopefully this is it now and I won't be changing my mind again. Lol

 

[pdaddy2]

Are mbuna cichlids considered "assorted cichlids" at the pet store?

 

[FrankoQ]

Are mbuna cichlids considered "assorted cichlids" at the pet store?

I see the assorted mbunas at Petsmart.
My LFS usually has a tank of mixed Mbunas and another one of mixed peacocks.

 

[pdaddy2]

Yeah petsmart is what I was actually talking about. What are the "assorted cichlids" actually?
Also, can they be mixed with-Demasoni, Bumblebee, Yellow Lab, Acei? Thanks

 

[erikmoseley]

Definitely go with sand. Mbuna like to dig. Assorted cichlid tanks at stores are random fish sometimes hybrids. You can surely go with them but you never know what you're really getting. If there's no more reputable store around you may be better off ordering your stock from an online specialist. Also I may have missed tank size but acei and crabro(bumblebee) get bigger. May wanna skip them and demasoni do better if you do a larger group of them together

 

[pdaddy2]

The tank is 55 gallons, I did go with black sand and I gave a bunch of rock formations in there. I want a syno catfish and malawi/ mbuna cichlids with a variety of color and fish. I've read you shouldn't do pairs so with a 10-12 range of fish, I don't just want two groups. So I'm trying to figure out a bunch of types to go together. Thanks

 

[FrankoQ]

Yeah petsmart is what I was actually talking about. What are the "assorted cichlids" actually?
Also, can they be mixed with-Demasoni, Bumblebee, Yellow Lab, Acei? Thanks

I usually see mixed zebras, socolofis in those mixed tanks.
The Demasoni is a high risk. I have one in my 90g and I had to take him out for a day because he started bullying other fish.
I gave him a second chance and put him back in. So far, he is behaving.
although you will read "don't do it", I have a 90 tank with mbunas, peacocks, and 2 Haps. Plus 3 clown loaches, a red tail shark, and a gold nugget pleco.
So far, so good. No issues. Everybody getting along.
I had 1 death but I think that fish came sick from the LFS.