Changing out water in your tank...

[Douglas4701]

So the rule of thumb is only use cichlids from the same region?

 

[Jess1ca]

What do you mean by fish in cycle?

Pwc is water change correct? Im okay with that if necessary.

Tank if 46 bow front marineland. 36" long 18?"wide at the widest I think. Not sure on tall

Haha yes! Your tank needs to complete its nitrogen cycle it's ok! There is absolutely nothing wrong with fish in cycling if done correctly. Read these

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/fishin-cycling-step-dark-side

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/i-jus...g-but-I-already-have-fish-What-now/Page2.html

 

[aaronjohn20]

Was gonna say I can't provide a link cause I'm not sure how on the app and wait for someone else to do so but looks like someone beat me to it lol. I thought you said you had a 50g that's why I stated it was prob a 46g

 

[Jess1ca]

So the rule of thumb is only use cichlids from the same region?

Yes! The key to success

 

[Douglas4701]

Well this is good information. Of course I prob should not have trusted the word of a sales person. Now wondering where I can get a filthy filter. And get some of these things going. Ihas originally used a new tank destabilizer and water conditioner. The destabilizer is to be used daily for first week. So how might you go about getting the good bacteria transfer?

 

[Jess1ca]

Well this is good information. Of course I prob should not have trusted the word of a sales person. Now wondering where I can get a filthy filter. And get some of these things going. Ihas originally used a new tank destabilizer and water conditioner. The destabilizer is to be used daily for first week. So how might you go about getting the good bacteria transfer?

AngelsPlus.com they sell active media cheap and ship really fast

 

[Douglas4701]

So should i take back one or two of the cichlids? Or can they get along? Does the fact they are mixed have a biological issue pertaining to cycling?

 

[Jess1ca]

So should i take back one or two of the cichlids? Or can they get along? Does the fact they are mixed have a biological issue pertaining to cycling?

Not for cycling. Oscars are Carnivorous, Africans are herbi/omnivores. It's really going to be hard to get the Oscar what it needs without ur Africans getting it. Too much protein can give Mbuna/Malawi bloat and potentially kill them there are several reasons why its not suitable for them to be housed together but that is a main one It is not recommended to keep an Oscar in a tank less than 55g and its really not good for Africans to have less than a 4ft footprint but others are doing small groups in 3fts and everything seems to be ok so far, I personally wouldn't tho.

 

[Douglas4701]

So the yellow cichlids are prob going to out eat the Oscar yeah and I read they grow pretty big. So I should take the Oscar back and stick with the region of the ones I like yeah?

 

[Jess1ca]

So the yellow cichlids are prob going to out eat the Oscar yeah and I read they grow pretty big. So I should take the Oscar back and stick with the region of the ones I like yeah?

I wouldn't say out eat, they just can't have the protein. The Oscar gets very large and your tank just isn't quite big enough at 46g :/ they are messy and bring with them a massive bioload. You would need a strict wc schedule (and a larger tank) forever... Not just during a cycle. I have to admit that I am biased. I love my Africans they really are great fish. Here is a couple of mine

 

[Douglas4701]

How about this for a goodnight question which will be followed up in the morning? I like the bright exotic colorful fish... What's the best type to stick with?

 

[Douglas4701]

I really like your choice... That's where I'm wanting to go toward. Here is one of mine I just took while we are at it.






]

 

[Douglas4701]

What do you think andrewspistol? What's your real first name btw? I am Douglas.

 

[Jess1ca]

Sorry! Fell asleep and had to work early this mornin!

I really like your choice... That's where I'm wanting to go toward. Here is one of mine I just took while we are at it.

]

Very cool little guys you got Yellow Lab and I want to say male Kenyi but that face is throwin me off a lil lol!

How about this for a goodnight question which will be followed up in the morning? I like the bright exotic colorful fish... What's the best type to stick with?

Africans are definitely colorful! I don't really have advice on how to stock a 3ft tank because I always like to recommend a 4ft minimum, although there are members keeping small groups in 3ft tanks. If you could get your hands on a 4ft 55g there is sooo much more you could do, and stock. Believe it or not Africans can be very aggressive. They like to claim territories so you should put/build lots of caves and hideaways so less aggressive fish can hide from aggressors and give everyone a den to "claim". It is a good idea to stock these guys in a 1m:3-4f ratio. Filtration should also be primo, I really like AquaClear 110s. They have tons of media options and space to customize and have excellent flow for water movement. That's pretty much the short version of what I want to say haha. I'm at work but I can elaborate more when I get out

Btw, I'm Jess, very nice to meet you Douglas! I'm waiting for Andrew, Dino or MrC to chime in and pick up my slack since I don't have time to tell ya everything I want to... They are good people and very knowledgable!

I started in this hobby with a story very similar to yours. I came to AA after being gifted a 20g with 3 or 4 Africans, an Oscar, Firemouth, Pleco & blue cray. I was quickly informed that not only were my fish not compatible but my tank was much too small. I was faced with decisions like rehome them all and stick to community fish, upgrade and choose whether I wanted to keep Mbuna/Malawi or go with SA Cichlids. I upgraded to a 55g and went the African route and soooo glad I did! They are amazing fish! So here I am today with 6 tanks running, breeding Nyererei and have 2 150g builds in the making! This is a very rewarding and addictive hobby, I sure hope you will enjoy it as much as I do!

 

[Douglas4701]

Hmmm,I will have to figure out something. Maybe i jumped to soon on the fishies.

 

[Jess1ca]

Hmmm,I will have to figure out something. Maybe i jumped to soon on the fishies.

I edited my post above maybe but we have all been there good news is if you take back the Oscar and sharks the 2 Mbuna will be fine in that tank, you could even add a couple more until you figure out if ur gonna stick to the 46 or upgrade... Like I said there are people successfully keeping Africans in a tank your size...

 

[Douglas4701]

I am going to stick with 46 for now and learn. I def will upgrade in the future. I'm already addicted. Btw which master test kit should I go with again, Jess?

 

[Jess1ca]

I am going to stick with 46 for now and learn. I def will upgrade in the future. I'm already addicted. Btw which master test kit should I go with again, Jess?

API Freshwater Master test kit not strips! The liquid one!

 

[Andrew McFadden]

With Africans research is very very important before buying anything. The sharks, kenyi and Oscar need to be rehomed. The sharks and Oscar get humongous and a really big tank would be needed to keep them successfully. The kenyi's get to be 6" witch is to big for that footprint of a tank with Africans. Plus they are very aggressive when mature and will more than likely kill all the others till one is left.

The yellow labs are pushing the size limit a little but will hopefully be fine. You need to look at some smaller species and less aggressive such as afra cobue that stay around the 3-4" marker.
And/or
maingano

Just remember think small

 

[Douglas4701]

What other fish would you suggest for the 46 which may hit the colorful range?