New 45 Gal Cichlid setup

[RoLeX]

Hey Guys and Gals,

Setting up a new tank and thought I would share.

36 x 18 x 18
Eheim 2217
Hydor 300w external heater
2 x 96w Compact florescent (10k & 420nm)
Lots of slate!

Should be up and running next week just awaiting some Eheim hose reducers to fit the external heater. Will post more on progress then.

 

[Mogurako]

Looks great. Do your rocks go all the way down to the glass or egg crate? Reason I ask is because the gravel they will be able to dig pretty well and I'd hate to see those taller rocks fall.

On a side note I am also getting one of those heaters for my 2217. Is the output hose really to big for them?!?!

What stock are you thinking about?

 

[RoLeX]

Thanks Mogurako,

The rocks go down to the glass and I have a soft plastic layer in between.

Well with the Hydor heater if you get the 200w you can get them with the 12mm connectors but the 300w I could only find 16mm. The reducers are cheap on Ebay from the UK. I tried heating up the 12mm hose but still couldn't get it all the way over and I'm not keen to take the risk with a quick tie.

Not sure about stock yet still up in the air. I'm open to suggestions.

 

[carey]

Looks great! Love all the rock!

 

[Mogurako]

Thanks Mogurako,

The rocks go down to the glass and I have a soft plastic layer in between.

Well with the Hydor heater if you get the 200w you can get them with the 12mm connectors but the 300w I could only find 16mm. The reducers are cheap on Ebay from the UK. I tried heating up the 12mm hose but still couldn't get it all the way over and I'm not keen to take the risk with a quick tie.

Not sure about stock yet still up in the air. I'm open to suggestions.

Ah ok, I am going to run dual 200w so I should be fine.

From your rocks my guess is you were going to do African cichlids. What lake were you thinking, Malawi, Tanganyika or Victoria ?

 

[goodeyesniper]

That looks beautiful! What are you planning on putting in it?

 

[RoLeX]

Im thinking Malawi, probably the following

6 x yellow labs
3 x Elec blue - 1 M 2 F
A couple Pakistani Loaches
And a couple Peacocks

 

[Mogurako]

Im thinking Malawi, probably the following

6 x yellow labs
3 x Elec blue - 1 M 2 F
A couple Pakistani Loaches
And a couple Peacocks

Mbuna and Peacocks shouldn't be mixed, pick one or the other and stock a 1 male to 4-5 female ratio. In that tank I would go with either labs or electric blues and a small school of loaches.

 

[RoLeX]

Good advice, if I was to go for the Peacocks what would be a good mix and are there any general rules I should adhere to?

 

[Mogurako]

Good advice, if I was to go for the Peacocks what would be a good mix and are there any general rules I should adhere to?

Same ratio as I mentioned above.