New said:
I got a 60 gallon tank, and i need help getting started. Some of the basics:
-dimensions: 4ft long X 2ft tall X 1ft wide
-filters: Penguin biwheel 350 (X2)
-Heaters: Fluval M200 (X2)
I'm looking to do an african cichlid tank (lake malawi) and I know absolutely nothing about cichlids. This is not my first fish tank and I know about the basics like cycling (I have seeded material from my 20 long). I'm thinking about electric yellow labs, yellow tail acei cichlids, and maybe electric blue cichlids (my LFS is petsmart so it would be nice if the recommendations could be based on their stocking).
Here's my advice from my own experience:
I have had all three of the species you suggested in a 55 and I do most of my stock shopping at PetSmart because it is convenient. You need to watch out for PetSmart Electric Blue Cichlids, which are actually Electric Blue Hap Ahli. They can be quite aggressive. It's hit or miss with those guys. The EB at my PetSmart kills any tankmate they put in there (they told me this).
It's generally advised to pick a single Cichlid "group" (Mbuna, Haplachromines OR Peacocks) and not to mix groups. Labs and Acei are both Mbuna and are good choices for compatibility and ease of care. They are a good choice for Cichlid noobs. The Aceis should have an F:M ratio where the females outnumber the males (say 3:1 to 4:1) to keep the males from harassing the females to death. Alternatively you could have all Males. Labs are a lot more flexible when it comes to the M:F ratio. If course if you get them as juveniles, you won't know the gender until they get older, so you may need to do some swapping out as they mature.
I would not exceed 3 different species of Mbuna in a 60 gallon tank. You will have a hard time finding compatible tankmates at PerSmart though. Most other species there are way too aggressive to coexist with Labs and/or Acei. You ~might~ get away with some zebras, which you may be able to find in the generic "Mixed Africans" tank but be warned that those could very well be mutts, and folks in this hobby frown on hybrids. BTW, although the folks at PetSmart mean well, they quite likely know very little about Cichlids. Do your research here and avoid impulse purchases. Believe me, I have learned that the hard way.
So far as any non-ciclid tankmakes, your best bet is one of the smaller, tougher Synodontis like a Syn.Petricola. Some folks will try tougher Plecos like a Bristlenose Pleco, but a Synodontis is a safer bet.
Expect to do 25%-50% water changes at least weekly. Investing in a good water test kit is a very good idea. Investing in a good Python, etc gravel vacuum will save your back and flooring. That's well worth the cost. If you want to save a little, search for a DIY gravel vac in the AA forums.
So far as food, pick up some NLS if you can find it. PetSmart does not stock it, but PetCo does. I hear Omega One fish food is also good (which PerSmart does sell), but I personally have not used it. I find that pellets keep the water much much cleaner. Only feed a pinch a day, if that. The food should be gone in 30 seconds.
Have fun and good luck!