Help with my tank!

[91cichlid]

Will a sponge filter in a 20 gallon be enough to support 8 cichlids from about 1.5-2.5 inches. Max size of cichlids ranges from 4-6 inches in adulthood.
1 Electric blue johanni
1 Electric yellow
1 acei
5 red zebras

 

[Fishanatic]

Honestly, i think you're overstocked, with 5 red zebra's they will pair and mate/territorial and kill a lot of you're fish if it's breeding. I don't think a sponge filter would be enough for that amount of fish, unless you feed them once a day, and even there it wouldn't be enough.
I suggest getting an 100gph-200gph power filter for you're tank

 

[91cichlid]

Honestly, i think you're overstocked, with 5 red zebra's they will pair and mate/territorial and kill a lot of you're fish if it's breeding. I don't think a sponge filter would be enough for that amount of fish, unless you feed them once a day, and even there it wouldn't be enough.
I suggest getting an 100gph-200gph power filter for you're tank

What if i added a fluval u2?

 

[Fishanatic]

Id recommend a Fluval U3, or U4, depending on the amount you feed you're fish. Even if it says 15-30 gallons, the thing is you need to look at the gph. The higher, the better. Since you have cichlids, they wont be that affected by the flow. I have a total of ~212 GPH in my 20 gallon tank, never bothered them.

 

[Brandon4432]

I honestly wouldnt go with a submersible.... Just go with a canister or sump..... My opinion do it right the first time. Not trying to be mean. You do whatever you want

 

[cmbtengnr43]

You'd be lucky if a 55 was big enough red zebras are pretty aggressive

 

[Brandon4432]

Totally agree. But often times a large sum of chiclids can live compacted in a bigger tank. But doesnt work the same for a smaller tank

 

[91cichlid]

You'd be lucky if a 55 was big enough red zebras are pretty aggressive

Your supposed to overstock cichlid tanks to reduce aggression buddy.

 

[91cichlid]

I honestly wouldnt go with a submersible.... Just go with a canister or sump..... My opinion do it right the first time. Not trying to be mean. You do whatever you want

Yea your right. So how many cichlids should i have in the 20 gallon with a sponge filter and a fluval u2?

 

[Brandon4432]

Not an expert. Prolly 2

 

[91cichlid]

Not an expert. Prolly 2

Ok what if i got a better filter? Can i house 8 cichlids?

 

[Brandon4432]

What kind of filter are we looking at?

 

[Crawdaddy]

Ok dam what if i got a better filter? Can i house 8 cichlids?

The 20 gallon just isn't big enough. Your going to have a blood bath in that tank. It's going to stunt their growth, and lead to a shorter, unhappy life span, IMO

 

[Samfred0205]

Your gonna need to upgrade in not to long so I would get a large filter that can be transferred to a large tank as well. For now great filtration will be needed

 

[Fishanatic]

Your supposed to overstock cichlid tanks to reduce aggression buddy.

Not really. If you over stock, it can create dominance and territorial issues. Especially if you're fish are aggressive. You're 5 red zebra's will make pairs.
Don't overstock cichlids.

 

[HUKIT]

You're 5 red zebra's will make pairs.

Mbuna do not form pairs, they are harem breeders meaning one male spawns with numerous females. There is no bond formed like in new world cichlids.

 

[91cichlid]

What kind of filter are we looking at?

Marineland 200 rated for 50?

 

[Fishanatic]

Mbuna do not form pairs, they are harem breeders meaning one male spawns with numerous females. There is no bond formed like in new world cichlids.

Hmm, i though they did. Well thanks for the info
I got info from many sites that said they were best kept in pairs, so i thought they could pair

 

[molliwopp]

20 gallons.. Way too small for cichlids. 8!? Youll have to buy a good filter and will probably end up with a nitrate pool along with daily needed water changes.

 

[Cichlid-dude]

I wouldnt keep one mbuna in a 20 gal. Shellies would be ok in that size tank.