New Cichlid Tank Advice?

[CameronCade]

How do you guys keep your decor, (mainly the rocks) in your tanks stable. I know how cichlids like to dig, I don't want any rocks to fall. Also if I'm not using very heavy rocks, is an egg crate really necessary?

I put my rocks on the bottom of the aquarium then put sand around it. That way they don't move when they dig.

 

[Jakepen]

I put my rocks on the bottom of the aquarium then put sand around it. That way they don't move when they dig.

Did you use an egg crate? Can those be found at lfs or petsmart, or do I have to order one?

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Did you use an egg crate? Can those be found at lfs or petsmart, or do I have to order one?

They are sold at hardware stores, Its the white lighting grid.


For the rocks mine are fake that's how I got them so high. If you use the cichlid stones then you won't need to protect it but if you ever use real ones then it's a good idea to have the crate

 

[Jakepen]

Ok awesome. Where did you get your fake rocks?

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Ok awesome. Where did you get your fake rocks?

I made them
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/3d-freshwater-aquarium-backgrounds/

If your talking about cichlid stones
http://www.google.com/search?q=cich...a=X&ei=BYZnUe62JILWyQHx-ICoBQ&ved=0CA0Q_AUoAQ

 

[TheCommunityCichlid]

I'm one

Second that

 

[Jakepen]

If I wanted to get, say just one red zebra, a male. Would that be ok? Or do I need a pair, and if so would one male and one female be ok?

 

[Andrew McFadden]

If I wanted to get, say just one red zebra, a male. Would that be ok? Or do I need a pair, and if so would one male and one female be ok?

The male may kill the female I would try to.keep it alone in that case

 

[Jakepen]

Oh alright, but that single male wouldn't cause any trouble to any other fish? Also, why would he kill his only possibly mate?

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Oh alright, but that single male wouldn't cause any trouble to any other fish? Also, why would he kill his only possibly mate?

They may do ok I have two male zebras but I have a lot of other fish to break the line of site. When they breed the male is over aggressive to females and is why you should try to keep 1 to 3 females. It spreads out aggression so not just one gets beat up they all do.

 

[Skeletor18]

They may do ok I have two male zebras but I have a lot of other fish to break the line of site. When they breed the male is over aggressive to females and is why you should try to keep 1 to 3 females. It spreads out aggression so not just one gets beat up they all do.

Yes they are real horn dogs so they'll harass her non stop

 

[Jakepen]

Hah alright good to know, thanks for all your advice man, I really appreciate you taking the time. Another question, it sounds kind of inevitable that cichlids will breed.. How do I take care of the fry, and what are my options with them, raise them, sell them? Will they be eaten, what's your routine when yours breed?

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Hah alright good to know, thanks for all your advice man, I really appreciate you taking the time. Another question, it sounds kind of inevitable that cichlids will breed.. How do I take care of the fry, and what are my options with them, raise them, sell them? Will they be eaten, what's your routine when yours breed?

I leave mine in the tank so only the strong ( more like smart) survive. If your wanting to keep them then you'll need to remove the female while she is holding them. Then after she spits them remove her.back to the other tank. You'll need to grow them in another tank for some time. Or the will become toast in the main.

 

[Jakepen]

I leave mine in the tank so only the strong ( more like smart) survive. If your wanting to keep them then you'll need to remove the female while she is holding them. Then after she spits them remove her.back to the other tank. You'll need to grow them in another tank for some time. Or the will become toast in the main.

So if I let them be born in the tank, there is a chance a few will live to grow up?

 

[Skeletor18]

Hah alright good to know, thanks for all your advice man, I really appreciate you taking the time. Another question, it sounds kind of inevitable that cichlids will breed.. How do I take care of the fry, and what are my options with them, raise them, sell them? Will they be eaten, what's your routine when yours breed?

Your choice. You can sell them on Craigslist or a forum that has members would be interested, but depending on set up they can be eaten fairly easy if you don't separate.

 

[Andrew McFadden]

So if I let them be born in the tank, there is a chance a few will live to grow up?

Yes it's possible more so when they are young when the old ones get big then the fry don't stand much of a chance. I added an inch and half fry the other day and my sunshine peacock picked it up before it hit the sand bed.

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Your choice. You can sell them on Craigslist or a forum that has members would be interested, but depending on set up they can be eaten fairly easy if you don't separate.

There are many people that won't buy cichlids from someone that keeps more than one kind in a tank because of interbreeding.

Fry in mixed tanks shouldn't be sold at less you are absolutely positive who the adults was.

 

[Skeletor18]

There are many people that won't buy cichlids from someone that keeps more than one kind in a tank because of interbreeding.

Fry in mixed tanks shouldn't be sold at less you are absolutely positive who the adults was.

I'm aware of that, but I was referring to his question of what to do with fry. I allow mine to get eaten by the others in my 125 in lieu of hybrids.

 

[Rare]

Interbreeding within the same class/species or doesnt really mater?

 

[Jakepen]

Ok, last question, for a little while anyway. Like I said, my tank is 70 gallon, with an emperor 400, and a fluval 406, hydor 1050, and a tetra ap 150.
My dimensions are kind of weird though, it's almost four foot long, only a foot deep, and about thirty inches high. I already have a ten pack of cichlid stones, the "big pack". I also plan on getting a good amount of rocks, creating an ample amount of hiding spaces; how many cichlids can live happily in this tank?