New 240 gallon African cichlid tank

[Dave Dynasty]

Hello.

I'm interested in thoughts regarding how to populate my new 240 gallon aquarium with African cichlids, which is what we've chosen. I have a full sump system with media filters, a gravel bottom and rock structures from Universal Rocks.

I haven't yet added fish and the aquarium's been cycling for about three weeks, primed with a brown, gunky filter from a small aquarium and some bottled bacteria. I'd like to add fish soon. But before I do so, I'd like to add some smaller bottom feeders to get the full nitrogen cycle started and stabilized. So....

Any thoughts on bottom feeders for cichlids? And then, how should I begin populating the tank? I read that peacocks and mbunas can be mixed, if the peacocks are allowed to grow a bit bigger before introducing mbunas. Any thoughts and advice would be much appreciated!

Dave

 

[Dizzycozma]

I've got clown loaches and plecos,I've got a mix of mbunas and peacocks,they are doing fine,a few scuffles every now and then but no body has been murdered,lol,got some venustus,big electric blue and a good variety have fun choosing!!!!


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[Brookster123]

No offense, with a tank that size you could do some awesome sa/ca cichlids. Better size and far better personality.

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[Freakgecko91]

Better yet, a couple big hunks of wood, tall grasses, good mix of stone sizes mixed into sand, and a good current. North American natives tank! Lol

I would use this for larger South Americans, but that's just me. A pair of hoplarchus psittacus would look amazing in that tank size, maybe along with a few uaru amphianthancoides or maybe krobia xinguensis or aequidens metae


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[The_Desacrator]

I'd rock new world's too with a tank that big.

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[Ulrichsd]

Wow... All the African hate not sure where you are at but get the api master test kit to make sure everything is cycled.

That big of a tank could do frontosa if you are looking for larger size. Any initial thoughts?

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[Barliman]

Of course, the OP is asking about *African* cichlids...

I haven't kept Africans, but, if this is your first time, experienced keepers I follow have recommended yellow labs and purple aceis as good fish for newbies. OB peacocks are also gorgeous, but I don't know how hard those are to keep.

As for compatible bottom feeders... Sorry, I've no idea.

I do envy you having such a large tank to start with, though.

 

[Ulrichsd]

Synodontis varieties are the go to bottom feeders for African cichlids

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