Powerhead in Cichlid tank?

[jawbreaker1222]

New to Cichlids

I have 2 Electric Yellows and what i beleave are 2 golden mbunas
I have a Powerhead i got in a random lot i picked up of craigslist. Would the chichlids benifit from this or would it be a bad idea?

Its a 26 gallon Flat back tank
36x12x18

I know they will outgrow that tank Im working on setting up a 150 right now its just a starter for them.

 

[HN1]

Flow is a good thing IMO. It's only too much flow if the fish are uncomfortable.

EDIT: I just read your sig. Even a 150 will eventually be lacking.

 

[jawbreaker1222]

a 150 is to small for the 4 cichlids? Or for all my fish? The fish in my sig are going into their own larger tank. How do i know if the cichlids are uncomfortable with the powerhead. What is their normal behavior verses a stressed behavior. Im new with them so i dont know what normal is.

 

[mfdrookie516]

most yellow labs will have more visible lines on them when theyre stressed. i have no powerheads on my tank (150g) but i have a spray bar up top which helps alot in surface agitation. You definately need more fish though. You need to have at minimun a 1m2fm ratio... 1m5fm is better. But of course, you dont have room for them yet.

 

[jawbreaker1222]

So what do you recommend for a tank size for those two species of fish and total of each i should get. The 150 is filling with water now so will be ready very soon. And as their only 2 inches long I'm sure the 150 will be ok for now. But at full growth what will i need?
Back to original? They seem like they are enjoying the power-head they come out and swim against the current. I assume they would go hide in their rocks if they weren't enjoying it?? Is a 250gph power-head to much for a 26 gallon tank? Because that's what i put in their.

 

[convict78]

lol

Flow is a good thing IMO. It's only too much flow if the fish are uncomfortable.

EDIT: I just read your sig. Even a 150 will eventually be lacking.

4 fish in a 150 gal lacking? ha this post by you hn1 is vintage.sometimes i wonder if you think the only thing big enough is the lake they come from

 

[mfdrookie516]

a 150g will be plenty big for those fish. Just make sure you get more. For mbuna, just make sure that you have a good m-f ratio or you will have lots of dead fish.

 

[convict78]

a 150g will be plenty big for those fish. Just make sure you get more. For mbuna, just make sure that you have a good m-f ratio or you will have lots of dead fish.

how can you tell the difference? i was given two bumblebees and they look slightly different

 

[mfdrookie516]

my male bumblebee is almost black alot of times... venting is the only sure fire method except for a select few who are completely colored differently. kenyi and auratus are pretty easy to sex. male kenyi are orange-yellow, females are blue. Male auratus are black, females are yellow

 

[convict78]

my male bumblebee is almost black alot of times... venting is the only sure fire method except for a select few who are completely colored differently. kenyi and auratus are pretty easy to sex. male kenyi are orange-yellow, females are blue. Male auratus are black, females are yellow

well then i think i have a male and female because one is clearly darker and it has the spots on the anal fin and the other doesnt .might be another dumb question but venting?

 

[HN1]

4 fish in a 150 gal lacking? ha this post by you hn1 is vintage.sometimes i wonder if you think the only thing big enough is the lake they come from

I actually stock our tanks quite heavily, no lake needed if you know what you're doing and believe in overkill filtration. I did misread a bit, but...

 

[blackomen]

I want to make a copy of that photo and take it with me to pet stores. So when I here someone say they want one of those I can show them what it'll turn into someday.

 

[convict78]

not all plecos turn into that, their are many kinds that only grow to 4-6 inches all you have to do is your homework before buying one

 

[HN1]

not all plecos turn into that, their are many kinds that only grow to 4-6 inches all you have to do is your homework before buying one

Yep. True enough, but just about anyone who has done their research and knows that would likely put a descriptor in their signature. i.e. bristlenose, zebra, L048, etc. 90%+ of the plecos sold annually would turn into that (if they lived long enough).

 

[mfdrookie516]

Yep, when i hear pleco, i immediately assume common. normally people refer to bristlenose or rubberlipped as bristlenose or rubberlipped... just like goldfish... i immediately assume common unless otherwise noted. As for venting, google it. Its hard to explain.

 

[jawbreaker1222]

So how bout them powerhead questions? And Fish Behavior questions? Can i thread jack my own thread back?