Starting a Cichlid tank

[greyboysix]

Hey people! I've only been banging around on here and picking brains for a week or so, but I've gotten awesome advice so far, so why stop now?

Long story short, the water where I live is CR@P for most fish, but according to some locals, African Cichlids really love it. So, I've had to move from planning to put Cories, Platties, Danios and Tetras in my tank to Cichlids. I wanted to avoid that at the beginning (as the Cichlids are expensive), but I don't really mind, as I love the size and color of the African Cichlids. Anyhow, the only thing I really don't want to go back on (as far as my set-up goes) is having to change the gravel. I've already started (fishless) cycling of the tank, and would prefer not to undo what progress I have. It's a pretty rough gravel, sandy in color, and I'd say the particles are slightly larger than pea sized. Other than that, I don't mind pulling my plants (wish aren't fairing well in the not-yet-cycled waters) and tossing the plastic crap. Here's a quick rundown of my set-up...
29 Gallons, all glass, Penguin Bio-wheel 350, and 2 100 watt submersible heaters. And, of course, the gravel.

So, what I'm asking for is, perhaps most importantly, can I pull it off without changing the gravel? I'm hoping so, as what I've read on lake Malawi suggests that most of it is quite gravely and rocky. Secondly, What's the best aquascaping to keep them happy? I've seen everything from almost bare tanks with a few big rocks and terracotta planters, to sandy bottomed tanks with huge stones at the bottom, to rough bottoms with stone formations that go to the top of the tank. Any advice? If it helps, I'm hooked on the idea of getting some Labidochromis caeruleus when the tank is fully set up. There's a local specialist place that does african cichlids almost exclusively, and they breed gorgeous Electric Yellows. Any advice on ANYTHING about cichlid tanks and species, etc. would be most welcome!

 

[Zagz]

29 gallons is too small for most malawi cichlids. They need a tank of at least 55 gals. You could go with either shellies or dwarf cichlids. All cichlids for the most part prefer sand over rocks. You can get pool filter sand for very cheap. Usually around $8-10 for a 50lb bag.

If you choose to go with dwarf cichlids they love planted tanks. Shellies of course live with shells.

 

[greyboysix]

****, I just can't win.... I don't suppose it would make a difference if the ones I want are small? They top out at 4".

 

[fijiwigi]

there is alway a push in this hobby to go with a larger tank. I have a 46g and really wish I would have just bit the bullet and went with a 175 gallon tank. Fish need space to swim freely without having to bump into the tank walls every time they dart off. Granted even if you go against the reccomended stocking and put too big of fish in a too small of tank they may survive. But will the fish thrive in such a enviroment probably not. Its like people I have a wife and 2 kids in a 1200 square foot house were maxed out. If I had a 5000 square foot house maybe I could have 6kids or even a second wife(wouldn't that be nice) Lol but I can't afford it. Just like how I can't afford a larger aquarium you definately get what you pay for. And with a larger aquarium you can have a larger population of fish. Imagine if someone stuffed you inside of bathroom and told you that you had to live there without leaving you probably would not be happy. Just a little food for thought.

 

[vfc]

Start with a few smaller African Cichlids for the 29G. Nice combo with maximum color would be 3 Yellow Labs ( Labidochromis caeruleus) and 1 (only one as the males fight each other to the death) Pseudotropheus demasoni.

If you have success and enjoy them, MTS will set in and you'll end up with a second (bigger) tank with more stocking options.

 

[greyboysix]

Went to the specialist-type aquarium store

Went to Worldwide Aquariums this morning, and they agreed. I can get by with three, four, or maybe even five small Cichlids. The Yellow Labs are what really have me going. Anyhow, they set me straight on decor and whatnot. I just pumped out my tank and removed the gravel. As I live in an apartment, I can't "garden hose" the new crushed coral substrate, so I'm gonna do that at work. I got nothing else to do with all the sports gone save one, so I might as well filter the gravel till it's crystal clear. I'll go back next week to pick up the rocks I need to provide bolt-holes and whatnot. There's light at the end of the tunnel, aparantly!