40g Set Up for Classroom

I've found this useful:

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/c ... er_40g.php

Wish we had such things at our school. All we kept were frogs...and they weren't for science class

what can be done to speed up the cycle process, so that the kids can get fish sooner than later....

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Two ways to seed the biofilter, use media from an established filter or buy one of the 'bacteria in a bottle' products.

+1 on the seed filter or bacteria in a bottle just make sure if you buy the bottled to shake that stuff for a good minute or two to make sure it activates.

Thanks, I will probably steal some media from my tanks at home, but how good is the bacteria in the bottle? Does it really speed up the process?

I see the cookie cutters as well, just looking for other ideas and or preferences.... I value the input on here, and was wondering what others would do in the same situation as myself....

It's good but honestly I'd prefer already established media if I had it available. though that's just my personal preference. But again shake that bottle really really good if you decide to get it.

Use the media from your tanks. It'll take usually 7-10 days this way. Fishless cycle, of course.

There have to be endless possiblities for a 40. What's the objective of the tank, and what are you interested in?

The objective of the tank, is to be a Calming, De-escalation technique.....

I work with really hard to deal with kids, and thought that fish would have a positive effect on them....

My 55g at home, has a mixed batch of Malawi that are awesome, but that is a quite bit bigger in size...

I know that all cichlids for the most part are very active and have awesome personality, but looking I guess for a species or two, that would look real cool in a tank in the classroom....

Most cichlids are active, aggressive, so not sure that's what you want, is it? If I had to pick one that was calm and could work in a 40, maybe paracyprichromis nigripinnis. Put a daylight and actinic blue bulb over them to make the blue stand out. Then maybe add brevis or multi's. Xeno's are pretty docile but too skittish for a tank with children bouncing around. Calvus/comps maybe.

Jeditwin said:

how good is the bacteria in the bottle? Does it really speed up the process?

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Bottled Nitrifiers Work

I also prefer to use media from established tanks, but there are now some bottled bacteria on the market that actually work, and can show scientific data to prove it. A few years ago it was all hooey, and quite a bit of that stuff is still around too. In that area, it definitely pays off to do your research first, and buy products whose success is based on science, not make-believe and empty promises

prov356 said:

Most cichlids are active, aggressive, so not sure that's what you want, is it? If I had to pick one that was calm and could work in a 40, maybe paracyprichromis nigripinnis. Put a daylight and actinic blue bulb over them to make the blue stand out. Then maybe add brevis or multi's. Xeno's are pretty docile but too skittish for a tank with children bouncing around. Calvus/comps maybe.

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The kids won't be bouncing around at all, when they get to me.... They are quiet... I wanted to put something in there with color and aggression doesn't matter.....

I want a group of cichlids that are active enough that will be attention getters for the kids I got...

Its something that I want them to focus on, when trying to get themselves back into program...

Aggression is ok.... My main objective is to show the kids, that even the fish though aggressive can still get along in the same enviroment..... I am hoping that this Test tank, can provide me enough proven data, to encorperate more tanks throughout my agency....

Not sure you're going to want to use cichlids to show that aggression can result in a sustainable environment, since aggression can/does lead to death a lot with cichlids. Especially in the beginning. Malawians will get you more color, but IME, are more likely to really beat on one another.

Mbuna - Saulosi would be great.

Have you considered Jewels, and Kribs? theres lots of colors and they arnt aggressive at all really. Plus they breed readily in a tank that size. I know what you mean, and aggression with the fish wouldnt really be a problem with the kids, its more something that they can look at and learn about. Tanks have a calming effect.

Then you can add a SAE which are pretty active for algea eaters.

Thanks for all the ideas, and input.... I will keep you all posted on the results and updates on these tanks.....

Maybe me idea of Aquariam and Fish Therapy will take off, and I will have more tanks then I thought......

Jewels & Kribs are definitely aggressive. Both will defend a brood to the death.

We've had Kribs (anywhere from 1-4) in a 55 and the subdominants always lose out.

Honestly, you may just want to consider some schooling fish;
Boesmani Rainbows, Turquoise Rainbows, Silver Dollars, etc.

Oooh.. I have about 12-16 Gourami (gold, opaline, blue, platinum, giant) in a tank. They can be a LITTLE nippy, but nothing like Cichlids.

I am still up in the air, suggestions are being put into the think tank! HAHAHA.... I will see what I come up with and let everyone know....

Honestly, some fancy long finned goldfish (the larger kind) may be the best for a peaceful setting.

I was going to recommend Koi (great peaceful fish), but they get huge.

Goldfish? Man.... I was hoping to get some support with the cichlids.... I really don't want to get up Goldfish, when I am trying to emulate that aggession in fish... and in the kids I deal with can be calming and also.... Everyone at times can get along and live together in some what of a peaceful underwater enviroment...

So...

You're looking for species that CAN be aggressive, will occasionally have fights but provided the right environment, can co-exist?

I'd go back to the Saulosi recommendation.

Unfortunately the best analogy I've come up with to explain Malawi cichlids is the "Pímp to Ho" ratio. Each pímp needs at least a few ho's. Too many pímps, not enough ho's and someone's gonna get roughed up.

Dude, that is great... I am going to tell the Board Members... to scratch the aquariam therapy.... And call it the Pim and Ho therapy...

Like in life, as in fish... If there isn't enough Ho's...... Someone is getting roughed.....

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