No idea if I'm in right forum or where I should be, so excuse the ignorance.
2 weeks ago, made a spur of moment decision and embarked on a 75G Cichlid Tank in addition to my 29G community. So, LFS "helped" w/ advice on getting it set up. Got it all set up on a Sat and w/ advice from store put 3 cichlids in on Sun to start the cycle. Since then I've learned much more on nitrogen cycle and fishless cycling, but that's where I'm at currently. I'm monitoring water quality, and planning first water change tomorrow. Fish seem to be doing fine. Been doing lots of research online since then. FilstarXP-L is my filter. Based on research I'll probably need to add more filtration eventually. Gravel substrate and using lots of Texas Holey Rock and Lace Rock, w/ a few fake plants. Still working thru that piece.
I'm a few weeks away from putting in more cichlids, but trying to do a better job planning ahead and thinking this thru. I've been advised I can fit ~15 cichlids in there(?) I'm most interested in color & behavior. Breeding doesn't interest me. Since it's my first cichlid tank, probably behooves me to stay on more peaceful side of things. I would like to have a bottom feeder as I like those & based on location, will probably need an algae eater.
So here's the 3 fish I have now:
Yellow Lab
Strawberry Peacock
Placidochromis electra
Now, I've since learned it's a general no-no to mix the Mbuna & Haps/Peacocks, which I've already done. That said, it seems if you're going to mix, the Yellow Labs have a greater chance of success. I do like them.
So my thought here is make the yellow lab my only mbuna, but since they do better in groups (from what I've read), add 3-4 more to have 4 or 5 total. The rest I'd stick to Peacocks/Haps. Listing a few that I'm looking at, but this is no where near an exhaustive list...just a few the store mentioned. I'm struggling to find some of the more recommended ones on the site at the store...difficult to reconcile names on some.
Aulonocara maulana (Store refers to as Bicolor Peacock)
Aulonocara sp "Lwanada" (Store name Lwanda Peacock)
Aulonocara koningsi (Store name Regal Peacock)
Aulonocara kandeense (Store name Kandee Blue)
Otopharnyx lithobates (Store name Yellow Blaze Lithobate)
As for Bottom Feeders/Algae Eaters, I've been recommended Clown Loaches & Chinese Algae Eaters as potential choices. From what I've read, clown loaches are hit and miss and do get large. Better choice seems to be the syndontis. The CAE can be problematic as adults. Also not sure numbers on these and if they count above or within the 15 cichlids.
Appreciate any advice or calling out anything I'm missing....obviously new to this.
2 weeks ago, made a spur of moment decision and embarked on a 75G Cichlid Tank in addition to my 29G community. So, LFS "helped" w/ advice on getting it set up. Got it all set up on a Sat and w/ advice from store put 3 cichlids in on Sun to start the cycle. Since then I've learned much more on nitrogen cycle and fishless cycling, but that's where I'm at currently. I'm monitoring water quality, and planning first water change tomorrow. Fish seem to be doing fine. Been doing lots of research online since then. FilstarXP-L is my filter. Based on research I'll probably need to add more filtration eventually. Gravel substrate and using lots of Texas Holey Rock and Lace Rock, w/ a few fake plants. Still working thru that piece.
I'm a few weeks away from putting in more cichlids, but trying to do a better job planning ahead and thinking this thru. I've been advised I can fit ~15 cichlids in there(?) I'm most interested in color & behavior. Breeding doesn't interest me. Since it's my first cichlid tank, probably behooves me to stay on more peaceful side of things. I would like to have a bottom feeder as I like those & based on location, will probably need an algae eater.
So here's the 3 fish I have now:
Yellow Lab
Strawberry Peacock
Placidochromis electra
Now, I've since learned it's a general no-no to mix the Mbuna & Haps/Peacocks, which I've already done. That said, it seems if you're going to mix, the Yellow Labs have a greater chance of success. I do like them.
So my thought here is make the yellow lab my only mbuna, but since they do better in groups (from what I've read), add 3-4 more to have 4 or 5 total. The rest I'd stick to Peacocks/Haps. Listing a few that I'm looking at, but this is no where near an exhaustive list...just a few the store mentioned. I'm struggling to find some of the more recommended ones on the site at the store...difficult to reconcile names on some.
Aulonocara maulana (Store refers to as Bicolor Peacock)
Aulonocara sp "Lwanada" (Store name Lwanda Peacock)
Aulonocara koningsi (Store name Regal Peacock)
Aulonocara kandeense (Store name Kandee Blue)
Otopharnyx lithobates (Store name Yellow Blaze Lithobate)
As for Bottom Feeders/Algae Eaters, I've been recommended Clown Loaches & Chinese Algae Eaters as potential choices. From what I've read, clown loaches are hit and miss and do get large. Better choice seems to be the syndontis. The CAE can be problematic as adults. Also not sure numbers on these and if they count above or within the 15 cichlids.
Appreciate any advice or calling out anything I'm missing....obviously new to this.