Interested in cichlids

[James Roberge]

Hello everyone.

First some background.

I have had my 55gal freshwater tank for about 8 months now. I have kept
various tropicals in it with varying levels of success.

Currently, I have 5 neon tetras, 3 corys, 2 platy's and 1 female betta.

My water is good (no ammonia/nitrite, and currently about 20-30ppm
nitrate). PH is around 7.8 - 8.2. Tank is planted with various
artificial plants, and some pieces of driftwood to create some hiding
spots. Substrate is a 50/50 mix of regular size gravel and some smaller
sized gravel.

Now to my question.

I am interested in getting some cichlids for my aquarium, particularly
the Malawian variety. Now I realize some (if not all) of the fish I
have currently may not be compatible, which is fine, I have another home
for them if need be. But I am wondering about the suitability of the
rest of the aquarium setup for Malawian cichlids.

I understand that Malawian cichlids like a higher pH, which is no
problem because my pH (and local tap water) have a higher pH as is. But
what about the substrate?

I understand that these fish like a sandy substrate. Are they fine with
a substrate like mine, or would I need to change it to make it suitable
for them?

Regarding plants and decor, I figure I would need to get some rock like
structures to provide hiding spots/territories for males, but what about
plants? Are the artificial plants okay? What about the driftwood?

Anyways, some help would be great, as I would love to get into cichlids,
but do not want to jump in if my setup is not sufficient.

Thanks.

[Marco Schwarz]

Hi..

> I have had my 55gal freshwater tank for about 8 months
> now. I have kept various tropicals in it with varying
> levels of success.

Hmm..

> Currently, I have 5 neon tetras, 3 corys, 2 platy's and 1
> female betta.

Okay..

> My water is good (no ammonia/nitrite, and currently about
> 20-30ppm
> nitrate).

In my mind no prob..! What's about GH/KH..?

> PH is around 7.8 - 8.2.

Hmm.., why is the PH so high..?

> Tank is planted with
> various artificial plants, and some pieces of driftwood to
> create some hiding
> spots. Substrate is a 50/50 mix of regular size gravel
> and some smaller sized gravel.

What's about life plants, lighting..?

What's regular size gravel..? And what's some smaller sized
gravel..?

> Now to my question.
> I am interested in getting some cichlids for my aquarium,
> particularly
> the Malawian variety.

Okay..

> Now I realize some (if not all) of
> the fish I have currently may not be compatible, which is
> fine, I have another home
> for them if need be.

Well all of the old fish might be incompatible..!


> But I am wondering about the
> suitability of the rest of the aquarium setup for Malawian
> cichlids.

Me, too..

> I understand that Malawian cichlids like a higher pH,
> which is no
> problem because my pH (and local tap water) have a higher
> pH as is.

Okay..

> But what about the substrate?

Pool sand - or fine gravel (~0.1")..

> I understand that these fish like a sandy substrate. Are
> they fine with a substrate like mine, or would I need to
> change it to make it suitable for them?

In my mind Sand would be great..!

> Regarding plants and decor, I figure I would need to get
> some rock like structures to provide hiding
> spots/territories for males, but what about
> plants? Are the artificial plants okay?

Depending on lighting there were several life plants
available for your tank..

> What about the
> driftwood?

Real driftwood shouldn't be a prob..

> Anyways, some help would be great, as I would love to get
> into cichlids, but do not want to jump in if my setup is
> not sufficient.

Agreed.., cichlids are great pet fish but there are several
other cichlids beside Malawians..

Ever tried TFA..?
http://groups.google.com/group/The-Freshwater-Aquarium
--
cu
Marco

[swarvegorilla]

Tank sounds fine.
Malawi cichlids are VERY easy.
They also come from rocky, sandys and muddy based places.
For decoration you can use anything, most tanks look like a messy jumble to
provide enuf seperate territorys.
All your current fish would have to go, sorry
as a first fish try electric yellows
they are the most chilled out.
it gets more aggro from there on.
:)
So yea I'd move accross the old fish and move in some africans
your water sounds fine but maybe consider adding a bit of
shellgrit/marble/limestone/coral to the substrate so the nice high pH stays
that way.





"Marco Schwarz" > wrote in message
...
> Hi..
>
>> I have had my 55gal freshwater tank for about 8 months
>> now. I have kept various tropicals in it with varying
>> levels of success.
>
> Hmm..
>
>> Currently, I have 5 neon tetras, 3 corys, 2 platy's and 1
>> female betta.
>
> Okay..
>
>> My water is good (no ammonia/nitrite, and currently about
>> 20-30ppm
>> nitrate).
>
> In my mind no prob..! What's about GH/KH..?
>
>> PH is around 7.8 - 8.2.
>
> Hmm.., why is the PH so high..?
>
>> Tank is planted with
>> various artificial plants, and some pieces of driftwood to
>> create some hiding
>> spots. Substrate is a 50/50 mix of regular size gravel
>> and some smaller sized gravel.
>
> What's about life plants, lighting..?
>
> What's regular size gravel..? And what's some smaller sized
> gravel..?
>
>> Now to my question.
>> I am interested in getting some cichlids for my aquarium,
>> particularly
>> the Malawian variety.
>
> Okay..
>
>> Now I realize some (if not all) of
>> the fish I have currently may not be compatible, which is
>> fine, I have another home
>> for them if need be.
>
> Well all of the old fish might be incompatible..!
>
>
>> But I am wondering about the
>> suitability of the rest of the aquarium setup for Malawian
>> cichlids.
>
> Me, too..
>
>> I understand that Malawian cichlids like a higher pH,
>> which is no
>> problem because my pH (and local tap water) have a higher
>> pH as is.
>
> Okay..
>
>> But what about the substrate?
>
> Pool sand - or fine gravel (~0.1")..
>
>> I understand that these fish like a sandy substrate. Are
>> they fine with a substrate like mine, or would I need to
>> change it to make it suitable for them?
>
> In my mind Sand would be great..!
>
>> Regarding plants and decor, I figure I would need to get
>> some rock like structures to provide hiding
>> spots/territories for males, but what about
>> plants? Are the artificial plants okay?
>
> Depending on lighting there were several life plants
> available for your tank..
>
>> What about the
>> driftwood?
>
> Real driftwood shouldn't be a prob..
>
>> Anyways, some help would be great, as I would love to get
>> into cichlids, but do not want to jump in if my setup is
>> not sufficient.
>
> Agreed.., cichlids are great pet fish but there are several
> other cichlids beside Malawians..
>
> Ever tried TFA..?
> http://groups.google.com/group/The-Freshwater-Aquarium
> --
> cu
> Marco