Please help me Decide, im Desperate, not literally :P

[ChEeRs_BiG_EaRs]

hi guys,
decision time, i value aquarists opinions higher than any fish shops, so please be honest.
ok firstly, i want either a planted tank, or a tank with some nice, large cichlids, like 10 inches or something. i cant decide, which would you guys recommend? also, tank size choice, it will either be 4 x 2.5 x 2 or 6 x 2.5 x 2. i cant decide which, but it will be these sizes for lighting reasons. which one do you goys recommend.
thanx for that
BiG EaRs

[dbcb314]

if you want large cichlids, go witht he bigger tank

i dont do plants but i believe height is the one that affects the lights, and since they are both the same high, id get the bigger one

[dcallen]

I am in agreement. If you want to keep larger cichlids then the larger tank would be the best way to go. I take it you are considering like a 75 or 125 gallon tank? Good luck.

[ScottoMacD]

You will have to go with the larger tank if you want the larger type cichlids.

You should probably forget about the plants though.

Reason being 1 of 2 things are going to happen.
1) the cichlids will end up eating the plants. I have even had some eat my silk plants.

2) Most Cichlids are diggers ( especally the large ones )and you will be spending more time replanting everything in the tank, than you will enjoying the tank.

What cichlids are you looking at getting for the tank?

I ask because even in a 75 or a 125 you will be limited with how many tankbusters you can put in there.

[demon_surfer]

i believe he meant he wants EITHER large cichlids or plants :o
like the other said get the largest you can for the big cichlids.

bugger it just get the biggest tank you can what ever you are gonna put in it you wont regret it :D :D :D

[ChilDawg]

Originally posted by demon_surfer
bugger it just get the biggest tank you can what ever you are gonna put in it you wont regret it :D :D :D

hehehe, way to turn a phrase, demon_surfer!

I agree...big tanks are/would be nice to have...if you can afford a large tank (and the components necessary to run it, filters, heaters, etc.), those are best because they're easy to maintain (except for with the large water changes...)

[caz]

any tank, no matter what the size, can be a pain if its overstocked though. and theres always the bigger the fish, the bigger the poop, which requires a bunch of syphoning to get your tank to look clean.

[ChilDawg]

That is a consideration. I was going with no variation in fish selection from the smaller tank to the larger one, but you are correct.

[jimbo]

The bigger, the better.(no discussion no matter what Cichlids)
But cichlids come in a wide variety from different parts of the world.
From East Africa (Rift lakes, three of them), West Africa, South or Central America etc. :confused:
I think you have to make a decision first, which species instead of the size.
Do not mix American with African cichlids because of their different water requirements.
American cichlids usually prefer neutral or slightly alkaline water (pH 7-7.5)
Cichlids from the African Rift Lakes (Malawi, Tanganyika and Victoria) require alkaline water (pH 7.8 - 9.0; depending on the Lake)
And also when you select fish for your tank, the important factor is the size of the adult fish and not the size of the fish you actually buy. Four inch could be the adult size of one fish (most mbuna) while it is only the size of a young juvenile for other species (Buccochromis sp., Astronotus ocellatus (Oscar), large American cichlids).
Just do some "homework" and you'll be just fine

[breaker87]

i have 4 peacock bass and theyre 10 inches and havent even acnowleged the plants existence. unless theres a goldfish hiding in them that a different matter lol

[Tightdog1]

go with he biggest tank you can afford you will be happier later on in life. and the fish will also. your wallet may not be happier tho.