How many in 90 Gallons?

[Evilyeti]

The tank i am looking at is 18W, 24H, 48L. I am interested in Cichlid's but my question is how many could i fit in 90 Gallons?

The ones i am looking at are:
Blue Acara Cichlid
Blue Jehani Cichlid
Cobalt Cichlid
Electric Yellow Cichlid
Purple Parrot

I don't know the full name's of these that is just what they're labeled as at the local shops. But i would like a large variety of these 5 if it is possible to keep them all in the same tank?

Also, would two Penguin 350 75 Gallon Filters be enough for a 90 Gallon tank with a good amount of Cichlid's?

What am i looking at for how many i could fit in the tank?

And is there a specific type rock they prefer? Or can i just use what i find out out site and build some nice fixture's that way?

[Nolapete]

Don't mix africans and ca/sa cichlids. Pick one or the other.

You can fit the same amount of cichlids in a 4' 90 as a 4' 75. The surface area is identical. The extra 15 gallons is of no real benefit when it comes to stocking cichlids.

You need to investigate the habitat for each of the cichlids you want. They like different environments, structure, water quality, and have different temperaments.

Most of those fish get to be fairly large, so you're not going to be able to put a "large variety" in one tank.

[Rbishop]

With some Africans, you will want to overstock to spread the aggression. And you will need to consider male/female ratios. You will also need tot ake into account their dietary needs.

[Jmerk]

Let us know what cichlids you prefer. CA/SA or Africans. For Africans you can use limestone (it is ok. It buffers pH) or ocean rock along with reef sand (NOT live sand though, I wouldn't go with Live Rock either, just ocean rock) for CA/SA, you can use anything that won't buffer, or buffers DOWN the pH. They like SOFT and SLIGHTLY ACIDIC water.

[Evilyeti]

Let us know what cichlids you prefer. CA/SA or Africans. For Africans you can use limestone (it is ok. It buffers pH) or ocean rock along with reef sand (NOT live sand though, I wouldn't go with Live Rock either, just ocean rock) for CA/SA, you can use anything that won't buffer, or buffers DOWN the pH. They like SOFT and SLIGHTLY ACIDIC water.

I am not sure what type of Cichlid's those are, i did however like the Blue Jehani the most out of all of them.

Here are my results from searching on google:
Blue Johanni Cichlid = Lake Malawi Africa
Cobalt Blue Cichlid = Lake Malawi Africa
Electric Yellow Cichlid = Lake Malawi Africa

Thats all i could find, i like all three of these Cichlid's if there are anymore of the same blueish colors that i could mix with these 3? And can these 3 be mixed together?

[dbcb314]

I am not sure what type of Cichlid's those are, i did however like the Blue Jehani the most out of all of them.

Here are my results from searching on google:
Blue Johanni Cichlid = Lake Malawi Africa
Cobalt Blue Cichlid = Lake Malawi Africa
Electric Yellow Cichlid = Lake Malawi Africa

Thats all i could find, i like all three of these Cichlid's if there are anymore of the same blueish colors that i could mix with these 3? And can these 3 be mixed together?
go here...

http://www.aquahobby.com/e_freshwater_tropical_aquarium_fish.php


Go down, there will be categories for african and american cichlids

[Evilyeti]

go here...

http://www.aquahobby.com/e_freshwater_tropical_aquarium_fish.php


Go down, there will be categories for african and american cichlids

Thanks for the Link, after doing some quick reading i think I am going to start off with the Blue Johanni Cichlid's.

[Nolapete]

If you're going to go with johanni in the 90, provide a lot of rockwork. You can use crushed coral, coral sand, or one of the other prepared african cichlid substrates like eco complete cichlid. Texas holey rock would be a good choice for decorative rock. Get 1 male and as many females as you want up to 10-12 fish total. That's if you're just going to do johanni.

cobalt blue is pseudotropheus zebra which comes in more colors than just blue

electric yellow is labidochromis caeruleus

I wouldn't keep P. zebra with johanni or caeruleus, but you could keep those two together. I'd suggest 1 male of each and 4-5 females.

[Nolapete]

If you want to keep a tank of blue cobalt P. zebra, M. auratus is equally aggressive. You could do 1M 4-5F of each with that as well.

Most of the mbunas do best in overtocked situations to reduce aggression.

Read up on mouthbrooders, egg stripping, egg tumblers, mbunas and lake malawi cichlids for more information.

[Evilyeti]

If you're going to go with johanni in the 90, provide a lot of rockwork. You can use crushed coral, coral sand, or one of the other prepared african cichlid substrates like eco complete cichlid. Texas holey rock would be a good choice for decorative rock. Get 1 male and as many females as you want up to 10-12 fish total. That's if you're just going to do johanni.

cobalt blue is pseudotropheus zebra which comes in more colors than just blue

electric yellow is labidochromis caeruleus

I wouldn't keep P. zebra with johanni or caeruleus, but you could keep those two together. I'd suggest 1 male of each and 4-5 females.

So i can i add either Electric Yellows or Cobalt Blues as well? That sounds good to me.

1 Male Johanni + 4-5 Females with either
1 Male Electric Yellow + 4-5 Females or
1 Male Cobalt Blue + 4-5 Females?

is that right? If so i will start reading up on the rest of them tomorrow morning

[Nolapete]

No...johanni with electric yellow

cobalt blues are far too aggressive

[Evilyeti]

No...johanni with electric yellow

cobalt blues are far too aggressive

Ah Ok! i misread sorry! But thank you for the info.

Where can you purchase / find this Texas rock you are talking about? is it specifically found in texas or can it be purchased threw local shops? If i can use normal rocks i find outside in say rock pits, i will start hunting for those. And i will try to find the bottoms you mentioned as see which one i like best!

[Nolapete]

Google is your friend. Use it. Google Texas Holey Rock. take some initiative and you will be rewarded. :D

I wouldn't use rocks found outside as you don't know what they've been exposed to. They could be covered with petroleum residue, pesticides, etc.

Try eBay.

[Evilyeti]

Google is your friend. Use it. Google Texas Holey Rock. take some initiative and you will be rewarded. :D

I wouldn't use rocks found outside as you don't know what they've been exposed to. They could be covered with petroleum residue, pesticides, etc.

Try eBay.

Would it be possible just to use some soap and water and clean the rocks over and over again and than just let them soak in hot water, than rinse them a couple times, and let them soak some more?

The Texas Holy Rock is really nice but i think it would add up really fast after shipping to Canada

[Nolapete]

No, never use soap on anything for use in your aquarium.

Bleach and water or vinegar and water ONLY.

A good test I think people say to use to see if a rock is truly is inert is to pour some muriatic acid on it. If it fizzes then it's not. I'm pretty sure it's muriatic, but I am second guessing myself because it's late right now.

Try ebay.ca (ebay canada)

[Nolapete]

http://search.ebay.ca/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=texas+holey+rock&category0=

[Evilyeti]

http://search.ebay.ca/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=texas+holey+rock&category0=

Those are all US auctions. I will keep checking on eBay though, i will try to see what i can here as well.

[Nolapete]

Yah, I see what you mean. I forgot to check the shipping. Someone in Canada will have to make alternative suggestions for you.

[Evilyeti]

Yah, I see what you mean. I forgot to check the shipping. Someone in Canada will have to make alternative suggestions for you.

It wouldnt be that bad if i didn't have to worry about bidding against other people. But if it goes for more than $10 it would be quite expensive to get lots.

Otherwise i will try to order some in a couple months. I bet it looks really nice in tanks.

But to fill the 90 Gallon it would require quite a few peaces i think?

[Rbishop]

You don't necessarily have to fill the whole tank. Place pieces, gaining some height and a pleasing look. Maybe higher on each end or high in the middle and tapering down. Try to create holes and tunnels they dart in and out of.

I have used pieces of rock from around the area, and just scrub/soak them clean, and haven't had any issues. Also, many landscaping places or gravel yards can have some interesting and inexpensive stone.

[wataugachicken]

ask yor LFS if they can order some rock for you. if they are selling african cichlids, they already have a customer base who will buy that kind of rock.

[Evilyeti]

Thanks for more information guys, I did have another question. Everything i read says to have a 2nd tank to put the females in when they're carrying the fry in there mouth.

What size of tank is required for this at the minimum?

[jm1212]

also look at slate. easy to make caves with and is pretty cheap.

[MbunaFishKeeper]

pic the cichlids you prefer, if you prefer CA/SA then pick which ones you like, if you want african make sure to have lots of rock work and probably more fish to spread the aggression