Newbie questions

[rossi]

Hi there..
I am an absolute newbie when it comes to keeping African Cichlids..
How do you calculate the volume (in gallons) of a tank?
What is the recommended water temperature for a Malawai tank?
( as I have been supplied with contradicting information)
Thanks heaps
Paul.

[Dean]

To find out total gallons of an aquarium take the length x the width x height then devide by 231.

I think that 78-80 is the optimum temp.

For more info go to www.cichlid-forum.com hth.

[rossi]

Thanks for that Dean...
Paul.

[N8DOGG]

I came across this in a book that I'm reading it might help also

pH 7.5-8.5
dH 10-15
Temp near 80F

[rossi]

Thanks again... I had the tank cycling for 2 weeks and have added several fish over the 2weeks after cycling...I was concerned that something was wrong in my tank as I lost a Synodontis Euriptus the day after we bought him home.
Although seems that they had their PH too low and were losing other fish....All the fish in the tank are really happy...thankfully they weren't infected by the feather fin...
in my tank I have'.
1. Rostratos male.
2. Taiwan Reef male
3. Lombardi female
4. 1 x pair of Kadanga Reds
5. finally I have a colony of Electric Yellows.(who have taken the tank over already getting ready to spawn...)They are great to watch the Yellows as they are territorial about there corner of the tank but not agressive when moving the onlookers...

it sounds like a lot of fish for a 30 gal tank but the average size of the fish is 3cms. I will put most of the fish into a 55 gal tank as they start to size up.. and leave my yellow colony to breed in the smaller tank.. I have 2 males and 4 females...
Cya and thanks, it's great how quickly you get feedback at this site... Paul.