czn znyone help with tank Chemistry?PLEASE

[Paroon Shark]

the title says it. i just want to kno when i have to buy mr friends 75g tank.
they are compressicep cichlids , they are about 2 inchs now. i dont plan to put in any other fish except MAYBE a small bottom dwelling cleaner kind of thing( otto maybe).
any help, thoughts or suggestions?
P.S the other posts here are replying to a different subject so dont be alarmed haha

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

Have you cycled the tank? Since you are showing ammonia i would say no, you haven't. I would cycle the tank before adding fish.

Your ph should be 7.8-8.5, so i would reccommend you raise yours up a bit using crushed coral or shell. Gh should be over 10, i'm not familiar with your test kit so i dont know what level you are showing. By compressiceps do you mean the tangynikan compressiceps or the malawi one? I am assuming its the Tang.
(Altolamprologus compressiceps)
http://www.malawicichlidhomepage.com/aquarium/alrola79.jpg


Adding some shells will be good in addition to the slate because females sometimes use shells to spawn.

[JSchmidt]

Yeah, if you haven't cycled the tank, see the stickies at the top of this forum. There are great articles/threads on cycling.

I'd be a bit concerned about keeping 3 cichlids AND a pleco in a 25... if the compressiceps are the Malawi type (Dimidiochromis compressiceps), I'd say they are totally inappropriate for a 25, unless they're babies. D. compressiceps get big; I had one that was better than 8 inches long. Don't know about the Altolamprologus compressiceps, so I can't advise (except to ditch the pleco) there.

HTH,
Jim

[Paroon Shark]

hey
yes the compressiceps are babies and im not sure if they are the malawi or whatever its called. the fish store cant give me any info other than ''compressicep''. how long would u think it would take for those to grow out of my 25 if they r the big kind?
i will look at the cyclearticles.thanks

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

Here is a link to some information on Didichromis compressiceps
http://www.malawimayhem.com/profile_show.php?id=172

I would not even attempt keeping juvie of these fish in a 25. They grow fairly quickly and even when they are smaller they need a large tank with lots of swimming space (ie- 40+ gallons).

When you go to the pet store take a look at the fish and see if they look like the malawi kind (didichromis compressiceps) or the tangynikan kind (Altolamprologus compressiceps). Once you know then you can plan your tank around the fish you are going to be keeping.

[JSchmidt]

In some stores, you'll see Dimidiochromis compressiceps referred to as "Malawi Eye Biters." They don't attack other fishes' eyes, though, so don't fret!

I would think, unless the compressiceps are real small (less than 1" or 1.5" total length) that they won't be OK in that tank for more than 3-4 months. They really need some swimming room, as noted above.

Jim

[Paroon Shark]

does any1 kno or any cichlids on the smaller size like maybe 5 inches full grown( or there size comfortable in 25 g)?
i still want a really aggresive fish though. the guy at the pet store seems to kno exactly what hes talking about and he said i could keep 3 in the without making them uncomfortable. i am going to the lfs tonight to get ammonia for my cycle, i will talk to the guy and tell u what he says.

[JSchmidt]

I can't think of any 5" fish that will be comfortable in 25g tank. Too small of a space.

If the guy at the pet store says you can keep 3 compressiceps in a 25, you should start taking everything he says with a big grain of salt.

Jim

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

Um, as we've asked before, WHICH COMPRESSICEPS ARE THEY!?!?!?!?!

There are two kinds and one will work the other wont! GAH!

If its didichromis compressiceps then as i said before i already think they are too big for that tank. They are an open-lake swimming fish and require lots of gliding space. At 2" they will be okay for a temporary time of about 1 month? You dont want to stunt them.

And i think a small otto would become a snack with these guys...